The doctor suggested that Baba practice walking on an even surface and begin regular weight-bearing exercises, which he agreed to do under Don's supervision at Meherazad. Two days later, on the 16th,
for the first time since the accident, Baba began walking independently, using canes instead of crutches.1
Baba fasted the entire day of the 16th, without even drinking water, and the next day, as he had said he would, he fed the poor of Pimpalgaon in memory of Jal Kerawalla.
On 19 October, Kaka L. S. Sherlekar, Nana Kher, Pophali and Deshmukh (already at Meherazad) were called to discuss the darshan programs in Nagpur and Saoner. Babadas, Eruch, Pendu and Adi Sr. attended the meeting. Sherlekar was given overall responsibility for seeing to all arrangements. Gadekar came on the 26th and discussed other programs with Baba.
On 30 October, Baba, accompanied by Nilu, paid a visit to Viloo Villa and to Khushru Quarters. At Viloo Villa, he promised Viloo to take full responsibility for her and her family's welfare, provided that she surrender everything to him. At Khushru Quarters, he spoke with Gulmai and other residents, and granted an interview to Alu Khambatta. Bhaiya Panday took two photographs of Baba, and then Adi Sr. drove Baba back to Meherazad.
Nariman, Meherjee and Minoo Kharas arrived at Meherazad on the 31st and spent the night there.
"The momentum of Meher Baba's work began gathering force," Age observed. "Although Baba had only recently begun to walk — slowly, one step at a time, free from all external supports — yet he was making all necessary preparations with lightning speed to merge the world into his Ocean of Fire!"
For three days, from 7 to 9 November 1952, more than 300 men from all over India had been invited to Meherabad to plan the mass darshans at their respective places; and from the 1st of November about 50 close ones were called for fifteen days for the same purpose.2
Baba's "explosive" plans had their counterparts in the gross world. At the beginning of October, Britain exploded its first atomic bomb, and on 1 November, America exploded a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific. (The tremendous blast was said to be brighter than ten suns.)
From Saturday, 1 November, Baba began visiting Meherabad daily in the morning, returning to Meherazad at six in the evening. He arrived in Nariman's car on the 1st at 7:30 A.M., with Nariman, Meherjee, Minoo and Gustadji.
When all had gathered in the hall, he stated, "I am very pleased to see you all. This is a very important period. Now that you have come, drive away all thoughts about your family, money and other responsibilities."
Footnotes
- 1.Another X-ray was taken at Ketkar's Hospital ten days later, on 24 October, which showed sufficient healing for full weight-bearing. Baba then began walking without the use of any support.
- 2.This group included: Abdulla Jaffer, Adi Jr., Adi Sr., Aloba, Anna 104, Babadas, Baidul, Bal Natu, Chhagan, Chinchorkar, Daulat Singh, Deshmukh, Dhake, Don, Eruch, Feram Workingboxwala, Gadekar, Goma Ganesh, Gustadji, Jangle, Kaikobad, Kaka Baria, Kalemama, Meherjee, Minoo Kharas, Murli Kale, Nana Kher, Nariman, Nilu, Nusserwan Satha, Padri, Pandoba, Papa Jessawala, Pendu, Pleader, Ramjoo, Raosaheb, Sadashiv Patil, Sailor Mama, Sarosh, Savak Damania, Savak Kotwal, Sayyed Saheb, Sidhu, Slamson, Sulay, Vibhuti, Vishnu, Vithal Bhokre, Yeshwant Rao.