But when Pappa was told what Baba had ordered, he spread his arms and told his family, "I have worked hard and built up this property for your sakes. It is for your comfort and happiness. If you find happiness in staying with Baba, I have no objection. But do not throw the responsibility of selling all this upon me. You all attend to it, if you really want to go." According to Baba's instructions, Eruch and his mother and sisters then spent an intense few months selling all their possessions except their car. (Far fewer proceeds were realized due to the haste required). Society ridiculed them and opposed their decision, but they were firm in their resolve.
Meanwhile Savak Kotwal's family of his wife Nergiz and their children Najoo, Adi and Hilla, along with Tehmi (Adi Sr.'s sister Piroja's daughter) were called to spend their summer holidays with Baba at Panchgani. They arrived on 28 April 1938. Baba made a quick visit to Meherabad with Elizabeth in her car on the 30th, returning to Panchgani on 3 May, after discussing the Bangalore plans with Adi Sr. and Ramjoo. Naoroji came and left for Bombay on the 3rd; Chanji returned to Panchgani on the 5th, and he too was then sent to Bombay.
Eruch was not the only person to spend a night in the Tiger Valley Cave at Panchgani. Some months before, Elizabeth earnestly asked Baba if she could spend one night in his cave.
Baba replied, "You may, but I will tell you when."
Weeks later, Elizabeth reminded Baba, who smiled and asked, "Do you wish to go now, or wait until the time is right?"
As it came to pass, on Friday, 6 May 1938, Baba and the women mandali accompanied Elizabeth to the cave, where she was instructed to remain for twelve hours. The following is her account:
At 6:00 P.M. exactly, Baba locked me in, giving me the key inside. The last thing I remembered, before everyone left me shut in alone for the night, was Baba's hand extended through the iron bars, resting upon my head as if in blessing. The moment all had disappeared around the bend of the path, there was profound stillness. Fleeting thoughts passed through my mind, but these I controlled as Baba had instructed me that I should concentrate throughout the night and not sleep, unless I could not keep my eyes open any longer.