Meher Baba's Life & Travels
1927 - 1929
Chapter 9 :
1. INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS
The story of Meher Baba's advent continues from Chapter 8.
This web page / chapter 9, will
follow Meher Baba ( Merwan Irani ) in the years 1927 to 1930 with his first close
group of both male & female followers.
Baba has now settled down in the area near Arangaon village, which is now known as Meherabad.
Click on images and maps to enlarge them, also click on the under-scored names to visit their web-pages.
1927
CONTENT : 1.
INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS
2. ALPHABET
BOARD
3. MAHATMA GANDHI
4. TRIP TO KHULDABAD
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Page references are marked RD ( Ramjoo's Diary ) & LM ( Lord Meher ).
Click on the following button to visit the previous page in Meher Baba's Advent.
2. ALPHABET BOARD
On the 1st January 1927, Meher Baba wrote a message, a year and a half after he started his silence.
"I intend to stop writing from tomorrow. It is not definite when I will resume writing or speaking. I may start again after some days, some
months or even some years. It all depends on Hazrat Babajan". ( Perfect Master Babajan )
Many New Year's greeting cards were received, including one from an American named *Joseph R. Natham. Baba gave this advice to his mandali for the coming year,
" You must all stick to the powerhouse".
* There is no known image of the man.
The following day, 2nd January, Baba had stopped writing but was communicating through hand gestures and printing of English alphabet letters in newspapers. He was quite fast. That night, the Gujarati Arti was sung at 9pm. From then on, he gave permission for it to be performed every evening. He had fasted for the whole day. The following day, 3rd January, a long term follower of Baba's, Abdul Rehman, know as 'Barsoap' had come from Poona and claimed a vast sum of money from Baba and he claimed Hazrat Babajan had sent him. He was rebuffed and later realized his folly and apoligized to Baba. He was later given some money but was told to never come again to see Baba.
Several of the men mandali kept on making methods to improve Baba's way of communicating. English alphabet capitals were typed on paper, then written onto card board, finally Pendu suggested to Vishnu to make large chart of the painted onto a small thin wooden board. Baba began using the board on the 7th January. Later Baba wished for the numbers 1 to 0 to be added.
His fingers would fly over the board when spelling out words. He once remarked,
" The World is dancing every moment to the signs of my fingers".
HAZRAT BABAJAN BARSOAP PENDU VISHNU 11
On the 12th January, Baba went to Poona with Beheramji, Padri Jal, Pesu and 2 women mandali. It was likely that they travelled by train. Once there he had lunch at Abdulla Jaffer's ( Ramjoo ) house, he then went o see his mother and father at their home and then visited Sadashev Patel's house in Kasba Peth near the river. Many followers had come for him. Baba and his group returned to Meherabad that night.
Several days later on the 16th January, Baba was dictating information, when he suddenly stated "I will have to dig a pit 3 to 4 feet deep tomorrow". Baba quickly changed the subject and related other matters. No one asked him why he said that remark.
The next day, 17th January, an old Muslim man named *Wazir died at Meherabad and then that remark was revealed. All rites for the the deceased were performed, and later Baba helped carry the corpse in one of Baba's own sheet to the grave. Baba asked Karim to recite a namaz-pray as he was lowered.
* There is no known image of the man.
BEHERAMJI H.F. IRANI 'PADRI' DRIVER KARIM
JAL S. IRANI PESU 'RAMJOO' JAFFER SADASHIV PATEL
The following day, 18th January, Baba was driven by Rustom to see the Pimpalgaon water reserve approx. 15 miles / 24 kms away with 6 mandali. He fasted all day.
( 20 years later, Meher Baba moved to this area and setup his residential home - he called it Meherazad ).
When they returned to Meherabad, Baba stated that he would remain for many days and then walked to his Jhopdi hut and closed the door.
The next day, 19th January, he called Chanji to his hut and told him, "I intend to open a high school in Meherabad, but I must not ask the mandali to do the work. We should hire teachers".
He also said, " I am happy with the mandali's decision to stay with me, and it is sufficient that they are kept away from the 2 greatest temptations of maya - lust for women and money".
'CHANJI' DADACHANJI RUSTOM K. IRANI PERFECT MASTER SAI BABA
On 22nd January, a follower of Mahatma Gandhi named K.K. Manekar* arrived and was given permission to take dashan from Baba, but from the window of his hut. He said he saw Baba's face, 'merged in the light of God shining forth from that window.'
This convinced him of his divinity.
Baba emerged from his hut on the 23rd January, and held a meeting about the school, hospital, ....and stated, "Now these projects will be done on a permanent basis. In the school there will be 150 resident students for whom boarding arrangements will have to be provided".
