Such a man was not seen, so Baba opened the window and began gesturing to Kaka (who was walking alongside the bus) that the person they were looking for was doing something with his hands. Suddenly, Baba motioned for the bus to stop near a beggar who was tearing rags. Baba gestured to Kaka to hand the man a rupee, and for a brief moment the mast looked straight at Baba. Baba appeared happy and satisfied, motioning to Kaka to get in the bus, and they immediately left Ujjain.
They arrived in the town of Dewas at about 5:00 P.M., where they stayed in the dak bungalow. On Friday, 3 March 1939, they arrived in Bhopal at 10:00 A.M. and checked into the Ruby Hotel , where they were to stay for the next ten days. The Meherabad mandali were unaware of the exact details of the Master's itinerary. Pendu would be sent periodic telegrams, informing him where to forward the mail and cables. Upon their arrival in Bhopal, Chhagan began traveling daily to Itarsi (77 km. to the south) to collect and send any cables and letters (perhaps to obfuscate Baba's exact whereabouts), and whenever Baba wanted anyone from among those at Meherabad, the person concerned was called to Itarsi, either by telegram or through correspondence.
Baba contacted several masts and boys in Bhopal. On 4 March, four masts were brought to him. Baba was delighted and bathed and fed them. Pappa Jessawala arrived suddenly on the 5th and discussed his family's living arrangements with Baba.
In Bhopal, Baba took the women to see its beautiful lake, Moti Masjid, Jumma Masjid and the palace of the Nawab. They visited Sanchi on 6 March from 6:00 to 11:00 A.M. Baba showed the women the Great Stupa in Sanchi.
"Buddha never lived here," he stated. "His ashes are buried in thousands of places, this being one of them. Later his disciples came here, meditated, et cetera, died and were buried here. But Sarnath was the real place of Buddha."
Baba met a delegation of Pathan representatives from Peshawar the same day who were very gratified at their meeting.
On the 6th, referring to the political situation in India, Baba remarked "All miscreants will be wiped out. Everything will be set right."
Helen Dahm fell ill with colitis in Bhopal and was taken to a hospital on 8 March. Irene was instructed to stay with her.1 Baba would visit them, yet his health, too, was breaking down. He was suffering diarrhea. He passed more than a dozen stools one day and had a fever.
Mani too was indisposed and Baba ordered Katie to give her fresh orange juice at 3:00 P.M. each day.
Footnotes
- 1.Helen did not speak English, whereas Irene did.