Barsoap even claimed that Babajan had sent him for this purpose. Seated alone with him on the verandah, Baba patiently explained for hours to him his own predicament of being short of funds, and reminded him of the promise all the mandali had given, not to ask for anything either spiritual or material from Baba, but Barsoap would not listen. Baba then directed the mandali to deal with him and he went inside the hall of the Mess Quarters. When Barsoap tried to follow, the mandali prevented him. He strode off angrily and sat under a tree by the road.
Inside the hall, Baba discussed his concern about Barsoap with the mandali. Chhagan, who had been appointed Baba's orderly the previous day, had neglected to remove the slate, chalk and other writing materials beside Baba's seat, which he should have done according to Baba's order the previous day. Suddenly, Baba scribbled something on the slate. Moments later, he reminded Chhagan that he had announced his desire to stop writing and was furious with him for having forgotten to remove the writing materials. Baba then stormed out of the hall and locked himself in the Jhopdi, remaining there the rest of the day. A boy named Bhiwa served as his attendant.
When Baba began keeping silence, it was generally thought that he would make a mistake eventually and some words would escape from his lips. But this had not happened, even once. Yet within two days of his ceasing to write, there was a slip on his part because of the disturbing confrontation with Barsoap and Chhagan's negligence.
Sitting alone for some time, Barsoap realized his folly and sent word to Baba to forgive him. Baba called him to the Jhopdi and forgave him, presenting him with Rs.100. However, he informed Barsoap that from then on he would have no connection with him and that he should not come to see him. Barsoap left and never saw Meher Baba again.1
The following day, 4 January, while explaining about creation, Baba quoted this couplet:
I am That which began Out of me, world and man!
He added, "It is I who began it all; from me God, man and the whole world sprang forth."
Baba then composed this poem:
Life on my sources First drifted and swam. Out of me all the forces That save it or damn! Out of me, men and women,
Footnotes
- 1.Despite Barsoap's disobedience, years later his name was included in a list of departed disciples (dictated by Baba) for a Memorial Tower at Meherabad.