“”Hard facts indeed, which India will have to face and overcome. All differences of caste, creed and materiality will have to be given up and a common stand given to the conquering nation. Let us see how India takes it.
In the midst of all these hardships, I will send Deshmukh, Babadas and two-thirds of the mandali with messages from me to be delivered verbally and through leaflets and booklets. That is the plan. I am working at it these days [by] sitting here in quiet seclusion.
Because it looked as if Japan was about to attack India from the Eastern coastline, Baba informed the women: "If we are attacked, we must be ready to defend ourselves. We must have military training in self-defense."
Baba appointed Margaret Craske to give the women lessons in the martial arts. The training began with the swinging of lathis. How to inflict wounds, and how to fight if wounded were also taught. Drills were held as follows: Upon hearing a whistle, all the women carrying the cudgels would run to their predetermined battle stations, upstairs in the house!
“”At one point, Baba advised, "If anyone is wounded, Rano, Kitty and Margaret should remain with them. Mehera, Mani, Khorshed and the others should climb to the roof. If the enemy attacks, they should be resisted downstairs, so that they may not invade the second story, and Mehera would be safe."
All, including the servants, took the training seriously. Baba would often go out to commune with masts, so in his absence, this provided a lively pastime for the women.
From Sunday, 1 March 1942, Baba resumed his routine of washing and feeding masts at the mandali's bungalow from 8:00 to 10:00 A.M. (some days until noon), in addition to moving about Dehra Dun itself to locate masts.
“”That evening he commented to the women, "Today is an important day for India."
Baba took part in kindling the Holi , a Hindu fire festival, on the 2nd. A pit was dug in the backyard and filled with kindling.
“”Baba lighted the fire and observed, "I am making a fire of the world."
One of the women remarked, "Please, Baba, see that none of us get 'burnt!' "
Two days later, Baba left for Rishikesh via Hardwar to contact masts with Gustadji, Baidul and Savak. (Baba had wanted to take the entire group of women, also, but the idea was dropped due to the difficulty of lodging and transporting so many.) Baba returned the next evening. Baidul was then sent to the ancient, holy city of Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Ram), in preparation for Baba's next mast tour to Madhya Pradesh.
