On 26 June, Vasant's parents took him home against his will to Jamkhed Village, 60 miles away. The Muslim section of the ashram was then closed, and Aga Ali and Ali Akbar were kept on Meherabad Hill with Raosaheb. Shapur stayed with the other boys. Chhota Baba and Kalingad were living with the men mandali at this time.
On Tuesday, 25 June 1929, there was a discussion about an editorial in the Times of India regarding the "Bachelor Prince" of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII. Earlier, on 6 June, Baba had commented that the Prince had a very good heart. (Baba even revealed that he had been an Indian in his previous life.)
On the 25th, Baba made some further appreciative remarks about him, saying, "He has a good character for a man of his position and surroundings. He has a past connection with me and will join me."
The mandali could only wonder silently, "But when?"
Baba continued, "I like heroes such as Napoleon and Shivaji; they were never cowards. Napoleon was courageous till the last. Alexander [the Great] was brave, also. Emperor Akbar was brave, but not as brave as Shivaji. Even when the situation was hopeless, these leaders did not run away. That is good. That is bravery. One must fight till the last, do or die!"
An unbound proof copy of Ramjoo Abdulla's book Sobs and Throbs arrived on 26 June, but Baba showed indifference to the whole affair. His lack of interest was part of his recent attitude of disinterest in the boys.
Later that day, Baba went to Nasik to visit the women mandali and returned two days later. Baba traveled by train via Poona, with Gustadji, Buasaheb, Raosaheb, Aga Ali, and Ali Akbar. Nusserwan also accompanied them. "Coincidentally," the next day, Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, who was on his way back to England, traveled on the same train (which passed Meherabad).1
Up until then, Baba was still wearing his kamli coat, which Yeshwant Rao of Sakori had given him eight years before, and he would not hear of any suggestion for a change. But on 29 June, the mandali again beseeched Baba to have another coat made for his upcoming journey, and this time he agreed. Ramjoo soon left for Poona to buy some nice material, while Vishnu went to Ahmednagar in search of a skilled tailor.
Footnotes
- 1.Later, Baba commented that the Lord Irwin (1881–1959) was a good-hearted soul who had spiritual connection with him from Baba's previous advent as Shivaji.