So this was a time of doubly harsh penance for them and their state was such that, if at 7:00 A.M. (the fixed time for lunch) anyone wanted to go to answer nature's call, Pappa would not tolerate even a moment's delay and would refuse to give them permission to leave.
On Thursday, 22 August 1940, when Baba was visiting with the women, he mentioned the Ankai group. Before he began, one woman remarked on how well and beautiful he looked.
Baba commented in reply, "And yet, last night was a terrible night for me."
Then he continued:
Those on the mountain are having a good time — fog, chilly weather, but a spiritual atmosphere. This mountain is a Hindu place of pilgrimage and this is the month of pilgrimage. Thousands go there. There is the tomb of a well-known Hindu saint, Agastya Muni. Four of the mandali are staying right there in a cave. They walk about on a plateau. Out of the five there, the only one who speaks is the Pistol. You can picture him telling them all to go to hell when he cannot understand their signs!
At seven in the morning he gets all the food cooked and ready. He wakes them up at 4:00 A.M.; if they do not get up he makes such a loud racket they have to get up. Even when he was here he used to get up at 2:30 A.M. and wake up the [servant] boys. In a way it's good — it's discipline, it's his nature. Before he goes anywhere, he packs his luggage and is ready seven days beforehand!
Norina remarked, "But he is somewhat stingy."
"Well, let's not criticize!" Baba said and smiled in reference to their orders.
It was almost quarter to four in the afternoon by then, and Baba stated:
Until four o'clock we talk of war. Churchill will be marked down in history as the greatest Prime Minister of England. America is slowly coming in. One thing is definite. India will suffer most of all — internal and external, both. We will be in the midst of war. Bombs will drop on Norina's foot!1
There are four stages of this war. The first is now over and the second will begin. It will be bad. The third will be very bad. The whole world will be aflame. The fourth will be termination. The three phases are within one year — four months each.
Footnotes
- 1.Norina had strained a ligament in her right foot.