Baba was to stay in Mahabaleshwar for more than a month, and during this time preparations for his journey to America and Australia continued. As mentioned, of the men mandali, only Eruch, Bhau, Kaikobad and Savak were in Mahabaleshwar, but Jalbhai, Nariman, Meherjee, Jim Mistry, and Hoshang and Beheram Dadachanji were called for three days at the end of March. They stayed with the Satarawala family at the Ripon Hotel and spent their time playing cards, Pachisi and other games with Baba. Arnavaz's brother Homa Dadachanji, too, was in Mahabaleshwar at this time, and he took the women on long drives in the morning. Homa had been called from London for the sahavas program, and though outwardly he was saying he preferred staying in Bombay, in truth he wanted to return and live in London. On the other hand, Baba seemed outwardly in favor of his returning to London, but in fact he wanted him to remain in Bombay. So Homa's mind was wavering as he professed a desire to live in Bombay while Baba was urging him to return to England. All thought Homa really wanted to reside in India, but the mystery was cleared up one day in Mahabaleshwar when Baba was not in a good mood.
He suddenly informed Homa, "I will decide today about your going or not going to London. Take the women in the car and show them Arthur's Point."
Homa did accordingly, and while standing on the side of the road admiring the view, he was wondering what Baba would decide. Suddenly a bus drove by and, as it passed, a heavy drum filled with gasoline fell off it. Homa was saved by inches as the drum rolled off the road and down the mountain and plunged into the depths below. Homa knew that had the drum hit him, he would surely have fallen off the cliff to his death. He took this as a sign that he should give up his resolve to return to London and, when Homa came back to Shapoor Hall, Baba informed him that he had decided he should remain in Bombay. From Jabalpur, Amiya Kumar Hazra and Ram Lakhan Sharma were sent for by Baba. Hazra, in an attempt "to humble his ego," had given up his job as a college professor and was serving as an apprentice soapstone carver in Bhedaghat, about thirteen miles from Jabalpur.