MY FIRST REAL BIRTHDAY

 
On February 6 [1952], Baba dictated a profound, matchless message which was issued as the first "Life Circular". It combined the characteristics of the three main phases of His Avataric mission — the Old Life, the New Life, and the LIFE. I quote below a relevant passage from this particular message, relating to the invocation made by Baba in January 31. He stated:

For these last four months, according to ordinary human standards, and by ways and means known to me, I have tried my utmost for the achievement of Manonash, and I can say in all truth that I feel satisfied with the work done. This satisfaction is due to the feeling I have, of having regained my 'Old Life Meher Baba state,' yet retaining my 'New Life ordinary state'.

I have regained the Knowledge, Strength and Greatness that I had in the Old life, and retain the ignorance, weaknesses, and humility of the New Life. This union of the 'old and new life states' has given birth to LIFE: Life that is eternally old and new.

My efforts for Manonash have been positive and the result of Manonash will be positive. But the actual and concrete manifestation of this result, I leave entirely to the Divine Sanction; where, how, and when the result will be, I leave entirely to the Divine Decree.

And within a week the mandali had one of the most delightful surprises of their life with Baba. It was the celebration of Baba's "First Real Birthday" on February 12, 1952, at Meherazad in a very simple yet buoyant mood. By this time the partition had been taken down, and the four companions — Gustadjee, Baidul, Pendu, and Eruch — were allowed to greet and meet the rest of the men disciples in Baba's love. Kitty Davy who was staying with the women mandali at Meherazad wrote a short, graphic account of this festive occasion:

As Baba came over to our quarters at 5 a.m. on the morning of February 12th exactly to the minute, bells and gongs were rung, drums beaten and guns fired, and in the midst of all this tumult, the voices of the mandali rose clear and loud repeating the different names of God. The evening before, prayers were intoned and the dhuni (sacred fire) was lit and kept burning for twenty-four hours.

Baba called this day, February 12, 1952, his "first real birthday", the beginning of the period called "Life", and He sent the following message by cable and otherwise to all His devotees:

GOD'S BLESSINGS AND MY LOVE TO YOU ALL ON THIS, MY FIRST REAL BIRTHDAY.