THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE MASTS OF INDIA 145because, said Baba, a matter of great importance in the war was about to take place. Indeed, it wasso, for preparations were in hand for the great campaigns of Germany in Europe, when the LowCountries were over-run, France was laid low, and the British evacuated from Dunkirk.Baba returned to Meherabad in April 1940, the mad and mast men following by train with themandali, and in May he went into seclusion on the hill, where he brought the masts, leaving themad in huts near the village below. He immediately restarted work with the masts, for the first fewdays coming to bathe them at five-thirty in the morning, then coming earlier each day until heeventually reached half-past midnight when the morning's work would start! This was at a time ofgreat stress in the war, and the urgency of those months was repeated in this faraway activity of avery different kind. Apart from this work he was in strict seclusion.Then a visit was paid to Goa for a month. A party of forty left in a number of cars, travellingthrough the jungle with many mishaps. They were to keep Baba's name secret. Among the placesvisited were Shimoga, Amboli, Belgaum, Sakharpa and Mahabaleshwar.Reaching Old Goa, the old man who showed them St Francis Xavier's tomb spoke Englishand talked a great deal, particularly about plays he had written. All the time he was glancing atBaba. Afterwards Baba said the old man would leave the next day; he was said to be one of Baba'sspiritual 'agents' and the talk about plays had inner meaning, he was speaking toBaba. The next day Elizabeth Patterson met the old man who said that he must leave at once; hefelt he must get to a cold country for he felt he was all on fire, he didn't know if it was his beard!Baba said he had much work to do on the island. Kaka and Baba's brother Jal were sent to find amast. One evening Baba gave a discourse on prayer, and another evening on poise. All becamevery fit from the good food and sea bathing.He sent Norina (Princess Matchabelli) to see the Governor about buying an off-shore island thatcould be seen from where they sat with him on the shore; he said it had spiritual significance. TheGovernor received Norina kindly, and said it was not for sale as it belonged to the government. Theparty, still in the blue bus, were back at Meherabad by the beginning of May.News had been received on the morning of 3 May that Baba's first disciple, Behramji, had beenkilled riding on a motor-cycle in Poona. As usual Baba showed no emotion. Two days later a fastwas ordered in memory of Behramji's deep spiritual connection with Baba.