This information did not please me. On the contrary, I began thinking that it would have been better had my devotee, who was performing the kirtan, died instead!
Baba continued:
There are persons on the spiritual path who have riddhi-siddhi [occult powers of the fourth plane] at their command. They can even raise the dead. But thereby they themselves fall into the trap of illusion. Do not expect any display of powers from me! You see the sun and its light and think that it is something great and powerful. But in reality the sun, its power and brilliance are but shadows of the Reality. And the fun is that the shadow is the seventh shadow of the power, brilliance, light and beauty at the command of and wielded by a Sadguru — which he uses for the betterment of humanity.
A man on the sixth plane of consciousness is also helpless [to realize God] and can never advance further without the help of a Sadguru. I was in Eternal Bliss, but Maharaj tied everything — this whole universe — around my neck. I am eternally free, and yet I get myself bound.
Singing began again. Taking a pillow, Baba began playing on it like a tabla. Suddenly, Baba was merged within himself, his fingers flicking rapidly up and down. He closed his eyes and gave a few brisk jerks to his right leg, as if kicking something away. The mood lasted for two minutes.
Coming out of the hut, Baba began playing marbles on the ground. Godavri, all the kanyas and most of the residents of the ashram were present. Godavri had been very keen to see Baba play marbles and had sent word to him not to begin until she arrived.
Baba continued shooting marbles for several minutes, then remarked, "I play so well because from the beginning of time, I have been playing with the universe!
"In ancient times, rishis and munis played this game and it has deep significance. To win the game, the player has to hit the marble in play fourteen times before he is declared the winner. This striking fourteen times signifies the seven 'descents' and seven 'ascents' of the divine sport of consciousness before final Realization is achieved."
Baba next visited Godavri's room, where he was swung in Maharaj's swing. Someone brought a white rabbit inside, and keeping it on his lap Baba petted it for a while before handing it back to Godavri. Eruch commented that Baba loved Sheba the mare and that she was now in Satara. Whenever he offered Sheba carrots, she gave him a kiss.