Baba advised him, "Remain in the world, but be not of it. Your wife is educated and beautiful. Your baby is also beautiful and you are lucky to have such a wife and child. Both of you together can do much toward my work, and if you do it, you will not belong to this world."
Baba left Nasik for Bombay by train early in the morning of Wednesday, 24 June, along with Chanji, Pendu and Ramjoo. In Bombay, he met his mother, Beheram, Mani and Big Khorshed and gave instructions about Mani's treatment. Gulmai too had been brought to Bombay for a kidney stone operation. Baba went to see her that day and the next at Dr. Mulgaoker's Nursing Home. (The operation was subsequently canceled.)
On the 25th, Baba rode in a Victoria to Chanji's family's residence where he had lunch. While Baba was there, Pleader came unexpectedly, but Baba did not see him. He went to the Kotwals' new residence that night.
Baba returned to Nasik on 26 June, accompanied by Pendu. Adi Sr. had also come to Bombay, and he drove Gulmai and Nilu back to Ahmednagar. Baba visited Rahuri the next day and was back in Meherabad on the 29 th .
An article appeared in a Marathi newspaper about Upasni Maharaj, quoting him as saying he intended to leave Sakori and retire to a jungle.
Baba sent Adi Sr. to Sakori on 2 July 1936, with this message from Baba: "I have not been giving interviews for the past one year. Two months ago, I decided to stay aloof from the mandali and their routine by staying at Rahuri. The mandali will stay at Meherabad; the ladies on Meherabad Hill; and the Westerners at Nasik. Since I have already decided to retire [into relative seclusion], why should you [Maharaj] also retire to a forest so late in your life? You should instead come and stay with me at Rahuri."
Maharaj gave a noncommittal reply.1
Chanji arrived at Meherabad on the morning of 7 July, along with Freiny Masi. Ghani was also at Meherabad. A white donkey named Champa was brought to Meherabad, and on the 8th, Baba sat on it for the first time. Ghani had been specially called from Lonavla just to hold the reins and lead the donkey. It was a matter of amusement for the mandali and provided them an occasion of merriment.
Footnotes
- 1.Adi was sent back to Sakori a month later (on 7 August 1936) with the same message.