Baba entered the Poona Jhopdi for the last time at 10:30 Sunday night, 21 May 1922. This humble straw hut with an earthen floor had become sacred. It had been the first lamp to attract moths to the Master's burning flame. The Jhopdi had become a place of pilgrimage in Poona, where many had gathered to receive guidance and mercy from the Compassionate One. It was the cradle containing the infancy of Meher Baba's divine work.
Each man went inside the Jhopdi and bowed to Gustadji's photograph for the last time. Then the picture was taken down and the hut was dismantled. Baba then led the way to Sadashiv Patil's house in Kasba Peth, where arrangements were in progress for the departure to Bombay. Each man's bedding roll and personal kit were placed in a bullock cart. As the world slept, these young disciples were wide awake — excited and eager to begin their wayfaring.
Until then, strict obedience to Baba as their Spiritual Master had not been emphasized much. Baba had been attracting these tender, "raw" disciples around him, drawing them near his fire. God is all-merciful, but the path to God is merciless! The Master had not yet shown what the path of fire could be! He was about to become pitiless in order to shower his real gift. The disciples did not know that the ego must be destroyed — and it is not a gentle process! Realization's price is total self-effacement, and no one can pay that price without the Master's grace.
That very night, an incident occurred that enabled Baba to emphasize this aspect of strict obedience while living with him, and the men mandali were made keenly aware of their responsibility toward him as their Master. This first lesson came shortly before they left Poona.
Baba decided to call for refreshments for all and he sent Ghani, Adi Sr., and Slamson to bring tea, bread and cream from a nearby restaurant. When they placed the order, Adi started feeling hungry and was wondering if it would be all right to eat his share then. Seeking Ghani's advice (he was 9 years older), Adi was told it would be all right. However, his snack made them late in returning with the refreshments. When asked the reason, Adi admitted that he had eaten in the restaurant, and Baba was extremely displeased. Adi explained that he suddenly felt hungry and asked Ghani if it would be permissible. Baba turned to Ghani and asked him if that was true. Ghani denied it. Baba then slapped Adi so soundly across the face that he fell down.