Baba changed his current partial fast from one meal a day to having only a cup of milk taken once a day, starting from the 19th. He also announced that he would be going into seclusion on the 23rd, for a week, until the 1st of March. Darshan and interviews were stopped on the 21st.
Regarding his seclusion, Baba issued these instructions:
1. Baba will get up at any time convenient to him. He is not to be disturbed by anyone until he gets up.
2. Baba will not speak to any of the women mandali. None from the women's group should come to the mast ashram, except [Soona]Masi and Walu, who can come up to the fixed limit, which will be shown to them. They should not cross the limit, under any circumstances.
3. Any member of the women's group wishing to communicate a message to Baba will write it out and send it to Jal Kerawalla through Masi. Jal will deliver the message to Baba in due course.
4. Weak tea without milk for Baba will be prepared as usual upstairs [by Mehera] and sent with Walu. When the tea is required, a note will be sent to Masi, who will give it upstairs. The tea should immediately be prepared and sent with Walu, without delay.
5. Baba will not take a bath, but he will wash his face and clean his mouth, as usual. Eruch will be responsible for keeping hot water ready for this purpose. Baba's special bucket should be used for the water.
6. Baba will take honey, water and lemon juice. These will be kept in the hut.
7. Important letters from Norina, Kitty, Rano, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mansari should be marked "IMPORTANT" [on the outside], and given to Rano to be sent to Baba through Masi without delay.
8. The following members of the mandali will quietly attend to the work of the mast ashram: Nilu from 10:30 to 11:00 A.M.; Chanji from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (He should eat in the mast ashram and stay with Baba at night from 12:00 to 12:30 A.M.); Adi Sr. from 11:00 to 11:30 A.M.; Vishnu from 11:30 to 12:00 noon; Jalbhai for a few minutes at 11:30 A.M.; Padri, Naoroji and Pendu, when in Bangalore, should come at 12:30 P.M., Khak Saheb from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M.; Babu [Sona Kamble] and companions from 6:00 P.M. onward.1
Footnotes
- 1.As mentioned, Padri, Naoroji and Pendu were residing at Byramangala.