Since leaving Mahabaleshwar almost eleven days before, they had had only an average of an hour's sleep a night. Therefore, Baba rested for three or four days in Calcutta, contacting a few masts and one poor family, who was given Rs.500. On Saturday, 4 November 1950, Chhagan joined them from Ahmednagar, as previously ordered by Baba.
In Calcutta, in the Dakshineshwar Temple of the Sadguru Ramakrishna, Baba sat for half an hour virtually naked, wearing only his loincloth.1 After his inner work in the Dakshineshwar Temple was completed, Baba donned his white kafni and walked outside the courtyard of the temple, with his begging bowl in hand. This was the first time Baba begged, walking from house to house along the streets, without informing his companions in advance. The companions were dressed in regular coats, pants, shoes and hats. As instructed by Baba, at the same time Pendu was handing money to the poor along the street as Baba walked ahead, seeking bhiksha with his begging bowl in hand! Because of this apparent incongruity, Baba had a difficult time in receiving any bhiksha. Every house refused his request for alms. At last, a humble Bengali family served him fresh hot food in bhiksha. When Baba reached the doorstep, the rice and vegetables were still cooking. A daughter of the family kindly asked Baba to wait for a little while. Baba permitted her five minutes. The family cooked so hurriedly that within that time they were able to serve Baba rice and spinach. Thus the family was blessed. Although Pendu was giving money to the poor in front of their house, they remained unaffected. Without uttering another word, they offered bhiksha to Baba, a total stranger. Their spontaneous offering of love was a touching sight.
Before starting from Mahabaleshwar, Baba had informed his companions,
“”"I intend to give love-gifts to the really poor. This work will be more difficult than even the mast work. We will have to travel long distances so that I can give large amounts to the truly poor and needy."
To fulfill his purpose, Baba traveled to Cuttuck in Orissa with Eruch, Pendu, Baidul, Gustadji and Chhagan. There in Cuttuck, one destitute family was found, and Baba washed their feet and gave Rs.500 to them.
Traveling farther south, Baba and his companions arrived in Madras, where a thorough search was made to locate more families. Three destitute families were found, and Baba washed their feet and gave Rs.500 to each family.
