THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...
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84 <strong>THE</strong> <strong>GOD</strong>-<strong>MAN</strong>took him to the captain, whom he knew very well, to arr<strong>an</strong>ge that <strong>Baba</strong> <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> his party goteverything they w<strong>an</strong>ted, <strong>of</strong>fering to pay for it. <strong>The</strong> captain promised to do all he could <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>requested the devotee to let him know <strong>of</strong> <strong>an</strong>ything that <strong>Baba</strong> desired.<strong>The</strong> captain <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> the chief <strong>of</strong>ficer came daily to inquire if <strong>Baba</strong> w<strong>an</strong>ted <strong>an</strong>ything, but hedesired nothing during the entire voyage but a bath, which was arr<strong>an</strong>ged in the second class.<strong>Baba</strong>'s identity was not disclosed, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> he saw no one except a Muslim member <strong>of</strong> the crew,working in the engine-room, who used to come <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> st<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> for minutes in a corner opposite him<strong>with</strong> tears in his eyes. He did not utter a word, nor did <strong>Baba</strong> say <strong>an</strong>ything to him for five days,but on the last day <strong>Baba</strong> called him near <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> gave him his h<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>kerchief. Tears again fell fromthe m<strong>an</strong>'s eyes in appreciation <strong>of</strong> the gift.At Karachi the mayor <strong>of</strong> the city <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> the embarkation <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the shipping comp<strong>an</strong>y wereamong those who came to see <strong>Baba</strong> on board. He stayed till late at night at the house <strong>of</strong> adisciple, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> was taken back to the ship next morning by the mayor.<strong>The</strong> chief features <strong>of</strong> this visit to Persia were: (a) the unexpected <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> very hearty welcome<strong>with</strong> which he was received at m<strong>an</strong>y places by rich <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> poor alike: <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> (b) the sufferingswhich he <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> his parry experienced, due to difficulties in travel over exp<strong>an</strong>ses <strong>of</strong> s<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>y desertwhere, in addition to the scarcity <strong>of</strong> food <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> water, which could not be had for days, therewas const<strong>an</strong>t d<strong>an</strong>ger from b<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>its who abound in the greater part <strong>of</strong> Lurist<strong>an</strong> through whichthe party had to pass. <strong>The</strong> places visited were Mohamerah, Dezful, Khurramabad, Malayar,Ispah<strong>an</strong>, Yezd, Kerm<strong>an</strong>, Bam, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> Duzdab.Although this tour, like the others, was kept strictly private, very few devotees beinginformed, people came from all parts <strong>of</strong> the country, among them men <strong>of</strong> high position,including Government <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> military <strong>of</strong>ficers. <strong>The</strong>y came suddenly to desire 'a mulakat <strong>with</strong> thebuzoorg' (the honour <strong>of</strong> meeting <strong>with</strong> the holy being). <strong>The</strong>y considered his presence in theircountry to be a mark <strong>of</strong> great fortune <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> hope for its redemption, which they believed to restin the h<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the Masters <strong>of</strong> Perfection. <strong>The</strong>y were disappointed not to be allowed to hailhim in public. M<strong>an</strong>y wished Reza Shah to meet him, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> <strong>of</strong>fered to arr<strong>an</strong>ge it, but though<strong>Baba</strong> appreciated their love <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> devotion he would not allow <strong>an</strong>y demonstration.<strong>Baba</strong> stayed in Yezd four days. <strong>The</strong> town flocked to him, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> he had a busy time 'talking'to people individually <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> collectively. Muslims who never have a photo <strong>of</strong> <strong>an</strong>y saint, noteven <strong>of</strong> their prophet, asked
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