As declared in the past, I am free from all promises and am not bound by time and space. Though all happenings are in the realm of illusion, a great so-called tragedy is facing me and my lovers. My long expected humiliation is near at hand. This may happen tomorrow or any day of this year, or it may happen next year.
The love, courage and faith of my lovers will be put to severe test, not by me but by Divine Law. Those who hold fast to me at the zenith of this crisis will transcend illusion and abide in Reality.
I want my lovers to rest assured that my humiliation and "tragedy," though necessary, are but passing phases which are bound to have a glorious end — as it is destined.
My love to all.
Baba did not elaborate about the meaning of his "tragedy," but Age soon came to know to what he was hinting at.
The work on the messages went on until Baba returned to Satara on Saturday, 7 July 1956, a day ahead of schedule. He, Eruch, Gustadji and the women traveled in Nariman and Adi Sr.'s cars. On the way, they stopped briefly at Babajan's tomb in Poona, where Baba instructed Mehera to offer a garland and a few coins.
According to his instructions for Silence Day, his Indian followers observed silence from midnight of 9 July to midnight of 10 July, and also fasted partially on two cups of tea (taken at any time) and one evening meal.
In Satara, Baba maintained his strict seclusion amidst the mandali's activities in preparation for his forthcoming trip to the West. Baba saw no one except the mandali and allowed no one from the outside to come to see him.
Each evening for several days, when Bhau would return from the post office with the mail, Baba would send for a banana from Goher and give it to him to eat. Bhau felt self-conscious about being the only one given this prasad and one day protested, "Baba, you give me a banana every day, why not give it to the others also? From tomorrow, don't give it to me unless you give it to all."
Baba replied, "How unfortunate you are! Do you take this to be only a banana? You have consideration for the mandali but none for me! What an insult! You bloody fool, remember were I to make you eat to your heart's content and starve the others — you should have no thought about it. It is not your concern.