His heart wept with love for the Master's kindness, but he wondered who had informed Baba about his circumstances, for even his family did not know why he had been in a dejected mood of late. Realizing that no one could have known of his plight, he became convinced of the Master's omniscience and mercy.
Chinchorkar was so overcome with gratitude that he felt he should not accept money from Baba, but Vishnu quickly told him, "I have Baba's order to return to Meherabad immediately after handing this over to you." Vishnu left and Chinchorkar was speechless before Baba's mercy. He had never expected such love and was now granted a new lease on life to cherish this love and to nourish it. "The Beloved can never forget his lovers!" Age declared.
On Monday, 4 April 1927, Ramzan Id was observed — a Muslim festival of rejoicing at the end of a month of fasting. A holiday atmosphere prevailed at Meherabad.
A large number of people came for Baba's darshan, and that evening a contest was held between two poets (Vishnu and Chhagan) who exchanged rhymes which they composed extemporaneously. Baba humorously called the event the Bhendi [Okra] Competition, since some of the "poems" had no rhyme or reason.
The Hazrat Babajan Girls' School was established on 5 April at the headman Maruti Patil's compound in Arangaon.1 The Christian woman, previously employed in the first school at Meherabad, was appointed its teacher. She was still living in Meherabad, staying with the Bomanji family in the Post Office.
Following the afternoon inspection of the school, Baba threatened Chanji and Dhake, "You don't pay proper attention to the school and now I am going to close it. The children are dirty, and I find many irregularities and discrepancies in how you are running things there."
Baba then sent for Afseri and, after reproving him for playing cricket with the children, Baba suddenly decided to make him their supervisor when they were not attending class.
Following a report in the newspaper about a lecture, "A Road to Salvation," in which the speaker stated, "Gandhi and Tagore have failed. The only hope for India now is Bahaism," Baba commented: "Only those who are Realized are Perfect. Those who talk of sect and religion have no idea of the Truth and can never be Perfect."
On 6 April 1927, Baba related, "I have severe stomach pain. Last night, I could not sleep at all. I am also having many loose bowel movements. Still, my devotees insist I eat. In order to satisfy them, I have to comply and eventually suffer more."
Footnotes
- 1.Maruti Patil was living with the mandali at Meherabad.