A crowd of lovers had gathered at Victoria Terminus to give him a loving send-off. Baba had wrapped a shawl in Arab fashion around his head, and was wearing large, black sunglasses to avoid being recognized. He did not allow anyone to bow to him and did not embrace anyone before boarding, so that his identity would remain a secret.
At the Poona train station, a throng was awaiting Baba's arrival and included the Maharaja of Bhor who presented to Baba an exquisite garland, truly fit for a king. The train halted for fifteen minutes and Baba's arrival was loudly acclaimed with resounding cries of his Jai! Vishnu had come from Meherabad with the mail, and he was given certain instructions by Baba, as were Beheram and Kalemama.
Jalbhai joined the group in Poona, and their train arrived at 7:20 P.M. in Bangalore on the evening of the 18th. Nandi Hill , a sacred spot to Hindus and a place of pilgrimage, is 36 miles to the north of the city.1 Due to the late hour, it was not possible to travel there at night. Baba and the men were traveling with a heavy load of baggage, such as cooking utensils, pans, buckets, lanterns and bedrolls.
Aiyangar had been cabled to meet them at the station alone, since he owned a house in Bangalore and was residing there with his family. He had been instructed to arrange for Baba's stay on Nandi Hill and to be careful not to tell anyone. He had done so, including not telling even his family that Baba was expected in the vicinity. Aiyangar, however, was perplexed at Baba's arrival so late in the day, asking him, "What am I to do now?"
Baba, who was smiling, replied, "That is just what I was about to ask you! What are we to do now? We will go to your bungalow for the night."
Although pleased, Aiyangar was confounded because no arrangements had been made at his home to accommodate Baba and the mandali. Honored by Baba's request, he said, "It is my family's great good luck." His eyes filled with joyful tears. But when he spotted the 25 pieces of luggage big and small, Aiyangar got a shock and his tears turned cold; he shook nervously, thinking it was going to be next to impossible to carry all those bags and bundles up Nandi Hill! Adding to the load, they still had to purchase all their food supplies since they would be doing their own cooking.
Footnotes
- 1.Nandi is the name of the mythological bullock of Lord Shiva and there is a temple on the hill dedicated to the sacred animal.