Two days later, Baba sent the masts Lakhan Shah and Socrates back to their respective places in Ajmer with Kaka, who reported that the masts were most unwilling to depart.
Leaving Ajmer in the Blue Bus in the pouring rain with the women at 7:15 A.M. on Monday, 27 February 1939, Baba proceeded to Jaipur, reaching the city three hours later.1 It rained the entire way. In Jaipur, they stayed at the New Hotel, which Adi Sr. had booked in advance. Baba took the women to the Sultan mahals (palaces) known as Hawa Mahal, the Amber Mahal, Jai Mandir, Dilaram Garden, Mohan Garden, and the main palace Chandra Mahal, then to the zoo at the public gardens.
The British Viceroy of India happened to visit Jaipur on an official visit while Meher Baba and his group were staying in the city.2 Age noted ironically, "The Viceroy was received with tremendous ceremony by the entire town — while the true Emperor was staying in a nondescript hotel, and only the masts knew of his presence! It is the Emperor's play to keep himself hidden and make himself so difficult to find! Only pure love can welcome him; he allows himself to be received only by those who possess it. Only mast-heroes and advanced souls have that love, and the Emperor surrounds himself with them!"
On Wednesday, 1 March 1939, Baba left Jaipur at 8:20 A.M., reaching Ujjain at 1:30 P.M. the following day, where Adi Sr., Gulmai, Chanji and Genu met them (having traveled ahead as usual by train). As instructed by Baba, Kaka took a bath there. After tea, Baba took the group sightseeing to the temple of Maha Kali (The Great Mother Kali). Baba wished to contact a particular mast in Ujjain. As they drove slowly through the narrow lanes of the crowded bazaar, Baba peered anxiously out of the bus looking for the contact.
Footnotes
- 1.Most of the men traveled by train to the different destinations.
- 2.The Viceroy's name was Victor Hope, the Marquess of Linlithgow.