Charles Purdom had expanded his earlier work on Baba's life, The Perfect Master, and the new biography, titled The God-Man , was published in London by George Allen & Unwin Ltd in 1964. He sent Baba a copy of the book on 13 August and wrote:
How conscious I am of its imperfections as I send it to you. Its writing was a great experience for me, and I hope I convey something of that in its pages. I hope to express something more of what I have learned in other books, for only now do I seem to know what I should have written!
When the book was received, Baba replied to Purdom by telegram on 22 August: "The love you have put into writing The God-Man has reached me with the first copy sent by you, and has made me very happy."
On 24 August, a Marwari from Ahmednagar, who had met Baba the previous year at about the same date, brought five or six persons to Meherazad, including a person known as Chengat Maharaj of Nasik. This so-called "teacher" was extremely arrogant, and laughed sarcastically in Baba's presence, but Baba did not seem to mind and was, on the contrary, cordial with him and his followers. Before leaving, the Marwari and the guru's local host, Dr. Pandit, embarrassed by the person's actions, apologized profusely to Eruch. Eruch told them not to feel bad as Baba had contacted hundreds of such sadhus. He advised them to obtain a copy of The Wayfarers .
On 30 August 1964, Venkoba Rao, his wife, and their young daughter were permitted to have Baba's darshan. Venkoba Rao was a former night watchman from South India. He had been called to Ahmednagar in January to discuss the disposal of the small portion of the Byramangala property, which he had purchased in 1949. Baba had given his permission and the property had been sold. At Meherazad, Venkoba Rao laid the proceeds (Rs.2,500) at Baba's feet, and Baba kept Rs.1,000 for his work and returned the rest to Venkoba Rao as prasad.
Don saw Baba again at Meherazad the next day at 2:00 P.M. Baba permitted him to leave Meherabad for England on 3 September, and Don flew from Bombay a week later.1
An upsetting visitor appeared at Meherazad at this time. Rati Baliwala was a mentally disturbed young woman from Bombay, who had seen Baba for about half an hour at the end of August. Baba had instructed her to return immediately to Bombay, but she had not listened, and she returned at about 8:30 P.M. on 1 September. She wandered into Meherazad and disturbed Baba's rest. Baba sent word that the woman should be taken to Ahmednagar by car, escorted by Aloba, and be put on the next train to Bombay.
Meherjee visited Meherazad on the 4th for Khordad Sal (Zoroaster's birthday), as did Kaikobad's family, Sarosh, Viloo and Adi (also celebrating his birthday). Bhau was admitted to Booth Hospital that day with a possible kidney stone.
Footnotes
- 1.Don's brother died in England in October, and Don returned to Meherabad in December 1964.