After fifteen minutes, Bhau woke up and came out of his room.
Baba called him and asked, "Why did you wake up? Were you disturbed?"
Bhau told him that he wasn't.
Baba then remarked, "Do you know, I was on watch and did not allow anyone to make noise. You keep watch near me, so I kept watch near you today."
The only other person allowed to come to Meherazad during this period was Gadekar from Poona. He arrived on 14 August 1958 and stayed almost two months. Gadekar had been specially allowed to come; but, at the time, only Baba knew why he was being given this privilege. Within a few months after Baba's seclusion ended, Gadekar was to merge in Baba forever. Baba was giving him this final opportunity of being with him.
Each of the mandali had his usual duties to perform. Kaka was the manager of the ashram in charge of dispensing soap, toothpaste, razor blades, tobacco, et cetera, to the men. Among Aloba's duties was to take the dogs — Bhooty, Peter and Mastan — for walks. Baidul prepared the mandali's tea twice daily and cooked their meals once a day. Baba would be carried to the hall each morning in his lift-chair by one of the garden boys, Aloba, Kumar and Pukar. Immediately after coming to the hall he would sit on his portable commode. Pukar was to keep it ready and Aloba to clean it.
From the first day of his seclusion, Baba started working with the mast Nilkanthwala for at least two hours every morning in Bhau's room where the mast was kept. (Bhau was using Eruch's room while Eruch was away at Meherabad.) Baba remained deeply occupied with Nilkanthwala for 21 days. Baidul was looking after the mast, who would speak mostly with Kumar. Nilkanthwala was particularly fond of talcum powder, which he would sprinkle on top of his head and rub all over his body.
Baba would walk to the mast's room with the help of a cane. Kaka supported his other arm and Kumar accompanied them. When Baba would clap, Kumar and Kaka would escort Baba back into the hall, where he would pass several hours with the men.1
Footnotes
- 1.At some point (the date is uncertain), a door was made into mandali hall from the men's side.