Baba's old sandals and sadra from the same period were produced.
"These are the sandals and robe I wore when I wore that coat," he stated. "The sandals were discarded when I first went [to stay] up the hill at Meherabad."
Eruch said that after Baba had stopped wearing this coat, he used to change his clothes often and give them away, but with these items Baba would not part.
Baba then asked the group how they felt and stated:
I will see you between 9:00 and 9:30 tomorrow morning at Meherabad. What would be best would be for you from now on to play with Baba's love. You only have fifteen days more to absorb Baba. After you leave, you will be free. You can play, work, be with your family and children as much as you want; but, here now, try to absorb as much of me as you can. What I would like, in short, is for you to take me with you when you go back.
Baba embraced each one and then sent them to see Happy Valley before they returned to Meherabad.
Before going to Meherabad on Friday, 17 September 1954, Baba stopped at Khushru Quarters where photographs of him on a tiger skin on Adi's bed were taken by Bhaiya Panday.1 Afterwards, Baba went to a student hostel near Akbar Press and gave darshan there to the Mohan Press workers, who had worked hard to print Baba's numerous messages and circulars.
Baba arrived at Meherabad at 9:20 A.M.
At Upper Meherabad, he informed the Western group, "On very special occasions, I hold prayer meetings with a few of my most intimate disciples. Today, I shall hold one of these meetings, so that you all may be included."
Baba had sent Max Haefliger back to Switzerland. Concerning him, Baba explained:
First, I want to tell you about Max. I got a note from Charles [Purdom], asking me if I would say something to explain his departure, for it has distressed him.
In his interview with me, Max told me something very private, very personal which we both promised not to disclose. He described his state of mind after meeting me two years ago. He told me he did not really want to come, but something had made him do so. He then said, "And now, Baba, I leave it to you whether I should go immediately or wait till the meeting." I told him to go. He felt very sad, and cried, but I told him to go immediately [to Switzerland]. He will accordingly leave Bombay on the 22nd of September.
Footnotes
- 1.The tiger skin was most likely from one of the tigers Adi's elder brother Rustom had shot.