Dadi was in a state of shock as he sent telegrams to Baba and others, and he contacted the proper authorities.
When at last he came to see Baba on 2 June 1949, Dadi thought Baba would be interested to hear the particulars of what had happened.
“”But as soon as Baba saw Dadi, his only comment was: "Sohrabji is freed."
He did not say or ask anything further, and his equanimity, under the circumstances, put Dadi off.
“”Baba commented to him, "You did well in Mandla; I'm happy with you and the work you've done for me."
Dadi listened silently and then left, though his mind was disturbed. He thought: "Dear Sohrabji died and Baba expressed neither sorrow, sympathy nor interest. Death comes as a shock to most people — it makes them weep; but our Baba seems to be coldhearted."
Without consulting Baba, Dadi accepted a job with the agriculture department, and continued to feel disturbed by Baba's seemingly merciless attitude.
“”For days he pondered over Baba's strange behavior; but then he remembered Baba's remark: "Sohrabji is freed."
Understanding dawned, and Dadi realized that for a person to get mukti (liberation) was no small matter, and was only possible by Baba's grace. Sohrabji's death had in fact been Baba's mercy, and Dadi felt ashamed for not having realized this before. He began to understand that the rounds of birth and death were merely a part of the illusory phenomena of the world.
Baba, in fact, sent Pappa Jessawala and Savak Kotwal to Surat to console Sohrabji's family, and they were grateful for Baba's personal interest and messages of love.
On returning to Meherazad from Mount Abu, Baba had the masts' treasures kept in his bedroom upstairs. Soon after returning, Baba sent for Rano, Norina and Elizabeth from Meherabad, and they began staying with the other women at Meherazad. Deshmukh came at this time and stayed at Meherazad, where he and Norina worked on a second volume of her Fragments from a Spiritual Diary . Don moved back to Meherabad on 5 June.
Baba himself went to Meherabad a few times to attend to matters there. During one visit, Baba discussed with the mandali his intention of going into seclusion somewhere. The fort near Satara, known as Ajinkya Tara , was mentioned as a possibility.
“”Remarking about it, Baba commented: "The area was Shivaji's playground. His men were so good, so devoted, they were ready to lay down their lives at his feet at his slightest nod. You too should become like that."
