THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE NEW LIFE 181but the meals were prepared outside. Baba at once put extra work on these friends (Drs. Nathand Khare and their families), by asking for the purchase of two cows and two she-donkeys.The idea was to stay for twenty-five days, but this was reduced to seventeen. On the secondday, 17 November, the companions were given fourteen rupees each for shoes and five forgloves, which they were ordered to purchase, any balance remaining to be given away. Onlyfor this purpose were they allowed to touch money. Baba said to them:"From today onwards be over-cautious. I sha11 no longer correct and help. If you are notcautious and alert, then you are doomed. I am trying to keep my mood."The duties of each were laid down in detail. Three days were allowed for visiting the ghatsand the city, on 24 November begging was to start, Baba introducing the ordeal by taking parthimself. He was bare-headed and barefooted, wearing a white kafni, with an ochre satchel onhis left arm, and a cotton bag, and a brass bowl. The companions were similar1y attired. Theywere to go in pairs, and were given strict instructions as to what they were to say - to women,Mai Biksha difiye (Mother, give alms), and to men, Bhai Bhiksha dijiye (brother, give alms).Whatever they received they were to come away immediately; if refused, to go at once to thenext door. They were to accept nothing but so1id food, raw or cooked, and liquid food. If acoin was put in the bag they were to ask for it to be taken out, if that was refused, the bagwas to be emptied on the ground. Not to beg of acquaintances, was another order. Not to begat shops, only private houses. As soon as both companions have received bhiksha they were toreturn at once to Baba.In the evening before saying goodnight Baba asked Dr Ghani to repeat in sing-song somelines, a rough translation of which reads:Old life has passed in different ways;Today also has passed somehow;Tomorrow be damned! Who cares?On the morning when the begging was to start, Baba made Dr. Ghani read the followingprayer:"Today 24 November is a significant day for me in the New Life. I ask the most mercifulGod to forgive me and my companions for any shortcomings and any conscious andunconscious mistakes