One of the local lovers was on watch outside and did not allow Bhau to enter. Instead, he took the note from him and went inside, returning shortly with a garland. Bhau got the garland, but without seeing Baba. He left, and on the way picked up and ate any loose petals from the flowers which fell on the road. He gave the garland to Ranga Rao, who said, "Baba is to come to Andhra to give darshan. You should come to Andhra for the program. I will definitely arrange an interview with Baba there."
Bhau also met Babadas, whom Baba had kept on silence. He kept telling Bhau through hand signs to open the book, Avatar , and read certain sections of it. But Babadas did not know English, and no sooner would Bhau open the book and begin reading, than Babadas would motion to turn the page and read there. Then again, before Bhau could finish the passage, Babadas would turn the page and point to another section. Bhau could not meet any of the other mandali because they were all so busy.
Twenty thousand people assembled that day, Thursday, 1 January 1953, for another program. Thousands of villagers, from places where there were Baba centers established, had poured into Saoner during the past few days. Ragho Patel, Moti Jagan Patel and other heads of different villages had brought hundreds of people with them for the two days of mass darshans. Saoner was merged in Baba's divine light. It was like Hamirpur all over again, replete with a raging fire which swept through the district and affected every heart.
Bhau tried again to attract Baba's attention while taking darshan, but on that day also Baba did not look at him.
Baba's message "The Unquenching Fire of Spiritual Longing" was given, and at the end of the program Baba stated, "Due to the loving labor of Pophali Pleader and Abdul Majid Khan, Saoner is blessed by my presence.1 I will be leaving for Nagpur tomorrow."
Baba also visited several families in their homes, but because the visits were private, Bhau could not attend. Qawaali singing was held at Abdul Majid Khan's home, and during it Aloba began dancing as if in a trance. He was prevailed upon to stop and was sent back to Bhawalkar Pleader's, where the mandali were staying.
Footnotes
- 1.This message and the message read out the day before, "The Divine Heritage of Man," had been given previously on Baba's earlier visit to Saoner in 1944.