On Sunday, 8 January 1939, people of all beliefs poured in to Baba's bungalow for a daylong darshan. A sadhu who headed an ashram some distance from Jabalpur came and, seeing Baba, exclaimed, "I saw you in Hardwar in December!"
Chanji interjected, "Meher Baba was in Meherabad during December!"
Baba countered, "Baba is now here with you and at the same time in many other places!"
The sadhu expressed his desire for God-realization and Baba praised his intention.
"Can I find God?" the sadhu asked.
"Why not? All have to," Baba answered.
"How?"
"By losing your self."
"By sanyas [renouncing the world]?"
"No, not by renouncing the world, but by renouncing your worldly desires. God is always there within you and you have to find Him there — not outside."
"How can I find God?" he asked.
"Regularly meditate and concentrate on your highest ideal. I will help you," Baba promised.
The darshan lasted until late in the evening, with some being given special private interviews. The next day a qawaali program took place before Baba, which he highly enjoyed. The qawaal had an exceptional voice, and Baba presented him and his accompanying musicians with lockets.
A reporter from the Associated Press came to interview Baba the same day. The reporter was very respectful and kept referring to Baba as, "Your Holiness." Their meeting ensued as follows:
The reporter asked, "How long will the present chaotic state of affairs continue in the world?"
Baba replied, "As long as selfishness exists, because it is the root cause. In all this chaos and confusion my work is done. It is a cleaning process."
"How long will you be in Jabalpur specifically, and from here where will you go?"
"I will be leaving from Jabalpur on January 15th and will tour Benares, Agra, Ajmer, Kashmir and other places. In April, I intend to return to Jabalpur and open a spiritual center either here or in Mandla."
"What is your Holiness' opinion about Mahatma Gandhi?"
"He is a great and noble soul and is trying to serve humanity with all his heart."
"When do you think India will be given its independence?"
"When the Hindus and Muslims cease quarreling."
"Will the Jews, the most oppressed nation in the world today, be able to withstand the onslaught that is being perpetrated on them by Hitler and Mussolini?"
"Jews or non-Jews, whosoever sticks to the Truth, or is on the side of Truth, can withstand any onslaught!"