TAKING OUR SUFFERING UPON HIMSELF

 
Once when Baba told Father [Savak Kotwal] to go to Ranchi to find accommodations for the mandali, he was suffering from severe abdominal pain. Father's stools contained both blood and mucus, and he was sure he had dysentery. Since he was feeling so ill, he went to Baba and asked if he could postpone his trip to Ranchi for a day or two.

Baba heard his request, then asked Father to bring His potty, saying He felt the urge to evacuate His bowels. Father brought the potty, and when Baba was finished, Father observed that His stools contained both blood and mucus. Father's abdominal distress ceased immediately, and his excrement became normal.

But Father was very upset and embarrassed because he immediately understood that Baba had taken upon Himself the illness of His lover so that He might proceed with His tour on schedule, as His spiritual work had to go on. Father realized that he should have gone to Ranchi after taking medication instead of proposing to postpone his work, which was so important to Baba.

From this incident Father learned the lesson of a lifetime — and this is only one small example of the way Baba, our compassionate Father, took upon Himself the suffering of His devotees.