God-Brother : Stories from My Childhood with Meher Baba

Baba looked at us lovingly, and turning to Myna. His hands gestured, "Ask, ask for anything you want. Ask right now, and I will give it to you." I stood transfixed. This was truly like a fairy tale where the good fairy waves her wand and says: "Make a wish, I will grant it." "But here is no fairy," I said to myself. "Here is God Himself saying 'Ask Me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.'!"

There was no time to think it over. Myna was taken totally by surprise and was unprepared for making a wish. She said what any Hindu girl of her age might say, especially a girl whose marriage was soon to be arranged by her family. She said, "Baba, I want a very handsome husband and a very grand wedding." Baba smiled at her and gestured, "Granted."

Then He turned to me and His fingers moved swiftly, saying, "Ask. What is it you want? Ask quick!" It was like Baba was saying, "Right now I'm in the mood to give. Ask, and I'll give you whatever you want." I looked at Baba and said, "I want to be with You, always." Baba looked very happy with my reply. "Granted!" He said and hugged me.

This "Make a Wish" game was forgotten after a while. Some years later Myna got married to the most handsome man you can imagine. Wedding guests would ask in wonder, "Where did Patel find such a handsome son-in-law?"

And the wedding was the grandest Poona had seen in years. Baba personally attended it. The celebrations lasted four days. Coloured lights were everywhere. The food was lavish. The "shamiana" (colorful tent) was large enough to seat over a thousand. At the far end of it was Baba's gaadi, covered with silks. Seated on it, Baba looked like an Emperor. ...

So Myna got exactly what she had asked for. She got a very handsome husband and a very grand wedding. I was witness to it. But it didn't last long. In a year's time Myna died while delivering her first child. The baby did not survive either.

And my wish was granted too. I shall be for ever and ever thankful that I added the word "always" at the end of my wish, "I want to be with You-always."

As you can see, you have to be a bit of a lawyer when asking God for a boon. You have to make sure that you don't leave out any clause in your favour.