During the match's 45-minute lunch-break, Baba suggested driving to the National Defense Academy at Khadakwasla, ten miles from Poona.1 They drove to the academy, but because of the Prime Minister's visit the previous day, visitors were not being allowed entrance without a pass. Eruch convinced the guard to permit them to enter, promising that they would not enter any building, but only drive around the grounds and leave within half an hour.
While returning to the cricket grounds, a taxi with two of Baba's followers, Gadekar and K. K. Ramakrishnan, passed Baba's car. A circular had been issued, strictly advising Baba's lovers not to contact him during his seclusion. If they happened to see Baba while he was traveling somewhere, they were to ignore him and go on their way.
Gadekar had seen Baba, and Baba asked Pendu if their taxi was following them. Pendu saw that it was, so Baba told Eruch to drive fast and lose it. Baba was happy when Pendu reported that the taxi had disappeared, and they returned to the cricket grounds.
As the match proceeded, Pendu saw Gadekar's taxi stop under a tree some distance away. Baba seemed to be taking an interest in the game, so Pendu did not inform him, knowing that it would upset him. Jalbhai, however, had seen the taxi and said, "Baba, they are here; they followed us and are standing there."
Baba said, "Go and ask them, 'Have you received Baba's circular?' If they received it, why have they broken my order not to follow me, to turn their face and go away. I came here to relax; I am tired and they are spoiling my mood!"
Pendu went, and Gadekar, who was a very emotional old man, was on the point of tears, regretting his mistake, but explaining that he had simply been unable to control himself.
Baba instructed Eruch to turn the car around and leave for Satara. While passing Gadekar's taxi, Baba had the car stopped.
He told Gadekar, "You have received the circular; you are the oldest member of the Poona Center; he [Ramakrishnan] is new, but you should have followed my orders."
Gadekar admitted his mistake.
"Then why do you break my order?"
Footnotes
- 1.The National Defense Academy (N.D.A.), similar to America's West Point, is located in a picturesque location.