Baba said, "I am not religious myself, as in the whole universe I alone exist!"
Some of those who had not brought garlands were feeling rather remorseful.
Smiling, Baba remarked, "There are piles of garlands here. Whoever has not brought a garland should choose one from among them, and garland me."
They were happy and garlanded Baba accordingly.
Baba inquired as to who had not slept the previous night, and advised all to go immediately to either Nilu or Padri on the first signs of a cold appearing.
"Since you are to remain here for a few days," he said, "you should take proper care of your health and think of me only. You have five days to stay with me. Let us all feel at home. Forget everything — family, home, job, [appointed] position — and be with me as much as possible. Forget all difficulties and worries completely. And don't think about your home when you are here."
Baba inquired if all had read the Directions, and all replied affirmatively.
"While the Gujarati group was here, they felt at home. There were no spiritual discourses. What Baba explained to them will be explained to you and also to the groups to come. Ramjoo is working on the notes.
"We have bodies, and they are subject to all sorts of ailments. Those who have realized the Self and do not come down to normal consciousness are immune from such bodily disturbances. Baba is suffering from a cold. Because I have come down to gross consciousness, I am subject to bodily suffering. Don't feel shy about your sickness, but bring it to the notice of the doctors concerned. When I, myself, suffer from a cold, what about you?"
Baba asked Manikyala Rao, "Why do you look so weak?"
Manikyala replied, "I didn't sleep last night."
"When I asked those who were indisposed to stand, why didn't you stand up?"
"I did not want to complain about something so small, like an old fogey!"
"With the body comes suffering. It is natural. Even the Avatar suffers. At first the Westerners could not understand how the Avatar could be affected by suffering. [Baba had the incident in England repeated when he was made to stand in the severe cold in thin clothes, and how the Westerners thought he, being the incarnation of God, could not catch any illness.] Gradually, I explained to them about my Avatarhood [being truly human], and now their understanding has deepened."