But by so doing the old man [Maharaj] will have to suffer greatly internally. But if I don't go, my sufferings, which have already gone beyond endurance, will continue increasing. Thus I am caught between two fires!"
After this, Baba asked Ghani to inform Khak Saheb and Asar Saheb about the spiritual regime which all the mandali had been following since the first of October. Ghani, accordingly, explained in great detail about the early morning rising, bathing, repetition and meditation orders. Asar openly objected to the pre-dawn rising and fixed hour for praying, asking why it was necessary. When Baba was told about Asar's objection, he was upset. He rebuked Khak and Asar for questioning his orders and instructed all the Muslim members of the mandali to awaken whenever they liked and to do as they pleased.
After quieting down, the Master directed these critical remarks toward Khak and Asar: "Who is there among you who knows more about shariat [outward religious ceremonies and rituals] than myself? You won't find a truer Muslim than myself. I am what I externally am, but who among you knows what I am internally? Prayers and forms of worship are only meant for God. But you are so immersed in the formality of the thing and all its details, you forget God and worship the prayers."
In this tense atmosphere, Khak lost his temper and began blaming Asar. Up until then, Asar had been quiet, but after being upbraided, he loudly reproached Khak. An argument ensued and became so heated that, forgetting the subject of the new orders, they both began shouting at each other. Asar was so exasperated he refused to share a room any longer with Khak and requested that Baba separate them. The Master, however, said they should both be on amicable terms or else they would have to leave the Manzil. Within a short time, both men calmed down.
After final instructions, Baba left for Sakori with Sadashiv Patil at 10:00 P.M. on 14 October 1922. Before going, he made Khak and Asar promise not to argue further, to forgive each other and to continue working together on Upasni Maharaj's biography.
The order to awaken in the early hours of the morning for prayers was reinstated for the Muslim mandali. It seemed that, in order to wipe out some inner conflict between Khak and Asar, the question of prayer had arisen.