On another occasion, there was some altercation, and Baba called Adi Jr. to the Rahuri Cabin. There was some heated discussion between them as Adi was in a defiant mood.
Finally, Baba spelled out, "I'm telling you I am God! Bow down at my feet."
Instantly, Adi's temper cooled as he realized the truth of his elder brother's words. It was the only time Baba ever told him directly he was God.
Baba was driven to Poona to visit the Jessawalas at Bindra House on 14 January. A small gathering of his close lovers was held for his darshan in the Ahilya Ashram opposite Bindra House at 896 Nana Peth.1 Baba returned to Meherabad the same day.
Sarosh recalled driving alone with Baba once from Meherabad to Poona for some work. On the way back in the evening, Baba spotted a half-naked, unwashed mast and told Sarosh to offer the mast tea. Baba was seated in the front seat of the car and the mast agreed to sit in the back seat and be driven to a tea stall across Bund Garden Bridge. When Sarosh brought the tea, he watched in horror as the mast sloshed half his tea on the back seat upholstery. Baba said to ask the mast if he would come with them to Meherabad, to which the mast agreed. He was kept for a few days at Meherabad and then sent back to Poona.
Chanji and Raosaheb came on the 19th and spoke with Baba. On the 23rd, Baba asked Ghani to read some of Jigar's poetry to him.
Preparations began for another mast trip. Often pure drinking water was unavailable during these travels.
On 24 January 1943, while discussing with Adi Sr. the precautions to be taken during the trip, Baba commented, "When thirst is intense and bad water is drunk, it does not affect your health. But when the thirst is not intense, if bad water is drunk it will have a detrimental effect."
The next day, Baba left Meherabad for Khuldabad, via Aurangabad, with Baidul, Gustadji and Mohammed Mast. Adi Sr. drove the group in his car. To make advance preparations, Kaka and Chhagan had preceded them and rented a house. Baba did not find it suitable, as it was too small, so the next day they shifted into a secluded bungalow near the railway station. Adi Sr. returned to Ahmednagar that night by train with Chhagan.
Reaching Khuldabad, Baba began his work with Mohammed in seclusion, which lasted seven days. During this period, Kaka brought a high mast, Mai Bap , to Baba's bungalow for seclusion work.
On the 30th, Baba contacted a mast of the sixth plane called Qutub Shah — known as the "Captain of Aurangabad." He was majzoob-like, being completely unconscious of all his body functions.
Finishing his mast work on 2 February, Baba returned to Meherabad with Adi Sr. in his car, along with Kaka, Gustadji and Mohammed. (Baidul went by train.) The next morning, Baba brought all the women to a private film showing at Sarosh Cinema.
Baba expressed his wish to shift the ashram to Mahabaleshwar for the summer. Kalemama was sent to find living accommodations for the men and women.
Footnotes
- 1.The Ahilya Ashram was a school dedicated to the education of dalits (underprivileged, lower classes).