ChaptersChapter 39Page 5,274

Chapter 39: No Drugs

1967Page 5,274 of 5,444
On the 18th, Baba had Eruch telephone Adi to inquire whether it had rained at Meherabad and Meherazad and, if so, how much rain had fallen. A boy was sent to Meherazad to ask Padri. One and a half inches had fallen and Baba was informed.
As usual, Baba's medical tests were done at Ruby Hall Clinic laboratory after he arrived in Poona. Goher would draw Baba's blood in Guruprasad, and then send the samples to Dr. Grant at Ruby Hall for analysis. On 28 June, a few days before Baba left Poona, more blood tests were done.
Baba's departure from Guruprasad in July took place in the same manner as his arrival in early April — by Baba taking a brisk walk on the verandah. But, whereas the walk on that first morning was witnessed by only the few who were with him, on the last two days at Guruprasad the witnesses were many. They consisted of all the close Poona lovers and their families, whom Baba had allowed to come just to see him walk. They stood in rows along both sides of the verandah, women and children on the morning of Saturday, 1 July 1967 and men the next morning. Smiling and radiant, Baba emerged from his room holding on to Francis' arm the first day (and Sadashiv Patil's the next) and walked between the rows of his lovers and devotees, striding past them and filling their hearts with wonder and joy. They had never expected to see Baba walk as he used to, and could not help but call it a "miracle!"
When Baba heard of this, he corrected them, stating, "It is not a miracle. What my lovers have witnessed is the fulfillment of my words, for I had said that I would walk as before. The time is drawing near when you will witness the fulfillment for all that I have said, for nothing can be fruitless that comes from me!"
Years before, Baba had told the mandali: "Whatever I have said must and will come true. My words can never be in vain. When it appears otherwise, it is due to your ignorance and lack of patience."
Baba departed from Poona with the women and men mandali on Sunday, 2 July 1967 and reached Meherazad at 10:30. He was driven with the women in Don's car by Adi. (Don had not yet returned from England.) Shaikh was called to drive the DeSoto with Naja, Rano and the maids, and Waman drove some of the men in Adi's car.
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