… Compared to words of appreciation and praise from hypocrites, curses from my lovers are much sweeter!
– Meher Baba
… This frequent losing of temper and being out of mood is of no use, particularly in the company of your Master, whose will, wish, and word must be your law. Hafiz says,
“I cherish my enemies and allow my friends to perish.
But none dare question the wisdom of my wish.”
– Meher Baba
लज़्ज़त-ए-इंतज़ार लेता हूँ, यूँ शब-ए-ग़म गुज़ार लेता हूँ
जब भी डस्ती है मुझको तन्हाई नाम तेरा पुकार लेता हूँ
रूठना मेरा कारगर न हुआ यार मेरे जतन को जान गया
जब वो आया मुझे मनाने को मैं बड़ी सादगी से मान गया
भूल हो जाती है यूँ तैश में आया न करो
फांसले खत्म करो यूँ बात बढ़ाया न करो
ये अदाएं ये इशारे ये निगाहें तौबा
इन शराबों को यूँ सर-ए-आम लुटाया न करो
हम इसलिए ज़ालिम तेरा चर्चा नहीं करते
आशिक़ कभी माशूक को रुस्वा नहीं करते
वो हाल ही पूछें कभी बीमार-ए-अलम का
इतनी सी भी तकलीफ गवारा नहीं करते
काफिर न समझ हमको तू ऐ ज़ाहिद-ए-नादाँ
बुत जान के उस शोख को सजदा नहीं करते
दम भरते हो गैरों की मोहब्बत का हमेशा
अपनों को सताते हो ये अच्छा नहीं करते
‘पुरनम’ कोई आज उनको ग़म ज़रूर है वरना
बेवजह तो आंसू कभी आया नहीं करते
हम इसलिए ज़ालिम तेरा चर्चा नहीं करते …
https://youtu.be/OAWXXu4YfT0
June 1936,
… During this period, Dr. Ghani was residing with his family in Lonavla, his wife, four daughters and one son. Ghani fell victim to a dishonest moneylender. Some property had been unscrupulously taken from Ghani by fraud and the man and his wife who had done this had been murdered on the same day. Ghani was falsely accused of their murder and he became so depressed that he decided to commit suicide.
On the night of Wednesday, 3 June 1936, Ghani drank heavily and went to drown himself in Walvan Lake. But when he reached it, he felt dizzy and sat down, and then began thinking of his life. Disgusted with his plight, he started cursing the three Spiritual Masters he had known — Hazrat Babajan, Upasni Maharaj and Meher Baba! He bitterly swore, “Of what use is Meher Baba to me when I am surrounded by difficulties on all sides and he does not help me? What sort of power does he have and what ‘Experience’? He is supposed to know all, but following him is useless!” Although Ghani had fully intended to commit suicide, after venting his spleen, he was lulled to sleep by the cool breezes.
Meanwhile, that very night, Baba became restless and suddenly left Meherabad early the next morning by car. Adi Sr. drove his Opel and Nilu accompanied them. They drove first to Talegaon where Baba sorted Amina and Abdulla Jaffer’s difficulties. They then went directly to Lonavla. When they reached Ghani’s house, he was not there, so they began searching for him. They came to the lake and found Ghani sound asleep on the bank. Baba awakened him. When Ghani saw Baba, he was amazed! He could not speak and tears welled up in his eyes.
“What’s the matter?” Baba asked him.
Stunned, Ghani haltingly murmured, “Baba, I have abused you so much … Yet you love me so much!”
“Your abuse brought me here,” Baba gestured. “It was sweeter than nectar to me! Compared to words of appreciation and praise from hypocrites, curses from my lovers are much sweeter!” Ghani burst out weeping and Baba embraced him.
Baba then had Ghani join them to visit Bombay and they stayed at the Dadachanjis’ for a day, where Savak Kotwal and his brother came to see Baba, as did Big Khorshed (Baba’s sister-in-law) and Khak Saheb. Keeping Ghani close at his side, Baba took him around the city and thus uprooted the refractory thoughts from his mind. Baba left for Nasik the next afternoon and returned to Meherabad two days later, on the 8th. Ghani accompanied them to Nasik, where he left for Lonavla to bring his clothes to Meherabad for a few days’ stay there.
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=1725
October 1931,
… At 9:30 on Saturday morning, 3 October 1931, Baba started for Istanbul, accompanied by Aga Ali, Chanji, Rustom and Meredith — leaving his dear ones in tears as melodies to sing his Song. Margaret Starr (who had been sent for the previous day from East Challacombe) and Delia accompanied them as far as Dover. Baba boarded the luxurious Simplon Orient Express train in Calais, after taking the ferry across the English Channel, and arrived in Milan, Italy the next day. The group was met by Enid, who brought fruit, biscuits, cheese and cakes for them to eat before proceeding. The train reached Istanbul at noon on the 6th of October, via Venice, Trieste, Belgrade and Sofia.
