[Tavern-Talk] HEART TALK: William Donkin's Diaries 6

Thu Dec 20 12:51:49 GMT 2007

HEART TALK - Donkin's Diaries: Sixth Installment

25/10/39

We left for Mysore last Thursday afternoon, in 3 cars, with Elizabeth,
Jal and myself driving. The bus, which I was driving, was loaded with
the usual complement of women and luggage. We stopped at the road
leading off to the centre site; it is really a very beautiful
position, with expansive views of hills, and well covered with trees
and bushes. Mysore state is really very beautiful indeed, and very
healthy too, compared to most places. Near the site it is a little
reminiscent of Scotland in fine weather, and the skies now very fine,
with scattered showers like a Turner picture.

We stayed in the Yelval Bungalow, about 10 miles north west of Mysore
City: a huge place, apparently about 100 years old, and originally the
British or French Residency. It is built on a low hill with views of
the Nilgiris some 70 miles off, very fine indeed. Baba and us men
slept in the servants house separated from the main bungalow, and the
women in the main house.

Mysore is really a fine city, properly Indian, which Bangalore is not.
We saw the Palace, by day, and when lit up at night - fairly encrusted
with electric bulbs. We went up Chamundi hill, and Baba showed how the
Temple there was built in 7 layers to represent the 7 planes. We went
to the Brindavan Gardens with illuminated fountains, lying under the
huge Krishnasagar Dam, across the Kaveri river: nothing like them in
the world I should imagine. There was a minor mishap to the Auburn
car, with the front off mudguard dented. Chanji nearly had a fight
with the driver of the other car, and Byramshaw lost his temper with a
harmless bicyclist whom he tried to push off his cycle: it was really
rather funny to see.

On Sunday we went to see the Dasara procession. It was an amazing
show, busy with gold and amazing colours.

Baba said that the Maharaja was very lucky for Baba to be watching his
Dasara, and that he, the Maharaja, would die before his next Dasara,
next year. His nephew and heir, Baba said, had a good heart, but was a
bit weak.

We returned on Monday, and now Baba says he will begin to work as hard
as he has never done before, and will only come over to the Mandali in
the afternoons, instead of mornings and afternoons.

28/10/39

Baba said yesterday that from November 11th for 6 months there would
be chaos among his followers, with lots of ups and downs, illnesses,
and doubts even among his staunchest followers. He says he then has
got to be bound by time to free those who are bound by time. He says
he will have to do something to create opposition.

There is a lot of diarrhoea in The Links, and to-day the Health
Officer called to examine drains.

3/11/39

Margaret and Falu arrived from England two days ago, both looking very
fit, but they must have had a pretty awful voyage out.

Baba has discovered I'm ticklish, but when Baba told me to tickle him
in the ribs I found he isn't the least bit ticklish at all.

Chandri has returned from the hospital; rather too much granulation
tissue in the wound, which we touched with caustic to-day. Baba's
condition fluctuates a lot. Sometimes he looks very pale and tired,
and at others radiant and gay.

I often dry the masts after Baba has washed them and enjoy it too.
Norina, Nadia and Deshmukh have been lecturing in Mysore about Baba; a
success apparently.

Last night Nilu and I sat awhile in Baba's room while music was played
to him; Baba knows I don't really appreciate Indian music, and jokes
about it with me.

8/11/39

Baba ticks me off quite a lot now, which I am glad about. I feel I
like to be treated like the other boys and have corners rubbed off:
besides, it makes me love Baba much more. He tells Nilu and I that we
are fools, and good for nothing, worthless, he tells us that what we
do is no good - but I like it to be like that.

Nargis seems to have a sort of hysterical illness which causes a lot
of trouble to everyone.

I went for the first time to-day to the Minto eye hospital and saw
about 20 operations.

Baba was giddy and liverish all yesterday, but is better to-day. He
was very beautiful both yesterday and today, quiet and mysterious.

Deshmukh, Nadia, Ghani and Norina all talked at a lecture in Bangalore
town hall on Monday evening: it went off quite well. Baba, before it,
told Deshmukh he would not let the lecture be a total success but
would see that there was 50-50 opposition and sympathy: I dare say
this did happen.

14/11/39

A few days ago we all had to fill in forms stating our work and
amusements, and giving suggestions. I suggested a game such as
badminton, cricket, and as a joke, marbles, in the compound. Of course
Baba voted for marbles; and I have now been made secretary of the
Marbles club, with a budget of Rs10 per month. Baba is president, and
Dr Ghani, Kaka, and Pendu other members of the committee.

Nilu suggested sweets on Mondays, and he is to be given 2
tablespoonful of sugar every Monday: Dattu asked to be allowed to see
'good pictures' meaning cinema, occasionally - Baba is letting him
look at pictures of saints (a picture book!)

Baba very witty about it all.

Baba said if he commits 'thap' (or telling white lies), he does it for
our good, and we are not to copy him. He says the war will go on for a
year more at least, and that the real war started on Nov 11th.

We in this house are to make 4000 bandages, the other house to make
1000 - I don't know why - so we've been making machines to wind them on.

Also Margaret is to start a dancing school, and Adi and I have been
drafting a plan to organise its start. As to-day is my birthday, and
yesterday was Chanji's the Mandali are allowed Rs10 of sweets to-day.

23/11/39

To-day Baba gave Byramshaw a 1st class row because he complains about
Merwan, and his women not being cared for by Baba: Baba says he is
annoyed because they are happy with Baba, while Byramshaw is not with
them: poor old Byramshaw, but he brings it on himself.

Baba is looking very handsome these days, with shining face and eyes.

He was v. pleased when I did my 1st appendix a few days ago, and said
he was v. proud of me - I was feeling pleased with myself too about
it. Baba sometimes praises me in front of others, and sometimes blames
me in front of others; I think the latter is the better compliment from him.

On 26th Nov Baba goes off to the south with Kaka and Eruch - he says,
to start the war, or make peace!

Baba has allowed me to keep £5 sent from home for birthday present, to
buy clothes for myself.

Baba told me to answer my father's letter and say 
I will stay out 6 months more, war permitting, 
and at the end of 6 months I'll write again and so on, to let him down gently.

===================================

Jai Beloved Baba!
Archives Team
Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust

Other Heart Talk letters can be selected at:
http://www.ambppct.org/archives/collections/written_materials/correspondence/heart_talk.htm

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