Although Baba had been to Chinchorkar's home many times before, this visit was memorable for teaching Chinchorkar certain lessons. As soon as he stepped in his house, Baba asked for food, but as it was not ready, he called for tea. The tea was also not ready and this annoyed Baba, and he stood up to leave.
But Chinchorkar entreated him to wait a few more minutes and Baba agreed, but corrected him, "Before inviting me, you should have made sure everything was ready."
A number of persons from the adjoining houses and other neighbors had assembled around Baba to pay their respects, many of whom were women. Baba spoke to them for about an hour, narrating incidents from Babajan's life.
He urged them, "Many women have become saints and Masters. Even after marriage, always aspire for spiritual advancement. Try to intensely long for God."
At noon the food was served and the guests sat in two distinct rows, one consisting of the Harijans and the other of Brahmins, Marathas and Zoroastrians. Baba sat in the first row with the Untouchables, but Chinchorkar beseeched him to join the second group. Baba grudgingly accepted, though he was clearly unhappy with the whole arrangement.
After the meal, Baba visited the Anath Ashram, an orphanage in the cantonment area.1 Baba called a blind boy to him. After caressing him lovingly, Baba asked him to sing a song. He sang while the other children joined in. Baba was garlanded and the manager and orphans of the institution were very happy to have Baba visit them. The group returned to Meherabad at 4:00 P.M.
Besides the delay in serving the food and the separate line for the Harijans, there was another reason behind Baba's displeasure at Chinchorkar's house. Chinchorkar was having serious financial problems and was very worried. When Baba arrived at his house and began scolding him, he completely forgot his worries in his absorption to arrange everything for the Master's comfort, and failed to tell Baba about his difficulties.
A few hours after Baba's departure, however, the same thoughts again began assailing him. He felt depressed and miserable, foreseeing no solution to his problems. He was sitting outside his house deep in thought when Vishnu rode up on a bicycle and handed him an envelope. Inside, he found some rupee notes. Vishnu conveyed that Meher Baba was gifting the amount to Chinchorkar as his "prasad of love."
Footnotes
- 1.Borker was associated with this institution, and he had brought the boys to Meherabad several times.