The next day, 11 July, the Master announced a new routine for himself and the mandali for the next seven months, from 12 July 1926 to 7 February 1927. It was as follows:
Baba will stop taking solid food once every 24 hours from 13 July, remaining only on milk, tea, or dal.
Each of the mandali who are sharing in his fast should also remain on liquids.
He will not take part in any sports.
Baba will not give discourses.
For inspections, Baba will come to Meherabad once or twice a week and for the most part will stay in a fixed place in seclusion.
Accordingly, Baba began his fast the following day and during most of the day stayed alone near the Table Cabin by the dhuni.
During darshan on Wednesday, 14 July, a seeker arrived and entreated Baba for God-realization. Baba ordered him to sit in a small hut opposite Baba's Table under a neem tree for one year and to eat only once every 24 hours. The man agreed to Baba's instructions. But while he was sitting before Baba, scarcely fifteen minutes having passed, Baba asked him, "What are you thinking?"
He replied, "I would like to go stay in Shirdi instead." Baba gave him permission and he promptly left.
In the Makan on 16 July, Rustom asked about the circle and Baba explained about the periodic coming of the Avatar and their circles:
"Every Master has to perfect his circle, whose members are those who have a very long past connection with him and who flock around him in the age when he is to give them Realization. Those who drink the real juice [Knowledge] are very few and only one out of crores becomes a Master."
"Then, why strive for such a rare chance?" Rustom asked. "It is like winning a lottery. There is hardly a chance."
"Because with me the result is sure , though slow," Baba replied. "You do get what you strive for. In the end, it is the ultimate aim and object of one and all to find Truth."
"Then, if it is sure to come to all, why strive for it? It will come of itself," Rustom said.
"Your striving and struggling bring you nearer and nearer to the Goal. Even though you fail 99 times, if the last 100th effort brings you to the point of receiving the Master's grace, your labor is amply justified."