The companions were taken aback at the news of Khak Saheb's demise. But since even the casual mention of any Old Life brother who had lived his life in Baba's love was forbidden, each could only silently recollect incidents of the past ...
For example, once when Baba was in seclusion in lower Meherabad, Pendu and Sidhu were on nightwatch near him. Baba had a bad cold; he was coughing up a lot of phlegm and wheezing. Still, he would bathe at 5:00 A.M. daily, and Pendu and Sidhu would heat his bathwater and wash his clothes.
One morning, after his bath, Baba directed Sidhu to bring chapatis and cream, and added, "Shout loudly for Khak the Virile Devil, Don the White Devil and Nilu the Black Devil! Call those devils here!"
Accordingly, Sidhu yelled, "Is that Virile Devil Khak present? Where is Don the White Devil? Is Nilu the Black Devil here?" The three men came immediately, and Baba laughed and served them chapatis and cream.
Khak remarked poetically, "Thank you, Baba, for bestowing on me the title of Virile Devil. Today it has won me Wine!"
During another period, Khak Saheb became fond of going to the racetrack in Poona and betting on horses. He informed Baba and told him, "By your grace, at least once in my life let me win!"
Thereafter, Baba began to take interest in the daily horseraces, and even backed Khak financially and encouraged him to bet — and bet heavily. Baba even had a written agreement executed between Khak and himself, stating that if Khak won, half of his winnings would go to Baba.
Each day, Baba and Khak would discuss upcoming races.
Baba remarked to the men mandali, "It would be better if Khak wins big and fills our pockets! We both need the money!"
But, as the days went by, the more interest Baba took in the races, the more disgusted Khak became with the whole affair — losing a lot of money. Khak's aversion became so strong that he had no desire left to bet.
"Don't quit now," Baba urged him. "You are bound to win soon. I need the money; don't fail me!"
So Khak bet everything he had left, but again lost. Because of his newly acquired dislike for gambling, he did not feel much over the loss of the money and swore to never bet again.