EVER-WATCHFUL COMPASSION

 
Mary Lodge, the Jessawala house in Nagpur, must have been, from all accounts, a beautiful home with extensive gardens, aviaries, fountains and pottery in floral designs, and the house was very large with ample accommodations for visitors, including Meher Baba and His mandali. Of the many stories I have heard over the years concerning the Jessawala family in Nagpur, one particularly stays with me.

It was in the early 1930s. Gaimai had staying with her one of the young sons of her sister Banumasi Kerrawala, whose husband was at the time in a very poorly-paid job. While there the child became critically ill with an extremely high temperature. He required constant, careful attention.

During this time Beheramshaw was due to leave on one of his important tours of factories in the Central Provinces, but he hesitated and agonised over leaving Gaimai alone with such a critically ill child. In the midst of his mental turmoil, Beheram received a telegram from Baba saying that He would, unexpectedly, reach Nagpur shortly, and that Beheram could therefore leave on his tour of duty free of worry.

Now it appears that Baba was at the time on a train journey not anywhere near Nagpur, but inexplicably He suddenly announced a change of plan, and with the mandali changed trains for Nagpur. This incident was the turning-point in Beheram's mind regarding Meher Baba and he accepted Him as a Perfect Master.

Baba arrived at Mary Lodge with the mandali and said to Beheram that he should now depart on his tour of duty. So Beheram left, and Baba and the men settled into the house. That day the doctor announced that the coming night would be the really critical period for the child, who must not be left alone at any time, and that ice packs and cold cloths must be constantly applied.

Gaimai settled down with the boy, and Baba and His men retired for the night. Hours passed by. In the early hours of the morning Gaimai became more and more conscious of the need to go to the bathroom. But she dared not: she could not leave the child even for a moment in case a crisis occurred. Her discomfort grew more and more acute.

Suddenly she became aware of a light coming towards her through the dark house: as it came closer she realised it was Baba. In the light of the torch (flashlight) He gestured to her to go to the bathroom and He would sit with the child.

Such is God-Man's love for us, His ever-watchful compassion: 'I dare not care not for My lovers.'

That child, Dadi Kerawala, is now a Trustee of Meher Baba's Trust in India.