From an inquiry beforehand, they learned that the road was in good condition and was maintained by the forest department. But after driving some distance the road was found to be in the worst possible condition. The whole roadway was full of dust and potholes. Because of all the bumps, many times their heads came in contact with the roof of the car. The jeep and the car were proceeding very slowly, and the driving was difficult due to many turns in the road. In the open jeep, which Elcha drove, Pendu, Aloba, Gustadji and Kishan Singh got covered with dust from head to foot. Halfway through the forest, Baba halted both vehicles and distributed biscuits. It was a funny sight as they chewed biscuits while covered with dust, since there was no water in the forest for a wash. Kishan Singh was particularly irked because Baba was riding in his car driven by Hellan. Naturally Kishan wanted to sit there, but Baba again told him to go in the jeep.
They stopped to eat at the dak bungalow in Kotdwara at 1:30 P.M. They had brought food with them from Hardwar. Before eating, the men washed their hands and feet, except Gustadji who reasoned he would just get covered with dust again once the journey resumed. After the meal they departed for Najibabad. Since this road was in much better condition, they arrived there without further trouble.
Reaching Najibabad at about 5:00 P.M., Baba contacted a mast who was in a majzoob state (no body consciousness, oblivious of his environment), and Baba was happy with the contact.
A search was then made for another one called Nanga Mast , a great mast whom Baba had gone to Najibabad to contact. After some time, it was reported that the mast was sitting near a stream. But when the group arrived there, it was found he had gone to a particular village quite a distance away. Baba decided to drive there, and the mast was found along the road. Since he would not comply when asked to sit in the car, Baba worked with him under a tree.1
The jeep had developed a mechanical problem while they were on their way to the village in search of the mast. Leaving the jeep behind, Baba proceeded in the car. The problem was fixed after a while, but Elcha drove the jeep in the wrong direction. After he doubled back and they were on their correct way, Nanga Mast was seen on the road. To stop him, Aloba stepped out of the jeep, thinking that Baba may not have contacted him.
Footnotes
- 1.Later in 1953, the naked mast of his own accord walked the 65 miles from Najibabad to Dehra Dun to be near Baba.