Baba had, in fact, given out hints about this accident, but at the time, no one dreamed that such a thing would take place. In November 1955, he had foretold that two of his very close lovers would die within the year.
At the beginning of July 1956 in Meherazad, before going to England and America, he had issued a circular stating: "... a great so-called tragedy is facing me and my lovers," and "... my humiliation and tragedy, although necessary, are but passing phases which are bound to have a glorious end."
During August 1956, in San Francisco, he had remarked to the Americans: "No one knows what is going to happen before 15 February [1957]."
When someone asked Baba, "Why should these things happen? Why can't you avert them?" his reply was: "What the Divine Will has decreed must and will happen, and if I am the Divine Personification you believe me to be, then the last thing I would do is to avert it or avoid it."
Several days before the accident, Baba had even joked with the mandali: "We may all die in a few days."
Turning to Nilu, he remarked, "Don't worry about anything. Keep thinking of me constantly. I am the Only One that exists, the Only One that matters."
On 6 December, Baba gave this personal message to his lovers: "Don't worry, be happy. All will be well. Faithfully carry out the instructions given by me." He indicated that the accident would not affect the upcoming sahavas program, but on the contrary "it will help toward it." He added, "The congregation has to take place, it must take place."
Baba's mouth and tongue were swollen, so he was placed on a liquid diet for a few days until the swelling diminished. Pappa Jessawala and Sadashiv Patil were allowed to visit from Poona. After seeing Baba, and also Eruch and Pendu, they returned home.
Both of Pendu's legs were in plaster casts, and for several days he was unconscious. He had received a head injury as well that had affected his speech, and was in terrible pain. Eruch was courageously bearing his suffering, and day and night would remain reclined on a backrest, as he could not lie down because of his broken ribs. Yet, within a month, he was out of the hospital and was with Baba in Poona.
Of those who survived the accident, Baba had received the most serious injuries, and his suffering would have been unbearable for any other man. But it seemed that Baba enjoyed it, and although completely disabled and in pain, he was mindful of the smallest matter.