I was allowing you to massage me, to press my feet, take darshan and have my embrace. Thus, in any and every way, you were having my touch. This physical touch is priceless, and I had also warned you that afterward you would not have the benefit of it. You will have to cry for it; only then will you grasp the importance of this touch and appreciate its value. So take advantage of it while there is still time, before it is too late to lament.
Some heeded me and benefited at the time, but most let the opportunity slip through their fingers. Now the time has changed. For 40 days there will be no touch, and there is no telling whether it will be resumed hereafter or not. It may or may not be. If I decide, I may eat, drink, bathe and permit you to comb my hair. But if not, I may give up everything to such an extent that I will get rid of my clothes and remain only in my langoti; and if I so wish, I may discard that also and remain quite naked even in public. If the latter happens, there will be no permission at all for touch.
Pointing to Aga Ali, who wanted to embrace Baba and had wept about it the previous night, Baba stated:
When you had the chance to touch me and I was embracing and kissing you, you put on airs and were coquettish and thereby lost the chance. Now what is the use of crying? If you neglected the opportunity, and were hesitant when embracing was allowed, there is no use crying now. But after all, what is there in touch? Inner love has nothing to do with the outer body. If you have that feeling and love, it is enough — it is quite sufficient.
My dear children! You boys may remain near me, a privilege not permitted these days to any of the mandali. Thus, remaining around me now, you have the freedom to either dig the cave you intend carving out near my hut as a sign of perpetual remembrance for posterity, or you may sit here or walk around the area.
If I am in the mood, I may call you, Ali, to play the phonograph, which will be my whole and sole life there in the hut. At times I may even ask you, Ali, to make tea for me.