The mandali became frightened, fearing the car was out of control. Rustom applied the brakes, but they failed. The car was rapidly rolling backwards, about to plunge into the valley below! Jalbhai and another man jumped out and began shouting about the oncoming cliff. Rustom loudly called out Baba's name. Baba, who was in the front seat, then leaned heavily to one side and firmly pressed his hand on the steering wheel. The car came to a sudden halt.
The mandali were amazed. How the car stopped remains a mystery to this day. Rustom embraced Baba sobbing, with tears of gratitude and relief streaming down his face. Everyone thanked Baba profusely for saving them from certain death. The rest of the mandali got out of the car and managed to traverse the ghat by pushing the car up the hill. After the ghat was crossed, the car started again and they continued on.
In the evening, after they had traveled some distance, another mishap occurred between Talegaon and Shelarwadi. A tree had fallen across the road, but due to the car's dim headlights, Rustom did not see it and the car struck the tree at full speed. Except for a cracked windshield, no other damage to the car was noticed in the darkness. None of the mandali was seriously injured, though some incurred minor bruises. The engine was still running and they proceeded on to Poona, 20 miles away. Near the Poona railway station, they examined the car and found that the hood and bumper were twisted and bent, and water was leaking from the radiator. After they took a break for tea, Baba indicated that he wanted to be back in Meherabad as soon as possible, so they left immediately, arriving there in the early hours of the morning on 17 May. Soon afterward, Rustom was sent to Ahmednagar to have the car repaired.
Within a short time after returning to Meherabad, Baba again brought up the problem of where to find a suitable area to shift the ashram. During this discussion, someone suggested Toka. Interested, Baba wished to see the place immediately and went there the same evening, returning later that night.
The Master liked Toka so much that the following day, 18 May, he had a plot of land purchased there and gave orders for temporary structures to be erected on it. The improvised, tatta quarters at Meherabad were pulled down and the materials were taken to Toka.1 Because their residence had been demolished, the men mandali at Meherabad had to sleep out in the open for some days.
Footnotes
- 1.The crypt-cabin was left standing.