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

256 THE GOD-MAN"From that day I did not go to Sakori. And from that time the Hindu atmosphere increased.Maharaj encouraged them to be jealous of me, and to be bitter, and to hurt me. But Maharaj told Durgamaiand Yeshwantrao that Merwan is Malik (Lord) of the Universe. When the Brahmins heard me called Malik,they wanted to kill me. We were both unaffected by this."Then Godavri came, and Maharaj said, 'I do not want this Brahmin atmosphere of men', and he began togather girls of pure character who wanted to love God only. The novices dressed in white are calledKanyas."Later on Maharaj sent word by Adi's mother Gulmai, 'Soon I shall drop this body, so tell Merwan tocome and see me'. I said I would not set foot in Sakori, so a meeting was arranged elsewhere in a hut. Weembraced each other and I put my head under his foot. He said, 'You are Adi-Skakti' (The Supreme Power).He started weeping, and said to me, 'Keep your eye on Sakori.' Then we both went away, and three to fourmonths later, Maharaj dropped his body, and Godavri was given charge of the nuns. Godavri was in thesecret all the time, but never said a word about me. But the atmosphere there was Hindu, with theirceremonies. I have come to destroy in the world all rites and ceremonies that are superficial. Godavri lovedme in secret. The men there made it appear that I was not the spiritual heir of Maharaj, only of Babajan,and spread the news that Godavri was in charge of the ashram and Maharaj's spiritual heir. Poor girl, she isso good, a wonderful soul among women. She was in a fix, but her good nature kept her going."Then my disciples increased and the Sakori Brahmins got more and more annoyed, like the disciples ofJohn the Baptist. Then a miracle happened, all due to Godavri. Her loving influence overcame the Brahminatmosphere. She at last saw me at Nagar and asked me to come once to Sakori. As I had promised MaharajI would keep an eye on Sakori, I took the occasion of Yeshwantrao's housewarming to go."Godavri welcomed me, placed her head on my feet, garlanded me, and placed me on the swing whereMaharaj used to sit. I embraced all the group and they melted. Godavri showed her love so clearly that theentire atmosphere changed. As you saw at the darshan on the 12th of September, Godavri and the menwere there. Now they all love me and recognize me as the Avatar."I want you to understand, however, that the miracle atmosphere is still at Sakori, though not so much asat Shirdi. People try to raise the status of Maharaj by these petty things. They have good intentions,