From neighboring villages, tens of thousands gathered and were waiting for Baba in the scorching sun. Baba lost his temper because the mandali had left without his permission and the program was delayed because they had not yet come back. When they returned, he scolded the men.
Pendu defended them, saying, "It was not the mandali who had tea, but those who had come with us."
"But, why did they go for tea?" Baba asked.
"Dhanapathy took them," Pendu replied.
Baba reprimanded Dhanapathy, "Have you brought me here for the people, or to offer tea to the mandali? I will remain here for five minutes. Remember that I have come for these people, not for a picnic or to sip tea. I don't like the idea of sitting here when people are waiting there for me. Once I lose my temper, I will start beating you all! Don't act like fools!"
Baba proceeded immediately to the pandal, where the throng received him with loud cheering. Some minutes before the sky was blue and clear; but suddenly clouds gathered and it began drizzling, introducing a pleasant coolness to the atmosphere — an auspicious sign for the villagers.
The crowd of over 15,000 people wanted to come as close to Baba as possible. The stage had been placed right in the middle of the audience. Standing up, folding his hands and going from one end of the dais to the other, Baba saluted the multitude surrounding him, and asked them to be seated.
It was not possible to distribute prasad individually, since their number was continually increasing and there was not sufficient time. So Baba touched the bulk of the prasad and took his seat in the car. Several people rushed toward the car, throwing garlands and fruit in and over it. But not all of the villagers could get as close as they wanted, and they began moving here and there.
To appease the crowd, after the car had gone only about 20 yards Baba stopped it, and got out and sat on palm leaves under a palmyrah tree. Those who had come for darshan rushed there, but few could see Baba. Baba therefore climbed up onto the roof of the car, which then slowly made its way amidst the throng. People were overjoyed, and Baba's smile was a soothing balm to their restless hearts. They started singing bhajans, and acclamations of his Jai! erupted.