Baba then assigned the following duties to the others:
Eruch: odd jobs with Baba and any work in town.
Nilu, Adi, Pendu, Aloba, Sadashiv: draw and supply water from the well.
Daulat Singh, Babadas: clean cooking utensils and other vessels.
Vishnu: do the marketing, and after the 25th, bring all of it back without the help of coolies.
Gustadji: sweep the hut, and assist Babadas and Daulat Singh whenever trunks are to be lifted.
Anna 104: keep nightwatch from 8:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M.
Ghani: write a daily diary of the New Life and do any other work he likes.
During one occasion, Gustadji became upset about something and, in a huff, refused to sweep the men's quarters. Baba harshly criticized him, warning him, as well as the others, that disobedience in any respect would not be tolerated.
He stated in no uncertain terms, "The least hesitation in carrying out orders will amount to violating the oath and breaking the conditions governing the New Life.
"No one should say 'No,' however impossible and meaningless an order may sound. Complete and unflinching obedience is expected; in all other respects, all are equals like brothers, and perfectly free."
In the afternoon Baba discussed with the companions their future stay in Benares. Since Babadas and Sadashiv knew the city well, they were asked to go in advance to make the arrangements. They were to inform Baba when everything was done, and await his arrival.
The companions had been permitted to bring a few musical instruments with them, and on the morning of the 24th, Baba played the dholak (drum) and Adi the harmonium as he sang ghazals. The scene once again reminded them of their Manzil-e-Meem days, when Baba would often play the dholak and sing ghazals from Hafiz and other poets, such as Rumi and Tukaram.
Even though there was still a month to go before they left for Benares, Baba, as was his habit, directed Eruch to go to town and find out which was cheaper — the bus fare or the train fare from Belgaum to Bombay.