While in Bombay, Baba held an open discussion about their future itinerary. Persia, Benares, Ajmer, Nasik and Talegaon were suggested as possible destinations. All preferred Talegaon (near Lonavla), and a letter was sent to Ramjoo to make the necessary arrangements.
On Monday, 13 December 1926, Nadirsha left for Poona and Mohan left for Kolhapur. The following day, Karim and Subnis arrived in Santa Cruz and reported that Arjun's health had worsened and he was in critical condition. At midnight, Baba took a walk to the seashore with Adi Sr. and Afseri. The following evening from 5:30 until 8:00 he went for a drive with Sarosh, Behramji, Jalbhai, Pendu and Naval.
On 16 December, Kaka Shahane arrived from Ahmednagar to meet Baba. On the 18th, Gopal Swamy, Martand, Rajaram and Waman Subnis left for their respective homes, and Gulmai and Adi returned to Khushru Quarters. On Sunday, 19 December, Baba went to see Munshiji for a few hours, with Gustadji, Behramji, Jalbhai, Naval and Pesu. Memo, Adi Jr., and Mani left for Poona that morning.
Unusual news was received from Poona that there were great throngs of people surrounding Hazrat Babajan every day. The ancient woman had become very active and welcomed the crowds, who usually gathered around her under a giant tree in Bund Garden. She was also frequently making herself conspicuous by riding about the city in a tonga.
Hearing this, Baba remarked, "This is the sign of Babajan's dropping her body, and I should now be as near to her boundary of work as I possibly can."
He reminded the mandali that when Sai Baba was about to expire in 1918, Upasni Maharaj returned to Sakori (three miles from Shirdi), abruptly canceling the remaining part of his visit to Bengal.
All day and night on 20 and 21 December, many new persons from Bombay were welcomed at Ramdas' house for Baba's darshan. During this occasion, Baba expressed a wish to move to Poona, and an influential Bombay devotee, Khan Bahadur B. D. Pudumjee, happily agreed to Baba's request to stay in his bungalow at Sinhagad, and awaited Baba's final decision.1
Baba had sent Bala Supekar to Lonavla to attend to his brother Arjun, and Vishnu was sent also on the 19th. Ghani sent Baba daily reports about Arjun's deteriorating health; his blood pressure had risen and there was partial paralysis.2 Concerned, Dr. Bhiwalkar brought in a specialist, Dr. Nanji, to treat Arjun, but his condition did not look hopeful, and he seemed to be in a "dazed condition."
Footnotes
- 1.Boman Dorab Pudumjee, 60, was from a prominent Poona family that had started the Deccan Paper Mills, one of the first paper mills in the country. The family also owned a bank, an ice factory and a cotton mill. For many years, Pudumjee worked in the government mint at Bombay and became its chief "bullion keeper" (treasurer). In appreciation of his services, the government conferred on him the title of Khan Bahadur upon his retirement in 1920. An honorary magistrate, Pudumjee was active in civic affairs and later served for several terms as the President of the Poona Municipal Council.
- 2.Perhaps Arjun had a stroke.