From the train station, the group took a taxi to the Hotel Continental where they were to stay. That day happened to be a national holiday in Turkey and a long military parade was making its way through the crowded streets of Istanbul. Baba’s taxi slowly reached the hotel behind the procession. As in London, a crowd unknowingly greeted the Master’s arrival. Baba was back in the East and did not wear a hat, allowing his long hair to be exposed which caught people’s attention. “None of the Turks knew that the Emperor was among them,” Age observed, “though those who saw him were wonderstruck by his beautiful countenance.”
That evening, they went to a play, but it turned out to be in French, which none, including Meredith, could understand. The next day Rustom went to buy a tie and some breeches for Chanji in the bazaar. When Baba found out, he scolded Chanji, who answered in defense that he did not ask for them; Rustom was simply replacing what he had borrowed from Chanji earlier. Nonetheless, Baba reprimanded Chanji, “You called for them indirectly. Don’t hide your desires; you wanted them. Despite acquiring them through Rustom, you still say you did not ask for them!?”
Chanji took Baba’s scolding badly; he was fed up and could not bear his teasing anymore. Unknown to the Westerners, since arriving in Europe, Baba had been taunting Chanji mostly, wounding his heart by becoming angry with him on the smallest pretext. On one occasion, Kitty innocently asked Baba why Chanji and Rustom were looking so sad since they were with him all the time. Baba had brushed her off, replying, “Due to their deep love. They are not sad; it is the pain of love. Their love for me is unbearable to them!”
Traveling with Meher Baba to the West might appear to an outsider as a “fun vacation,” but life with the Master was a life of death for the disciples. Just a few days before, when the train had stopped in Paris and they got down for a coffee, Baba’s pricking had begun and Chanji later wrote in his diary: “Everyone wishes to be with Baba, but few know the price of it.”
Baba’s real work was to crush the false selves of his circle members, and this was a painful and often humiliating process. For instance, at Baba’s remarks about Chanji’s new clothes, Chanji took them off and slung them on the floor, bitterly complaining, “Now I can no longer stay with you. I am leaving!”
Baba responded sharply, “Go! Who needs you? But don’t defy or threaten me, thus throwing away everything [spiritual]. It doesn’t matter if you go away; I can manage everything. I will break my silence so that there will be no necessity for anyone to read the board. I myself am fed up with all this dictation. I shall go neither to America nor anywhere else! I shall return to India! I do not wish to go there at this time. But if I do go, it will be because of him [Chanji], against my will and plans.”
Chanji burst into tears and cried as he had never done before, cursing his lot and blaming himself for ever having joined Meher Baba. Baba left, but came back to his room after a little while and tried to calm him, remarking, “Don’t you know I have my reasons for treating you like this?”
Chanji continued to weep, “It is unbearable now, Baba. Every day like this? Please have some mercy on me! I can’t stand it!”
Baba countered, “This is mercy. This is my grace. Calm down now and don’t think about it.” Baba then embraced Chanji lovingly and directed him to wash his face, after which Baba wiped it dry with a towel. Gathering his composure, Chanji asked for Baba’s forgiveness. Baba nodded and smiled.
Such scenes were repeated time and time again with each of those who stayed with Meher Baba.
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=1291
October 1931,
… Another tea reception was held in Baba’s honor on the afternoon of 26 October, where Baba met a few sincere and loving local devotees. One man named Douglas resembled Padri, Baba remarked.
Baba, Meredith, Ali and Chanji boarded the SS Roma at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, 27 October 1931, bound for New York City. The cabins they were given (400 & 421) were cramped and uncomfortable; but the next day, after leaving Naples, they were shifted to two outward facing, spacious cabins (272 & 274). Meredith introduced a young woman from Toronto named Louise Skey to Baba. Louise was quite taken with Baba and visited his cabin several times.
Besides Meredith’s annoying behavior, at times during this journey Aga Ali would also behave like a spoiled child. One night Ali lost his temper and created a disturbance in Baba’s cabin, whereupon Baba soundly thrashed Chanji! Seeing Chanji being beaten frightened Ali and the boy realized his mistake.
Even though Ali expressed his regret and apologized, Chanji continued to weep. Within moments of this incident, Louise appeared on the scene.
Finding Chanji shedding tears, she was surprised and asked Baba the reason. Baba slyly spelled out, “Look what love Chanji has for me! Whenever he finds me alone, he cannot prevent himself from crying. His longing is terrible, so he sheds tears of love. These are his tears of longing.” This statement greatly impressed Miss Skey who then also began crying. Baba directed Chanji to calm the woman. How could she know the facts behind poor Chanji’s beating? Chanji’s heart was frightened of love!
