Baba remained with the men at the dhuni for about 20 minutes, and then returned up the hill.
“”Before leaving, he instructed: "Now that Upasni Maharaj has gone, henceforth, those devotees who used to go frequently to Sakori and who love me also, should not go there any further."
Much to Aloba's relief, Mohammed Mast was brought back to Meherabad from Bombay on the 13th, to stay permanently near Baba.
Baba called all the mandali to the mast ashram (on the hill) at three in the afternoon, and gave this explanation about fasting:
“”The body will survive for 95 days if one remains only on water. Just as the body feeds on food, so the mind feeds on desires, and indulgence in these desires feeds the mind and the ego. So, by starving the mind of these desires, the ego becomes very thin and weak.
In a physical fast, taking only water as you did yesterday, lust is lessened, but anger and hope are increased. During the first three days of a fast, hunger is marked, depression is strong, anger is strengthened and lust is diminished. From the third to the seventh day, there is a fluctuation in feelings: hunger, depression, anger and lust are all lessened, while hope — for everything — is still strong. On the tenth day, the feelings again swing back, and there is increased hunger and anger. This lasts until the 14th day, when the feelings again become calm and remain calm. Thus, after the 14th day, a fast has no spiritual value!
Baba then mentioned his future plans: "Before I speak, I have to do two things: I have to touch the feet of 7,000 sadhus, which I just did at Allahabad. I have still to visit Nepal and Tibet. So, from the 15th of February, I will wander in these regions."
Baba then had some Sufi songs played on the record player and explained their meaning.
On Wednesday, 14 January 1942, a feast was arranged for the Arangaon villagers and those from surrounding places. The feast was held near the dhuni, and Baba came down the hill at six that evening to watch the distribution and festivities, and to listen to the bhajan singing. The Satha family and other close ones from Ahmednagar had come for the occasion, and had the chance of seeing Baba after a lapse of almost a year and a half.
