On the way, Baba changed his mind and asked the bus to be halted by Dehre village where he sent Arjun to beg for some food. Arjun tried, but failed to obtain anything substantial except chapatis. However, one poor Christian brought rice and dal. Baba ate a little and handed the rest back to the man to finish.
They then went to the shop of a Marwari who gave them some achar (pickle). The mandali ate the achar with the chapatis Arjun had obtained while begging.
Teasing them, Baba remarked, "Don't eat much. Remember we have to do justice to the laddoos at the wedding feast."
They arrived in Rahuri at the time of the marriage and Baba was received with due reverence. But when the wedding was over, no laddoos were offered though Baba was reverently garlanded and each of the mandali was presented with a bouquet of flowers before departing.
The group went back to the bus and Baba exclaimed to Dhake, "Where are the laddoos?" The men all laughed and Dhake told Baba he would arrange for their food. His relative, Dr. D. W. Chobhe, lived in Rahuri and he went to him, asking him to prepare supper for the group in one hour. The doctor agreed most willingly. They went to his residence and the mandali not only had very tasty food, but laddoos as well. It seemed that Baba had actually come to Rahuri only to meet this devout soul, Dr. Chobhe, who received him so lovingly.
Gulmai's husband Khansaheb was not particularly drawn to Meher Baba, but he did not prevent his wife and children from being dedicated to the Master. But his brother-in-law, Sarosh's father Elder Kaikhushru, although initially cordial, became adamantly opposed to Baba, believing that Baba's contact had brought nothing but trouble to his family. If Sarosh went to visit Baba, his father would become extremely annoyed, so Sarosh had to keep his visits secret during this period.
However, Sarosh's father came to know of his visits through a man who spied for him who was working at Meherabad. At the time, no one knew who carried information to Elder Kaikhushru, but on Baba's hint they questioned a local villager named Jamadar and he admitted the truth.1 Baba allowed Jamadar, 39, to stay on the property and hired him as a chowkidar (night watchman). In this way, his association with Sarosh's father came to an end.
Footnotes
- 1.Jamadar's real name was Rupsingh Ganeshsingh Ghonsade. He worked the rest of his life at Meherabad.