On the 19th, Baba arranged for Wamanrao Haridas Bua to perform a very interesting kirtan. After the singing program was over, the Master expressed his disappointment with the Arangaon villagers for not showing up in larger numbers. He was so upset by their indifference that he ordered the mandali to tear down their temple! This was done and only one wooden plank was left; however, Baba insisted that the temple priest do his puja (worship) ceremonies at that spot.
Some time later, Maruti Patil entreated the Master to give darshan at Arangaon, to which he agreed. But when he arrived, some of his followers from the village were absent. Baba was so irate he sent everyone away without giving darshan to anyone. The next day, the Arangaon villagers pleaded for his darshan, but Baba conveyed the message that he would not allow them darshan unless they promised to present themselves at every occasion when bhajans and kirtans were performed at Meherabad.
After some days, when the same thing happened again, Baba suddenly told the Harijan children to go home, ordering them never to come back! The children were frightened and did not know what to do; they stood crying and their parents were summoned to take them home.
Baba sternly said, "Take your children back if you cannot spare time to attend the occasional singing programs here!'"
He was upset, shouting, "Hurry up, take your children and get out of Meherabad! Never set foot here again!"
Some parents began returning along the road toward the village with their children; but those who agreed to be present during the future bhajan and kirtan programs were forgiven, and their children were allowed to stay.
Baba had a specific reason for behaving as he did. These illiterate villagers were in the habit of passing their time in an undesirable manner by drinking and gambling. To teach them a lesson and to compel them to become interested in spiritual matters, Baba had to resort to such extreme measures. He tried many different ways to make them receptive to his love.
Each day, despite the illiteracy, poverty and vice in Arangaon, Meher Baba became a more integral part of the villagers' lives, urging them to tread the righteous path toward God. He would intervene, help resolve their personal difficulties and quarrels, and give them employment and often financial aid. In other ways, too, he established himself as the authority of Truth to whom they could turn and in whom they could have trust in every matter.