---Then, Patil — Sadashiv Patil. Just as, on the other side of the world, John Bass is the oldest, on this side, he is the oldest. An ancient pillar of the Baba family. The first and oldest catch of the great Fisherman! Patil was very young, very energetic; Baba just caught him, drew him close; since then, he has been with Baba; and used to go with Him to visit Upasni Maharaj, Hazrat Babajan; he was a New Life companion. We love him deeply because of his great love for Baba. Even in seclusion Baba used to call for him and chat with him.

---and Shanta Devi Gaekwar of Baroda (the Maharani). Baba told us to call her Shanta ben—ben means sister. She is the owner of Guruprasad. Baba had said, when Guruprasad was considered as a place to stay here, he would stay if the owner never came. Through her agent, the Maharani agreed, although she did not know Baba then. One day some friends of hers came and wanted to use a wing of Guruprasad. Baba and the mandali very quickly left. The Maharani was pained to hear of the intrusion — and notified her friends not to come. Baba returned. But still she had not met him. During a darshan Baba sent for her, and she came. Another time she was seen standing, at the gate when Baba was in seclusion. She had orders to pay her respects every time she passed by. She didn't know what else to do. Baba heard of her waiting outside and called her in. He said it was a lesson to all; He was very pleased with her humility and obedience and love.

Now we met Madhusudan, his wife and two children and tabla player. His wife played the harmonium, he played the sitar, the kids shook bells and tambourines, — a groovy Baba family. He and his wife were married here in Guruprasad, in the presence of Baba, exchanging garlands, and singing for Baba.

They played Meher Kaho Meher — Meher Mantra — the repetition of the Divine name of the Master; it was given by the Master, it is the greatest bhajan, the essence of all yogas and prayers. He next read some of his poems in Hindi and English, saying "English is not so powerful, but it has come out of my heart. So let your heart hear."

We heard Meher, Meher Gatay Hai. "We are happy to sing the name of Meher, the same ancient one as Buddha, Krishna, Christ. I have decided to sing His name, irrespective of what others say. "Next a Marathi song, "O Meher, you have descended as Avatar to awaken all mankind." The third song was Meher Daaman, — "Let not the daaman of Meher slip off my hands, for it is the only pain that matters."

The Luck brothers, Irwin and Edwin, were introduced. Irwin said: "When I arrived on February 7, 1969, at Meherabad, the presence of Baba was so powerful I felt intoxicated. No shadow of a doubt that He was living and was everywhere! He was strength; this strength was felt. Many who came reflected love of Baba; I felt His love through them. I was reminded of 1962 when, after embracing Baba, He said, if I had His real embrace I would disappear. He said, 'You wouldn't want this to happen to you — your body would disappear.' I told Baba, 'What's wrong with that! " Baba said 'Nothing. 'I thought about asking Him to do it!"

Eruch: "If Irwin had said that, Baba would probably have said, 'If I were to do it, then who would be left to love Me?"

With a last "Jai Baba" we all dispersed.

Lunch at the Poona Club again; a visit from Dr. Deshmukh who originally wrote up the Discourses from his notes. He said the Discourses were read back to Baba and Baba corrected every word. I taped him reciting his own Arti composed for Baba, and his first meeting with Baba.

We were taken by bus in the afternoon to the grand old Babajan tree, by the banks of the Poona River. The very bark of the old tree seemed to vibrate something special! As Eruch said, we didn't take 'darshan of that tree' but of its significance — it must be the only tree in the world under which two Perfect Ones have sat.

On to Sassoon Hospital, where Adi gave a short account of Jal's great efforts,