It will be different from all previous darshans, and it will be the last in silence. It will be the darshan of darshans — unparalleled.
Although I will be reclining, I will be very strong. My physical condition now is because of my work, but by then my work will be complete and my exultation will be great. A pauper winning a bumper lottery can become so excited over his fortune that he collapses and dies. My fortune will be in my work being finished and in the knowledge of its certain results; but my exultation will not cause my collapse — it will be my glory.
Adi Jr., Franey, Shireen, Dara, Amrit and Ann Eve came that day to say goodbye to Baba before returning to London the following day.1
In reference to his health, Baba assured Franey, "Don't worry. All will be well by the end of this month."
While Baba was sitting outside relaxing, taking his sunbath on the 9th, he mentioned Jesus and the apostles to Adi Jr. and revealed to his brother, "Eruch is my Peter. Peter renounced Jesus, but Eruch will not renounce me."
Before leaving, Adi Jr. wept. Baba called him to his room and asked the reason. "I feel that I will not see you again," he said.
Baba replied, "Oh, I am not going to die. Still fourteen more years are there before I drop my body."
As mentioned, Baba had indicated before that he would live to be 90.
On another occasion, Baba remarked, "After breaking my silence, I will remain alive for fourteen years."
Eruch rejoined, "By then we will all be old men!"
A nine-year old village girl named Kashmira, residing at the neighboring Parsi farmer Ratanshah Gyara's place, came to see Baba the same day.2 Kashmira had come the previous day with her mother and other villagers, and Eruch had told her to come back alone. She insisted on meeting Baba and even stopped eating or drinking, until Baba agreed to give her darshan.
Baba met her lovingly, but instructed the child, "You have seen me. Now, go back and have your food."
On Friday, 10 January 1969, Baba's health had noticeably worsened.
To Goher and the men, he said, "You ask me to eat, but you don't give me what I ask for. I will go to Guruprasad around April and will give darshan in whatever condition I may be in, according to Life Circular No. 71 — even if I have to do so lying down! Don't call any doctor for one week more. After a week, you can do another blood test, and then, when I say, consult a doctor. Otherwise not."
Footnotes
- 1.The family had also been called to Meherazad on 24, 27, 29, 31 December and 7 January.
- 2.Kashmira may have come on 7 January 1969.