DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

COUNTING PLANETS & UNIVERSES

January 1922

In the universe, the number of worlds that exist is so great that it is beyond the imagination of the human mind. For a man who is God-realized it is possible, however, to see and count not only the 18,000 planets with human life, but also the thousands and thousands of other planets in different, evolving stages.

One night in Sakori during 1921, while Baba was alone with Upasni Maharaj, the Sadguru remarked, "With my gross eyes, I can count all the planets in all the universes. This requires the concentration of my mind on one point." Maharaj started concentrating and counted universe after universe.

However, the actual velocity of the universes in motion is at such an inexpressible speed that to count their number with one's gross eyes is overwhelming to the limited human mind. As Upasni continued counting, within a short period Baba said, "Maharaj, stop! Stop counting!" Had he not stopped Maharaj at this moment, the Sadguru would have dropped his body within a few moments.

Then Baba said, "I shall try to count the planets in the universe." As he was counting the different planets, Maharaj shortly thereafter prevented him from continuing, or else Baba too would have dropped his body then.

When the universes are so numerous — millions and millions — how can one continue observing them with his gross eyes? Who can conclude what reason or purpose lay behind this cosmic game between these two Perfect Ones? Upasni Maharaj once commented that he saw everything in its infinite expanse in one view; while Meher Baba commented that he saw everything in its expanse, but in panoramic detail.

                          Meher Baba - 1922                                                  Perfect Master Upasni Maharaj