LETTER TO MANDALI ON MOHAMMED MAST

 
Meherabad
12th September 1973

To: The Mandali at Meherazad and under the sun,

Mohammed has again gone into one of his moods of abstaining from everything that sustains the body.

It came all of a sudden — either on the 6th or 7th June. For a very few days he ate a little somehow and also had his morning tea, though reluctantly. Then on or about 28th or 29th he asked only for sugar for his noon meal, which Sidhu gave him. Mohammed ate about 200 grams or so and then gave it up. Then afterwards nothing at all until this date.

No tea, no food and no sleep. He often says that he goes to the tap to drink water, but we cannot fathom whether he drinks or not. Sometimes when he belches (like last night) after coming from the tap, it seems like he must have drunk some water.

Sidhu and I have tried all sorts of antics to make him eat or at least to have his big mug of tea but the answer is either a blunt 'nako' (no) or 'manani ghail' — 'manani piail' (will eat later — will drink later).

He also does not sleep — 2 to 3 hours at the most and then up again. He stands for hours together looking at 'deesh' which may be anything like his potty, pharsi (stone slabs) or bedspread or anything that catches his fancy.

He has become weak though his gait is still brisk — all the same he has become weak. Since yesterday his voice has become feeble — like that of a very sick man.

He either sits on his bed or keeps on looking at some 'deesh'. He does not want to hear or talk to anyone and gets easily disturbed and also irritated when either a dog or a cat or any stranger comes into his presence.

He drives away strangers unless Sidhu or I are present.

He used to go off his food or drink in the past no doubt, but this time this moody wave seems to be more intense. In the past he would listen to us sometimes but now he totally refuses, and we dare not force anything on him. Since he does not eat or drink, his bowels don't move. He only piddles.

Padri