This was true, and although there was a ban on all correspondence, many letters were still being received from both the East and the West. After his work in the morning, letters were read aloud to Baba, and Francis would read his latest ghazal. Baba would then go to the women's side for lunch and return at 11:30 A.M.
Most letters were from those seeking darshan; some were informing Baba of a birth or death in the family; others voiced their troubles; others asked questions. One such letter was from a person who belonged to a religious sect.
Remarking about the sect, Baba observed, "Those orthodox persons who hide themselves from the light of God's grace are, nevertheless, never deprived of His compassion."
Baba further remarked to the mandali about Jesus that, when he was nailed on the cross, "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. I say, 'Father, pity them for they know not what will happen.' "1
On Sunday, 3 December 1967, Chhagan came to Meherazad and reported about the Hamirpur fairs.
Baba then sent the following telegram to those who had organized them — Gaya Prasad Khare, Sripat Sahai, Ramsahai Yadav, Babu Ramprasad, Pukar, Sitaram, Keshav Nigam and Laxmichand Paliwal: "I am God in human form, and from my present deep seclusion, I send my love and blessing to you."
On 5 December, Baba dictated this message for his upcoming birthday:
Let my lovers rejoice on my 74th birthday because soon after 25th March something great will happen that has never happened before.
The message was sent to Adi at his office, but he was instructed not to release it until shortly before the birthday in February 1968.
That same night at 8:00 P.M., Chanji's brother and Arnavaz's father, Naoroji Dadachanji, 84, expired in Bombay from a heart attack, with Baba's name on his lips. Naoroji had dedicated his life and family to Baba and was a long-standing lover who had stayed with Baba in Bangalore (1939–40). A contractor by profession, Naoroji supervised the construction of Baba's Tomb on Meherabad Hill in 1938. In those days, whenever Baba would visit Bombay he would stay at Naoroji's home in Dadar. In remembrance of his visit, an oil lamp was kept burning continuously before a large painted photograph of Baba in the room Baba used. Baba sent a telegram to Arnavaz, Nargis, Homa and Roda that their dear father had "come to him" and was "blissfully happy in his love." Naoroji's name was added to the list of departed ones.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba did not give any further explanation, but perhaps he meant that the world will have to undergo tremendous suffering before his manifestation.