Joking, Baba gestured, "But those who can give lakhs may do so!"
Eruch shouted, "Who could give Rs.100,000?"
A. C. S. Chari of Madras asked, "Why not?"
"Don't give Kaka Baria anything now," Baba continued. "Go to your places; you can send from there. Kaka will collect and keep a list of the donors. Do not go begging from house to house. You can tell this to others, but do not force them. Openly describe everything you have heard here.
"Pendu will make a statement of receipts and expenses for the sahavas programs, and whatever balance is left should be remitted to Dr. Kanakadandi and Kutumba Sastri. Copies of the accounts statement are to be sent to all those present here."
Adi Sr. said, "Harjiwan Lal is sure to send his contribution."
Baba replied, "It and other remaining amounts have not been received. When they have been, they should be sent to Dr. Kanakadandi and Sastri."
Baba abruptly left the hall. After about five minutes, he returned and explained to the gathering that he had gone to his room, since he was about to be seized by a coughing spell.
Baba then broached the subject of the seven-day fast, and 20 men stood up.
Baba remarked, "I am happy to know that in this group there are more than five who are ready to fast. But out of these 20, I will select only five, and the rest should not feel bad about it. I am pleased with you all. I ask Kutumba Sastri to think twice before offering to fast. It is easy to fast for seven days on water confined to a room the entire time. Adi Sr. once fasted on water for 21 days."
Baba chose Koduri Krishna Rao, Y. Ranga Rao, Dr. Kanakadandi, Kutumba Sastri and T. Meher Prasad, saying he would give them further instructions later. He informed those who were not selected:
Don't worry. Through your willingness to fast, you have fasted! When you stood up you were sincere in your resolve, so do not feel sad.