The brigadier general was a Sikh from the Punjab, and Baba remarked to him that Guru Nanak was a Perfect Master.
His wife asked, "Have you read about Guru Nanak?"
"I have not read," Baba gestured, "I know!"
The brigadier asked, "Baba, I have heard that it is beneficial to repeat the divine name, but which name is best to repeat?"
"Do you love your wife?"
"Yes, Baba. I love her very much."
"What would you do if she were staying far away from you?"
"I would remember her, of course."
"Would you remember her with a rosary in your hand? Would you sit in a corner and repeat her name?"
"No, I would think about her spontaneously with love."
Baba stated, "In the same way, automatic remembrance of God in a natural way is what is worthwhile. And without love, it is not possible. When there is intense thirst for the remembrance of the Beloved, love is born, and one's only thought is of the Beloved.
"This is called real japa [repetition of a divine name]. Then, even the impossible becomes possible. It is the glory of the name." The brigadier was highly impressed by Baba's explanation.
General Bhandari and his wife bid a tearful goodbye to Baba. Out of his great kindness, Baba had met them, knowing this was the last time the couple would ever see him.
N. P. Mishra (who had attended the September 1954 Meherabad meetings) had come with Adi, and Baba told him to return to Delhi on foot from Bombay. He was given ten rupees as prasad.
Nariman, Arnavaz and Kumar left on the 3rd. Eruch went with them to Poona for a few days for medical treatment.
Sam Kerawala accompanied Adi to Meherazad on 6 January and had Baba's darshan. Raosaheb Afseri had recently written to Baba, requesting that his body be buried at Meherabad after his death, and Baba permitted it.1 Rama was operated on at Booth Hospital that day. On the 10th and 19th, Baba sent Bhau to see her. He spoke with her for a little while, conveying Baba's love, and then went to Rustom Kaka's home, where he discussed setting some of his song lyrics to music.
On 16 January, Baba dictated this message for his upcoming birthday:
The aim of life is to love God. The goal of life is to become one with God. The surest and quickest way to achieve this goal is to hold on to my daaman by loving me more and more.
I have suffered much and will have to suffer much more until I break my silence. I give my love to my lovers.
Footnotes
- 1.As it turned out, Raosaheb passed away in Bombay on 4 June 1974 and his body was disposed of there.