Baba is the Soul of souls,
The Beloved of the gods,
The Life of his lovers, and
He is the slave of his dear ones.
Baba inquired if all were present in the pandal.
Though the time to be present was scheduled for 8:30 A.M., some were absent, whereupon he commented, "When I say 8:30, you should be ready by 8, because I may come at 7:30."
The group laughed.
Baba then asked those standing to be seated and added, "There are five days for the sahavas. You should not feel hurried or pressed. You should pass these five days laughing and remaining merry."
A woman said she could not squat, because her knees would not bend.
Baba remarked, "I am glad I am in good company as I, too, cannot bend my knees."
Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati, a well-known personality of South India who had a considerable following of his own, received Baba's embrace and sat down near Baba on the dais.
Baba then addressed the sahavas group: "I want all of you to take care of your health; otherwise, there will be no sahavas in the real sense. There will be coughing, sneezing and disturbance. When taking a bath, take precautions not to get a chill. Dry your body thoroughly before coming out of the bathroom, wear dry clothes and do not expose yourself; otherwise, you will catch the flu and also infect others."
Eruch was interpreting Baba's gestures in English, which Kutumba Sastri translated into Telugu and Burjor Mehta into Gujarati.
Baba commented: "This sahavas will be a good opportunity for the Gujaratis to learn Telugu, and the Andhraites to learn Gujarati. If some of you cannot follow what is going on, just look at me and I will look at you. This is sahavas. Sit silently, gazing at me. Sahavas means companionship — intimate companionship."
While translating this into Gujarati, Burjor Mehta used the word dosti .
Baba liked it and observed, "It is the correct word, and means friendship."
Baba explained: "What does friendship mean? When friends meet, they start by asking: 'How do you do?' They ask about each other, of people and friends at home, and so forth. Let us begin the day by my asking you all about your health. Who from among you did not sleep well last night?"
Some raised their hands.
Baba further inquired: "How are you all? Is anyone ill or sick?"
Here, too, some put up their hands as well as Baba.
"Don't worry," Baba joked, "in two or three days, you will have many more companions!"