1153   CROSSING LIMITS OF NATURE

One cannot judge the results of Baba's work with the Prem Ashram boys, as the outcome may not manifest in this birth or the next, but after several births. But one thing is certain:

Once lit, the fire of love is never extinguished.
The wind may diffuse its heat, but
the heat of a raging fire one day engulfs the wind!

Therefore, eventually the intoxicated ones in the Beloved's Tavern will assuredly swallow the wind of Maya – it is for this that the Beloved has prepared them.

ON MAY 8th, Baba sent for the Hindu children at the school (most of whom were Untouchables) and informed them about his coming journey: "Until I come back, all of you stay at your homes. Don't go to Ahmednagar or anywhere else. If you find employment, good; otherwise, pass your time in singing bhajans. When I call you back on my return, you should come without fail. I shall be back within two or three months. Do as I say and you will be benefited. I will do what I have to do. I will find employment for you – as a driver, a mechanic, a printer; but for now do as I order."

All agreed. Shankarnath persisted in his resolve to stay in Meherabad. Baba eventually agreed but ordered him to meditate for twelve hours a day. Shankarnath accepted the condition.

Baba left for Ahmednagar later that day accompanied by Ali Akbar, Buasaheb, Chanji, Chhagan, Gustadji, Masaji and Pesu. Ramjoo and Baily met them at Akbar Press. A discussion took place over the destination of their journey. Suggestions were put forth but none satisfied Baba. Baba concluded the discussion by stating his preference of going to Rishikesh.

In the interim, Ramjoo and Baily returned to Meherabad. Ramjoo's wife and children stayed in Poona. Agha Ali, Abdulla, Dastur, Raosaheb, Sidhu and the rest of the mandali stayed in lower Meherabad, and the other Prem Ashram boys, as well as brother Jal, were moved back up the hill. The Shahane and Bomanji families stayed in the Family Quarters.

On May 9th, Baba left Ahmednagar for Nasik, where he met Mehera, Naja, Khorshed, Soona, Valu and Freiny, as well as Rustom and Padri. He sent Padri to Bombay, and Rustom was ordered to continue looking after the arrangements for the women mandali in Nasik while Baba was on tour in the north of India – to the Himalayas.