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=1297
September 1954,
… The next day, Sunday, 19 September 1954, an event happened on the way to Meherabad. Nusserwan’s friend Luktuke Mama was upset, as he had not received a copy of the circular about the forthcoming Meherabad meetings due to an oversight on Adi’s part. He had not had any sleep the whole night, and at 3:00 A.M. told his wife Kamlabai, 42, “People from long distances will be coming to Meherabad where preparations are under way. Pendu is making so many purchases daily. But Baba has forgotten me.”
“Why do you go on saying, Baba, Baba, Baba?” his wife chided. “Meher Baba is only for the rich! What love does he have for the poor? Had he cared about you, you would have been invited to his meeting.”
Thus, in the early hours of the morning they talked over the matter, Kamlabai using the choicest epithets to criticize Baba. She had no idea how sharp were Baba’s ears.
Two hours later, very depressed, Mama Luktuke got up and went to work. At 6:00 A.M., Baba’s car stopped near the entrance of their house. Baba went inside, and Eruch went to bring Luktuke. Kamlabai could not believe her eyes. Was it really Baba, or was she dreaming? Going to the sink, she sprinkled water in her eyes and came back to see. She was pulling her hair, not believing it was true that Meher Baba stood before her smiling. She kept thinking: “How loving is he who I was abusing just a short while ago.”
Baba stated, “I like the abuse of my lovers more than the praise of sycophants!” By this time, Eruch returned with Luktuke, who went mad with joy at the sight of his Beloved. He began embracing and patting Baba warmly, and Baba smilingly bore his affections. Husband and wife were so beside themselves they forgot to offer Baba a chair. Baba embraced them and Kamla wept. Luktuke explained about not receiving the circular, and Baba reassured him that he was invited and should attend.
Baba then went to Akbar Press, and after meeting the Satha and Damania families there, he proceeded to Meherabad.
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=3585
28 November 1955,
… Baba repeated the story of the deranged Fakir Bua:
In the beginning, here in Meherabad, there was a school, hospital, Mad Ashram, et cetera. In the Mad Ashram, one named Fakir Bua was more mad than anyone else. Tyebali of Poona was working here. After the Mad Ashram was disbanded, Fakir Bua was sent back to Poona. He had the habit of moving his fingers, similar to me. Tyebali spread the rumor that Fakir Bua was my chargeman! Hearing about it, people in Poona began approaching him and taking his darshan.
P. N. Limkar stood up and affirmed, “I have seen people taking Fakir Bua’s darshan. He is now dead.”
Baba continued:
Fakir Bua was oblivious to his surroundings and completely mad. He was neither on the spiritual path, nor was he pretending to be mad. He had not the slightest idea why people were coming to him and paying him respect. But now, I warn you against posing, because to be a hypocrite, to pretend to be what you are not, is a very low type of sin.
There are many who are hypocrites. They create an atmosphere around them which outwardly resembles that of a Spiritual Master. So naturally they gather crowds before them. Paramatma is all-merciful, forgives all, but not hypocrites! You may be good or bad, but outwardly show what you are inwardly.
I always tell those who love me that if they feel I am the Avatar and Ancient One, they should say so openly. But if there is the slightest doubt in your mind about it, then say you don’t feel Baba is the Avatar. If you think I am a fraud, say so. I am the Ancient One, and whatever you say does not affect me in the least. If the whole world were to bow down at my feet or oppose me, it is one and the same to me. I remain unaffected by praise or abuse.
Abdul Majid, if you don’t feel Baba to be the Avatar, don’t tell people that he is. If you speak about me at your own place and say: “Baba is the Avatar, the only Reality and everything else is illusion,” and at the same time, if you were to get a telegram about the death of your wife and start beating your breast, sobbing and crying — what will your audience think? They will find that you behave differently from what you exhort, and what you call illusion you now weep about! You preach what you yourself do not practice. You have the right to tell people about me only when you yourself practice what I tell you!
Abdul Majid Khan declared, “I have full faith in your Avatarhood, Baba, and on the strength of that faith I inform people about you.”
Baba replied, “I know it. You have full faith in me, and I love you. You are my gem.”
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=3856
February 1960,
… Anil Sarkar had had an accident and had broken his leg after visiting Meherazad in January. On 25 February, Baba sent him this telegram: “Let Anil Sarkar rejoice in the thought that he is sharing a bit of my infinite suffering, for which I am born today and for ever and ever.”
A few months later, his wife Rama Sarkar informed Baba that Anil had developed septicemia and, in the agony of his physical pain, he was abusing Baba for not relieving him of it. Baba’s reply to her by cable was: “Abuse from my lovers is sweeter than praise from my hypocritical admirers.”
https://www.lordmeher.org/rev/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=4636
Meher Songs 