Eruch Jessawala
Encyclopedia
Eruch Byramshaw Jessawala (October 13, 1916 - August 31, 2001), born in Bombay
, India
, was a close disciple of the silent Indian master Meher Baba
, and one of his mandali
. Jessawala was also the primary interpreter of Meher Baba's alphabet board, and later his unique sign language
.
parents, Beheram and Gaimai Jessawala. His father Beheram was an engineer with a high post in the Indian government in Nagpur
, the capital of central provinces at that time. Due to constant relocations of his father, Jessawala was placed in an orthodox Zoroastrian boarding school in Nashik, India at the age of 6. When his father eventually bought an estate, Jessawala was transferred to a Catholic school
at the age of 8 where he excelled as a student, eventually planning to study engineering like his father.
and asked him, "Will you leave everything and come to be with me?" To this Jessawala answered, "By your grace anything is possible." Thus Eruch Jessawala joined Meher Baba as his disciple in 1938 at the age of 21.
. He also dictated from the alphabet board Meher Baba's major book God Speaks
, wrote the ninth chapter of that book working from a chart by Meher Baba under Baba's direct supervision, and wrote the book's conclusion. Jessawala's stories of his life with Meher Baba were also published during his lifetime (see below).
and working for the Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust
in the trust office in Ahmednagar until his own death in 2001. He continued to be an inspiration for followers and disciples of Meher Baba from the East and the West until the end. Jessawala was well known for telling stories of Meher Baba's life, and his books are taken from those accounts.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, was a close disciple of the silent Indian master Meher Baba
Meher Baba
Meher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age....
, and one of his mandali
Mandali
Mandali from the Sanskrit mandala meaning circle, connection, community, is a term that Meher Baba used for his closest disciples.-Inner circle:...
. Jessawala was also the primary interpreter of Meher Baba's alphabet board, and later his unique sign language
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
.
Early life
Jessawala was born in Bombay to ZoroastrianZoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
parents, Beheram and Gaimai Jessawala. His father Beheram was an engineer with a high post in the Indian government in Nagpur
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
, the capital of central provinces at that time. Due to constant relocations of his father, Jessawala was placed in an orthodox Zoroastrian boarding school in Nashik, India at the age of 6. When his father eventually bought an estate, Jessawala was transferred to a Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
at the age of 8 where he excelled as a student, eventually planning to study engineering like his father.
Meeting Meher Baba
According to Jessawala the first time he remembered meeting Meher Baba was in 1925 at the age of nine on a trip with his family to Ahmednagar. Twelve years later, while Jessawala was preparing to study engineering, Meher Baba called him to PanchganiPanchgani
Pānchgani is a town and municipal council in Sātārā district in Mahārāshtra, India .-History:Scenic Panchgani was discovered by the British during the British Raj as a summer resort, and a superintendent named John Chesson was placed in charge of the hill station in the 1860s...
and asked him, "Will you leave everything and come to be with me?" To this Jessawala answered, "By your grace anything is possible." Thus Eruch Jessawala joined Meher Baba as his disciple in 1938 at the age of 21.
Work as translator of Baba's silent gestures
Meher Baba was silent for 44 years, from 1925 until his passing in 1969. Eruch Jessawala was Meher Baba's main interpreter, interpreting both his English language alphabet board and later his sign languageSign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
. He also dictated from the alphabet board Meher Baba's major book God Speaks
God Speaks
God Speaks, The Theme of Creation and Its Purpose is the principal book by Meher Baba, and the most significant religious text used by his followers. It covers Meher Baba's view of the process of Creation and its purpose and has been in print continuously since 1955.-Overview:God Speaks is Meher...
, wrote the ninth chapter of that book working from a chart by Meher Baba under Baba's direct supervision, and wrote the book's conclusion. Jessawala's stories of his life with Meher Baba were also published during his lifetime (see below).
Death and legacy
Jessawala survived Meher Baba's death by 32 years, continuing to live at MeherazadMeherazad
Meherazad was the last residence of the Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba and is today a place of spiritual pilgrimage outside Pimpalgaon village, approximately north of Ahmednagar, India. More accurately, it is located at . Meherazad estate comprises about .Meher Baba lived at Meherazad from...
and working for the Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust
Avatar Meher Baba Trust
The Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust is a Charitable trust created by Meher Baba in 1959 to fulfill after his death various directives given by him. Bhau Kalchuri is currently its chairman.- History and charter :...
in the trust office in Ahmednagar until his own death in 2001. He continued to be an inspiration for followers and disciples of Meher Baba from the East and the West until the end. Jessawala was well known for telling stories of Meher Baba's life, and his books are taken from those accounts.
Books
- That's How it Was, Stories of Life with Meher Baba, Eruch Jessawala, Sheriar Press; 1995 (ISBN 1-880619-17-2)
- Is That So, Eruch Jessawala, Meher Nazar Books, Kings Road, Amhednagar, M.S. India. 1985
- Determined to Be His, Eruch Jessawala, Meher Nazar Books, Ahmednagar, M.S. India. 1987
- Tales from the New Life with Meher Baba, Narrated by Eruch, Mehera, Mani and Meheru, Published by Meher Baba Information, 1976