Let Kaikobad pray: "O God, make Baba say every word in all honesty based on what he feels!"
Kaikobad offered the prayer. Baba then continued:
It would seem paradoxical that I plan one thing, declare something, and a setback occurs, and I say because of setbacks my plans are upset. If Baba is Baba, then no sort of setbacks can change his plans, because I, being omniscient, must know beforehand about them. So, this paradox can be explained in only one way. Let Nilu think of it, as yesterday he had said that, being a Brahmin, his intellect is sharpest.
Whatever I say now is serious; don't take it lightly. I chalk out a certain plan and declare that I have decided in this way, and the results will be such-and-such, and then setbacks occur. This is not a pretext or excuse; but when I say that due to such setbacks my plans become upset, it is not for me but for ordinary persons. Now, let Nilu explain.
Nilu interjected, "You want to do a thing at a certain or particular time."
Baba asked Eruch, who said, "I don't know anything about it. Sometimes I become perplexed when Baba says so. When you talk of setbacks, we must take it for granted that there is something behind it."
Baba illustrated:
Now, for example, the other day, I finally told Elcha that on July 21 we will go out for a week, and gave him the option that, if the station wagon was not available, we would go by train. Today, Elcha tells me that the Collector has fixed a meeting for the 21st, in which his presence is necessary. I came to know of it this morning. I wanted to take him with me, and had asked him either to take leave or do anything, but come with me. When I heard it, my plan again received a setback.
Regarding Nanga Mast: for my work, I desired the presence of a mast, and sent Baidul specially to get one here, but he could not bring one. On July 12, Baidul and Elcha saw a mast in Dehra Dun and brought him here, but now I have no time for him. At first, he was free; now he is confined to a room.