ChaptersChapter 15Page 2,231

Chapter 15: Seclusion

1941Page 2,231 of 5,444
Baba stipulated that the place of meeting should be away from either Meherabad or Sakori, and added, "I will see him on the condition that, since I am still observing silence, I will not speak to him."
Gulmai told this to Maharaj, and he consented to the terms. Maharaj took Gulmai to Dahigaon, a few miles from Sakori, where he showed her a hut. Gulmai returned to Panchgani, and informed Baba, who fixed the date of their meeting for 17 October.
He stated, "To meet Maharaj, I will come out of my seclusion for one day."
Baba summoned Sarosh to Panchgani from Ahmednagar with his car on the 16th. That whole night, Baba's health appeared terrible. He had such a high fever, the mandali thought it would be impossible for him to keep the appointment the next day.
But by the following morning, like a beautiful blossoming rose, Baba appeared with his usual smiling countenance, and asked each of the mandali, "Do you know why I am seeing Maharaj?"
All gave a different answer, and Baba explained, "I will present Maharaj with my locket."
Baba left Panchgani in Sarosh's car at 7:15 A.M. on Friday, 17 October 1941. It was Dassera that day, an auspicious Hindu holiday. Sarosh was driving, and Savak and Rano accompanied them. They reached Poona at 9:30 A.M., where Memo gave lunch to the group. Baba left for Meherabad at 11:15 A.M., arriving there at 1:00 P.M. Sarosh went to Ahmednagar to pick up Gulmai and Kaka Baria, returning to Meherabad at 2:00 P.M. Rano was left at Meherabad to do some other work, and Padri was taken in her place, after he and the other mandali entreated Baba to allow him to accompany them. (Padri was anxious to take photographs of the two Masters together.)
Dahigaon is about 40 miles from Meherabad. The group left at 2:30 P.M. and reached there after an hour and a half. Baba looked over the site and was satisfied with it. There was a small thatched hut surrounded by a beautiful garden. Yeshwant Rao was waiting for them, as Maharaj had sent him in advance to unlock, sweep and clean the hut.
Sarosh and Gulmai left to bring Maharaj from Sakori at 4:30 P.M. Baba instructed Gulmai to bring only Maharaj and no one else from the ashram.
They drove to Sakori and returned to Dahigaon at 5:30 P.M., with only Maharaj.
of 5,444