The driver tried to restart it. Kishan Singh, sitting on the right side, casually leaned out the window to have a look and at once cried out to the driver to stop. The driver got out and saw that his right wheel was inches away from going off the road into the deep canal. Everyone got out, including Baba, who simply smiled at their narrow escape. The truck would certainly have overturned had it gone forward just a little. In gratitude for Baba's inner help, the Hamirpur workers riding in the vehicle burst out in acclamations of "Avatar Meher Baba ki jai!" and their faith in him was strengthened.
The group was ferried over the Betwa River and then, to travel further into the interior, they had to ride bullock carts. The villagers had come a mile ahead to receive Baba and were chanting in jubilation, " Hari Baba, Hari Baba! Meher Baba, Hari Hari! "
“”While crossing the river, Baba dipped his hands and toes into the water and observed, "The Lord of the universe is here with his near and dear ones, while the masses are crowding together at Allahabad."
At the time, none knew the significance of Baba's words. That very day in Allahabad, during the Kumbha Mela then taking place, an enormous tragedy occurred. It was the main bathing day and about two million people had gathered to bathe at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers. Around 9:00 A.M., there was a great rush to witness a procession of sadhus and holy men. Panic and a stampede ensued. Thousands of persons were injured, and about 800 were crushed to death or drowned. The incident occurred at the same time that Baba's truck had come to a mysterious halt.
Baba got down from the bullock cart, and Prabhu Dayal Nigam and Chaturbuj Lumberdar garlanded him. He was taken to Ichhuara in a procession of 30 to 40 bullock carts. His cart led the way with a cloth canopy overhead to protect him from the sun, and they reached the village at about 10:30 A.M. Every house and lane of the remote spot was sanctified by Baba's arrival. The villagers had made suitable arrangements.
