Considering all the hardships of late, to lighten Baba's mood, Jalbhai and Chanji tried to persuade him to go to an afternoon movie on Sunday, 24 May 1936. Baba was reluctant to go to any movies due to the difficulties and awkward situations prevailing around the ashram in Mysore. But Jalbhai and Chanji were determined that he should have some recreation, and at last Baba agreed to go.
"Mysorian Maya" was still at work, however. There was no electricity in the city. The movie was scheduled to start at four o'clock and after waiting until 5:30, Baba decided to return to the ashram. They later learned that power had been restored and the movie had started minutes after they had left.
Baba's health was still delicate and to make matters worse, on the way back, Tukaram misjudged a curve and the car hit two large potholes, which severely aggravated Baba's sensitive system. He had to take several special remedies when they returned.
Having stayed in Mysore for four months, Baba made a permanent change and disbanded the ashram. Departing by train with the men and women mandali on the morning of 30 May, they arrived in Poona the following day. Baba left for Meherabad in the afternoon with the women mandali in Vithal Bhokre's bus.1
During this period, Dr. Ghani was residing with his family in Lonavla, his wife, four daughters and one son. Ghani fell victim to a dishonest moneylender. Some property had been unscrupulously taken from Ghani by fraud and the man and his wife who had done this had been murdered on the same day. Ghani was falsely accused of their murder and he became so depressed that he decided to commit suicide.
On the night of Wednesday, 3 June 1936, Ghani drank heavily and went to drown himself in Walvan Lake. But when he reached it, he felt dizzy and sat down, and then began thinking of his life. Disgusted with his plight, he started cursing the three Spiritual Masters he had known — Hazrat Babajan, Upasni Maharaj and Meher Baba! He bitterly swore, "Of what use is Meher Baba to me when I am surrounded by difficulties on all sides and he does not help me? What sort of power does he have and what 'Experience'? He is supposed to know all, but following him is useless!" Although Ghani had fully intended to commit suicide, after venting his spleen, he was lulled to sleep by the cool breezes.
Footnotes
- 1.Curiously, the Maharaja of Mysore's birthday was being celebrated on 30 May 1936, when thousands poured into the city to witness the festivities.