I, too, am like a mirror. The change you observe is in you — not in me. I am always so constant and still that it cannot be imagined.
We have talked enough. Now listen carefully. You never do as I say. Try to listen attentively this time. Today is the 4th of August and my work will start from today. So do not bother me with your difficulties of cooking or any other problems. You manage everything yourselves!
Soon after, Raosaheb brought a young Kashmiri boy named Pandit Mohammed Dukandar. Earlier that day Pandit had ardently requested Baba's darshan.
Baba called him and observed, "His heart is pure; he is clever and innocent."
Baba inquired of Pandit if he wished to ask him anything. "No sir, not now," the boy said politely. "I will come back some other time."
"All right. Come within half an hour or one hour, but do come back," Baba said.
But instead of leaving, Pandit sat down.
Baba then asked, "Do you want to finish school? Do you want a job? Do you want mukti?"
"I want devotion to God!" Pandit exclaimed.
"This is the best choice," Baba replied. "I will give it to you; don't think about it."
Pandit then touched Baba's feet and left, saying that he would come back.
Many came for Baba's darshan that day, but granting it to only a few, Baba directed the mandali to tell the others to leave.
On 5 August, another telegram from Rustom was received, informing Baba that Kaikhushru Masa's whereabouts were unknown. A reply was dispatched to Nasik urging Rustom to find Masa.
Later that day Baba disclosed, "I have decided to be in seclusion here in Harvan for 40 days, so be prepared. Make sure you buy sufficient supplies to last that long."
On Tuesday morning, 6 August 1929, Baba went up the hill at nine to inspect the work with Raosaheb, Ramjoo, and the boys. The hut was almost completed and preparations were made for Baba to sit in seclusion from the following day. The hut was very small; it consisted of a single narrow room with just sufficient space for Baba to lie down. The roof jutted out on both sides, forming a shelter for the two mandali who were to keep constant watch outside. Baba intended to lock himself inside the room.
The area surrounding the hut was a known tiger haunt and Chanji told Baba that he had heard in the village that there was danger of their being attacked.