ChaptersChapter 38Page 5,001

Chapter 38: Guruprasad Garden, 1963

1963Page 5,001 of 5,444
The first dance was of Lord Vishnu in the heavens with devas (angels) dancing around him. He hears a voice from Earth uttering that there is great need for him to descend as the Avatar. The next scene shows God descending in the form of Merwan Sheriar Irani, and then Babajan's kiss that unveils him. The final scene was of the East-West Gathering, which ended with Baba's arti.
The girls did not speak a single word, but clearly conveyed the story through their choreography. Two blind musicians played backstage, as two sisters from Andhra sang the songs which accompanied each dance. A commentary in English was given before each scene. A girl named Bal Rani, who acted as Baba, was so natural and imitated Baba so well that he applauded her often. After the dance-drama, Baba embraced the girls and had his photograph taken with the entire cast.
Baba retired as soon as the photo session was over. No darshan was given as it was 6:00 P.M. The next day, the Burra Katha group saw Baba again at Guruprasad to bid him farewell.
Baba handed Bhaskara Raju a packet of money for their traveling expenses, remarking, "Take this amount as my prasad."
Baba called Adi Sr. and remarked, "Today these people will be our guests."
So, before leaving for Andhra, they had lunch with the mandali.
On Tuesday, 21 May 1963, it was quite hot in Guruprasad, and Baba asked those present, "Will it rain today?"
Pratap replied, "We should ask Narendra [Thade], as he works at the meteorological department."
Baba motioned to Thade to go outside and check if there were any signs of rain. He went out and returned after scanning the skies.
Baba asked, "Now tell me if there will be rain or not."
Thade said, "It will rain."
"At what time?" Baba asked.
Thade was nonplussed, but blurted out, "At 6:00 P.M.!"
Until five o'clock there was no sign of rain, and Thade was worried. Inwardly, he was praying to Baba to cause it to rain.
Baba warned him, "If it does not rain today, after tomorrow I will not allow you to enter Guruprasad."
Thade went home frightened, but his prayer was answered. At 6:00 P.M. a hard rain began to fall.
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