This naturally means no Master, no disciple, no blessing, no grace, no receptions and no interviews. Let us see whether she calls me on these conditions."
Being situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, the winter in Dehra Dun was freezing cold, and the companions did not have sufficient warm clothing to protect themselves while on guard duty. They were getting up between 3:00 and 4:00 A.M. each morning to wash and prepare for tea, which was served exactly at five o'clock.
The companions would assemble in a storeroom where, before drinking tea, Nilu would recite a Sanskrit couplet praising the past Avatars' incarnations. Baba, too, stood with them at this time, his face "serene and full of luster," as one of those present recalled.
After breakfast on Sunday, 12 February 1950, Baba asked how each had slept.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked Nilu.
"No, I did not," Nilu said. "It's cold, cold, cold!"
In response, Baba rhymed:
We are neither young nor old, Our everything is sold, Neither we have silver nor gold, There is the New Life all told!
Don interjected, "From 1st March it will unfold." And Baba responded:
For those who are real bold Conditions hundred percent to hold!
Baba's 56th birthday was celebrated in Manjri Mafi that day. Naja cooked rawa, which Baba distributed to the companions along with bhujias. A few local villagers and about 20 other visitors — including Burjor and Sheroo Chacha; Elcha Mistry; Keki Nalavala's, Hellan's and Kumar's families — came to wish Baba a happy birthday. Baba distributed the snacks and tea. Don had brought word from Meherjee and Nariman that Sadashiv Patil's presence was necessary in Poona before his property could be sold. (The proceeds from the sale were to go toward supporting the New Life companions.) Baba therefore sent Sadashiv to Bombay and Poona on the 13th, with orders to return to Manjri Mafi within two months. Don moved to Dehra Dun the same day to start a medical dispensary. Baba shook hands with him when he left, perhaps wishing him good luck in the venture. Baba had previously sent Sadashiv to Hardwar, to bring water from the sacred Ganges River for Baba to bathe with. On 14 February 1950, Baba sent Baidul and Kumar's nineteen-year-old servant Satyapal Gangaram (who was serving as Baba's attendant) to Rishikesh, to bring fresh water from the Ganges.