And I deferred giving final permission about arrangements for days. Four days ago, I visited Meherabad and Pendu was complaining and weeping before me like a child. Nothing was here four days ago, no tents, no bathing rooms, no latrines, no electricity.
Padri's health is also not good. He has constant back pain. He cannot stand for long and give orders, and he is the man [who lives] to work. Vishnu was helping both Pendu and Padri. Vishnu was also involved in the accident which has affected his nerves. Even a little work leaves him nervous and exhausted. Behind these three is Adi. Adi is the most responsible behind this show. You should see him to believe how he works night and day — until two o'clock at night. He complained that he was being driven mad. So many people were changing groups, and newcomers were constantly being added to the list.
To see Eruch standing here is a miracle in itself. Physically, he is shattered. He has had no rest for even five minutes. All the time, I keep him engaged. He is keeping nightwatch, too.
But after all this, the day of sahavas has dawned, and all the arrangements are in order. You should not forget many other lovers who came here in advance to help. These five [Pendu, Padri, Vishnu, Adi and Eruch] are not the only ones. There are so many other lovers who work day and night.
Pukar was standing at the other end of the pandal and Baba jokingly remarked to him, "If you cannot hear what is being said, in spite of the loudspeaker, wave a flag — or at least your handkerchief!"
It was time for the prayers. Baba stood and washed his hands. Keshav Nigam and Dhake had been translating Baba's words into Hindi and Marathi, and each now recited the Master's Prayer and the Prayer of Repentance in those languages. During the prayers, Baba was moving his fingers in the direction of the gathering, and gesticulating as if driving away something uncongenial. For a while he kept his eyes closed; the fingers of one hand were tapping the fingers of his other hand.
Before the Prayer of Repentance was offered, Baba directed the men and women to concentrate on him during the prayer. At the end of it, Baba lightly slapped his cheeks as a sign of repenting. Pukar's mother, overcome by emotion, burst out weeping and cried out, "Baba, Baba!"