Thus there were many who wanted Baba’s darshan, and so March 23rd (1953) (a public holiday for Ram’s birthday) was fixed for the purpose. The darshan was publicized in the newspapers, but Baba forbade erection of a canopy, and decided to give darshan in the hall of the mandali’s quarters. The time fixed for darshan was from 8 to 11 A.M. and 2 to 6 P.M. Early in the morning, a large crowd collected and darshan began. To ask Baba for anything or to touch his feet was prohibited. Baba would hand prasad to each and touch his own forehead with his hand as they saluted him, repaying their homage to him. People were asked to leave as soon as they had taken darshan. Some Baba would allow to sit beside him for five minutes; then others would take their places to enable them to spend a few more minutes in Baba’s company.
A youth from Kashmir named Jagdish insisted on touching Baba’s feet. “I will touch his feet under all circumstances,” he shouted. He was prevented but cried out, “No power on earth will stop me from doing it!”
Eruch tried to console the boy, “To touch his feet would be against his express wish.”
Jagdish replied, “I am not going to obey this instruction.”
Kumar and Kishan Singh were about to lead Jagdish away, but Baba stated, “Let him touch my feet.” He did it and wept bitterly. Baba lovingly pacified him, spelling out, “I do not permit anyone to touch my feet or bow down to me. You have done it with love and that is good. Now, make the most of it by keeping me in your heart always, and go on loving me more and more until you realize me! Would you do it?”
“Assuredly, Baba.”
“I am very happy with you. Now my conscience tells me to touch your feet. Let me do it!” Jagdish kept crying as Baba touched his feet. To make amends for the homage paid to him, Baba also touched the feet of seven of the mandali. The boy was led to the veranda, much distressed, where he sat weeping.
Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Christian and Sikh – people of all religions came for Baba’s darshan. When some Sikhs stood before him, Baba asked them to repeat a couplet of Guru Nanak. When they recited it, he advised them to practice in their daily lives what the Perfect Master Nanak had preached and added:
If when we grow up we become like children – childlike, not childish – then we can love God, because to love God we have to be desireless. Only one desire should be there: the one longing to be united with God. So when we grow up and become childlike, we can then honestly love God. We find God everywhere. Nothing can then shake, alter or stop that perpetual happiness, but we must be honest seekers of Truth. Great Masters have taught us to act as we think, and not boastingly. Nanak, who was God Personified, always acted as Nanak Das (the Servant). I give you all my blessings.
Lord Meher, Original Publication, Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 11, pp. 4094 – 4095.