ANANDA KATHA

SALUTATIONS TO BABA THE MERCIFUL
MY FIRST MEETING WITH BABA AND INITIATION

Due to constant touring with the boss, I caught cold somewhere and began to feel pain in my back which subsided after taking some medicines. But I could still not go to Baba on the 24 hot October. Meanwhile, perhaps on the first of November Chandranathji again came to us and when he found that I had not yet visited Baba he was somewhat angry and told me, “You should go there– even if it has to be on a stretcher. Do not delay after the fixing of a date.” I explained to him that I was unable to Bal go due to pain but now I would go as I was.

Accordingly, I reached Jamalpur on 2 November but was some what delayed that day and the meeting time for Baba was over. The next morning, on 3rd November 1953, I reached Baba’s place at the appointed time. This was my first chance to meet Him, but I saw with wonder that it was the same divine and effulgent face that I had seen in my vision some days before. I bowed to him most reverently.

Thereafter there was a small drama of introduction. I say ‘drama’, because I know that Baba is trikala jinanii’ or the knower of the W past present and future of all entities, as I had already experienced, yet He asked me for my name and went through the formalities with me. I introduced myself formally and answered a few questions, and thereafter the initiation began.

I was asked to sit in the lotus posture for initiation. Although I sat straight for a while, after some time I had to bend a little due to the increasing pain in my back.

When Baba saw me bending like this, He asked, “Can’t you sit straight?”

I replied that for sometime past I had pain in my back and there lore, felt difficulty in sitting straight and requested Him to continue with the initiation – I promised that after the pain subsided I would sit straight.

As I said this, Baba closed his eyes for a moment and said, “Drink hot water and your pain will disappear.”

After initiation, I asked Baba whether it was necessary to be a vegetarian for this sadhana – I told him that I could not live with out non– vegetarian food.

“Baba smiled and said, “Yet it is good to be vegetarian.”

He also added that onions and garlic have even more tamasika properties than meat and therefore, they should also be given up.”
I asked helplessly, “But how will it be possible for me to give up eating meat? I just cannot do it!

His reply was marvelous. Smiling, He said, “So far you have only given thought as to how meat can be eaten in the best form possible. You have perhaps, never given thought that it can also be given up. Just try to see whether you can give it up that way.”
Then Baba spoke further about meditation. He said, ”The path and process shown to you are very rational and logical. Under stand them properly and then practice the accordingly. Sadhana is a must for human existence, but test and question why you must do it. If you understand the rationale and logic properly you will enjoy it, as well as being motivated to practice it”.

As I was descending the stairs the thought came to my mind.

Baba has told me just to think whether I can give up non– vegetarian good. If it can be given up just by thinking then I’ll start thinking right now that I will no longer take any non– vegetarian food.”

And it is Baba’s grace that from that day onwards I have been a vegetarian.

When my parents and my wife came to know about my becoming vegetarian, they did not believe it. My father had a good laugh on hearing this and remarked that it is purely a temporary phase and would not last long. This was due to what my family had seen of my nature and habits. Certainly it was Baba’s infinite grace that I became completely vegetarian for life. I had no strength of will to achieve this change. Was it not purely due to Baba’s grace? Certainly my attachment and weakness for non– vegetarian food could not be overcome but for the strength Baba gave to my resolution.