They returned from Happy Valley at eight that night. The next day, Munshiji went back to Bombay, Sayyed Saheb to Nasik, and Ramjoo returned home to Lonavla to celebrate the Muslim festival of Id — Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
On 7 May 1924, Baba entered seclusion in the Jhopdi. Screens were fixed on the windows to prevent insects from entering and, because of his insistence, this work was done hurriedly. The morning prayers were suspended so that all could be available to prepare the room for his seclusion. Baba was to stay in seclusion without food for some months; as if to compensate for this, he had been eating three to four meals daily for the past several days. He had decided that, after retiring in seclusion, he would not utter a single word and would convey instructions and important matters through written notes.
But the next evening, after the singing, he disrupted his silence, stating, "Within just one day, my health has become weak. This weakness is not due to either fasting or anything else; it is due to the burden of my spiritual work." He added, "Never before was my condition so bad. This body can no longer give me company. It does not cooperate with me any more. It will take some days for me to leave this room; but after two days I will keep the door open so that all may see me."
Padri was singled out to look after Baba's needs and keep watch day and night outside the window of the Jhopdi. One night, during the period of his silence, Baba wanted a drink of water. He clapped, but Padri was sound asleep on the verandah. Baba's displeasure became evident. When Padri awakened in the morning, he found this note placed outside the window:
You son of a swine! I have been thirsty for three hours and you have been sleeping! Even my clapping does not awaken you. Are you afflicted with the sleep of Kumbha Karna?1
For seven days and nights, Baba stayed secluded inside the Jhopdi and continued fasting. He drank only weak tea or water and, at times, boiled sago with a little milk.
On 10 May, a black scorpion stung Vishnu. Although Ardeshir promptly treated him, Vishnu suffered terribly. Baba gathered the men outside the Jhopdi and told them to beware of the scorpions and especially of poisonous snakes, reminding them to always carry a lantern while going out at night.
Footnotes
- 1.Kumbha Karna was the brother of Ravana (who abducted Lord Ram's wife, Sita). Kumbha Karna is characterized as a giant who slept for six months and was awake for the next six months. He was killed by Ram.