BY SEPTEMBER 26th, (1929) they reached the Persian port of Mohammerah (Khorramshahr), and all were requested to be inoculated against cholera. Chanji tried to have Baba exempted from this as he had already had a vaccination in Bombay before leaving, but he failed and Baba was forced to take the injection.
When they disembarked and were going through customs, the customs officer seized all the books, lockets, photographs and phonograph records they were carrying. He claimed they were anti-Islamic. Baba observed, “They won’t return these things to us. They will create difficulties and will interfere in my work – my seclusion.”
Pointing to Buasaheb, he remarked, “Because of your slight disobedience, the whole plan is upset and out of kilter. What a calamity and it is due to the negligence of one man! What was the necessity of bringing these books with us? What a misfortune you have caused; you should know by now that a conversation had with good intentions at times gives rise to chaos.”
Meanwhile, a meeting with higher officials failed to clear the luggage. The books were shipped to Teheran for clearance and all in the group felt harassed. Buasaheb was upset with himself for his mistake. Baba remarked, “Even in the midst of this confusion, I am quite happy, because I remember roaming throughout this place in a past incarnation.” (Footnote: Baba was referring to his previous advent as Zarathustra, who was born and carried out his ministry in Persia over six thousand years ago. The lifetime of Zarathustra was one of Baba’s favorites.)
With the help of a wandering dervish, they found a suitable house for their stay in Mohammerah after two days of looking. Brother Jal humorously remarked, “Where are all the Persian grapes and pomegranates we’ve heard so much about? The grapes are said to be as big as Raosaheb’s head!”
Since arriving, everyone had been thinking of Raosaheb since he had failed to arrive in Mohammerah with Abdulla, Agha Ali and Ali Akbar as planned. Baba had telegrams dispatched to various people in Persia trying to locate them. Due to an accident to the bus they were travelling on, Raosaheb and the boys had not been able to arrive on schedule. While the telegrams were being sent around Persia, Raosaheb and the boys were only a few miles from Mohammerah where they were stranded for three days. On the third day, when the conversation was again focussed on their whereabouts, there was a knock at the door. When it was opened, Raosaheb was standing outside with the three boys. Baba’s smile welcomed them with joy.
Lord Meher, Bhau Kalchuri, Original Publication, Vol. 4, 1225 – 1226.