Suddenly, Saiyid Ahmad likewise stood up and with great force hit Baidul in the stomach with his fist, telling him to sit down. For about a half an hour Baidul sat there, and then again stood up to go. Saiyid Ahmad gently said, "You are allowed to go, but promise to return."
Later that day, Baidul brought Baba to the Brahmin's house to commune with Saiyid Ahmad. Before leaving, Baba gave Rs.20 to the Brahmin for a new mattress for Saiyid Ahmad to sleep on, and also for the purchase of perfumes, of which the saint was very fond.
After this mast tour in South India, Baba returned to Mahabaleshwar on the evening of 19 March 1943. As usual, Krishna and Venkoba Rao were the night watchmen outside of Valley View bungalow. One night a tiger came near the house. Krishna saw it but did not move from his position, though he was frightened. The tiger glowered menacingly. Krishna had a rifle with him.1 Just as he was about to take aim, Baba clapped. Krishna came inside and told Baba there was a tiger nearby. "Should I shoot it, Baba?" he asked.
"Wait, I'll come," gestured Baba.
But Baba did not come for five minutes, by which time the tiger had stalked away.
Baba motioned, "Now shoot."
Krishna fired in the direction taken by the tiger, but the bullet lodged in the trunk of a tree.
Inside, Baba asked him, "Were you scared?"
Krishna admitted that he was.
"Don't be," gestured Baba. "The tiger won't devour you. Why were you afraid?"
Krishna could not explain.
Teasing him, Baba remarked, "My burden would have been lessened had he eaten you!"
After this incident, Baba instructed Krishna to sit in the Blue Bus during his watch, instead of unprotected out in the open.2
Bhilar is a remote, jungle-like area between Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Baba, accompanied by Kalemama, Vishnu and Chanji, went to the village to see a place called Jalki's Bungalow on 22 March. He had Kalemama rent it and ordered him to enclose the compound with bamboo matting to ensure privacy for the women.3
Eruch arrived the next day and drove Baba and the women in the Blue Bus to Bhilar, so they could see the new bungalow. On the 24th he drove Baba and the women to Pratapgarh Fort in the bus.
Footnotes
- 1.When Krishna sat inside Baba's room, he was not to bring the rifle or long snake-killing stick inside, but only a flashlight.
- 2.Sarosh had had the Blue Bus overhauled and was plying it in Ahmednagar. It was given to Baba to use during his stay at Mahabaleshwar.
- 3.Separate quarters for the mandali were arranged nearby.