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Delhi Talk 173
world would soon know of him, that he would be worshipped and revered forever. How could I know such a thing without his letting me see? His grace is boundless.
Not only did he allow the vision but he helped me in very tangible and practical ways with the writing. Just at the right time he sent a talented editor and an accomplished artist. When I took the manuscript to Baba after a year of writing, although he had never read it, he showed me that he knew everything about it. Then, unexpectedly, he instructed me to publish the book myself.
Knowing almost nothing about printing or publishing, needless to say I felt uneasy. But the most trying time came when I sent the book to press—knowing that I had no money. Then, as Baba so frequently does, he made one of those marvelous, last-minute rescues. Baba’s timing was exquisite. The very week of the printing, a check came in the mail for almost the exact amount required. An old investment that I had thought was dead had finally paid off.
The book came off the press just one week before my departure for India. Clutching it to my heart and with a special prayer of gratitude on my lips, I scurried off to Baba’s lotus feet for the 50th birthday celebration.
At least a quarter of a million people were at Prasanthi Nilayam for the birthday celebration. “I’ll never get close enough to give Baba the book,” I thought. It seemed an utter impossibility in this swelling ocean of humanity. So many people were in greater need than I, how could I place demands on his precious time? I was perplexed. There were people from all over the world who might help with the distribution, yet I didn’t want to show it to them until Baba approved. Then in his own sweet, mysterious and grand style Baba solved my problem.
One evening I was sitting in an audience of thousands, carrying the book. I always kept it with me in case, by chance, an occasion arose to present it. Baba had just completed a discourse. Rising to leave the large auditorium, I noticed a commotion on stage. Some young students were preparing to perform a dance, but I was tired and turned to leave.
To my surprise, I noticed a chair moving slowly over the crowd, carried overhead by students. Strange, it seemed headed in my direction. Yes, slowly but surely it was coming my way. And of all the unexpected “coincidences,” it settled exactly right by my side.