Instead, she had sent her brother with the request that Baba sit in her room and that his arti be performed there. Her brother was introduced to Baba, and was so pleased to meet Baba he remarked, "We are blessed today. It is the grace of Upasni Maharaj that we find Meher Baba in our midst."
Baba then went to the kitchen, where Godavri was busy cooking with the help of other kanyas. Age marveled at the sight as Baba himself lent a helping hand in rolling the puris.
At one point, he remarked, "I am not quite as adept [in cooking] as Mai."
Observing the women in the kitchen, he also advised, "You should install electricity here soon."
Smiling, he joked with Godavri, "I am feeling hungry now. I no longer need any bhajan [song], but bhojan [food]!"
Then, becoming serious, he stated:
I am shouldering a great burden, and tomorrow I have to go to Sangamner for giving mass darshan, then to Navsari and Bajwa [in Gujarat]. The whole universe is in the throes of suffering, but how happy we are today! After a very, very long time, today I will relish the food prepared so lovingly by my dear Yashoda. I always enjoy eternal bliss. There is nothing else for me to enjoy; but side by side, simultaneously, I suffer infinitely through the sufferings of each one because I am everything and everyone.
How I would like to stay here, play marbles and take food cooked by my Yashoda — instead of granting darshan at various places and sitting through my worship and arti ceremonies! I am eternally free, but for my own reasons I willingly get myself bound. All this is because of my infinite love for all!
When everyone's attention was focused on Baba, he turned, lovingly patted Godavri and told her, "The heat of the fire is too much. You are perspiring profusely. Now don't go out in the open air at once, as you will catch cold."
Baba came out of the kitchen and Nusserwan Bharucha, an old lover of Maharaj who had attended the Meherabad Sahavas, met and embraced him. Tears ran down his cheeks, so overcome was he with emotion.
Holding Wagh's hand in his, Baba briskly led him to Maharaj's hut and remarked, "You are very energetic!"
Wagh laughed at his remark and then escorted Baba to his seat.
By this time Godavri, who had completed the cooking, came and, as requested by him, sat near Baba.