He offered what amounted to independence, after Japan's defeat, to secure their immediate cooperation in defending the country. But the proposal did not appeal to Gandhi's concepts of non-violence, and the offer was rejected.
Baba, who was closely monitoring all this, very much wished the leaders of the All India Congress to read his messages before meeting with Cripps (who arrived in Delhi on the 23rd). Accordingly, in the intense heat of Delhi's summer, Chanji and Jal spent a week personally contacting about 30 prominent leaders such as Gandhi, Jinnah, Nehru, Rajaji and Stafford Cripps himself. They delivered printed copies of Meher Baba's four messages to each of them.
Chanji and Jal returned to Dehra Dun on the morning of 30 March. After listening to their reports of how "lucky" they had been in contacting all the leaders as Baba wished, despite the heavy schedules of the politicians at this crucial stage, Baba smilingly remarked:
At this significant period when the future of India is being discussed and decided, I had to contact the leaders who participated in these discussions through you both. It was all according to God's plan. They will now make decisions according to the thoughts and wisdom God will give them. God's plan is always for the best and although, at times, things appear to be going wrong, in fact it is not so.
Meanwhile, during this period, Baba had called Pankhraj to Dehra Dun from Nagpur.
He arrived on 25 March 1942, and Baba asked him, "What do you want?"
"I want to stay with you always," he said sincerely.
"It is extremely hard to stay with me. It means total self-surrender. Are you prepared for that?"
"I have come only for that purpose," Pankhraj replied.
Counseling him, Baba then explained the meaning of sacrifice and said, "Think it over and give me your answer tomorrow."
After deep thought, the next day Pankhraj assured Baba, "I am prepared to surrender myself to you. You are my Master and the only Beloved of my heart."
"I am very pleased," Baba stated. "You have made the right decision. Now go back to Nagpur and find employment. Even if you find a job paying only ten rupees a month, accept it."
Pankhraj stared at Baba, finding it difficult to believe his ears.
Baba explained, "Since you have surrendered to me, there is no room left for any wish of your own.