ON THE DHUNI

 
In Sanskrit dhyan means meditation; dhyani means one who meditates. The Hindi word dhuni might have been derived from the Sanskrit word dhyani. Again in Hindi dhoon means repeating the name of God aloud, in a sing-song manner. In India the saints and masters who left the towns and sometimes lived in the jungles, usually kept a dhuni burning for all the twenty-four hours.

Some points about Baba's Dhuni:

a) Baba first lit the dhuni at Meherabad (according to Padri) in the month of September 1925.

b) In 1926, when it was again lit on the same day, Arangaon had plentiful rains.

c) In 1941, on December 12, Baba asked Gustadjee to light the dhuni in His presence. Since then Baba gave specific instructions that whether He be at Meherabad or elsewhere the dhuni should be lit on the 12th of each month.

d) On January 12, 1942, after the passing away of Upasni Maharaj (on December 24, 1941) Pappa Jessawala lit the dhuni in Baba's presence.

e) On September 24, 1954, when Baba's western disciples were staying on the Hill at Meherabad, Baba had a programme of lighting the dhuni.

f) On November 12, 1955, during the sahavas when His lovers from Andhra were present, the dhuni was lit in Baba's presence and He asked each sahavasi to put a splinter of sandalwood in it with a sincere wish to burn that particular desire to which one is attached most.

g) The dhuni at Meherabad reminds us of the work of the Avatar which can be likened to fire. Baba once composed a poem with the title "Baba is Fire":

Baba is Fire

When you feel cold,
And sit near the fire;
It drives out your cold,
And makes you perspire.

When you feel hungry,
And cook on the fire;
It gives you your food,
For which you aspire.

But if you like a fool,
Try to play with Fire;
It may burn you so badly,
That would make hell admire!