Since the responsibility — not of your seeking — of supervising the Sufi movement has devolved on you through Murshida Martin, you would do your best to shoulder the cross, knowing fully well your shortcomings and weaknesses. While trying to help and teach others in the Sufi way, you are alive to the fact that you yourself are growing and learning. The result of your work when conducted in this spirit should be left entirely in the hands of Baba.
On 12 January 1948, Raosaheb and Ali Akbar (Aloba) arrived for an interview, and Ramjoo and Rusi Pop arrived two days later. On the 12th, Baba issued a circular outlining his activities for the next 40 days:
January 17 to February 5: Work with masts in Pimpalgaon February 7 to 14: Work with sadhus in the Central or United Provinces February 15 to 25: Work with the poor in Ahmednagar District.
Baba held a meeting at Pimpalgaon on 15 January to discuss his plans. In attendance were Pendu, Eruch, Ghani, Sarosh, Adi Sr., Chhagan, Kaka, Baidul, Goma Ganesh, Adi Jr., Dattu and Nusserwan.
About giving grain and cloth to the poor, Baba stated, "This giving can by no means be deemed charity. People coming from distant places take the trouble and give you an opportunity to serve them. It is to them that thanks are due. Besides, my giving to people implies a spiritual task to be performed whose purpose necessitates they be contacted. The spiritual work done through giving them food and cloth is not fully fulfilled if my name is revealed, or if they think that they are receiving alms through charity."
Baba planned to fast during this period, and he began on 17 January, eating only one meal and taking tea twice during the day. He remained on this partial fast for the next 40 days.
That afternoon, a bus from Meherabad brought Adi Sr., Gustadji, Kaikobad, Anna 104, Annasaheb Kale, Kalemama, Feram, Bala Tambat, Baidul and Ali Shah for a bhajan program.1 Beginning the next day for ten days, Baba worked with Ali Shah sitting with him from 7:00 to 10:30 A.M. in Don's room.2 On the 27th, he gave Ali Shah a bath (something he did very rarely), and the next morning sent him back to Meherabad with Sidhu.
Two seekers were brought to Pimpalgaon from Poona on 27 January by Eruch.
Footnotes
- 1.Feram stayed at Pimpalgaon to type Ghani's dictation.
- 2.It is not known which room Don was using at Meherazad at the time, but it may have been what later became known as Pendu's room.