Bhau listened and did not interrupt. To ask Baba anything at such a crucial moment would only have added to his suffering. Besides, Bhau thought, he would ask Baba for clarification when Baba improved.
It took nearly one hour for Baba to convey what he wished Bhau to write, and in the end Baba added, referring to Bhau's writing in Hindi, "Always remember that I like your writing very much. Even if the world finds fault with it, you should not mind. I tell you honestly, remember it, I like your writing very much. And when I like it, what more do you want?"
This scene in Baba's room on the night of 24 January 1969, will always be before Bhau's eyes; he alone knows this story of tears. Meher Darshan (the biography in Hindi verse) and Meher Prabhu (the biography in Hindi prose) are the results of Baba's final instructions given then. As Bhau later recollected: "It was his wish that I write it, and by doing so, I have fulfilled his last orders to me."
Mani's Family Letter of 26 January 1969, was read out to Baba before it was mailed throughout the world. Considering his health, Eruch pointed out, "Baba, if you wish to cancel the approaching darshan, it is still possible to do so."
Baba smiled and replied, "No, it is not to be canceled. I will give my darshan to my lovers. I will give it on my own terms."
He emphasized to them repeatedly: "Simply do as I say, whatever it may be, for I know what I am doing."
He again warned: "Hold on to my daaman. Do not let it slip away under any circumstance."
At one point, referring to Baba's book, which had not been seen since 1958, Eruch asked, "What about your book?"
Baba assured him, "It is in good hands," and gestured tipping a hat (which, depending on the context, could be interpreted as either Adi Sr. — in the West — or with a Westerner).
On Sunday morning, 26 January, Baba was transferred to a surgical bed.1 He felt more comfortable in it, as it could be adjusted, raised and lowered. But since early that morning until around noon, violent horrendous spasms racked his body every few minutes. They completely exhausted him. Goher intervened and administered a sedative, and the spasms gradually subsided.
Footnotes
- 1.The surgical bed had been sent from Bombay, and Don cleaned and repainted it at Khushru Quarters. It was delivered to Meherazad on 20 January 1969, but it was found to be too narrow. Mahiboob the carpenter was then sent to widen it for Baba's use. It is kept on display at Meherazad in the Blue Bus.