For an hour, Baba went on at length emphasizing the need to economize in day-to-day expenses. While he was doing so, a stranger from Bombay appeared. He also heard Baba's warning, and then had a private meeting with Baba, whereupon he related a woeful tale. Calling Adi Sr., Baba ordered him to pay the man Rs.500, and told him not to mention it to any of the other mandali.
Taken aback, Adi thought: "Baba is so tightfisted and demands an accounting of every pie; yet he pays this stranger Rs.500 on the spot, without batting an eyelid, after hearing some cock-and-bull story."
Observing his reaction, Baba remarked to Adi, "You wouldn't be able to understand it. It is my method."
On Saturday, 12 February 1949, Baba went to Upper Meherabad in the morning. It was his 55th birthday, but no special celebration was done (except for the serving of a traditional sweet dish). In the afternoon the mandali were called to the hall at lower Meherabad, where Baba reviewed their choices for disposal of their body in case of death and their individual wills.
Baba laid the utmost stress on the adherence to the orders he had given in the recent circular. He warned them about being vigilant against lustful actions, to the extent of instructing that no women servants work at lower Meherabad from 1 March and that the mandali not even speak to a woman during Baba's three-month absence.
"This is an essential requirement for 1949," Baba stated, "a period which will be beset with the most unexpected events and developments."
Baba took individual promises from each of those present not to engage in any lustful action, which he said might "undo the effect" of their long obedience and association with him.
Final instructions were given to Adi Sr., Pendu, Nilu, Kaikobad, Savak, Baidul, Chhagan, Ramjoo and Dhake at Meherazad at 8:00 A.M. on the 14th. The following day, Tuesday, 15 February 1949, Baba, driven by Adi Sr., departed with Mehera, Mani, Meheru and Goher. They stopped first at Khushru Quarters, where Baba met Gulmai and Meheru Damania. They arrived at Bindra House, Poona at 4:45 P.M. From there, Baba and the women boarded a night train to Belgaum, with Eruch, Manu and Katie joining them. Vishnu had been sent ahead to make arrangements with his relatives in Belgaum for Baba's stay at a local hotel. Meanwhile Kaka and Chhagan stayed at Meherazad, while the rest of the men mandali were in lower Meherabad, and the women resided on the hill. (Norina, Elizabeth and Walu had also been sent to stay on Meherabad Hill in Baba's absence.) On the 20th, Baidul left for Mount Abu, as instructed, taking a cook along named Lala Bajaji Kamble; Jalbhai went with them.