In the early years of the Meherabad ashram, Baba, knowing Mehera’s love for nature, would encourage her to do a bit of gardening when water was available. So when her indoor work for Baba was complete (and He was with the men mandali), Mehera would often be outside puttering with flowers and plants.

In the 1940s when Baba shifted His residence to Meherazad, He wanted Mehera to start a new garden there and look after it. Already established in the garden was a row of beautiful gulmohr trees. . .

Once while Baba was admiring His Meherazad garden, Mehera explained to Him how much work went into growing the lovely flowers He was admiring. She told Him about the poor soil, water problems, heat and so on, and Baba replied, “Yes, this is just the way I like it. It is because of the hard work and love you put into the garden that I appreciate it so much.” With that, Mehera never again mentioned all the effort it took to look after Baba’s Garden.

Mehera loved making cuttings for the garden, starting seeds, collecting them and so on. Mani and the others would observe Mehera’s enthusiasm when she’d sow the seed of a tree. And they would tease her, knowing that what she really wanted was a full grown tree by the next morning.

Such was Mehera’s vision of an abundant garden for her Beloved Baba, and such was the promise held in each and every seed she collected and sowed . . . to become something very beautiful for Baba.

After Baba dropped His body, Mehera would remark that despite harsh weather conditions, poor soil, little rain and so on, Baba always saw to it that even in the hot summer, one flower or another would be in bloom in His garden.

After many years of tending to Baba’s garden and glorifying Him with her beautiful offerings, Mehera would often say to Baba’s lovers, “Just a single flower, a single petal offered to Baba with love is enough. It’s not the flower. It is our love that He wants.”

~ Kacy Cook ~

for Avatar Meher Baba Trust, 25 June 2015

Entrance to Baba's Bedroom from Meherazad garden

Baba helping Mehera in the garden

One of the Gulmohr trees in Meherazad garden

The absolutely clear mirror of Mehera's pure, immaculate heart, that Baba took great pains to keep unclouded by the dust of the world, reflects Baba's image;

the image of the Divine Beloved, as none other can.

~ Mani S Irani ~

I remember Mani saying once that watching Mehera handle a photograph of Baba was like seeing a prayer unfolding. . . Mehera’s flawless examples of care for Baba’s precious belongings and all things touched by and connected to Him became the very foundation for those later entrusted with the preservation and protection of the priceless articles He left behind to capture our hearts.

Mehera would always protect Baba’s pictures, His clothing or anything pertaining to Him, from any dust or dirt. She took care to make sure her hands were clean before handling anything of Baba’s—be it a photo, a book or a personal item. During Baba’s time, before Baba called Mehera into His room in the early mornings to greet Him, she would carefully wash and dry her hands and make sure they remained clean until she received His call. And even after Baba dropped His body, Mehera would wash her hands each and every time before entering Baba’s Room.

Mehera also was particular about light on Baba’s photos—both sunlight and artificial light—as, she said, it could be very damaging. . .

Another aspect of Mehera’s meticulous care of Baba’s personal items was how she would protect them from the all too ubiquitous Indian dust. She made good use of the natural, unbleached Indian muslin cloth, wrapping each item carefully and thoroughly, layer upon layer, so that no dust could penetrate and harm the precious item within.

Years ago a senior conservator from the Metropolitan Museum of Art visited Meherabad and Meherazad, having been invited by those involved in Baba’s archives. When she was shown how beautifully Mehera had cared for Baba’s belongings she was amazed. She said that with all the science they presently employed regarding environmental factors like temperature, humidity, light and dust—they could not have done a better job than Mehera did had they been present at the time. Although not a follower of Meher Baba, the curator was so touched by what she witnessed that she said it was Mehera’s love for Baba that had naturally engendered her intuitive understanding of how to manage Baba’s things. She told us that her care, treatment and handling of these items was faultless.

So not only did Meher Baba leave behind His precious belongings to capture our hearts but also, for a time, His beloved Mehera whose every gesture, every thought, every breath was in remembrance of Him.

~ Shelley Marrich ~

for Avatar Meher Baba Trust, 4 June 2015

Pillow case used by Baba at Bindra House (Jessawala home in Pune).You can see in this photo the first layer of muslin cloth.

(photo by Shelley Marrich)

The second layer of muslin cloth to protect the item within.

(photo by Shelley Marrich)

After the second cloth has been wrapped the item is ready for storage in a cool, dry cupboard.

(photo by Shelley Marrich)

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