Bhau Kalchuri, a college student in Nagpur, became interested in spirituality and sought guidance from Meher Baba during Baba’s visit to Nagpur in December 1952. Despite numerous attempts to meet Baba during darshan, Bhau was unsuccessful until he expressed his desire to join Baba. Baba accepted Bhau’s offer, asking if he would leave his studies and obey Baba, to which Bhau agreed. Bhau recounts his experiences with Meher Baba, including a test of devotion where Baba asked him to beg for two months before appearing for his MA exams. Bhau also shares stories from a trip to Andhra Pradesh, where Baba demonstrated His divine knowledge and compassion, including a touching incident where He visited an untouchable man in his hut after a darshan program. Bhau recounts his experiences with Meher Baba, starting from when he joined Baba in Mussoorie after completing his studies. Baba initially assigned Bhau the task of reminding the mandali to maintain silence after 9 pm, which led to a humorous incident with Kaikobad. Later, Baba encouraged Bhau to write, despite his initial reluctance and lack of experience, leading him to write plays, songs, and even develop new meters for Hindi ghazals. In 1968, Baba instructed Bhau to write ghazals, teaching him the form through a unique method. Later, Baba tasked Bhau with writing a biography of Baba’s life in poetry, despite Bhau’s initial reluctance due to time constraints and the complexity of the project. Baba provided instructions and points for the book, which Bhau is now working on, finding clarity in Baba’s teachings.

Bhau Kalchuri recounts his experiences writing a life account of Meher Baba in poetry, as instructed by Baba. Despite his lack of literary experience, Bhau collected material and began writing in prose, intending to later convert it to poetry using the four meters Baba promised to provide. Bhau emphasizes Baba’s unique teaching style and the importance of simplicity in his writing, even if it means defying intellectual expectations. Baba, despite appearing to sleep, was aware of Bhau’s movements and coughing, demonstrating His omnipresence. He also saved Bhau from a snake by gesturing, even while seemingly asleep. Bhau recounts an incident from 1925 where Baba’s guidance led a villager to water, highlighting the power of faith. Baba explained the difference between faith and trust using the example of a man who came to Him for water. He also recounted an incident where Homi, who relied on mantras to cure scorpion bites, was bitten and called out to various saints, including Baba, but received no help due to his lack of faith. Additionally, Baba shared a story about a Sadhu who would dig wells in different locations, illustrating the importance of focus and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. Chagan, sent by Baba to Poona, discovered a boy named Hamid who had been missing for five years. After reuniting Hamid with his parents, Chagan learned that Baba had sent him on this mission for this specific reason. Later, Bhau recounted an incident where Baba, annoyed by a broken glass, made Bhau clean the room for two hours, teaching him a lesson about obedience.

Bhau Kalchuri recounts an incident where Meher Baba, after being struck by a lid, explained to Bhau that the pain, though minor, was more significant than universal suffering because it was inflicted by his “slave.” This subtle lesson emphasized the importance of Bhau’s duty to please and care for Baba. Bhau also shares examples of Baba’s unique approach to kindness and cruelty, illustrating how Baba’s seemingly harsh treatment was often a form of deep compassion. A devotee was restless and eager to speak with Baba, but Baba only allowed him to sit quietly for five minutes each day. Despite his frustration, the devotee found peace and understanding during these brief encounters. Later, Baba sent a telegram to a former watchman, Krishna, urging him not to worry, as Baba was with him. This telegram arrived just as Krishna was about to commit suicide, saving his life. During a 1955 Sahavas, Baba asked people to fast for 21 days and experienced hunger on their behalf, providing them sustenance through His own restlessness. In 1943, during a famine in Bengal, Baba organized feasts for middle-class families who were too proud to beg, resolving a caste-based dispute by His presence. In 1944, while in Kashmir, Baba employed a local man, Habibullah, who observed Ramadan, and ensured he could fulfill his religious obligations during their travels. During a mast tour in Kashmir, Baba sent Habibullah to purchase apples from an old woman. When Habibullah returned with two extra apples, Baba sent him back to pay for them, emphasizing honesty. Later, during the mast tour, Habibullah witnessed Baba’s divine light and realized Baba was not a businessman, but a spiritual figure.

