Although externally Baba was physically secluded, inwardly his presence was felt more than ever, as their attention was focused on him.
The watch duty and daily schedule were also changed at this time. There were to be no fixed times for supplying anything to Baba. Kaka was instructed not to go to the cabin unless Baba rang for him, except for bringing him lanterns at 7:00 P.M., since there was no electricity at Meherazad at this time. Baba stated that he would fast and not need anything except drinking water, honey and very weak tea without milk, occasionally, when he would ring for it.
The watch hours were divided as follows, with Nariman and Meherjee alternating days:
9:00 P.M. to midnight — Nariman or Meherjee (on alternate days) and Eknath 9:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. — Ganpat 12:00 A.M. to 4:00 A.M. — Ratanshah Gyara 5:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. — Kaka Baria
Jal Kerawalla was to relieve Kaka for two hours daily, from 7:30 to 8:30 A.M. and from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M. Each of the watchmen was ordered not to make the slightest noise, nor move from his seat or look at the cabin. Even when Baba tapped on the cabin, they were to silently go to Kaka and summon him to Baba.
On July 1, after drinking coffee and eating a few slices of bread at 6:45 A.M., Baba's fast began — taking only weak tea the first day. Baba entered the cabin at 9:00 A.M. to begin his work, and stayed inside for five hours. The atmosphere was surcharged with a silent joy, and the only sound discernible was the rustling of the wind. At two o'clock Baba rang for Kaka, had his bath, and again entered the Blue Bus.
On 2 July, Baba, fasting on water, spent a considerable part of the day inside the bus. That night Meherjee was on watch from nine o'clock to midnight. He heard strange noises, as if someone were hissing inside the bathroom. When Baba began snoring at 10:30, the sound stopped. At 11:55 P.M. Meherjee suddenly heard heavy footsteps inside the cabin — and then Baba's snoring and the footsteps both stopped. At that moment, he heard Baba get up from his bed.
Baba's seclusion and fast continued the next day. It was marred when Baba accidentally hit his head several times emerging from the low cabin door.