He would spend the day there under the Master's supervision and return home in the evenings. One day Naval brought a friend to meet Baba, a famous cricketer named Hormusji Jehangir Vajifdar , 28. Vajifdar became a devoted follower and, likewise, began coming to the Manzil every day. He would bring fresh bread for Baba's and the mandali's breakfast early every morning at 4:00 A.M. on his bicycle. Naval and Vajifdar were soon considered close members of the household. Although they did not stay at the Manzil during the nights, both men strictly adhered to all orders and instructions given by the Master.
From childhood, Baba had a passion for sports and games, so the new disciple, Vajifdar, was a welcome addition. For recreation in the early evening, the Master would sometimes play gilli-danda or cricket with the men, or go for a long walk. Once he went out to watch a local cricket match in which Vajifdar was to play. But Vajifdar had a high fever and the doctor advised him not to play; yet he accompanied Baba and the group to watch the match. At one point in the match, Vajifdar's team was at the point of defeat when, taking Baba's permission, he entered the game. He played so well, despite being ill, that not only did he score many runs, but his team won, as Baba and the mandali cheered from the sidelines. The next day, Baba played a game of gilli-danda with the mandali on the same field.
Baba had permitted all the mandali to observe their respective religious holidays. On their particular festival days, the Muslims would go to the mosque, the Hindus to the temple, and the Iranis and Parsis to the agyari. If someone would forget a holiday, the Master would remind him in such a way that, in his heart, he would actually wish to be free of this religious fetter.
For example, as the Master would be about to divulge an esoteric point, give a spiritual discourse, or participate in a fun game of cricket in the backyard, he would turn to someone and say, "Isn't today a festival for you? You had better leave to pray. It is not good to neglect your religion." In this subtle way, the Master was breaking their attachment to the old customs and religious traditions so that they, themselves, would wish to renounce these rituals and ceremonies for the much more beneficial opportunity of being in the Master's company.