That day was the final day of the Telugu sahavas, and before leaving for Meherazad, Baba urged them:1
"I want you all to be happy. I will be going to Pimpalgaon now, you to your destinations. Don't worry and don't feel nervous. I know all. Go cheerfully and remain happy."
Several men had tears in their eyes. Baba departed at 4:30 P.M.
Age recorded, "The Wine of love brought tears, as their hearts felt a sharp pang at his departure. Their hearts were to become more restless and their tears acclaimed his glory."
The next morning, Age watched as busloads of Andhra pilgrims made their way toward the railway station. Although they tried their best to look happy, their hearts were full of pain, which was a medium for Baba's remembrance. Age heard the shouts of Baba's Jai, but this time it was the tears of Wine which were speaking. "Wine brings ecstasy and also tears," Age observed. "The Andhra lovers are leaving after drinking their fill, taking with them an invaluable treasure — the pain of separation from their Beloved."
From the next day, intense preparations began for the arrival of the Hindi speaking group. Sweeping and cleaning of the hall was done, the carpet was dusted, the sheets washed and the pandals sprayed with D.D.T. pesticide. Chhagan was absorbed in planning for meals typical of northern India. After each group's departure, it was a backbreaking job to clean up things for the next group, and the work went on day and night.
To make certain all was going according to schedule, Baba arrived in Meherabad at about 8:45 A.M., on Friday, 18 November 1955. As usual, the car horn was blown from a distance, signaling the mandali and those present of his impending arrival. Yet, due to their preoccupation in their work, when Baba came to the hall, eleven of the mandali were not present. Baba was highly annoyed. He called each of the missing persons and asked why they were not present when he arrived. Then the scolding began:
"Have you no shame not showing your faces at least for a minute when I come to Meherabad? Those who have done it purposely will suffer from leprosy!"
Footnotes
- 1.Minoo Kharas and Adi Dubash also left that day to return to their homes in Karachi.