Someone noted the scarcity of water in Meherabad. Baba said, "Don't worry about it. I promise you will have ample water". Baba directed the men to find what requirements from the authorities was need to proceed by the government requirements.
The next day, 24th January, Pandoba's brother prepared construction plans for the school building, which Baba minutely examined. Rustom arranged for a new well to be dug.
On the 25th January, Baba discussed plans about the new school, and the topic of Indian troops being sent to China by the British Government. Someone pointed out of the possibility that the Meherabad property could be taken over in the event of war.
Baba replied, "Don't worry over it. Raise the new buildings. I guarantee to undertake the responsibility that no one come here. I'll tell the British, I won't go. Let's see what they do."
Baba added, "Sai Baba was the king of the Perfect Masters, but I am the Master of the Perfect Masters ! When (Sai) Baba was smoking his chilum pipe while sitting in Shirdi, he was in fact controlling the First World War. No one knows this. Similarly, I am here talking with you, but I control the whole universe and everything existing in it while sitting here".
On 28th January, the school was opened for a half a day, on Hazrat Babajan's birthday. In the following couple of weeks more discussions were held about the education to be taught and the calibre of the teachers.
Note : During January 1927, there were serious divisions and clashes between right and left wings of the Chinese forces. This led up to the massacre in Shanghai in April 1927.
* There is no known image of K.K. Manekar.
On 25th January, Baba talked about ' Indian troops being sent to China' & 'Priest blessings & preaching only to earn money'.
To read this discourse click here - 'Indian troops being sent to China' & 'Priest blessings & preaching only to earn money'.
3. MAHATMA GANDHI
February 1927
Meher Baba bathed 150 poor children at Upper Meherabad on the 17th February and later served them food with his own hands.
The next day, 18th February was Baba's 33rd birthday, all the mandali took a bath in the afternoon. Baba later handed out a sweet dish and 2 quinine tablets to the men mandali assembled. He then went to the women's quarters at the Post Office building compound, and he invited to sit on an improvised swing which was swung with the women singing the song "Krishna's Cradle".
When he came back from the women's quarters, he was informed that Mahatma Gandhi was walking towards Meherabad from Ahmednager. Baba said, "His time has not yet come. He will not come here. If he comes, I will have to begin writing again and explain many things to him".
Gandhi had come to Ahmednagar for a political rally. He was taking a morning exercise walk on the road to Meherabad. Baba followers Nusserwan Satha and Chinchorkar were with him, explaining to him that Meher Baba was the chief disciple of Upasni Maharaj. Hearing this, he was taken aback. He then expressed not to see Meher Baba.
Here are two accounts of that meeting.
Gandhi had previously met Maharaj in 1924 who had shown great annoyance, and used abusive language towards the visitor. Upasni was wearing a gunny cloth ( as usual ), when Gandhi arrived, but he removed it and went stark naked. He had a tendency to do this, particularly when annoyed by the demands of social etiquette imposed by caste Hinduism.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
When Upasni Majaraj saw Gandhi, he shouted, "Get out from here! People have made you Mahatma! Are you a Mahatma? How selfish you are that they call you Mahatma and you feel happy! I don't want to see you! Get out!" Gandhi was shocked to hear this. Then Upasni Maharaj said, "Go away! Why did you come here?"... Gandhi immediately left Sakori and he never thought of having Upasni Maharaj's darshan again.
Bhau Kalchuri
On 1st February, Baba talked about ' Tossing a rubber ball against the wall' & 'Lies & Hypocrisy'.
To read this discourse click here - Tossing a rubber ball against the wall' & 'Lies & Hypocrisy'.
On 7th February, Baba gave a discourse on 'Staying with the Master'
To read this discourse click here - 'Staying with the Master'
UPASNI MAHARAJ MAHATMA GANDHI
During the day, a celebration was held for Baba's birthday, and many came from the surrounding towns. One person unwittingly placed a garland of roses around Baba's neck, which had several bees nesting in them. The bees after a while started to sting his face, causing his face to a bright red, but he continued giving darshan and the program continued. Many were delighted to see Baba so deep in colour. It was only afterwards when they removed the garlands they discovered the swarm of bees.
Baba gestured, "My face is swollen and red from the bee's stings, not because of divine radiance. See what I have to endure at the hands of my lovers. They always wish to garland me and I permit it for the sake of their happiness, yet how I suffer. Such is my fate".
