Thus the Master started gathering a close circle of women disciples.
Freiny's only sibling, her sister Mehera, had not attended the wedding. While preparations were being made for Freiny's marriage, Mehera was staying in Sakori with Upasni Maharaj. Under his guidance and along with other devotees, she was engaged in the labor work of carrying stones, earth and other building material on her head in a ghamela. Construction work was in progress in building the Sakori ashram, and all of Maharaj's kanyas were helping in the work. Although Mehera came from a wealthy family and had never done such lowly tasks in her life, she did not hesitate to share in such labor under the spiritual direction of Maharaj.
As the day of the wedding approached, Mehera's knee suddenly became swollen. On this pretext, Maharaj did not allow her to attend the wedding in Ahmednagar, and Mehera willingly abided by his decision. But the real reason for his disinclination to send Mehera — and for the mysterious swelling on her knee — was learned later when her mother Daulatmai discovered that certain relatives had come to the wedding with the intention of discussing their son's marriage to Mehera. A Perfect Master is omniscient and knows the past and future. Knowing Mehera's destiny, Upasni Maharaj could not allow her to go to Ahmednagar. Mehera was already spoken for and would soon join her divine Prince Charming forever.
About a week after the wedding, when Daulatmai went again to Sakori, Maharaj relented and permitted Mehera to leave. While Mehera was in Ahmednagar, she and her mother were called to Meherabad to meet Baba and discuss Mehera's marriage proposal. At the Post Office, Baba asked Mehera if she wanted to marry; Mehera replied demurely that she did not, and Baba was pleased.
Mehera and her mother then left for Poona, where they visited Babajan regularly.
In Arangaon, the repair work of cleaning the officer's Mess Quarters, applying plaster over the deteriorating mud-brick walls, and fixing the roof recommenced soon after Baba and the mandali's return. (Baidul was the main mason.) Even in this isolated location, there was little time to oneself. The Master's orders came first; each man became more involved with his duties than his own person. Right after the mandali finished their breakfast of bread and tea, they would be occupied with this work the entire day. Some would draw water out of the well and carry it, some would prepare the clay-mud plaster, and others would apply it to the walls.