Concluding this remarkable eyewitness account of the Master’s Fiery Life period, from November, 1952 to April, 1953

Part Eight: Mast Contacts in Madras.

HE LONG JOURNEY BY TRAIN from Allahabad to Madras, a very tiresome trip for all concerned, was relieved of its tediousness at one stage by an impromptu presentation at the request of BABA, of a drama by some of the men who accompanied him. This was done, much to BABA’S enjoyment, in spite of the fact that they hardly had space to move, being as usual crowded together in a third-class compartment.

BABA and his men stayed three nights and two days in all in Madras without letting anyone know, as BABA wished to remain incognito till he reached Andhra. They had comfortable lodgings, yet BABA kept his men awake for nearly thirty-six hours, not allowing them to doze off in between even for a moment.

Long before they had arrived at Madras, BABA had begun to prepare his men for hardships and inconveniences to be encountered. Unless and until the desired work was carried out, BABA warned them, such things as food and sleep must be forgotten.

During the strictest fasts when BABA expects his people to completely abstain from food for twenty-four hours or more, he always allows the drinking of water and the free use of tobacco in any form for those who wish. But when on the first morning at Madras, BABA set out with his men for the mast contacts, the instruction he gave them virtually placed an embargo on their mouths with the exception of breathing and talking.

When they arrived in the locality known as the Beech area, it was nearly two P.M. More than four hours had passed since they had started trudging, without rest or refreshment. Leaving some of his men outside, BABA, with the few who had actively worked in the search for masts, went into the compound of the residence of a rich Moslem who was sheltering the mast called