After this significant mast work, Baba left Lahore a week later, on Thursday, 12 August 1943, on the Punjab Mail, accompanied by Chanji, Ghani and Jal Kerawalla. They arrived in Delhi the following morning, and were met by Keki Desai’s family who, according to Baba’s instructions, had brought a meal of dhansak. Continuing, Baba arrived back in Meherabad on the evening of the 14th, where he checked up on the mandali’s activities, and gave each instructions about carrying out their duties.
That very day, Sripat Sahai Rawat of Hamirpur, called Sribhai, came to Meherabad to see Baba. He had heard of Baba in Nagpur from Deshmukh and Babadas. Sribhai was an active member of the Indian National Congress party, and a warrant had been issued for his arrest because of his agitation for the country’s independence. The British government was arresting all of the Congress party leaders for stirring up revolt against their rule.
When Baba saw him, he raised an eyebrow and inquired, “You are here? You should be in jail!”
Sribhai was amazed, as he was coming to Baba for the first time, and had not told him anything. Baba spelled out, “Take darshan without touching my feet.”
Baba then asked him what had brought him to Meherabad. Sribhai described his long interest in spirituality, and at the end of his narration Baba dictated, “I am happy about your honest seeking for the Real. I am pleased with you. Ask me what you want; you will get it. But express your wish in one sentence.”
Sribhai was greatly affected by his meeting and on the spur of the moment said, “Spiritual advancement.”
For a moment Baba looked serious. Then he gestured, “Granted.”
Sribhai then admitted he was being pursued by the police, and Baba counseled, “You say that the conflict between a political and a spiritual life is now resolved. As you do not want to involve yourself further in politics, turn yourself in to the authorities. Send a telegram to this effect to the District Magistrate of Hamirpur.
“Don’t run away,” Baba advised, “Go and surrender yourself to the police. Your going to prison is good, and I will have my eye on you.”
Sribhai obeyed. He was the first person from Hamirpur District to come in the Master’s contact, and it is due to him that the whole of Hamirpur is today at Meher Baba’s feet.
-www.lordmeher.org, p2373
Aug, 1943; Delhi