GOD AND HIS MOTHER

 
During his mother's visit, Baba gave the duty of looking after her to Gaimai, advising her, "Try your best to keep Shireen pleased and always do as she requests." Gaimai was determined to serve her well.

Meanwhile, Gaimai's sister Banumasi Kerawala was in Bombay and was about to join Baba with her two sons, Dadi and Sam.

Shireen asked Gaimai one day, "Write to Banumasi to bring me fish from Bombay when she comes."

"But Mother," Gaimai replied, "eating fish is forbidden in the ashram; it is against Baba's order. Even the Westerners have to live on vegetarian food."

"This restraint is for you people," said Shireen, "not for me. Send her a letter. What are you afraid of? Am I not your God's mother?"

Gaimai thought: "Baba wants me to do as Shireen says, so I'd better carry out her request."

She wrote to her sister and, after a few days, Banumasi arrived in Jabalpur with a packet of fish, wrapped in ice. Baba was with the masts at the time.

It was Baba's order that anyone coming should not enter the bungalow in his absence, and also that no one should open any parcel when he was not there. Banumasi was therefore waiting for his return, sitting on the veranda.

Shireen walked by and seeing her asked, "Have you brought the fish for me?" Banumasi answered yes, and handed her the packet.

Shireen took the parcel inside and asked Gaimai to cook it for her lunch.

Within seconds, Baba walked in and asked, "I smell fish. Where is it coming from?"

Gaimai told him everything and Baba was very, very displeased.

Shireen intervened, "I have called for the fish! Why are you getting so upset with her?"

Baba indicated in no uncertain terms, "Mother, you can have fish in Poona, not here! No one can eat meat or fish in my ashram!"

"Who are you to stop me?"

"I am God!"

"You may be God for all, but to me you are my Merog. The doctor has told me to eat fish for my diabetes and you can't stop me from eating it."

As this heated argument was going on between mother and son, a stray cat slipped into the kitchen and made off with the entire fish!

When Shireen saw this, she wailed, "Merog! Why do you harass me so? You didn't want me to eat it and so this had to happen!"

"Now do you believe that I am God?" asked Baba.

"Maybe for others," she conceded, "but to me you will always be my naughty Merog!"

Baba had a hearty laugh and those present enjoyed the humor of the whole incident.