Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1962Page 4,795 of 5,444
While Baba was in Poona, Sidhu was instructed to stay at Meherazad to assist Kaka Baria. On a previous occasion, Mohammed Mast had stopped eating for a week in Sidhu's absence. Padri complained about this to Baba, who permitted Mohammed to accompany Sidhu to Meherazad that year. So on 12 April 1962, Adi drove Sidhu and Mohammed there. This was most unusual, as it was the first time in years that Mohammed had left Meherabad. His stay, however, only lasted for five days. On the 17th, Mohammed asked to be taken back to Meherabad, and Waman drove him there, along with Sidhu, who then returned to Meherazad.
Occasionally that summer there were music performances at Guruprasad. Madhusudan and the Poona group sang often before Baba. Baba asked Maharani Shantadevi to come to Guruprasad for three consecutive days, 13, 14, and 15 April, and entertainment programs were arranged for Baba on these days between 4 and 6:00 P.M. Baba gave permission for a few of the Poona Center group to attend, and on Sunday, 15 April 1962, close Poona families were permitted to come for darshan.
A professional comedian, mimic and ventriloquist named Narayan Swami had performed at the Bombay birthday celebrations that year, and Sorabji Siganporia brought him to Poona on 13 April, where he gave a half-hour performance for Baba. Besides imitating two cats fighting, dogs barking, birds whistling and the sound of various musical instruments, the Swami also impersonated several Indian leaders delivering speeches. Baba enjoyed his performance and gave him one of his handkerchiefs as a reward. When the comedian heard Pendu was in the hospital, he went there and performed for him to cheer him up.
On Saturday, 14 April 1962, Habib Qawaal entertained the Divine Beloved for a few hours from 4:00 P.M. Several from Ahmednagar attended his concert, including Bhagirath, Chhagan and Rustom Kaka and his family.
Baba remarked to Habib, "None of these people will really understand the songs. But do not let that bother you. You are singing to me, and that is enough — for I alone know their true meaning."
One couplet that Baba particularly appreciated, he translated:
I have no wish, I have no desire — not even for God-realization.
May the agony of Your love abide with me always.
The young girl with the beautiful voice, Lata Limaye, sang before Baba at Guruprasad on 8 April, and she was called to sing again on Sunday, the 15th. That same day Professor Gangadhar V. Kulkarni of Kolhapur met Baba at Guruprasad along with D. R. Nirgundikar. Noshir Irani also came, but kept pestering Baba for permission to go on pilgrimage and visit certain saints. Baba did not like this.