On the 29th, Baba sent Mohammed Mast to Bombay to stay with Aloba, who was working in an Irani restaurant there. Of the masts, only Chatti Baba remained, whom Baba wished to take to Ceylon.
Baba entrained from the Ahmednagar railway station on Friday, 1 November 1940, at 5:00 P.M. on the Bombay-Madras Express with Baidul, Chanji, Don, Nilu, Vishnu, Krishna, Venkoba Rao, Chatti Baba, and the women — 33 in all — plus some of the children. This was the first time Baba took everyone by second class. (Usually, he traveled third class.) Tukaram drove the Blue Bus to carry all the luggage, as well as to transport a few of the women. Because Baba was still in seclusion, he did not say goodbye to the mandali left in Meherabad, such as Chhagan, Homi, Kalemama, Masaji, Murli Kale, Padri, Pendu, Sailor, et cetera; nor did he meet Savak, Bhabananda, Pappa Jessawala and Pleader, who were still in the Family Quarters on silence. Padri and Murli had returned to Meherabad from Bangalore. The only ones still staying in Bangalore now were Adi Sr., Dr. Ghani, Eruch and his family.
Baba did not meet anyone en route. He arrived in Dhanushkodi on the 3rd at 5:00 P.M. They boarded a boat there and were ferried to Talaimannar at 7:30 P.M. From there they went by train to Veyangoda, arriving the next day at 5:15 A.M. The traveling was especially difficult this time, because Baba did not wish his name disclosed and consequently, against his wishes, he and the women were made to be present during the customs and medical examinations at Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar, while entering Ceylon.
From Veyangoda they proceeded by taxis to the bungalow, Hickgalla Estate , which Rustomji Billimoria had placed at Baba's disposal. Rustomji and his family had come to Veyangoda to receive Baba. With Kaka's help (he had arrived three days before with a cook), they left nothing undone in seeing to Baba and the group's comfort.
On the morning of 7 November 1940, after breakfast, Baba looked somewhat disappointed.
He called everyone and asked, "Why are you staying with me?"
Rano replied, "To love you."
Elizabeth answered, "Because I love you. I don't know why, but I do."
Baba smiled and spelled out on the alphabet board: