Baba had just entered the tent. People were made to sit on the ground in long rows, forming a seated queue for darshan. Bhau sat down among them. His influential relatives and friends saw him, and hastened to tell him he could approach the dais directly. But Bhau just sat there, content to wait his turn in the dust and heat. From a distance he had seen Meher Baba's smile and was lost in it!
As in other places, Baba first bowed down and gave prasad to seven poor, and then his message about his bowing down to the crowd was read aloud. He then made his namaskars to the assembly. Waves of love swelled in the Ocean, but they were of a strange fire, both hot and cooling.
Harkare Pleader read a welcome address and gave a short report of work done in different Baba centers in the district.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he spoke, and embracing him, Baba stated, "You will see me before leaving the body."
A singer, Mahadev Bua of Wardha, performed kirtan, which Baba much appreciated. At one point, Baba dictated:
The highest state of Experience is to become God and see Him in everything. Miracles do not consist in bringing the dead to life but in becoming dead to the ego-life. Miracles are mere small illusions in this great illusion called creation and the world.
The message "The Divine Heritage of Man" was read out and darshan started. The people sitting in the queues had to go to Baba by scooting toward him on the ground. When they got to Baba they would stand, and Baba would smile at some, kiss some, and rest his hand in blessing on the heads of others. But when Bhau's turn came and he stood in front of him, Baba looked in another direction and put a banana in Bhau's hand as prasad, without turning his face to him. Bhau was hustled away immediately, as there was a long queue of people waiting. The crowds were so dense that no person could stand before Baba for more than a few seconds.
Baba, being infinitely mischievous, played havoc with Bhau's feelings. His heart was totally restless and it longed to speak with Baba, but Baba had not even looked at him. Bhau ate the entire banana — including the skin! It was not a banana but a spark of divine fire, and on consuming it his whole being began to burn!