A large canopy was erected at Bharucha Building and many followers arrived from different places. The mandali were so busy that they did not even have time for morning tea. The pavilion was splendidly decorated by Naval, and Baba was profusely garlanded with flowers. The music and singing entertainments were also a grand success.
As these ceremonies were taking place, there was some confusion regarding bringing the food from Irani Mansion. Baba stopped the program and, openly irritated, walked to the house and lifted the big vessels of food on his shoulders, bringing them to Bharucha Building himself. Despite the mandali's plea to let them carry the pots of food, Baba refused and waved them away irritably. Walking along the street, the Master did the work of a humble coolie on his own birthday! The guests who saw him carrying the heavy load were astonished.
Munshiji and several other Muslim followers had left Bharucha Building, afraid that the Master's mood had been irreparably spoiled. But, a short time later, Baba was driven to Munshiji's house on Charni Road to bring them back. The atmosphere returned to normal as everyone joyfully partook of Baba's birthday feast. That afternoon, the Master delivered a discourse on spirituality to those who had come to the celebration. One Irani man was so impressed by the discourse that he promised to stop drinking liquor and give up other bad habits, vowing to remain only on bread and water! Several days later, when Baba came to know of this, he prevailed upon the man to resume his regular diet except for the alcohol.
Upasni Maharaj had imprisoned himself inside a bamboo cage for the past year, but news came from Sakori that Maharaj had come out of the cage on 12 February, the same day on which Baba's birthday was observed! It was, therefore, a day doubly joyous, and Baba's spoiled mood may have had some inner connection with Maharaj's sudden activity in Sakori. The cage physically limiting Maharaj's movements secretly held an ocean of bliss! But none could see the waters of that ocean released in honor of Merwan's birth.
Baba had been planning the trip to Persia for some weeks and more of the mandali had rejoined him at Bharucha Building. Eight men had been selected to join him on the journey: Adi Sr., Baidul, Behramji, Gustadji, Masaji, Nervous, Padri and Vajifdar. On 29 January, those who were to travel to Persia had gone to the Persian Consulate with their respective passports.