Fortunately the biography can be downloaded as four PDF files each about 6MB in size. I have the files in my Calibre library. As the file sizes are well under the allowed limit of 20MB per file, these four files should have uploaded without difficult. Except there was difficulty. It turns out that a 500,000 word limit also applies and the first of the files that I tried to upload exceeded this.
Gemini gave me advice on how to split the file into two roughly equal halves using Preview in my Mac OS. I split the remaining three files in half as well and then uploaded all eight files to NotebookLM as source material. The first question I posed was the following:
Can you create an account of Meher Baba's decision to maintain silence, the methods he used to communicate silently, how his silence was received by others and details of any incidents relating to the maintaining of his silence over the 44 year period from 1925 to 1969.
The response to this prompt I've included in a blog post titled Meher Baba's Silence. Overall, the response was reasonable. However, as I'm intimately familiar with the content I noticed the following error:
Cessation of Gestures: By 1 December 1954, he had stopped using his forefinger for gestures to convey thoughts, marking "the last link of conversation" with the mandali through physical signs.
This "cessation of gestures" was in fact only temporary and he said resume his use of hand signals. The issue is further confused by the text that immediately follows the previous quote:
Interpreters: As his gestures became more minimal, his close mandali, such as Eruch, would interpret his signs.
What on earth is the difference between a "gesture" and a "sign"? This inaccuracy and confusion were unfortunate but I followed up the above prompt with one of NotebookLM's own self-generated list of prompt choices:
How did Meher Baba's spiritual mission evolve through various locations and interactions?
Here is an excerpt from the response:
Early Spiritual Journey and Realisation (1915-1921)
Meher Baba's genesis as a spiritual leader began with his contact with Perfect Masters. In April 1915, he decided to lead a life of 'fakiri' (renunciation and ascetic austerities).
His spiritual journey involved meeting several "very great saints" and "holy men who belong to God". He met Narayan Maharaj at his ashram in Kedgaon, just 30 miles from Poona. He also met Tipu Baba, a God-intoxicated mast and spiritual chargeman of Bombay. In Aurangabad, he met Bane Miyan Baba, a majzoob of the seventh plane who had a close connection with Sai Baba of Shirdi.
He regularly visited Sai Baba of Shirdi, sometimes with Behramji or Khodu, and stayed with Upasni Maharaj at the Khandoba Temple for several days. Upasni Maharaj imparted esoteric knowledge to Merwan (Meher Baba's birth name), leading him to accept Zoroaster as the Avatar.
Between 1915 and 1921, while regaining his gross consciousness in Poona, Merwan gradually became aware that he was God-conscious and that the universe emerged from his being. His actions during this period were automatic, as he was experiencing higher states of consciousness.
His six-month stay with Upasni Maharaj at Sakori was crucial, as he completely regained normal human consciousness to begin his divine mission as the Avatar of the Age. Upasni Maharaj declared him "Adi Shakti [the Primal Force]! You are the Avatar of the Age!" just before his departure in January 1922.
Unfortunately this account fails to mention Babajan at all, even though she was the instigator of his spiritual transformation. The text also introduces irrelevant information regarding Tipu Baba and Bane Miyan Baba, both of whom played no role in his spiritual development. No mention is made of the five Perfect Masters and their crucial role in bringing the Avatar to Earth. The rest of the response was accurate enough but the omission of Babajan from the account and the failure to focus on the importance of the five Perfect Masters shows the NotebookLM clearly does not have "the big picture".
Given the vast amount of text to wade through, this is understandable and probably the prompt itself is at fault because it is too vague. My intention in uploading Lord Meher to NotebookLM was to easily find and collate information about specific people or events. Here's the sort of prompt that I had in mind:
Can you create an account of Gustadji, one of Meher Baba's mandali. The account should include how he first met Meher Baba, what work was assigned to him during his time with Baba, his quirks of personality as well as important events that transpired in his life and of course his final passing.
Here was NotebookLM's response:
Gustadji: Meher Baba's Silent Engine and Closest Companion
Gustadji Nusserwanji Hansotia, born on 20 February 1890, was one of Meher Baba's earliest and most intimate disciples, a devoted seeker whose life became intrinsically woven with the Avatar's mission. His journey to Meher Baba was marked by a fervent spiritual quest and a close association with other Perfect Masters of the age.
Early Spiritual Quest and Contact with Masters
Gustadji's spiritual yearning began early, leading him to leave school in the third grade and struggle with various jobs, as his heart was no longer in worldly work after his first visit to Sai Baba. From 1910 onwards, he frequently visited Sai Baba of Shirdi, sometimes staying for days. He also associated with Upasni Maharaj at the Khandoba Temple. Under Sai Baba's guidance, Gustadji lived at Shirdi for six months, undergoing severe fasts that left him emaciated and haggard. He was present at Sai Baba's passing on 15 October 1918 and witnessed his funeral.
