THE EYES OF THE CHRIST

 
Baba took my hand and then wrote on his board: "You must understand that this was God's will and it will result in benefit to the whole world."

In the light of this I could see that there was a reason why, although he and Mehera were hurled out of the right side of the car by the impact, he landed on his left side, and that it happened in the middle of the United States, although Mr. Duce had routed the first car here and planned a different route on the road map for Baba's car, so as to take in the Grand Canyon. Baba had switched the itineraries.

Much has been and will be written about this accident so I shall add only a few details. Baba went forth to meet his sacrificial destiny for mankind's sake knowing full well what would happen. He appeared to be troubled and unwell the whole day previous to the accident. After starting, he sent Elizabeth back for her insurance policies. He told Sarosh, "I shall stop every fifty miles until you catch up with me, and you must do your utmost to stay with us." In fact, he threatened to send them away forever if they lagged behind more than ten minutes.

The driver of the car that crashed into the one Elizabeth was driving for Baba was a twenty-four-year-old boy who was a paraplegic due to service in the Korean War. In later years I wondered what sort of karma he would have because of injuring the Avatar, but Eruch said that the boy was very lucky to have come into physical contact with the Avatar, that he was simply chosen to be instrumental, like Judas had had to do his job. Eruch reminded me that Rahvan created war in order to be killed by Rama so that he could thereby achieve emancipation....

When the doctor came in at eight o'clock I had a talk with him in an endeavor to make more plausible the situation in which he found himself with four Indian patients, one of whom was a silent Perfect Master. I urged him to do all that he could, assuring him that all bills would be paid, and added, "Baba says for goodness' sake will you please get him a hospital bed."

The good doctor took off his spectacles, staring at me quizzically, and asked, "Mrs. Duce, will you tell me how you know he said 'for goodness' sake', and so forth?"

I laughed and explained that we were used to Baba's eloquent gestures and facial expressions. Dear Baba had been put on a cot in the doctor's extra office and he not only was in great pain, but could barely breathe. Rano Gayley sat at the head of the cot so that he could sort of rest against her back. Each time we entered the room he would, out of delicacy for our feelings, throw a kerchief over his swollen face and only show his eyes. Framed by his flowing hair they looked indeed the eyes of the Christ.