In Bangalore, Baba had sent a telegram to Eruch Jessawala in Nagpur to meet him in Panchgani. Eruch’s father was on tour when Baba’s telegram arrived and Gaimai told him to start immediately. Eruch casually replied that he would leave the next morning. But Gaimai urged, “Baba wants you immediately; does immediately mean tomorrow?” Eruch was preoccupied with caring for the estate’s flower garden and said it would take more time. While this exchange was occurring, another telegram from Baba arrived stating the message to Eruch to start for Panchgani at once!
Gaimai said, “I was telling you to go but you would not listen. Now leave immediately!”
Eruch did not wish to upset his mother, so he promptly left for the train station and arrived the next day, April 29th, in Panchgani along with Jal Kerawala. Baba was waiting for them. Baba was pleased to see Eruch and remarked, “You came at once!”
Eruch said, “You asked me to leave immediately, so I did.”
Baba then motioned to the men mandali to leave and spoke privately with Eruch using his alphabet board. Eruch could read the board without difficulty, which was surprising for someone without practice. Baba spelled out to him, “The world and its affairs are all illusory. Only God is real. Only God exists and everything else is transient!”
Seeing Eruch’s receptiveness, Baba continued dictating, “Conditions in the world are going from bad to worse, and the outbreak of war is definite. Everything will be chaotic and millions will die. It will not be due to hate and hostility between mankind, but will be due to ‘I-ness.’ It is all a divine game!”
Baba then asked, “What are your plans?” Eruch said that he had sent his application to Benares University for he wanted to become an engineer. “Why don’t you become my engineer?”
Eruch was quiet, and Baba then asked about his family. Suddenly, Baba posed this question, “If I were to ask you to leave everything behind – your studies, your friends, your property, your family – and come and stay with me, what would your answer be?”
Eruch replied, “By your grace, everything is possible.”
“Then I order you to leave Nagpur and come to me. Bring your mother, father, sisters and brother. Come to Meherabad, after leaving everything, on August 1st of this year.”
“Will it be possible?” Baba asked.
“Why not?” asked Eruch.
At the time, Eruch had no idea why he had committed himself, or how he would be able to fulfill his promise and dispose of everything in such a short time. There was the question of their house, their property, his sisters’ marriages, Meherwan’s schooling – and, most important of all, his father’s permission.
For the first time, Baba told Eruch to put his head on his feet, and said, “I am the Ancient One. Your decision pleases me more than you can know. You should stick to it at all costs!”
Eruch laid his head on Baba’s feet, and Baba then asked, “If I tell you to lead a tiger by its ears, would you be afraid?”
“If you tell me to, and if I meet a tiger, of course I will do as you say,” Eruch replied.
Baba beamed, and said, “Instead of that, have your supper and spend the night in my cave in Tiger Valley. If a tiger comes to the cave, do not be frightened. In the morning, leave straight for Nagpur without seeing me, and come with all your family to Meherabad on August 1st.”
After spending the night in the cave, Eruch departed for Nagpur. When he told the family what had transpired, they were overjoyed. Gaimai was especially pleased, as she had longed to stay with Baba for years. She said, “How lucky we are that Baba himself – the Avatar – is sending for us!”
Papa Jessawala had a fiery temperament (in fact, Baba’s hand sign for him was shooting a gun, and he would refer to him as the “Pistol”), and Eruch was doubtful of his consent. But when Papa was told what Baba had ordered, he spread his arms and said, “I have worked hard and built up this property for your sakes. It is for your comfort and happiness. If you find happiness in staying with Baba, I have no objection. But do not throw the responsibility of selling all this upon me. You all attend to it, if you really want to go.” Eruch and his mother and sisters then spent a busy few months selling all their possessions. Society ridiculed them and opposed their decision, but they were firm in their resolve.
Lord Meher, Original Publication, Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 7, pp. 2282 – 2283.