Baba was to help in the training period until the 31st of December, yet there was no money for even the cheapest of food. This period required an extra Rs.600 to 700 which had not been budgeted.
Baba discussed this problem at length with the companions, inviting suggestions as to how to obtain the sum. However, no remedy within the conditions of the New Life was found.
Then, putting forward this idea, Baba declared, "We'd better sell off all our personal belongings, such as our clothes, trunks, et cetera."
It was estimated that even this would not fetch more than Rs.400.
But considering food more important than clothing, even in winter, Baba stated, "The trunks and clothing should be delivered to Dr. Nath and Dr. Khare for whatever use they like, to keep them as a memory of our visit in the New Life. They may pay Rs.1,000 toward the purchase of foodstuffs, whereby, until December 31, the problem of food will be solved."
Both doctors and Gaya Prasad readily consented to the proposal. They paid the amount at once, and the trunks and clothes were handed over to them. The clothing included a coat of Baba's and one of his sadras. The doctors then sent word that they wished to return the things as bhiksha, but Baba refused to accept them back. They had actually accepted everything with this in mind; but Baba did not agree, because he wanted his companions to pass through difficult situations, and had thus purposely created the shortage of funds.
After this problem was solved, Baba quipped to the companions, "While leaving Meherabad on October 16, we were, comparatively speaking, lightweight. At Benares, with the disposal of our trunks and Old Life clothing, we have become 'featherweight'. And, who knows — I don't promise — after January 1, we may become 'air-weight'!"
Baba decided to leave Benares for Sarnath on the 1st of December. He sent word to Dr. Nath and Dr. Khare to forward the camel, camel cart, cows and donkeys there. They were doing everything possible for Baba, but Baba was not actually seeing them, and was communicating only through the companions. Yet both doctors felt satisfied and happy with even this much.
Baba was desirous of having a white horse in the caravan, and Gaya Prasad Khare saw this as an opportunity, and expressed his wish to procure such a horse for him.