On the 14th, Baba left Kathgodam by bus for Bhowali, 22 miles away, from where he proceeded to Mahargaon and the Hosali mountains on foot. After searching for masts, he returned to Mahargaon, where he contacted a young subtle-conscious boy named Nainni Baba . There he also found a man who had a "tendency toward spirituality," whom he blessed.
Baba then descended Nal Damyanti Valley, where he contacted a yogi called Mauni Baba, who had been silent for many years and had a small ashram with a few disciples there.
Baba and the mandali then started for Bhowali. The hilly tracks they were climbing were narrow and rugged. It was very warm and Baba would often stop and touch the ground with his finger. Drops of sweat trickled off his forehead. While he was wandering over these Himalayan hills, the mandali described Baba as looking "spiritually burdened, after finishing some arduous task." Although he was sweating profusely, Baba seemed to be in an exceptional mood, and would not rest for a moment. He had only drunk a cup of tea early in the morning before starting, and nothing else during the day; yet he was walking very swiftly over the precipitous trails. At times the going was so rough and steep, they had to get down on their hands and knees.
Every part of their bodies ached.
“”At one point, Baba remarked, "When the Universal Body aches, I feel thousands of body pains," which silenced their grumbling minds.
Everyone felt thirsty, including Baba, but he forbade any drinking of water.
By two in the afternoon, they still had four miles of open plain ahead and a final hill to climb. Adi was exhausted and felt he could not walk further. Kaka, Baidul and Gustadji were in the same condition, but somehow they trudged on and reached Bhowali, having trekked more than seven miles. By evening, Baba, Kaka and Adi returned on a bus to Kathgodam, where Baba allowed them to quench their thirst. Kaka cooked dinner for Baba, Adi and himself. Baba, looking very tired, complained that his head was reeling and that he had a pain in his heart. Gustadji and Baidul returned to Kathgodam the next day.
For days now, Baba had been seriously hinting that he would break his silence there in the Himalayas. On 16 July, he rose at 3:00 A.M. and, accompanied by all four men, went out at 5:00 A.M. to find a suitable spot where he could sit for an hour in seclusion.
