Elizabeth loved dogs, and Baba satisfied her fondness for them.1
The question of establishing an ashram was being further discussed during this period. After accepting Chowdhary's offer of land in Mandla, a plan had been drawn up. Some people in Mandla knew about Baba, but to make the general public more aware of who he was, a public meeting was arranged on the 12th, in which Deshmukh, Norina and Nadine delivered speeches. Norina was most interested in setting up the new ashram and would gather information and seek support by contacting influential citizens. Baba, however, did not participate actively in this as he was too occupied with his mast work, which he indicated was more important above all other matters.
Dr. Ghani was also active in giving public lectures about Baba, especially to his fellow Muslims. Baba wrote to him about this in a letter dated 3 May 1939:
I am pleased about your lecturing on 4th and 5th in Ahmednagar, and I am sure you will [make] reference to your Baba and not give me excuses that it was not the opportune time and occasion. You might say that the Mohammedans might not like it; if so, why attend the meetings of people who do not approve of your Master being the Prophet of the Age.
I hope you will be brave and, taking the proffered opportunity, prove that you are worthy of my love. If you disappoint me, you will disappoint yourself.
The decision whether or not to open an ashram in either Jabalpur or Mandla remained questionable. Baba kept the issue pending and, on Monday, 15 May 1939, he decided to leave Jabalpur for Meherabad. Baba rode in Elizabeth's car with Mehera, Mani and Memo, and the other women rode in the Blue Bus (which Eruch drove with Kaka in front) following behind the car.
Mohammed Mast, one other mast, Gustadji, the other men mandali, and three women servants were sent on to Meherabad by train. The other masts were sent back to their respective towns or villages. Meanwhile Gaimai, Banumasi and their children remained in Jabalpur.2
May is the middle of summer in India. Due to the extreme heat, the group with Baba would rise at 2:00 A.M. and start traveling long before dawn. They reached Nagpur at 11:00 A.M. and stayed at the Gorewala dak bungalow. Deshmukh and Indumati came for darshan in the evening. In Nagpur, it was so hot that the women would wear wet clothing; but the clothes would dry on them within five minutes!
Baba and the women arrived in Khuldabad via Badnera and Khamgaon on 17 May, at 10:30 A.M.
After they had settled in at the Khuldabad dak bungalow, Baba pointed out a hill and remarked, "Sai Baba spent his youth here and was God-realized at a nearby cave."
They went to see the ancient Hindu and Buddhist Ellora Caves the next morning at seven o'clock. They came back for lunch at 10:45 A.M. and went again that afternoon from 2:45 until 5:00 P.M. (They hired a guide, who proved to be excellent, and Baba liked him very much.)
Footnotes
- 1.When Elizabeth was sent back to America in 1942, Baba disbanded the zoo and gave away most of the animals. Moti the peacock, however, lived at Meherabad for many years. One morning, before they left for the New Life, they found him dead, apparently killed by a fox or a wild dog. He was buried on Meherabad Hill near the other pets (Warrior, Chum, Kippy, Cracker, Foundy).
- 2.Eruch later rejoined his family in Jabalpur.