COMPASSIONATE FATHER

 
Later in 1920, Merwan Seth told Sayyed Saheb, "I wish to remain in a secluded place without the slightest disturbance. Can you find me such a place?"

Sayyed Saheb suggested a few remote places, but Merwan did not approve of any of them. At last, Merwan told Sayyed, "I have chosen the Bhorgad cave near Nasik, where Upasni Maharaj had fasted for almost a year. I want you to go with me." Sayyed agreed.

They took a train to Nasik and walked through the jungle to the village of Gavalwadi, where they climbed the Bhorgad Hill and found the cave that Upasni Maharaj had shown Merwan. Sayyed stayed along the mountain cliffs while Merwan remained in the cave alone for forty days and nights, fasting only on milk which Sayyed would bring from the village each day.

After the forty days, Merwan left the remote region and stayed at Sayyed's family's house in Nasik and while there told him to telegraph all of those in Poona — Sadashiv, Behramji, Gustadji, and others — to come to Nasik to be with him.

Sayyed Saheb was profoundly impressed with Merwan's great spiritual strength and attributes, and no longer liked the name 'Merwan Seth' — thinking it sounded too ordinary.

When all the Poona friends were gathered in Nasik, Sayyed brought up the topic of changing Merwan's title. Each man agreed, but what new name could they give Merwan?

One of the men suggested "Mehru Baba" — meaning the Great One, but that was not approved.

After several other choices were suggested and rejected, Sayyed Saheb himself, in the end, proposed the name "Meher Baba" — meaning Compassionate Father. Immediately it was endorsed by all.

Soon after, they returned to Poona — including Merwan now named Meher Baba. It seemed the whole purpose of the circle of men coming to Nasik was to choose the new name.

From that day in 1920 onward, any person who became intimately associated with Merwan Sheriar Irani called him Meher Baba.