Such thoughts were racing through his mind when Baba gestured, "I will try for your sake.If I can sit for darshan, I will; otherwise, I will return to my room."
Holding Jal's hand, Baba sat up in bed with obvious difficulty.He then tentatively stood up and staggered a few paces.Jal's heart was racing and his hands trembled.
But no sooner was Baba out of the room, then like a flash of light, he suddenly became energetic, and his face assumed its usual rosy glow.He strode rapidly to his seat on the dais, and his divine smile diffused rays of joy throughout the gathering.
For Jal Kerawalla, it was a unique experience, and a new understanding dawned upon him about the Master.The darshan went on from morning to evening, and Baba's smile was like nectar to those who approached him for darshan.The light of his divine splendor pervaded Raipur, as qawaali singers entertained the crowd.
In between, Baba gave spiritual explanations to the gathering.Almost 5,000 persons had Baba's darshan that day, and later a few came for individual interviews.One of these was Kunj Behari Choubey, who later translated all the Master's Discourses into Hindi.Dr. Baldev Parshad Mishra, principal of Bilaspur College, who had edited Choubey's work, also came very close to Baba at this time.
The three-hour darshan from 9:00 A.M. until noon seemed not to tire Baba in the least, and Jal Kerawalla could only shake his head in amazement at Baba's divine leela.
Raipur, August 1944 (Jal Kerawalla in tie behind Baba)
After the darshan in Raipur, plans were set in motion to travel to Kashmir.Before proceeding to Kashmir, Baba sent away both Goher and Rakhma, the servant.Goher was to work in a Bombay hospital to get experience before joining Baba permanently (as this was what she wished).Baba then sent for Rano, so there would be someone capable to assist the secluded Indian women mandali.
On Wednesday, 9 August 1944, Baba left Raipur in Jal Kerawalla's car with Mehera, Mani and Meheru; Baidul, Kaka, Jalbhai, Eruch and Rano followed in a station wagon.A boy was also with them for part of the journey.The other mandali — Vishnu, Nilu, Krishna, Venkoba Rao and Chanji (who had returned on the 6th) — were sent ahead by train.Due to mechanical defects, both the car and the station wagon broke down numerous times.In the end, the car completely broke down along the way, and all had to go to the nearby dak bungalow at Murtazapur, where it took two days to have the repairs done.
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