Accordingly, Chanji did so and Deshmukh soon returned to Baba, who asked, "Why couldn't you go to Adi's room alone?"
"I was unable to find the way blindfolded," he said.
"So you needed the help of one who knew the way?"
"Yes, I suppose," Deshmukh acknowledged.
Baba then elaborated, "In the same way, you will not be able to find the Path. You are blindfolded by illusion. If you want to traverse the Path, you will have to seek the aid of One who knows where to find it, else you will wind up meandering here and there, probably breaking your head and both legs in the process. You will gain nothing."
Baba's clarification freed Deshmukh of his misconception, and Baba jokingly asked, "Can you not understand such a simple thing, you doctor of philosophy? Or is it your philosophy that is confusing you?"
Four days later, Deshmukh returned to India and immediately got a job as a professor at Morris College, Nagpur University.
While conversing with the Westerners in the villa one day, Baba explained to them about a "minor advent" during which an incident in Portofino had occurred on the hill where Altachiara had been built:
Some centuries ago, as a Master but unknown (as I often incarnate), I came to Portofino with some of my circle, including some of those who are with me now.
In those days, there were no houses or buildings in Portofino as there are now, but there were some huts. A couple used to come daily to this hill where the villa is built [seeking privacy], stay for a long while and then go away.
One day I happened to go up alone. Upon seeing me, the man got annoyed, but I went nearer and sat close by. He got angry and gave me a slap. I did not say anything but walked off quietly. One of you, who was with me then, was so enraged at hearing this that you went up the hill and found the couple sitting there. The man again got angry and a fight ensued. In the struggle, you neared the edge of the cliff. The woman helped her husband and they both threw you over the cliff. Anyone else would have died, but not one of mine. He was saved.
This excited another of my disciples to whom alone I had told the story. He went up the hill the next day, but he did not find the couple.