There is a world of difference between a state of regular helplessness and when one becomes nonplussed. One can easily live and lead a sane life of regular and utter helplessness; but to survive sanely a single moment when one is nonplussed under the strain of helplessness and in fulfillment of responsibilities is unimaginable.
Take a simple example: I have said that when I am dead it will be the responsibility of my companions in the New Life to bring my body to the Tomb at Meherabad. It seems so very easy and quite simple. Now, let's say when I drop my body we are in Tibet, and to fulfill this responsibility, and with sheer helplessness as your only asset in favor of your credit balance, will it not be impossible to bring the body to Meherabad? You cannot charter a plane to bring my body; you cannot preserve my body for days together; you cannot contact Sarosh to help as usual for a ready conveyance since there will be no telegraph office in Tibet, and also your conditions forbid you to contact him.
This will be the case when you will be nonplussed [i.e., at a loss as to what to think, say or do].
There will be many such occasions when amidst your utter helplessness and with the full burden of fulfillment of responsibilities, you will have to face the New Life and the End.
Then, "to avoid giving rise to such nonplussing occasions for the fulfillment of all that is to come to pass," Baba dictated certain points which he stated his companions should "remember for all times and under all circumstances." This referred mainly to what to do in case of his death, critical illness, or a critical accident.
Meherjee was given Rs.10,000 to be kept aside for any "New Life emergency." He, Nariman, Sarosh and Jal Kerawalla were entrusted with seeing to all arrangements in the event of any ill-fated occurrence, such as Baba's demise. Baba concluded by dictating, "God's Will be done."
Three men among the Yeswalas were not to go with Baba.
Concerning them, he stated, "The work I had given to Minoo [Kharas], he has done satisfactorily. So, by his remaining at his home, he can still be considered a Yeswala. In spite of his staying at home [in Karachi] and carrying on his business and other duties as before, I have asked him to implicitly obey certain of the conditions.
"It is not possible for Pandoba's feeble body to undergo the New Life privations. So, I myself have put him among the Nowalas. Bal Natu's health is also not good, and he should follow his old life. I have sent him back, but considering his past history, he is in the category of Yeswalas."
Sadashiv Patil had to appear for a court case, so Baba permitted him to go to Poona, finalize it and join him in Belgaum on the 21st. Baba arranged matters so that Ghani could accompany him, even though Ghani's property in Lonavla was in an unsettled financial state.
That morning, Baba agreed to pose for a photograph with those men present in Meherabad, which was taken by a local photographer named Poopal Nursoo. In the afternoon at 3:00 P.M., Baba participated in a cricket match for an hour and a half.
Ramjoo, Ghani and Khak Saheb suggested that the mandali should be served a good meal before their departure with Baba, to which Baba agreed.