No doubt there was a definite inner purpose behind this exchange, but it is beyond our limited understanding. It might be surmised that, inwardly, Baba was taking upon himself the responsibility of Upasni Nagar after Maharaj dropped his body.
On 18 May, one of Upasni Maharaj's chief disciples, Yeshwant Rao, arrived from Sakori to see Baba. That same day Dhake, Gadekar and Khak Saheb had also come to meet him, along with Rusi Pop's son Aspi. That day, Dr. Shivrao came from Bangalore to stay at Meherabad. At first Baba told him to stay for one year, informing him that to receive what he wished for, he must cut all ties to his family and the world and remain fasting and in seclusion. But after a few days Baba sent him back to Bangalore with Kalemama.
Upasni Maharaj's 70th birthday was celebrated in 1940 at Meherabad by Baba, after a lapse of twelve years. Day and night, the Arangaon villagers chanted God's name in Vithoba's temple in the village for a week prior to Maharaj's birthday. The actual day of the birthday was celebrated with much rejoicing on Thursday, 23 May. Baba had the mandali arrange a feast for the neighboring villagers.
A few days before, on the 20th, Baba had cryptically remarked, "I will die on May 27."
But Baba was feeling fine that day and explained: "Today, King Leopold of Belgium has surrendered to the German forces. He is a fool! Not only has he lost all his honor by giving in, but he has gotten nothing out of Germany for himself in exchange.
"The next two months will be critical for the Allies. Everyone will say the Allies will lose. In August, the tables will suddenly turn, and the Allies will get the advantage. But it will be a close shave. In August, I may go to Russia via Persia."
Padri arrived in Meherabad on 29 May and was sent back to Byramangala on 8 June. Homi Bhatena came to see Baba on 30 May, and then returned to Bombay.
On the 31st Eruch and his family left for Bangalore, where they lived in the house already rented for them.1 In Bangalore, Eruch helped Adi Sr. file and arrange all of Chanji's diaries and correspondence, which Chanji had kept disorganized in trunks. Pappa Jessawala was sent to Karwar to look for a suitable site for establishing an ashram for Baba.
Footnotes
- 1.The other mandali and Mehlu and Falu were initially forbidden by Baba to visit the Jessawala's house.