Today Maharaj sits in his outer office on the hill to greet Boris Grebenshikov, a much-beloved popular musician from St. Petersburg. His musical career started long ago during the Soviet Union’s suppression of Western music influence, so his band Aquarium gave secret concerts at friends’ apartments. The situation eased with perestroika, so now he is a bit freer to perform publicly. He writes, sings and plays guitar, with haunting lyrics that reveal his compassion and his interest in spirituality. He has come to meet Maharaj along with his lovely wife Irina, their friend, and Mr. Azimov and his wife from the Russian Embassy. Maharaj speaks to him of the power of music:

            Guru Gobind Singh says that God is the Dancer of the whole cosmos: “When You dance, the whole creation dances.” All of Gurbani is in ragas. Guru Nanak asked Mardana to play the rebab so he could sing the inspiration that was coming to him. When Krishna played his flute, people were drawn toward love of the Divine. When you play the right raga at the right time, the ocean’s voice hushes. With raga, the trees’ sap rises. If someone sings when the mind is disturbed, it becomes calm. The one who sings becomes immersed in that song.

            Good thought is blessed. One who unites people is blessed. One with compassionate thoughts that bring happiness is also blessed. So you have a blessed thought of singing here. When you sing, the tunes inside us will awake.

            As Boris sings some songs he has written, accompanying himself on guitar, we are all enchanted, even though we can’t understand the Russian words. Afterward, Maharaj says to him,

            There is great love and appeal in your songs. May God give you more love and develop your love. Your songs have reached the home of God. That is why you were free to sing in your country.

            Maharaj turns to the rest of us and says of Boris:

            He’s a very simple and accepting person, whereas a literate person keeps questioning. God is happy with people who are loving and innocent. That is why Guru Gobind Singh said, “You are the thought of a poet.” The person who gives happiness to others automatically gets blessings, and others do, too.

            Then to Boris:

            Remain happy. That is the greatest gift of God. It is good that that gift of God has come back to you.

            After the audience with Maharaj ji, Boris and Irina write in my diary:

            Thank you

                        For the great honour and privilege

                                    To sing for Babaji and all of you

                                    Dream coming true.

            We all are vessels,

                        let us be filled

                                    always.

            Love,

            Boris and Irina Grebenshikov