The group was greatly affected by his compassion even for hardened criminals.
During this period, Ramjoo and Ghani were not living at Meherabad, but in Lonavla, according to Baba's instructions. Ramjoo had recently started a business — the Meher Rice & Flour Mill — in Talegaon (near Lonavla), and he invited Baba to come and officially inaugurate the enterprise. Baba informed him and Ghani that he would come on 23 May; however, from Visapur, Baba had the boys taken back to Meherabad and he left for Talegaon, arriving on the night of 22 May. It was late, so instead of going to Ramjoo's home, Baba and the mandali slept on the train station platform. At six o'clock in the morning, they went to Ramjoo's home. Ramjoo was surprised to see Baba so early, since no train was scheduled to arrive at that hour. Baba explained to him that they had spent the night sleeping on the platform because he did not wish to disturb him. Ramjoo was taken aback by this statement. He became anxious because Baba had arrived so much sooner than expected and there was no breakfast ready. Ghani had gone to Lonavla for fresh bread.
Baba said, "I have not come here to feast. I have come here to taste the bread made from the flour of Meher Flour Mill."
Ramjoo was relieved to hear this, and wheat from the mills was used to prepare fresh chapatis for the group's breakfast. The whole day was spent leisurely, like a holiday, and Abdur Rehman entertained the Master with ghazals. Baba returned to Meherabad the next day after meeting with Ramjoo, Ghani and their families.
One morning in May, Baba sent Behramji a message saying he should level the ground in front of the school and, with the help of the schoolboys, spread muroom (crushed earth) over it. Behramji was shaving at the time and sent word that he would do the job as soon as he was finished. Baba became infuriated with this casual reply and did the work with the students' assistance. He also smeared cowdung on top of the surface.1 In a serious mood, he then discoursed on the importance of carrying out the behests of the guru, and said that under no circumstances should his words be disobeyed. It was obvious that many of his remarks were directed at Behramji.
Footnotes
- 1.Cowdung is a commonly used floor coating among the villagers as it has antiseptic properties.