This saving of Rs.200 plus the balance on hand of Rs.500 — Rs.700 in all — has already been given to Dr. Nath for purchasing two cows if possible and two she-donkeys, the latter being imperatively necessary. If any additional amount is needed, Dr. Nath should contribute it from his own pocket by way of bhiksha [alms]."
Lunch received from both doctors' families was delicious, and Baba remarked, "They are exceeding the limit in their love and devotion."
In the afternoon Baba gave each companion the money kept aside in Belgaum for the purchase of clothes, explaining, "Fourteen rupees will be given to each of you for shoes and other knickknacks, and five rupees for gloves. Cotton jackets and scarves will be supplied from the amount with Kaka.
"The companions can touch money only for the purpose of spending this amount, from which nothing should be saved. If anything remains, it should be given away to beggars. From this amount, you are not to spend a pie on anything else such as tea, paan, et cetera. The purchasing of gloves is compulsory; any little amount saved from this item can be utilized to buy any other item."
Baba concluded, "From today onward, be overcautious. I will no longer correct and help. If you are not cautious and alert, then you are doomed. I am trying to keep my mood. If I fail, I have a master remedy."
Thus arrangements for buying clothes for each was underway at last, and the companions had some hope of being protected from the cold.
Eruch and Vishnu brought all the luggage from the train station, including the missing trunk. The companions had been wearing the same clothes they had on when they left Belgaum five days before. When the baggage arrived, they changed clothes and arranged their personal things. In spite of the house being large, Baba had ordered the men to camp on the verandah, and they were thus living like "beggars in a palace."
Chalking out their schedule for the next two weeks in Benares, Baba stated:
For personal bazaar purposes, you can start from the 21st of November to the 23rd, both days inclusive. The 18th, 19th and 20th should be spent sightseeing in the ghats and around the city. The companions should go in batches of four accompanied by Sadashiv as a guide on all three days.
I and the ladies will go to see the ghats on the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th, accompanied by Baidul, Kaka and Sadashiv.