Chhagan was deeply depressed over disobeying Baba, after Baba had agreed to walk to Akolner, and then had been insulted when he arrived at the reception. Chhagan asked himself, "What's the use of living when I have caused so much distress to my Guru?"
Instead of coming back to Meherabad, Chhagan had stayed in Arangaon where he stripped himself of his clothes and delivered them to the police. Wearing only a langoti (loincloth), he wandered into the fields intent on committing suicide. Some of the mandali had been sent to search for him, and after an hour they found him on the hill. He told them that, although he had intended to end his life, "Near the Tank, I heard a voice tell me to check myself, which brought me to my senses." The mandali took him back to Arangaon, persuaded him to put on his clothes, and then brought him to Meherabad at eight o'clock that night.
When Baba returned from Ahmednagar and heard that Chhagan had come, he sent for him and listened to his explanation. Chhagan said, "I did nothing more than talk with my wife. Shanta complained that her parents and relatives were taunting her and giving her a lot of trouble. She wishes to live with me and agrees to allow me to tread the spiritual path; she will not force me to lead a family life. She too will live a simple, spiritual life."
Although pleased, Baba showed surprise to hear this and pardoned Chhagan, making him swear again to obey his instructions. Chhagan promised and placed his head on Baba's feet. As if to seal the promise, Baba smeared ash from the dhuni on Chhagan's forehead.1 Chhagan went to the Jhopdi where he resumed his duty, spreading Baba's bedding for the night, as usual. Thus despite the insults heaped on Baba, his disciple had returned to his position in the circle and that was what the Master was really concerned about.
While touring Maharashtra, Mahatma Gandhi was scheduled to visit Ahmednagar soon and dedicate some new institution. Chanji suggested that he be brought to Meherabad. Baba responded with indifference, dictating this statement:
Why should efforts be particularly made to bring Gandhi here? There is no need to do that. He should come of his own accord, through love for Truth. In this Path, only love counts. Love is the only qualification necessary to enter this line.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba had begun applying ash from the dhuni to each of the mandali's forehead for a few days since the 27th of January 1927.