The following incident, which occurred while we were staying in Panchgani, a hill station not far from Poona, is perhaps of interest, as it shows what may happen if one forgets an order of Baba. Whenever Baba had to leave for mast work or other work for a period of time, he always took extra precautions for the safety of the women left behind. Maya is always active where Baba's work is concerned and Baba takes no unnecessary risks, or leaves anything to chance. At Panchgani, two of the most important of these precautions were to always post a day and night watchman; and for Dr. Nilkanth (Nilu) to be on duty with instructions never to leave his surgery or quarters during the 24 hours. This was rather a sore point with Nilu because it meant he could never accompany Baba on any of his tours unless the women mandali went, too. However, Nilu did this service for Baba willingly and devotedly over a period of many years. The most likely need of his services in an emergency would be for a snake bite or a scorpion sting; the latter is very painful but not as a rule deadly, unless of the black species we found in Rishikesh. And, of course, being at a hill station near the jungle, leopards were known to venture occasionally at night into our compound. Baba had told us many times that if we did find ourselves confronted by one of these "grand creatures," we were to stand quite still and repeat aloud "Baba, Baba," and not be afraid. Thus, the two night watchmen, with lanterns and large tin cans to beat on if any four-legged creatures approached, and Dr. Nilkanth across the way, were our visible protectors day and night during Baba's absences.

Another long-standing order of Baba's was that we must never pluck berries or fruit from trees or shrubs when we were out on walks. On this particular afternoon, sixteen of us started out on a walk across the plateau at sundown. Just before returning, we sat down to rest for a few moments; and one of the group produced a white kind of root she had just gathered and which she felt convinced was arrowroot. She gave it to one of us who put it experimentally in her mouth, who then, perhaps from intuition, quickly spat it out. Another elderly lady, K—, also ate some of it, a bit more perhaps than mere experiment warranted.

That same evening around 7 p.m., K was taken suddenly ill with severe stomach pains, high fever and a swollen, scarlet face. Dr. Nilkanth arrived and examined her, but could not locate the cause. Then we mentioned the arrowroot. All night K— lay between life and death and in great pain; but she did recover, however.