hotel in Bombay Thursday night, May 21. Friday morning we met and made our plans for going to Poona that afternoon. Then I visited a detergent plant operated by the Swastik Oil Mills.

Nariman's brother-in-law, Jim Meester*, met us in the coach about 5 p.m. Our train to Poona was an express. Talk of Baba, sandwiches and cold drinks, and views of the countryside made it seem soon that Meherjee met us at the Poona station. Meherjee whisked me to the Napier hotel and departed with, "Be ready to go to Baba in the morning at 8:15."

From the time Meherjee picked me up on Friday, memories of events bounce like ping-pong balls defying logical description. First we went to Guruprasad, the lovely "bungalow" loaned Baba by Her Highness the Maharani Shandadevi** of Baroda. The bungalow is a mansion about three miles from downtown Poona between the Bundgarden and Shaha Palaces near the Mula-Mutha River. The wide verandas, spacious rooms with high ceilings and colorful gardens provide an appropriate setting for Baba. On the porch banister a blue sign with gold letters proclaims that Baba will re­ceive those who wish to see Him on Sunday mornings.

About 8:30 a.m. Meherjee ushered me to Baba. He was seated in a large chair against the wall of a pleasant room opening off the side porch. In His pink coat and white sadra, He was as radiant as at Myrtle Beach last year. But His face looked more tired. After welcoming me warmly, Baba called attention to the others in the room. Adi was at Baba's right. Several ladies were on the floor at His left. Seated all around were about 15 other mandali and devotees known to many in the West — Eruch, Nariman, Vishnu, Pendu, Ramju. Baba introduced Dr. Deshmukh. Francis Brabazon was beside me. He read some fine concluding sections from his newest book, "Stay With God."

Several exceptional visitors were allowed to see Baba that glorious morn­ing. The Maharani came in and sat near Baba's feet with glowing adoration. A woman from Madras, who was in charge of a large girls' school there, brought her niece in to meet Baba. There was a man from Bengal and his friends. All brought garlands, notes or similar tokens of love for Baba, as did several other admirers who joined the group as the morning quickly passed.

Baba greeted all with dynamic and vibrant love. He particularly noted the visitors and gave them a feeling of belonging. He emphasized that He

*On original page is printed incorrectly - 'Mistry" is correct'. webmaster, JK

**Original page printed incorrectly. Should be "Shantadevi" Webmaster, JK

Corrections added from ERRATA insert printed in this volume plus Vol 6 No 3 page 35-webmaster, JK