About Meher Baba
THE LIFE OF MEHER BABA
Merwan Sheriar Irani Meher Baba, was born in Poona, India on 25th February 1894. He was the second son born to his parents, Shireen and Sheriar Irani, who were originally from Persia (Iran) and were followers of the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster).
Sheriar (Shahr-yar Moondegar Irani), Merwan’s father, was a devout seeker of God. He left home at the age of 12 in order to “find God”. After almost 40 days of fasting and meditation, Sherirar heard a voice telling him to stop wandering and to return home – One who would be born to him would be The One he was searching for – his search for God would be completed.
In 1913, Merwan was attending Deccan College when he met Hazrat Babajan, the first of five Perfect Masters (Sadgurus) that would give him “God-realization”. Babajan, a Muslim Saint, was thought to be over 100 years old at the time. During one of Merwan’s many visits to Babajan, she kissed Merwan on the forehead, giving him instant God-consciousness. Shireen and others thought Merwan had gone mad – he neither slept nor ate for the next 9 months. Over the next 7 years, Merwan met with the other Perfec Masters of his time. Narayan Maharaj, Tajuddin Baba, Sai Baba of Shirdi, and Upasni Maharaj helped Merwan regain normal human consciousness. Upasni said Merwan was also a Sadguru, and told Merwan that he was the Avatar, or God in Human Form.
In 1921, a group of friends and followers who also considered Merwan a Perfect Master began to use the name Meher Baba – meaning “Compassionate Father”. Others believed him to be the Avatar (Messiah, Christ, Buddha, Prophet, etc.). Soon more and more people from all over India were drawn to him – now was the time for his real work to begin and to be carried out.
In 1925, after ending a period of seclusion, Meher Baba stopped speaking and remained silent until he dropped his physical form in January 1969. Initially, he used writing to communicate. In 1927, he stopped writing and relied solely on an alphabet board, pointing to letters on the board. He stopped using the alphabet board in 1954, using only hand gestures an signs to communicate.
