Baba sent the group to lunch and later joined them, first sitting at one end of the table and then the other. He asked everyone about the food and observed:
“”I wonder if you understand how fortunate you are to have me with you in this way. Think of those people at the darshan on the 12th who fought to have a chance to touch my feet for just a fleeting second, and who wanted so earnestly to have prasad. They are the ones who love me. The others — the social people, the political people, the intellectual people — they make their speeches and leave the platform.
In Andhra for fifteen days, we had two or three darshan programs every day, with thousands of people coming from surrounding villages in bullock carts and on foot. They would not understand your being here with me in this way. In India, they have traditions. As I told you before, yogis and saints are supposed to be in silent meditation. You could not make effective contact with them. Remember always that I am your Master, but that I am also your friend. That I am one with you and one of you. Therefore, you can be completely natural with me, and tell me frankly whatever is on your mind.
When I am with sadhus, no one is more serious than I. When I am with children, I play marbles with them. I am in all, and one with all. That is why I can adapt myself to all kinds of people, and meet them where they are.
After lunch, Baba went to lower Meherabad where he had a discussion with Pendu, Padri and others about arrangements for the meeting. Pendu told him, "Baba, the arrangements being provided are fine, but if it rains everything will be spoiled."
“”Baba said, "I have asked Baidul to grow a beard and pray that rain may not fall. He is doing it. So, rain won't come and for some days now it has completely stopped."
At about 5:00 P.M. Baba went to Ahmednagar to Khushru Quarters, Adi's office, where the staff was actively engaged in the meeting work.