After Sai Baba's demise, Gustadji moved to live with Upasni Maharaj near Sakori, continuing to suffer hardships, including being severely beaten by Maharaj with a bamboo cane. Despite this, Gustadji intuitively understood he was serving penance for past karma and remained under Upasni's guidance. Indeed, Upasni Maharaj "transferred" Gustadji to Merwan Seth (Meher Baba), telling Gustadji: "I have made Merwan perfect like me. I have given my charge and have handed over my key to him. Now, follow Merwan’s orders faithfully and sincerely".
Meeting Merwan Seth and Joining the Mandali
Gustadji first encountered Merwan Seth in April 1917 at a medical dispensary ceremony in Bombay, where Merwanji's profound insights left a deep impression. Later, in October 1917, Merwanji was sent by Upasni Maharaj specifically to Shirdi to see Gustadji. Merwanji's actions, including leaving without meeting Sai Baba, convinced Gustadji that Merwan had come solely to befriend him. In December 1918, Upasni Maharaj explicitly instructed Gustadji to leave Sakori and join Merwan Seth in Poona, where Merwan had even arranged a job and sent travel money. Gustadji thus became one of the first among Merwan Seth's close circle of disciples, or 'mandali'. He was to become Merwan Seth's closest companion.
Personality and The Vow of Silence
Gustadji was known for his garrulous nature, often recounting a wealth of stories from his time with Sai Baba, Upasni Maharaj, and Hazrat Babajan. This talkativeness sometimes led other mandali to wish for his quietude. Meher Baba often used Gustadji's personality traits as a means for spiritual lessons. For instance, after Gustadji engaged in a two-hour harangue against another mandali member, Baba deliberately created an excuse to order him to "From now on, you are to remain silent" on 1 May 1927. This was not for Gustadji's personal benefit alone, as Baba explained that his own silence was "to drown the world in the Ocean of his silence". Gustadji courageously adopted this silence and maintained it until his death in 1957, communicating solely through hand gestures.
Role and Work within Meher Baba's Mission
Gustadji's role within the mandali was pivotal. In Baba's analogy of the spiritual path as a train journey, Baba stated, "I am the driver; Gustadji is the engine". Baba held Gustadji in such high regard that he urged his disciples to show him deference, even garlanding Gustadji's photograph and declaring, "To garland Gustadji is to garland me".
Gustadji was entrusted with significant responsibilities throughout Baba's various phases of work:
- Early Poona and Manzil-e-Meem: He was part of Baba's earliest circle, with his photograph displayed in Baba's hut. Baba also insisted that Gustadji be implicitly obeyed in his absence.
- Meherabad: He was in charge of the storeroom at the Post Office verandah, where all requests for items had to be initialed by him before going to Baba. After taking silence, he lived alone on the verandah of the Jhopdi at lower Meherabad, tending to the garden.
- Mast Work: Gustadji frequently accompanied Baba on his extensive and arduous mast tours across India. This included journeys to Gujarat, Kathiawar, Girnar Mountains, Allahabad, Hubli, Bellary, and Uttar Pradesh, among many others.
- New Life and Great Seclusion: During the "New Life" phase (beginning 1949), Gustadji was the only disciple Baba explicitly stated he would try to keep with him, acknowledging that Upasni Maharaj had sent him. He also worked with Baba in seclusion with the mast Ali Shah at Meherazad during this period.
His Unique Relationship with Baba
Gustadji's relationship with Meher Baba was complex and deeply intimate. Baba referred to Gustadji as his "dark side," explaining that Gustadji was "fully prepared for Realization" and needed only to have "the veil torn open". This often meant that Gustadji experienced intense inner tests, making him feel as though he was groping more in darkness before enlightenment. Despite this, Baba always upheld Gustadji's unwavering obedience, even when Gustadji challenged Baba's instructions, ultimately leading to Baba's declaration: "Do not try to grasp my actions; you will never fathom them. Even if I hand you a cup of poison, drink it without the least hesitation. By so doing, you will greatly ease the burden of my work". Gustadji's response, "I am always ready to obey your orders," and his consistent adherence to this, epitomized his unique surrender.
Final Passing In October 1957
An unusual decision was made: Gustadji was not taken with Baba on a trip to Bombay. The reason for this became tragically clear soon after. On Wednesday, 30 October 1957, Gustadji passed away at 3:20 P.M. in Ahmednagar, at the age of 67, due to a weak heart, enlarged liver, and pneumonic patch.
According to Baba's wish, Gustadji's body was prepared and buried on 31 October 1957, at 3:00 P.M., twelve feet from Ali Shah's tomb, near the dhuni, in lower Meherabad. Baba acknowledged him as the "oldest of the mandali" and the "closest and most loved of Baba's intimate circle and companions," affirming that Gustadji had "attained the Goal of Realization!". His unwavering silence until his last breath remained a testament to his profound love and obedience to the Master. Years later, even the mast Mohammed Mast, in a prophetic utterance before Baba's own passing, suggested Baba was "going to join Gustadji," indicating the profound spiritual connection that transcended physical death.
Now this response is much better and really indicates the importance of a prompt that contains clear and specific points that are to be addressed. Click here for more information about Gustadji.
