The next day, October 31st, (1929) Gustadji noticed a saintly-looking man near their house and told Baba about him. Happy to know of this, Baba immediately left to see him. No sooner did the man see Baba coming than he ran toward him and kissed Baba’s hands. After Baba embraced him, the man walked off down the street. Later, Baba had him brought to his room where he sat alone with him. Baba gave him his mattress and the man departed. Baba revealed that the man was a wali – a master of the fifth plane.
Meanwhile that day, for the first time since he was a boy, Buasaheb shaved off his mustache, which dramatically changed his appearance. Baba commented, “The evil is removed!”
Baba then mentioned the programs at Yezd and the love of the people there. Baba praised Arbab Khushrav, the merchant who had arranged the four large events held in Yezd. The whole town was excited to meet Baba and it was the only place in Persia where the Master would give mass darshans, coming out of seclusion to make public appearances.
The conversation turned to the head of the Bahai (1) faith who had come especially to Yezd from Shiraz by airplane to challenge Meher Baba with questions. He came with the express purpose of exposing that Baba was not the Rasool – the Savior. But no sooner had his gaze fallen on Baba than he forgot everything he planned to ask and with tears in his eyes, declared, “You are God Himself!” He bowed down and stretched himself on the floor at Baba’s feet and wept. After coming out of Baba’s room, he exclaimed to people, “Today, I have met God!”
IN BAAM, a general of the Persian Army came to Baba’s residence in full uniform with a sword hanging by his side. He asked the mandali about Meher Baba, but was told no one by that name lived there. The general requested, “Please go and tell your Master that a beggar is standing on his threshold.” When informed, Baba permitted him to enter. The moment he came into Baba’s presence, he saluted Baba in military fashion and taking out his sword, placed it on the floor. Falling at Baba’s feet, he kissed his hands.
After calming him, Baba asked, “What is your rank?”
“It is nothing before your venerable self,” he replied.
“I asked about your rank in the army.”
“I am a general in the army of Persia.”
Baba patted him on the head and remarked, “To die in the service of one’s country is indeed great, but to die in the service of God is greater!”
The general nodded, saying, “I understand; I implore you to grant me the grace that my devotion to God may increase.”
“I will help you,” promised Baba.
In adoration, the general closed his eyes and bowed down, saying, “If I am permitted, your Holiness, I would like to say that the salvation of my country does not lie in its military strength, but in the birth of spirituality by the grace of Masters like yourself. My humble prayer is that you might be pleased to shower your grace on my unfortunate country and its illiterate people.”
Baba smiled, gesturing, “That is why you see me here.”
“It is a great privilege for this country. May your blessing sanctify the soil of this land!” The general then walked reverently backward, step by step, looking at Baba. It was a most touching sight for the mandali to witness.
Later, the police commissioner of Baam came to inquire about Meher Baba. According to the prevailing law in Persia, the police were authorized to record the name, business and purpose of visit of all foreigners travelling through the country. The commissioner had come to gather all these details. The facts were laid before him by Baba’s secretary Chanji, but he said, “I wish to meet your leader, Arbab (2) Merwan, in person.”
He was told that Baba was not meeting anyone, but he persisted, “According to government regulations, I must interview him in person.” When he was told again it was not possible, he said, “I cannot tell you how much it would mean to me to see Hazrat Meher Baba.” Then he apologized and confessed, “I have used my authority solely to gain entrance and have his darshan today. Everything I did was simply pretense.”
(1) Bahai is a mystical religion founded in Persia during 1863, by Bahaullah (Hussein Ali, 1817-1892), who emphasized the spiritual unity of all mankind. Bahaullah translated is the Glory of God. Bahaullah was a follower of Bab, the title of Ali Mohammed of Shiraz (1819-1850), who was a Qutub.
(2) Arbab is a respectful term in Persian for Mister or Sir.
Lord Meher, Bhau Kalchuri, Original Publication, Vol. 4, pp. 1240 – 1242.