And those with the food trays returned with them untouched, as Baba ate nothing in Kottapeta. He had his own reasons for doing this which no one could grasp.
After proceeding several miles, Baba had the car stopped at 11:30 A.M., and calling all the mandali before him stated, "I came out of my room very early this morning. After many days, I had a good appetite today, but I could not get anything to eat there. Then I thought of halting for a while in Kottapeta and eating there, but because of the crowds it could not be done. The jeep was sent ahead to keep the crowd away, but the episode that transpired there was contrary to expectations, and I could not have my meal there."
Concluding Baba stated, "Now let us go to Amalapuram, and remember, Dharmarao, drive carefully."
Dharmarao wondered why Baba said this. But hardly had they resumed the journey when Baba's car came to a sudden stop about six miles from the town of Amalapuram. Dharmarao, who was normally a cautious driver, had dozed slightly. They had been driving along a canal road and, just at the moment when he shut his eyes, they hit a pile of stones lying in the road. The right wheels of the car went over the pile, and the car would surely have overturned into the canal had Baba not quickly grabbed the steering wheel and regained control of the car.
Those riding in the car were holding their breath and silently thanking their Lord for the narrow escape — but Baba was all smiles. Observing that Dharmarao was upset and depressed over the incident, Baba began joking to cheer him up.
" Now you and everyone else are wide awake!" he said. "I had lost my appetite over the episode in Kottapeta, but now it has returned! So let's drive quickly to Amalapuram, where I can have a good meal."
Baba's car, the jeep and bus then proceeded. But in Pulletikuru Village the car was halted again for a short time when people earnestly requested Baba's darshan.
The group finally reached Amalapuram at 12:30 P.M. on the 28th, and they were taken to Konaseema's residence. Kala Venkata Rao led Baba to his room; he had kept food ready for Baba and his group. They had lunch, and Venkata Rao kept guard at the bottom of the staircase leading to Baba's room so that no one would disturb him. Venkata was a former minister in the Madras government and general secretary of the Indian National Congress (political party). But despite his high worldly positions, he was a humble man who had deep love for Baba.