Poona likewise is suffering from squally weather, which will continue for some time, and this hilltop particularly seems noisily windy. As is always the case, you can see how maya tries to thwart and obstruct my working. If this weather continues, I shall either have to go into seclusion in a room upstairs in this bungalow, or go back to Meherazad.
Baba's tentative schedule for his stay in Poona was as follows:
Two hours of work with Ali Shah and local masts. Two hours of light talk, discussion, reading and playing cards and other games with Ghani and Jalbhai. Two hours of seclusion. Two hours of walking in the jungles, or on the less-frequented roads. At 4:00 P.M. — dinner.
That evening, Baba discussed with Ghani about the world situation and also about the bad weather. Jalbhai and Ghani were asked to relate humorous stories to lessen Baba's burden. At 8:30 Baba retired for the night.
On Sunday morning, 17 July 1949, Baba stated that he had slept well the previous night and felt refreshed. Eruch and Jalbhai went into the city soon after seven o'clock to bring a mast to Baba, as per his instructions given the previous evening. Ghani read some ghazals to Baba, while they waited for the mast.
When Eruch arrived with the mast, Baba began working with him. The mast's name was Keshav , and he was found opposite the Poona railway station near the Green Hotel, living in a public urinal. However, Keshav was a revered figure in Poona. He would rarely leave his stinking abode, and was transported with extreme difficulty. At first encounter, he stank and was repulsively filthy. Baba wished to bathe him but, as soon as this was attempted, the mast would not allow Baba even to touch him. Keshav uttered, "I am like your beta [son]. I won't allow you to touch my feet."
Eruch, Kaka and Gustadji did their best to persuade him to be cooperative, but Keshav struggled, yelled and repeatedly asked to be driven back "home." Baba agreed, and motioned to Eruch to bring the jeep. The mast got in, and the men continued their entreaties while Keshav was seated inside.
After a long while, the mast allowed Baba to pour a little water over his feet as he sat in the jeep. He then became mild, and Baba gave him tea, milk and bread. The mast asked for one rupee and a warm coat, and these too were given to him. Baba then worked with him in seclusion in the jeep and sent him back to his abode.1
Footnotes
- 1.Keshav died a month later on 18 August 1949.