It is likely that the pressure of the work which lies ahead may make me drop my body. You should now decide once and for all whether you wish to continue to be with me or not.
But who could abandon the Master? The men were moved by Baba's pitiful condition and, forgetting their own troubles, beseeched him to take care of his health. On their part, they were ready to undergo any hardship that might befall them. Baba's woeful appearance was so dramatic that the mandali were quite shocked, and conveyed their resolve to him amidst tears.
Before bidding farewell to the mandali, Baba stated, "I have a great work before me, but I doubt this body will bear the burden. If not, it will drop. You may be seeing me for the last time."
The mandali departed for Nasik after bowing down to Baba. Neither the women nor men mandali knew that Baba had been to Persia, and they were deliberately not informed that Baba was about to sail to England, on his first trip to the West. All returned to Nasik in a pensive, sorrowful mood and simply forgot their own troubles in light of Baba's suffering. As mentioned, in those days, their food was meager and of poor quality, but the deep wound in their hearts at seeing Baba's condition made them forget their own suffering. This was why Baba had pretended to be in such a deplorable condition.
After creating this ruse, Baba left for Chandor with Chanji, Masaji and Karim. They proceeded from there to Manmad on Thursday, 30 July 1931. Remaining there for two days, Baba reached Kurnool via Secunderabad. At Kurnool Baba stayed with Sampath Aiyangar, who was then serving as a judge there. Baba did not wish to meet anyone and remained in seclusion at Aiyangar's government bungalow. On 4 August, Baba shaved off his beard. Leaving Kurnool by train on the 8th, Baba arrived in Karachi at 9:00 A.M. three days later. Masaji and Karim were weak and unwell, and the three-day journey proved "tedious, tiresome, and troublesome," Chanji noted. "Baba was frequently in a dejected, sad mood."
The group was met in Karachi by Nariman. Chanji's brother Aspandiar came after some time, and all went to the arranged bungalow in two victorias. Their meals were to be sent by Baily's sister Khorshed, and Nariman was asked to stay with them at night to help Chanji.
Preparations were immediately set in motion in Karachi for the Master's first visit to the West. Baba wished his mandali to endure the difficulties that they would experience during his absence, and he had acted in such a way that they would be willing to face even the fires of hell, if it would help him in his work and ease his suffering.