Occasions might also arise when I might be available to the masses. I will be free to decide about all these points as and when I like.
Even if there were only one of you accompanying me, I shall be quite pleased and satisfied; and even if many choose to come with me, I will not mind. But those accompanying me must be prepared to be able to withstand everything and anything under all and every circumstance, implicitly obeying my every order, without hoping for any kind of reward, spiritual or material. They must expect no help of any kind from me, but on the contrary will be expected to help me.
Also, from among those offering to come with me, I will finally decide who is to accompany me and who is to stay.
During this period of annihilation (from October 16 to February 12), my actions and mode of living will be free from any binding conditions. I might wander about from place to place, or settle down in one place — when and where, I will decide between July and October. I might beg for anything, demand anything, accept anything, or reject anything; or perhaps I may do none of these things. I will do anything ordinary or extraordinary, good or bad, as the occasion may demand of me, based on the will of God for this great annihilation.
Baba then stood up, as did all those gathered. He remained standing with folded hands as if praying, as Don read this Declaration in English, Ghani in Urdu and Deshmukh in Marathi:
In the presence of God, and bearing in my heart all the Perfect Ones of all times as witnesses, I declare that by the help and will of God, I will definitely take this step of annihilation on October 16 of this year.
God helped me to do the seclusion work of the 100 days to my entire satisfaction, and I feel absolutely confident that God will help me to attain to the Old Life Meher Baba state by the 16th of February 1952, and to manifest universally.
Baba concluded by stating: "I want every one of you, who is present here as witness to this Declaration, to fast for 24 hours on tea and water on the 16th of October, beginning from eight o'clock in the morning of that day."