On 11th February, Baba gave a discourse 'Not a single man amoung you'
To read this discourse click here - 'Not a single man amoung you'
On 12th February, Baba gave a discourse 'Baba's indifference to Gandhi'
To read this discourse click here - 'Baba's indifference to Gandhi'
On 13th February, Baba gave a discourse on 'Sanskaras'
To read this discourse click here - 'Sanskaras'
On 22nd February, Baba gave a discourse on 'Worst prison in Earth'
To read this discourse click here - 'Worst prison in Earth'
A primary school for the local villagers was opened on 1st March. This was held in the mess quarters. Dhake was appointed principal.
On 7th March, Chanji brought his relatives from Poona to Meherabad. Chanji's brother Naoroji H. Dadachanji (43), Naoroji's wife - Bachamai (29) and their 3 daughters, Arnavaz (5), Nargis (5) and Rhoda (3), also their 4 month old son Tehemtan. They also brought a reluctant relative Meherjee Ardeshir Karkaria (21), who had been induced to go on a picnic.
They all touched Baba's feet as a salutation which is not in keeping with the Parsis religion. Meherjee stayed in the distance. Baba had an exchange with him about his studies. He concluded by saying, if he failed in his coming exams, he could come to Meherabad and teach at the school. This family came very close to Meher Baba for the next 60+ years. Meherjee would often accompany Baba on his tours of the West, throughout the 1950s. He would also travel to the West representing him in the 1970s.
NOTE : The images below were taken in the 1940s, except for Meherjee which was taken in 1928.
DHAKE PHALKAR NAOROJI DADACHANJI(D) BACHMAI D. MEHERJEE KARKARIA
ARNAVAZ DADACHANJI NARGIS D. TEHEMTAN D. RHODA D.
On the 9th March, Baba moved from the Jhopdi hut to the table-hut near the dhuni. Baba cryptically remarked while sitting in the table-hut, "I will stay here for 1,200 years".
A corn mill had to be fixed to the wall of his hut, where he grinded corn.
A dog named Madari was gifted to Baba from Upasni Maharaj. The dog would sit by Baba's side. Later on the 14th March, the dog was struck by a truck passing on the road near the dhuni. He was buried in Baba's presence. Baba later revealed to the mandali, "Madari was very lucky. He will be born a human being in his next from".
The Hindu festival was observed on the 17th March, many came for Baba's darshan. The dhuni fire was lit and later a game of 'atya-patya'. Baba remarked to the mandali playing it.
"Whatever you do,do with all your heart. Put your whole heart into it, whether it is a game or work".
SOHRAB DESAI MANSARI DESAI ANNA 104
On the 20th March, while visiting a devotee named Raya in Ahmednagar, the literary scholar Sohrab Desai of Navsari came to see Baba and was deeply moved upon seeing him. He brought along his nephew Minoo Beheram Desai to meet Baba. Minoo lived in Bombay. He was the brother of a future female disciple called Mansari Desai.
While visiting Ahmednagar, Baba decided to have a new Meher Ashram for boys located at Meherabad. People were allocated positions to run it. 6 students had already signed up to attend.
In late March, a follower of Baba's - Anna 104 was claiming his leg had miraculously healed by repeating Baba's name and applying juice from the Neem tree. He spread the word around of his recovery. One day he brought 2 afflicted women to Baba. One was lame and was suffering for many months, she fell at Baba's feet and he comforted her. "Your disease has fallen at my feet".
The next day, she was able to walk very well, the other had financial problems and they were settled in a short time after having his darshan. Baba discouraged Anna 104 from bringing anymore seeking miracles, explaining that saints perform miracles, but it is not his work.
1927
On 3rd April, Baba went to Vyankatesh Sridar Chincorkar's house in Ahmednagar, having been invited to have some food. There was some angst when the food was not
prepared in time for Baba and hi party.
The Hazrat Babajan Girls' School was established on the 5th April at Maruti's Place compound in Arangaon. Afseri ( later known as Raosaheb ) was appointed supervisor of the school. A few days later, Baba remarked, "Mahatma Gandhi will die before I break my silence. He is not destined to hear it. He is not yet ready for it, Gandhi has no preparation for it ; he would have to come to me by now. His companions would not allow him to do so and he has no courage to get rid of them".
On the 11th April, discussions were had for placing an advertisement about the Meher Ashram. Baba decided a number of boys from Persia should be included in the school.
The official opening of the Meher Ashram was held on Sunday 1st May. Celebrations and a procession were held, dancers and the playing of musical instruments. 10 students ere enrolled and it was situated at the family quarters. The girls school was shifted to the Post Office building, requiring the women to move to another building.
V.S. CHINCORKAR K. E. AFSERI GUSTADJI
HANSOTIA BAL TAMBAT
May 1927
Baba ordered Gustadji Hansotia to maintain silence from 1st May. Baba explained to him,
"The observance of silence on your part will be most helpful to me in my work. Therefore, be silent for my sake".
