Baba would not permit the mandali to open any of the windows or ventilators, because his sensitive sinuses could not bear the slightest draft. When their small compartment grew unbearably hot, Eruch took off all his clothes. He began gasping for air in the stifling coach and looked like a naked mast covered with sweat. The compartment became like the black hell hole of Calcutta!
Baba appeared to be sleeping, and Eruch took the opportunity to go to the toilet, where he turned on the tap. He was so desperate for a bit of fresh air, he stuck his head down the "toilet" — a hole open to the tracks beneath the train — to breathe. When he returned, Baba had covered himself with blankets and still seemed to be resting, oblivious to the heat.
When the train halted at Benares, Baba saw a man dressed in ochre-colored clothes entering an adjoining compartment with two or three of his votaries.
Watching him, Baba gestured, "A very good soul."
Afterwards, Baba sent Eruch to him to inquire about saints and sadhus in Uttar Kashi. Eruch discovered that the man was a resident of Uttar Kashi and was known by his followers as Devgiri Maharaj . He had not left his native place for years but, coincidentally, was now returning after a brief visit to Benares. Baba indicated he was an advanced soul.
Devgiri Maharaj got down at Allahabad and Baba continued on to Hardwar, arriving on Saturday, 3 April 1948. There he instructed Kaka and Chhagan to purchase provisions for their journey along the mountainous tract to Uttar Kashi. Baba left with Baidul, Eruch and Gustadji to find and contact masts.
In Hardwar, among those Baba worked with was a strange mast known as Hanuman Baba . This mast had three rows of teeth in his upper and lower jaws. Baba indicated he was a good mast. Hanuman enjoyed giving money to children, although it was a mystery how he obtained his money, because he never begged. Baidul attempted to give the mast one anna, but he refused to take the money, and instead gave Baidul one anna.
After these contacts, when Baba was on his way to contact other masts, his gaze fell upon an old man dressed in rags. Baba sent Baidul to elicit information from him about the whereabouts of masts, and on Baidul's return they walked off. But the old man was magnetically drawn to Baba, and followed them down the street.