INVITED BY THE PRIEST, Father Rego, the principal of the Catholic Saint Joseph High School in Wadala, and by the secretary of the N. S. D. Industrial Home for the Blind in Worli, Baba paid a visit to both institutions on March 13th. (1958) Dr. Alu Khambatta was a homeopathic consultant in the Saint Joseph High School and the priest had come to know about Baba through her. On seeing Baba, Father Rego seemed dazed and failed to introduce Baba to the gathering of fourteen hundred school students. So Alu nervously took over the introduction and asked Eruch to say a few words about Baba to serve as an introduction. Eruch said:
The name Meher Baba literally means Compassionate Father – but he is even more, being on all levels with all. So you can take him as your friend or your brother, your mother or your father, or even as your God – or all of these, for he is any and all that you take him to be.
I remember how exciting it always was for me as a schoolboy to know some distinguished visitor was coming to visit our school, and inevitably wondering what he or she would talk about. Now here is a visitor who does not talk! He has come to give you not words, but love. He has come not to lecture you but to bless you, not to teach you but to awaken you. He does not shake hands with you, but embraces you as the Compassionate Father he is. You will some day come to realize the significance of what you have truly received this day.
Baba then observed: “The human form of Beloved God cannot be more humanized than this, by meeting you fourteen hundred students and giving you each His embrace. You are now quite young and have innocence and receptivity to receive the purity of His divine touch.”
Each boy and girl then filed past Baba, who embraced them and distributed sweets. Baba asked only one boy his name. The child had an unusual name and replied, “My name is Christ.”
Expressing his satisfaction to the priest for arranging the program, Baba stated: “He who is God-Realized can, with the touch of his hand, sow the seed of divine love in the human heart. The seed then germinates, takes deep root, blossoms and later flowers, whereby the whole life of the individual is made fragrant, inspiring him to serve mankind selflessly.” (Father Rego was later accused of embezzlement, but was cleared of all charges. He attributed his acquittal to Meher Baba’s blessing when he visited the school.)
Baba then left for Worli, a Bombay suburb, to visit a home for the blind. The young inmates received him warmly. Speaking reverentially on behalf of all, one of the young men eloquently welcomed Baba. Everyone gave a small rose to Baba, who embraced each. All went near the One who is the very basis of love, but whom their physical eyes could not see. Baba’s fathomless love for them was obvious and truly touching, and their sightless eyes wept at his touch. Each boy’s face was transformed as Baba embraced him, as though an inner light had been switched on.
One of the boys asked Baba why he was so unfortunate as to be blind. Baba replied: “In a way you are very fortunate not to see the evils and sufferings of the world. All are blind. Even those you think can see are truly blind, for they see what is not real.
“You do not see the real either – it is only your desire to do so that binds you. Therefore, do not ask for physical eyesight, but ask that you be given the true sight which will make you see the only thing worth seeing, the only thing which is. Take my name all the time, think of me constantly. I give my love and blessings to you all.”
According to Baba’s wish, Pukar spoke briefly about Baba and his message of love and truth for humanity. Baba was shown how the blind men weaved cloth, made baskets and chairs, and he was most happy to hear their orchestra perform for him. The honorary secretary, Captain H. J. M. Desai, thanked Baba for coming and blessing them. Baba rose and amidst acclamations returned to Ashiana.
Lord Meher, Original Publication, Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 16, pp 5543 – 5544.