Was the inkwell moving, or was it not? As he questioned, it not only moved - it jumped.

Then B. understood. He had been doubting Baba, wanting a demonstration of power. Baba at last had complied. B. was not only impressed - he was overwhelmed with shame. Weeping, he threw himself at Baba's feet, sobbed his apologies.

Baba, however, was disgusted with him. Rising from His seat, He strode from the room. If you are impressed with this gaudy show," He said, You had better follow X —" (naming a magician then appearing in the Indian theaters) - not me!"

The second story - quite a different one - has to do with one of Baba's women devotees. She and her husband had been followers of Upasni Maharaj - in fact, he had arranged their marriage - and after Upasni had given Baba his "charge", he ordered this young couple to follow Baba and serve Him. And so they had, cheerfully, lovingly, faithfully, for a number of years. Their home had been Baba's when He wanted it, their services were at His disposal at any time. Often Baba would descend upon them, unannounced, with perhaps as many as twenty followers, demanding food and lodging, and always they would give what He asked.

Many times, in the course of their relationship, Baba would say to them, as He often says to those close to Him, All of this material world is an illusion," or All this," indicating beautiful surroundings, "is nothing." One day He not only made this statement, but apparently asked D., the wife, if she did not know it. D., as honest as she is devoted, answered, No, Baba. I believe what You say because You say it, but I can't say that I know it."

“You will," Baba replied, and changed the subject.

Some months later, D. suddenly became very ill. The doctor could do nothing for her - gave her only several days to live. N., her husband, in despair, sent word to Baba, Who came at once. Baba called another doctor, instructed him to prepare a certain medicine, took half of it Himself, gave D. the other half. D. seemed to grow worse, not better. Finally, the doctor could feel no pulse-beat, ascertain no movement of the heart. D. lay, apparently lifeless, on her bed.

Baba ordered her husband to prepare the bed in another room, then lifted D. with His own hands and carried her to the other bed. Depositing her body there, He covered it, left the room, closed the door, returned to D.'s room and Himself got into her bed, instructing N. and the doctor to wait in the living-room and not to worry.

After about a quarter of an hour, Baba emerged, called N. and the doctor, and together they went to the room where He had deposited D.'s apparently lifeless body. Opening the door, they found D. sitting up in bed, her wide eyes filled with an expression of mingled wonderment and bliss.