appreciated his singing. Little did anyone realize that this boy would grow up to be a staunch lover of Baba and would regale Baba with his singing in his later years.

Baba was seated on a low couch especially arranged for Him on a rug. His devotees sat around Him. During the bhajan program, Sorabji sent word through his brother requesting Baba to grant him his last wish, to take darshan of Baba. Baba permitted Sorabji to come. With a superhuman effort, Sorabji came in the room. His condition showed symptoms of life-extinction. He stood before Baba, freeing himself from the help given by his brother. He then fell at Baba's feet. The dying man was surrendering himself to Baba knowing that his end was near. Baba embraced Sorabji and then gestured that he be taken back to his room.

There was a break in the bhajan program from six to eight in the evening. Mrs. K., the wife of the head priest of the Parsee community at Navsari, came with her friends for Baba's darshan. She was elegant but there were visible lines of suffering marked on her beautiful face. She had come to call on the God-Man not caring for the severe criticism she would get from the Parsees. She had struggled all her life to redeem the life of her husband, who cared only for rituals and ceremonies, the mere husk of any religion. Her married life was an unceasing ordeal, yet she carried out her duties as a true companion and wife of the head priest in an immaculate way. She had had many spiritual experiences but the last, of seeing God in human form as Baba, was unsurpassable. Before Baba, whom she believed was the highest Personification of Truth, she performed the holy sacrifice of self-dedication, using the ancient ritual of worship — the waving of the arti. She passed the flaming platter to all present in the room so that they could burn up their old life and resurrect into a New Life of love, sacrifice and dedication to Baba. After arti, she prostrated herself before Baba, surrendering her life and soul. She then put over Baba's shoulders a white garment embroidered with silver and pearls which she and her friend made with sincere devotion. She then said "Beloved Lord of our age, may Thou descend on earth like Krishna and bring salvation to mankind."

The next morning, 24th December, Baba was to leave. Sorabji had not rested. Baba went to his room to cheer him and see him for the last time. Sorabji garlanded Baba. Baba ordered that no outsider should approach Sorabji and that the orders of the family doctor should be strictly followed Though Sorabji's life was practically extinct, Baba wished that the date of the marriage be not changed. Baba was leaving and all were anxious about Sorabji living till the 27th. Before Baba left Navsari, He gave a letter to Sorabji's family and asked them to open it on the 28th! The contents of the letter were: "Everything happens as I wish, so do not worry."

The train to Bombay was at 7 a.m. but Baba gave orders that all should be at the station half an hour earlier. The farewell was sweet and not sad although everyone felt the pinch about Sorabji's approaching departure. The 25th and 26th were spent in tension by the Desai family. The 27th at last dawned. Baba had ordered that the marriage ceremony be performed in the morning instead of the evening. With Sorabji on his death bed, wedding bells chimed. The couple came to Sorabji for his blessings. Sorabji blessed them and twenty minutes after the marriage, his soul, which was longing since ages for union with Baba, was consumed in His infinity. A wire was sent to Baba at Nagpur informing Him about Sorabji's death.

On the 28th, the expected telegram from Navsari reached Baba. He had been enquiring persistently since morning about news from Navsari. He had evidently suspended death because of the love of the Desai family for Him. The death was properly timed by Baba. While the telegram was being read, Baba appeared very satisfied and said. "Well done." Baba then remarked that the kite of Sorabji’s life had been cut, but He had been holding