Our hosts would completely turn their homes over to Baba for his disposal. You had the feeling that at a word from Baba, these new lovers of his would have jumped into a fire for him... Where we were staying there was a berry tree... And it was that season, November, when the tree was full of berries. Not only was the tree full, but the ground was also covered with the berries, because they were so ripe they were falling off the tree. Now Gustadji was with us, and he happened to be walking by, and he picked up a berry from the ground and ate it, and this was followed suit by the other Mandali who were with him... Baba came to know of this. And Baba was not pleased, in fact he was very upset. What are you all doing, Baba demanded. Baba, the Mandali replied, we were just eating some berries that had fallen. Did you have permission to eat these berries? But Baba, they had fallen to the ground, and we were just picking them up. You should have asked first, Baba insisted. Who owns this tree? It turned out to be our host, so Baba said to call him. And Baba had all of the Mandali and our host and his family come into the room with him, and it was obvious from one glance that Baba had not called everyone together for some sweet words on love. On the contrary, Baba was fiery. And he began to upbraid Gustadji for stealing the berries. When the host heard this, he got very upset, and tried to pacify Baba. Baba, he said, I am yours. This house is yours, and even the berry tree is yours. The Mandali are also yours. So the berries they ate belong to you, not to me. ... Baba continued, Yes, the whole creation is mine. And yet the worlds laws must be followed. It is not right in the world to take something that does not belong to you without the permission of the owner. This is true in the world. And it applies even more so with those who are living with me. They should not think they are above such laws. ... He stood and joined his hands together, and on behalf of his Mandali, Baba asked the hosts forgiveness. Eruch Jessawala, TH p6-8 (1950s, Hamipur)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:20:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015