On Tuesday, 22 May 1951, Baba was driven to Poona by Adi Sr., accompanied by Baidul, Nilu and Padri. There he contacted seven masts and returned to Mahabaleshwar the same evening. They stopped briefly at Bindra House, but Baba did not get out and ate while seated in the car.
The next day was the last day of Baba's 100-day seclusion, and he remarked, "This seclusion is completed to my satisfaction by God's grace."
The local people continued to come to the Aga Khan's bungalow for Baba's darshan, but since he was in seclusion he would not grant it. Coming to know of Baba's impending departure, they became even keener to have his darshan, and Baba agreed on condition that they allow him to take their darshan as well. This they accepted, and on the 24th, many came to the bungalow in Mahabaleshwar. Among the most distinguished persons present were the maharajas of Sangli and Miraj. Baba touched the feet of every person, and even sought blessings from a few elderly persons. It was remarkable to see these old folks blessing God in human form.1
As Age noted, "To awaken humanity, the Lord was playing the role of a seeker — humbly bowing to king and pauper alike — and seeking their blessing so he could have the strength to take the next step 'determined by God'!"
On 21 May 1951, the baggage from Mahabaleshwar had been dispatched to Hyderabad in two trucks sent by Sarosh; Pendu and Vishnu accompanied them. The rest of the servant-companions proceeded by train, and Baba and the women left on the 25th in Meherjee's car, driven by Adi Sr. The little horse Begum, who had become the women's pet, was given away to someone in Mahabaleshwar who promised to take good care of her.
Stopping at Bindra House in Poona, Baba met the entire Jessawala family. Taking a packed lunch with them, Baba left Poona, and halted for the night at the Tembhurni dak bungalow. They stayed the second night at Naldurg and arrived in Hyderabad, on Sunday, 27 May and stayed at the Kohinoor Bungalow in Jubilee Hills.2 Adi took a train back to Ahmednagar on the 30th. (Meherjee's car was to be kept in Hyderabad for Baba's use.) Upon settling in Hyderabad, Baba asked Pendu to make arrangements for the meeting. The former residence of the late Muslim prince Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung (at 6-2-591 Jubilee Hills) was rented for the purpose. Pendu arranged hearty catered meals, and the most comfortable bathing and sleeping facilities for those invited.
Footnotes
- 1.Baba permitted Padri to take photographs on this occasion, but the photographs were subsequently lost.
- 2.The mandali stayed in a separate cottage on the same property.