The next day, Thursday, 1 August 1929, Baba went to see a cave near Lake Manasbal, but he did not approve of the place. He then proceeded to Nishat and Shalimar, and though the mountains and scenery were magnificent around Dal Lake, Baba did not like the caves there, either. He next went to Harvan Lake, thirteen miles outside of Srinagar. There was an archeological excavation on a hill near the small village there. Baba liked the view of golden meadows and mountains, but expressed his dissatisfaction with the spot chosen and returned to Srinagar.
The landlord of the Harvan property approached Baba soon after and expressed his desire to place his land at the Master's disposal. Baba accepted his offer and ordered a hut to be constructed on a hill.
He remarked to the mandali, "This place is very good, but I will be disturbed from morning to night if the local people find out that I am staying there. They will make pilgrimage to me there."
Meanwhile, a telegram arrived from Rustom in Nasik informing Baba that Kaikhushru Masa's relatives, worried that Kaikhushru Masa would gift his business and property to Baba, had kidnapped Masa and forcibly taken him from Nasik to Bombay. The next day, Baba remarked that it was a serious matter, but that no one had cause to worry about Masa.
Baba distributed fruit to all, urging them, "Eat it and be free from anxiety about Masa."
Baba returned to Harvan the next morning with Ramjoo, Buasaheb, Raosaheb, and the boys to settle the details of going into seclusion there.
Baba planned to leave the houseboat and go to Harvan the following day. He discussed what the mandali's food and living arrangements would be while he was in seclusion.
At one point, Baba remarked, "Leaving Venice tomorrow, we will go to Palestine."1
Baba came to the mandali's boat for a bath, but finding his water not yet warmed, he slapped Ramjoo and Buasaheb. After the water was properly heated, Chhota Baba and Gustadji assisted him in bathing.
Later, Baba became upset with Chanji and beat him, also.
Baba remarked, "Your grave will be here in Kashmir!"
The significance of Baba's remark to Chanji will be seen later on.
The boatman's wife came for Baba's darshan and wept.
Baba blessed her, "Your luck has changed!"
To her husband Sultana, Baba presented his new black coat.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba's remark, in addition to being an allusion to Srinagar's houseboats, may also have referred to his lifetime as Jesus. He once commented that Jesus had journeyed during his travels as far west as Venice when it was a part of the Roman Empire. (St. Mark's in Venice is considered one of the four spiritual centers of Europe, along with Assisi, the Ligurian coast of Italy, and Avila in Spain.)