As the German army approached the outskirts of Leningrad, the Russian government evacuated Moscow and abandoned their capital, moving headquarters to Kuibyshev. However, Stalin stayed in Moscow to lead the Russian troops in their defense against the Germans. Meanwhile Japan was preparing to declare all out war, plotting to take over Hong Kong and planning an invasion of the Philippines and an air attack on America.
In Panchgani during October of 1941, commenting on world conditions, Baba observed:
The world is truly in a whirl. It has gone mad! Look at conditions all over: Law and life nowadays are all upset and in the throes of destruction. There is no regard, much less respect, for either. Laws are broken and lives destroyed, inconsiderately and ruthlessly. Words and codes of honor have no value. Solemn promises are sniffed at, and documents taken for scraps of paper, all for selfish ends and for the gratification of lust and greed. In short, now, law and life are as you take them.
When Baba had left on his recent mast tour, he had permitted the Eastern and Western women to go together for a picnic or walk while he was away; but he had ordered them not to eat any wild fruit they might see. Sixteen of the women went out for a walk at sundown on 13 October 1941. One of them dug up what she thought was arrowroot, and passed it round to taste. Only Kharmen Masi ate some.
By seven o'clock that evening, she became violently ill with severe stomach pains, high fever and a swollen, red face. Dr. Nilu, whom Baba had ordered to look after the women, examined her, but could not diagnose what was wrong. All night Kharmen Masi tossed from one side of the bed to the other. Everyone thought she was about to die.
The next morning, Baba returned and heard the full story. He saw Kharmen Masi and put his hand on her forehead. It turned out that what Kharmen Masi had eaten was not arrowroot, but a poisonous plant given to buffaloes who are fatally ill — to put them out of their misery and kill them quickly! By Baba's nazar, Kharmen Masi gradually recovered within a week.
For several years, Upasni Maharaj had been earnestly telling Gulmai, "I wish to see Merwan!"
During this period, Gulmai repeated this to Baba who replied, "I will see Maharaj only once, and alone," meaning Maharaj should not ask for another meeting.