The program lasted throughout the day, and Baba thoroughly enjoyed the singing. Vajifdar brought food from Irani Mansion, which Baba served to all those present. Another program was held the following Sunday, which Asthma attended.
Baba fasted again on Thursday, 31 January. He had said that from the 1st of February he would start eating regularly — three times a day. But he changed his mind yet again and continued eating only one meal every 24 hours.
During January, Baba's elder brother Jamshed wrote regarding Babajan's recent ill health and restless mood. Babajan was usually of radiant and vibrant heath, despite her age of well over 100 years. Strangely, Baba's delicate health in Bombay seemed to coincide with Babajan's health in Poona. The mandali observed that many of their symptoms were similar and that as long as Babajan did not recover, Baba's health also did not improve.
Narayan Maharaj, whom most of the mandali had only heard of, was visiting Bombay. On 2 February, Baba sent Daulatmai, Khorshed, Mehera and all the men, except for Nervous, for Narayan's darshan. This was the first occasion that some of the mandali met the Perfect Master. When Gustadji entered the hall and approached Narayan, the Sadguru and his mandali stood up, giving the clear impression that they were paying respect to Meher Baba through Gustadji. Mehera had been instructed to give Narayan Maharaj a booklet about Baba, which she did. Maharaj looked at the printed photograph of Baba on the cover and remarked, "Yes, I know him. I know Meher Baba very well."
During the 1920s, Mahatma Gandhi emerged as the foremost political leader of India and had been arrested by the British in March 1922 for his anti-government civil disobedience agitations. Baba was to have much personal contact with Mahatma Gandhi over the years. It began in May 1923 while Gandhi was still incarcerated at Yeravda Prison in Poona. Baba instructed Rustom to send Gandhi a copy of Upasni Maharaj's biography in Marathi, and to inform him about the severe austerities and fasts which Upasni Maharaj had undergone. Rustom did so, and the result of this first contact was evident later.
“”When Baba had been in Karachi the previous November, he had remarked to the mandali, "Gandhi will be freed from prison soon."
And, as he had foretold, on the 5th of February 1924, Mahatma Gandhi was released from jail.
Because of Baba's upcoming visit to Persia (scheduled for 14 February), his 30th birthday was celebrated on Tuesday, 12 February 1924, instead of on the 19th, which was the actual date that year according to the Zoroastrian calendar.
