The captain said it was too dangerous to go further, and decided they should stop where they were. But Meherjee insisted, "Don't stop! I have to reach Bombay as soon as possible!"
The captain pleaded, "Dead or alive? If we proceed, we will sink." The storm continued gathering force and the sea was turbulent, but Meherjee persisted in his demand. Once, he was so forcefully thrown to one side, the platinum ring on his finger broke into pieces. Remembering Baba, he did not lose courage. When the boat docked at the closest port, Meherjee caught another boat bound for Bombay and arrived in time. He experienced Baba's inner help because of his firm determination to obey him.
On Friday, 6 July 1945, Baba left with Kaka and Baidul on yet another mast trip. In Gulbarga, he contacted two masts, both men, one of whom was called Budhi (old woman). This elderly mast was so respected that he could travel all over the state by train, free of charge.
Another mast named Goher Shah , a heavy drinker of toddy and spirits, was found and contacted in a toddyshop, his favorite place.
Six miles away from Gulbarga was the tiny village of Khandal, where Baba went to commune with a mast named Appa Swami . The mast led Baba to a temple for the meeting, whereupon he poignantly asked Baba, "Why are you silent? You should speak." This amused Baba. When Baba was ready to go, the mast would not let go of him, and held Baba next to him for two more hours. By then it was past evening, and they had to get back to Gulbarga. Exhausted, Baba was driven in a tonga, traversing the bumpy, pit-filled "road." It was the monsoon season, and so dark that the road ahead could not be seen. Forming an advance party, Kaka and Baidul had to walk ahead carrying flashlights to light the way.
The next day, 7 July, Baba set out for Yadgiri. Some miles away, in the village of Tumkur, lived a God-conscious Jivanmukta named Tilgur Swami .1 Baba left for Tumkur to contact this great seventh-plane saint. He began walking, but a severe pain developed in his chest, and it was difficult for him to go at a very fast pace. He was perspiring profusely, although there were showers along the way. They crossed a river, wading through knee-deep water to reach the village.
Footnotes
- 1.Tilgur Swami was also known as Ishwar Daru.