If even selfless service is hard to do, there is yet another way, and that is to remember me always. If you cannot even do this, then at least remember to remember me before breathing your last. But for that you will have to start remembering me from today because, if not, at the last moment you will not be able to.
Now this is enough for today. I will explain the remaining two points in the Directions [on the notice board] tomorrow. Then for three or four days we will be free to live a free life.
Baba asked Kohiyar to repeat the prayer Banam-e-Yezdan (In the Name of God Almighty) which Kohiyar did in a melodious voice. Baba also had its English translation explained. At about 10:30 A.M. the Navsari bhajan mandali sang devotional songs until the gathering adjourned for lunch at eleven o'clock.
After lunch, at 12:30 P.M. Baba called to the hall in lower Meherabad, all those who were not resting. Baba was taking long, swift strides back and forth inside from north to east. Before more bhajan singing began, Ravikant Rawal stood and narrated a hilarious tale. Ravikant was a portly person, whose demeanor and visage elicited laughter even before he began speaking. His long-winded stories in Gujarati (with a mishmash of other languages thrown in) elicited side-splitting laughter from Baba and the group. (Baba would cover his mouth with his hand so he wouldn't make a sound.)
"For God's sake, sit down now," Baba instructed. "Otherwise I will break my silence!"
"Just two minutes more," Ravikant pleaded.
"No, no. Tomorrow, you can continue."
Ravikant's story centered on four clever thieves, and Baba quipped, "The five greatest thieves [Perfect Masters] who live in the world steal people's hearts and also periodically steal me from my Highest State."
About an hour later, Baba gave darshan to hundreds of Arangaon villagers. Most were family members of the workers hired for the sahavas month. Men, women and children came from the village to the meeting tent, singing and dancing in a long procession. They were told not to touch Baba's feet but just to file past touching only his seat on the raised platform. Baba quickly took his own darshan first, by touching his feet with his right hand and then touching his hand to his forehead. Before the villagers could start taking darshan, Godavri Mai of Sakori arrived. Baba had her seated beside him on a chair. The program began, and Baba accepted the many garlands and coconuts the villagers had brought in offering and handed prasad to each one. Godavri Mai then left and Baba walked back to the hall.
When all had joined him there, he stated:
From each group I want one man who will fast for 21 days from the 15th of February, remain only on water and continuously repeat my name. It is nothing great to remain on water for 21 days; many have fasted like this for longer periods. But to remain at one place and continuously repeat my name loud enough so that only the one saying it can hear it is really very difficult.