That afternoon a strange-looking person came near the well and, after quenching his thirst, indicated he was hungry. Jalbhai and Adi were taken aback and brought him to Baba, who appeared delighted with his arrival and explained that the man was a mast — a God-intoxicated person traversing the inner planes. The mast was served food and given sweets. He was also questioned, but he simply nodded without answering. Baba had him dressed in a new shirt and a new pair of pants and then sent him away on the road. Although his name is not recorded, he was the first mast to enter Meherabad.
On another day, an old woman with her two sons came begging in the evening. They were brought to Baba, and Baba asked Chowdhary to cook them fresh dal and rice. Baba asked the elder son to sing and play the musical instrument he carried. He sang the life stories of two Hindu saints, Gopichand and Machindra Nath. Baba appeared touched by the songs. They were given food and Baba permitted them to depart after giving them new clothes.
During this period, Gustadji was busy all the time and working the hardest of anyone. When the other mandali were resting in the afternoon, he would have to water the recently cemented flooring in the scorching sun. Naval, too, was enlisted for work and was repairing the pump in the well.
As the days went on, things became harder, and because of the intense heat, the arduous physical labor and each man's own strong personality, tempers would flare. For example, for several days a bitter resentment had been brewing between Barsoap and Gustadji. Barsoap had asked Gustadji for a new prayer carpet for offering namaz, but his request was refused. Barsoap was quite angry and did not mince his words, abusing Gustadji's miserliness as a tight-fisted household manager.
“”That same evening, when the mandali were gathered, Baba asked Barsoap, "Has your anger against Gustadji subsided?"
Barsoap openly admitted that it had not.
“”Baba then said, "However someone may treat you, you should always be calm. However one may pierce you with sharp words, you should bear them quietly with patience. This is real bravery and courage. A man may subdue a whole army but be unable to control his own anger!"
The Master then commented about the humility of Jesus Christ when he was tortured and crucified, and concluded:
“”"According to the Swami Ramakrishna, there are three things that keep a person away from God. They are lust, greed, and anger. The first two — lust and greed — may be overcome, but the control of the temper is the hardest of all. If you conquer these three enemies, you will become a saint. Who is a saint? He who controls lust, greed and anger."
