From Sunday, 1 August 1965, indicating that the hip pain had lessened by 75 percent, Baba once again started coming to mandali hall, but only once a day for an hour in the morning. Although he was by then moving about the main house at certain hours of the day with the support of crutches or leaning on someone's arm, he could not walk for long distances and was carried to the hall in the lift-chair by the garden boys. Once in the hall, he would take a few steps to his chair and back with the help of Kaka and Francis. This routine lasted until the end.
Baba also remarked that the pain in his neck was 50 percent better. From this time, whenever Baba was in the hall, Bhau would sit by his feet and massage his legs, and for several months, in the afternoon, Eruch would massage his body.
Baba declared that in order to remain strong enough to give his sahavas to the Westerners in December, he must remain undisturbed. Again, all lovers were reminded that communication with Baba was restricted only to telegrams sent because of an emergency. No correspondence was read to Baba, except from a very few close lovers (such as Dr. Ginde). No one was permitted to come to Meherazad. Only Adi would regularly visit regarding his usual work and the sahavas arrangements.1 Waman Padale would come every Sunday with essential purchases for Meherazad. Padri had been called to stay at Meherazad for eleven days, and he returned to Meherabad on 2 August.
One day two uninvited men showed up: Shriram Pophali and Vaman Nathuji Naik of Nagpur. When they arrived, Baba was with the men in the hall, and he sent Bhau to see them. Near the gate, they were informed of Baba's seclusion and they agreed not to disturb him. A short while later, Baba sent word with Aloba that they should stand to one side of the gate so that they would not see Baba being carried to his room. Both men moved back quite a distance and, in truth, did not see Baba. But as they were walking away, Baba sent Aloba on his bicycle to bring them to his bedroom.
When they came, Baba remarked, "I am very pleased with both of you."
He discussed matters with them for a few minutes, and asked Pophali about the condition of his leprosy, telling him not to worry about his disease.
Footnotes
- 1.Sarosh and Viloo had been actively helping Adi, until Sarosh had to undergo a prostate operation in Bombay on 30 July 1965.