"The fact that one cannot live without water means water is life." - Mani S. Irani
There is a 1932 newsreel of Avatar Meher Baba drawing water from a well at Harmon-on-Hudson in New York. In this film by Paramount Pictures, Mani Irani, Meher Baba’s sister and close disciple, is quoted sharing the spiritual significance of this moment.
AVATAR MEHER BABA (center) with Mehera J. Irani and Mani S. Irani in Mandla, India, in December 1938, photographed by Hedi Mertens. (Meher Nazar Publications. Used with permission.)
Mani writes: As Baba has remarked many a time even his most casual gesture had universal significance. And every simple personal action generated a universal reaction.
For instance, in this short Paramount film of Baba at Harmon on Hudson we see Baba drawing water from a well and drinking it. We have never seen such a thing on film before, and we are unable to figure out why the media, planning only a two-minute newsreel of a mystic from India would wish to include a scene of Baba at a little farm well.
AVATAR MEHER BABA at Harmon-on-Hudson in New York in 1932. This screenshot shows Meher Baba drawing water from a well. (Sherman Grinberg Film Library. Used with permission.)
But of course, Baba, the silent director and producer of the show, had planned it long ago, for you all. His few simple actions contain his messages for the people of America.
In the two minutes of this most beautiful film, where each graceful movement of his form takes our breath away.
We can’t help watching it over and over again. And every time, we find a deeper meaning emerging from each little act and movement of his, as clear and sparkling as the water we see him drink.
AVATAR MEHER BABA sitting by the falls at the Narmada River in India. Photographed by Rano Gayley in December 1938. (MSI Collection. Used with permission.)
The fact that one cannot live without water means water is life. In the Sanskrit language this is literally so. Another word for water is ‘life’. Jivanum.
As I see it, in this act is symbolized his giving. Giving to his lovers and the generations to follow the gift of life or love divine.
And his drinking of the water is truly symbolic of his quenching the many thirsty hearts who long for him, the Divine Beloved.
Source
“Meher Baba in America: 1932,” Sherman Grinberg Film Library (images), (c) Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust (words of Mani S. Irani), and Sheriar Foundation (DVD). Used with permission.
Thank you to Lynne Berry, Richard Blum, Kacy Cook, Harry Thomas, and Ray Johnston for suggesting this newsreel for “The Divine Gift of Water” film and the event celebrating the new well and finding drinkable water at Meher Mount.