Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1962Page 4,812 of 5,444
"It will be better if you do so," shouted Pendu. "What a mess you have created!"
Baba was quite pleased with Pendu and instructed Padri, "Do not dismiss Nana and Tani, but stop everything else."
This incident is an example of obeying the Master's wish. Although close friends, Pendu put all his heart into scolding Padri, as Baba wished. Such incidents often occurred among the mandali. Baba would purposely create the friction. It was all to keep his pleasure, to help his close ones to burn up their attachments, and master perfect obedience. The same was the case with the women. Yet the clashes flourished against a background of amity in an atmosphere where, despite their personal differences, all resided as one family.
Meanwhile, Adi's mother Gulmai's condition worsened in August due to both cancer and kidney disease. While at Meherabad on 6 August, Baba informed Padri to be prepared for Gulmai's burial on the hill, as she would be dying shortly.
On the evening of the 8th, Gulmai's condition became serious, and Adi sent Sarosh to Meherazad to inform Baba. Baba instructed Sarosh that when Gulmai passed away, he should be informed and her body removed to Meherabad Hill, where her coffin would be lowered into the grave in his presence.
On the morning of 9 August, Baba unexpectedly asked to be driven to Khushru Quarters to see Gulmai. Although she had ceased to recognize anyone and was almost in an unconscious state, she opened her eyes and her face brightened when she saw Baba. She caressed his face and managed to utter, "Ba ... ba." After kissing her on the forehead and embracing her, Baba returned to Meherazad. Eruch sent Adi this note: "Baba wants you to be happy and feel happy, for Gulmai is and will ever be HAPPY."
The next day, taking a critical turn for the worse, Gulmai was unable to speak and suffered spells of unconsciousness. Even so, with great difficulty she was moving her lips and repeating Baba's name. At midnight, she startled from a coma-like sleep and loudly called out Baba's name. With all her strength, she continued this for a few minutes without pause. While uttering Baba's name, Gulmai merged in him forever at the age of 78. Waman Padale was sent to Meherazad to inform Baba of Gulmai's passing.
Gulmai's body was taken to Meherabad in the early hours of Saturday, 11 August 1962. Her open coffin was placed in a room adjacent to the hall at lower Meherabad. At 9:00 A.M., on the shoulders of some of the workers, the coffin was carried up the hill, where a grave had been dug. It was placed under the Tin Shed until Baba arrived. Baba came at ten o'clock, and Adi and Padri met him at lower Meherabad. Baba went up the hill and sat under the Tin Shed near Gulmai's body. He then instructed that the coffin be lowered into the grave, without the coffin lid in place.