1927-28 [Esfandiar Vesali]*, had come from Iran to see Baba. Soon after the school had been closed he had left for Iran and had not seen Baba since then. He was extremely anxious to meet his Master after 35 years of separation, but Baba would not grant him darshan at once. On the contrary Baba told him to sit outside and read verses from the Diwan-e-Hafiz. He sat on the verandah reading the book. After about half an hour Baba called him in. It was a touching scene to see him meet Baba after so many years. He put his head on Baba's feet and wept bitterly. After a couple of minutes he was lifted up and then he embraced Baba. It is beyond my capacity to describe the agony this lover must have felt during his waiting outside for Baba's call.

In the afternoon Begum Akhtar gave her second Qawwali program. During the last two ghazals she began to weep and yet her voice did not break as would normally happen. Baba gave his handkerchief to her and asked her to wipe her tears with it. Many others were seen weeping silently whilst she sang her last two ghazals. All dispersed at about 6:00 P.M. after the program.

May 6th:—Baba was busy giving private interviews to several persons from 7:00 until 9:15 A.M. He then came and sat in assembly hall of Guruprasad where all had gathered. Hamirpur lovers staged a drama for about an hour and a half. The theme of the drama was the early opposition of the people of Hamirpur district who did not believe in Baba and opposed Baba's lovers very much, even to the extent of setting fire to their huts and destroying their crops. Baba lovers, in spite of this tyranny, won over all the opponents to Baba with their love. The whole drama would normally take six hours, but Baba asked them to wind up in an hour and a half. All the actors played their parts perfectly. Baba was very well pleased with the performance and was made to give His promise that He would visit Nauranga, where Meher Dham has been erected by the lovers of Hamirpur district.

In the afternoon Baba embraced all lovers who were to leave the next day. At 3:00 P.M. Sri Vatve, the famous singer of Bhav geet (devotional songs), gave a wonderful program till 4:30 P.M. Baba had asked him to learn to sing ghazals. Sri Vatve had picked up these ghazals so well in such a short time that Baba was very much pleased with his singing. After the program Baba stood up, greeted all, and then retired to His room.

Esfandiar Vesali is the lovers name: page 313 of Dr. Bharucha's book "Glimpses of Guruprasad" -webmaster, JK