5694   WORLDLY PROBLEMS HARASS BABA

Each day Baba would ask for the "real news", that of his lovers or their group activities, and then perhaps the "bogus news", newspapers or an interesting magazine article. Even though Baba banned correspondence at this time, lovers from all over the world would write seeking his advice. "Should I get married? …Should I go abroad?" they would inquire. "Should I pursue this career? … I am in legal difficulties … My business is failing."

When the mail would come, one letter or telegram would contain the joyous news, "Baba, by your grace we have been blessed with a son." The next might say, "Baba, it seems it was your will that our son not recover from his illness, and he passed away." One letter would contain an engagement announcement, and the next, word of a husband and wife fighting bitterly. Eruch said: "It was one thing to hear Baba tell us time and again that the world is just a passing show and illusion, but the nature of much of the flood of correspondence that came to him each day made us believe it as nothing else did."

Through Eruch, Bhau, Mani and others, Baba would send replies and then ask every day, "Has there been any word from so and so?" Telegrams would be sent and a second and sometimes a third letter. For example, Elcha Mistry came to stay at Meherazad for a month. At the beginning of March, Baba had him write to Keki Desai in Delhi, telling the Desais that Sohrabji Siganporia's son, Noshir, and his wife were coming to Delhi for two months for a job training course. Baba asked the Desais to accommodate the couple, and Baba directed the couple to pay the Desais the sum of one hundred fifty rupees per month toward their board and lodging. Others in Delhi were also written to guide the couple and introduce them to other Baba lovers in the area.

No word was received from Keki Desai for a week or so, and Baba appeared anxious about the matter. Ten days later a telegram was sent to him. More letters followed back and forth. This is a typical example of the sort of seemingly trivial things which filled Baba's days and apparently occupied his time.

Baba would likewise often arrange for different people's support. He might tell Sarosh or Nariman, "Pay so and so one hundred rupees a month for the next six months", or he might arrange for someone's education as he had done for Goher, or for singing lessons as he later did for Lata Limaye. If someone were going abroad for further studies, he would write to lovers in that country