He remained silent until his death in 1958.
After some time, Baba asked Daulat S.Irani ( Mehera's mother ) to observe silence as well, which she did until her last breath in November 1952.
Baba also asked Bal Tambat to keep silent, which he did for the rest of his life.
In May, Baba went to Akbar Press in Ahmednagar by bus to conduct the Zoroastrian thread ceremony for the 2 Jessawala girls - Manu & Meheru, after the priests had concluded their rites. The whole Satha family was present.
On 12th May, Gaimai Jessawala and a few members of the Satha family arrived in Meherabad. "Where have you come from ?" asked Baba. Gaimai explained she came from her home in Nagpur. "You are so fortunate, so very fortunate ! How can I tell you ? Do you know why ? " Baba said.
"One of my 5 Perfect Masters, Tajaddin Baba, lived in Nagpur. Did you ever see him?"
Gaimai replied that he would visit an in-laws home and sit on the verandah when they first moved there. Sometimes he would pay attention to each member of the family, especially her son Eruch.
"Then you are still more fortunate" replied Baba
DAULAT IRANI MANU JESSAWALA MEHERU
JESSAWALA GAIMAI JESSAWALA
The whole district was in a severe drought. Baba stated that, " If there is no rain by June 1st, break down the old dhuni and build another one".
4 days later, on 28th May, it rained for 20 minutes. Thus the dhuni was kept.
On another day Baba was playing marbles with Dhake and Manekar.Baba stated,
"A great Avatar is born on earth and he is now playing marbles !"
About this time, Gaimai's husband Beheram Dorab Jessawala also known as Papa Jessawala, was introduced to Baba, who gave him an explanation about saints and in particular Babajan.
"Babajan lost 2 of her fingers by allowing them to be eaten away by worms and bugs. So many
maggots were in her wounds that they would fall out. She would pick them up and put them back in the wound without in the least minding the horrible pain. Instead of taking treatment for her
fingers, she was feeding the worms. Babajan deliberately suffered unimaginable agony, and in the same end lost both her fingers.
At the present, I too have a deep cut inside my mouth which pains me severely, but I don't pay any attention to it. Saints are always happy, even while in agony."
On the 4th June, there were lots of clouds, little sunlight, storm brewing. Baba directed that "the song 'He's a Jolly Good Fellow' be played on the gramophone and let's see what happens".
Baba then directed Adi K. to go out and call out "Come down rain, come down!"
Adi did, first with a normal voice, then prompted by Baba to yell it out. 30 minutes later it began to rain.
1939 version
4. TRIP TO KHULDABAD
On the 5th June, Meher Baba and a few of his men Mandali went to Aurangabad and then proceeded to the Ellora Caves, to an area called Khuldabad. While having tea in the area, Baba disclosed, "the tomb of Sai Baba's master, Zarzari Baksh is in Khuldabad".
When asked how is it possible since Zarzari Baksh had lived hundreds of years prior to Sai Baba. Baba answered, " You have no idea of how great is the grace of the Perfect Master. While Zarzari Baksh was alive, Sai, in a previous incarnation was his disciple. The Master's grace descended upon him at that time; however, it carried over and made him perfect after 700 years. Zarzari Baksh means 'Giver of the Wealth of Wealth'. This he gave to Sai."
The group returned to Meherabad the same day.
* Zar Zari Zar Baksh bestowed realization to Sai, while
he sat in a cave in Khuldabad. The Swami of Akola brought Sai down and made him a Perfect Master. See images below.
4. MEHER ASHRAM
On the 16th June, Baba composed a simple prayer of 7 names of God, representing the world's religions, for the boys to recite everyday.
"Hari, Paramatma, Allah, Ahuramazd, God, Yezdan, Hu"
The Meher Ashram, was moved from Arangaon to Meherabad and a celebration was led.
The high school was accredited by Bombay University and on 1st July the school was christened by the Master as the Hazrat Babajan High School. The school was selected by Baba to move to the west of the water tower on Meherabad Hill.
REFERENCE BOOKS
The reference books that were used on this webpage :
Lord Meher Vol.3 - Bhau
Kalchuri pages 894 - ( On-Line p.564 - 758
)
The Perfect Master - Charles B. Purdom pages 49
- 67 (1 Ed.) & 1976 Ed. p.72 - 107
The God-Man - Charles B.
Purdom pages 49 - 67
LINKS TO THE OTHER PAGES OF MEHER BABA'S LIFE
Click on the following buttons to visit those webpages.