Habibullah, a lover of Meher Baba, experienced a transformation after Baba’s visit to his home. Baba’s influence led Habibullah to become a successful shop owner in Poona. Another story highlights the importance of balancing love for Baba with responsibilities towards family, as seen in the case of Sawant and his wife, Hemlata. Meher Baba visited a pig keeper’s hut in Andhra, surprising the Brahmins who believed the man was untouchable. Baba also visited a beedi factory in Bajwa, Gujarat, where the workers were unable to attend His darshan due to their demanding work schedule. Later, Baba saved Dr. Ghani from suicide in Lonavala, reassuring him that his abuse was sweeter than nectar. Dr. Ghani, a friend of Meher Baba, initially believed Baba was an ordinary friend despite Baba’s visits to Babajan. However, after witnessing Baba’s extraordinary actions, such as predicting an accident and providing fish to Munshiji, Ghani realized Baba’s divinity. Another friend, Baily, was convinced of Baba’s divinity after witnessing Baba’s love and later experiencing a miraculous event involving his writing. Doctor Ghani, a friend of Baba, was convinced Baba had powers after Baba predicted he would receive medicine from abroad. Baba advised Ghani to clean his dispensary himself for six months, leading Ghani to sell it and join Baba permanently. Later, Ghani was involved in a murder case but was acquitted, and he remained a devoted follower of Baba until his death.

Bhau Kalchuri recounts the life of Chanji, who sought Meher Baba’s help after his wife left him. Baba saved Chanji’s life and he became a devoted follower. The text also covers Baba’s activities from 1962 to 1969, including darshan programs, discourses, and interactions with visitors. Meher Baba, during His seclusion, repeatedly asked about Jawaharlal Nehru’s visits, predicting his death. Baba also accurately predicted Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death due to heart trouble and Indira Gandhi’s rise to Prime Minister. In 1967, Baba foresaw rain at Meherazad during a birthday celebration in Ahmednagar, ensuring the event proceeded smoothly despite the downpour. Baba took Krishna to Haridwar to meet a saint, who had been waiting for Baba for years. The saint embraced Baba, revealing his devotion, and died the next day, having fulfilled his mission. Later, Baba sent Bhau to fetch a drink, and Bhau, embarrassed to be seen carrying it, was surprised when his friend Sohrabji appeared, highlighting Baba’s intention to teach Bhau humility.

Bhau Kalchuri recounts his experiences with Meher Baba, particularly during a trip to Andhra Pradesh. He describes the profound impact Baba had on people, causing them to forget worldly concerns and focus solely on Him. Bhau also shares touching incidents, such as Baba visiting an untouchable man in his hut and interacting with scholars who questioned His divinity. Bhau, initially tasked with night watch duty, was asked by Meher Baba to write a play in Hindi. Despite his lack of writing experience, Bhau successfully wrote the play, “Divya Leela,” and subsequently composed songs and ghazals for Baba. Bhau’s writing abilities, nurtured by Baba’s encouragement and guidance, led to the creation of numerous books and songs, including the upcoming “Baba’s Life in Poetry.” Baba instructed Bhau to write a book about His life in poetry, using four specific meters, but did not provide further explanation. Bhau, feeling unqualified and overwhelmed, collected material for two and a half years before deciding to write the book in prose first. Despite his lack of literary experience and Baba’s preference for simplicity, Bhau is committed to fulfilling Baba’s request. Bhau is writing a book about Meher Baba, including stories about the mandali, Baba’s programs, and Baba’s movements. Bhau recounts several incidents from his time as Baba’s night watchman, highlighting Baba’s awareness and the challenges of the role. Bhau also shares a story about Baba’s ability to grant wishes through faith, using the example of a villager who found water after Baba’s guidance.

Meher Baba, despite outward appearances, often pretended not to know things, even when He did. He demonstrated this by asking a man to dig five more feet for water, knowing there was none, but the man found water due to his faith. Baba explained that His trust in His disciples was based on their unwavering faith, not on specific outcomes. A story is shared about a capitalist who opened free kitchens during a famine in Bihar, India. While the act was seen as selfless, Baba explained that the capitalist’s motives were selfish, seeking name and fame and tax deductions. True selfless service, Baba emphasized, is serving God, the beloved, within all beings without expectation of reward. Meher Baba helped the poor, middle class, and masts, often in secret to avoid praise. He held programs for the poor, providing food and gifts, but was disappointed when his identity was revealed. For the middle class, he organized a feast, ensuring the guests felt respected and not like beggars.

Bhau Kalchuri recounts a story about a man who, despite being instructed not to attend a feast, was allowed to see Meher Baba from a distance. Baba’s simple act of looking at the man brought him immense joy, highlighting Baba’s compassion and the importance of love and trust in Him. Bhau emphasizes that Baba desires our love and that we should live our lives for Him, surrendering our worries and responsibilities to His care. The beginning and end are the same point, like waking up from a dream. Worrying about the illusion of the world is unnecessary, as it is all false. The Beloved comes to awaken us from this dream, and by remembering Him, we gain the strength to overcome our problems.