They were all to rise at six and retire at night by ten o'clock. In the morning they should have milk tea and bread; for lunch, rice and dal; milk tea again in the afternoon; and for dinner, a vegetable dish and bread.
Gopal Swamy and Mohan arrived in the evening, while Sailor Mama left for Poona, and Sayyed Saheb came for an interview. Nisal had also returned, after transferring care of the boys to Kaka Shahane.
After a few days, on 10 December 1926, Baba explained to the men that they would have to find work for themselves.
He stated, "Lack of regular work or activity will spoil your health, as well as create apathy for the work in the future, which will prove a hindrance to me."
At first the men discussed finding employment in teashops or factories, but Gulabsha and Afseri suggested that they work at their residence making matchboxes as the Andheri Match Factory was nearby and work was given out on a piecemeal basis. Baba agreed, but added that if that work was not available, at least twelve of the mandali would have to work at some other occupation — even as coolies, if no other work could be found.
Gulabsha, Afseri and Behramji went to the match factory, and materials were bought to make 1,000 matchboxes with labels. The work began the next morning. Since no one was familiar with this type of work, making the matchboxes was slow at first. Baba had instructed that they should learn how to make them in two days. He himself joined in their labors, introducing a serious note to the tedious tasks.
On 12 December, Baba remarked, "Eight thousand matchboxes should be ready daily; otherwise, you should seek some other job."
The men requested that Baba allow them to continue the work, and he consented. He directed Afseri and two others to go to the factory daily to bring the materials needed to complete the work, and to return with the finished products. Baba stipulated that they must walk both ways.
Adi Sr. came to see Baba from Ahmednagar on the 11th, and Arjun's brother Bala also came from Poona. He was instructed to go to Lonavla and relieve Karim and Waman Subnis, as Arjun's condition was not improving, despite the best possible care being given.
Memo, Adi Jr. and Mani came to see Baba in Bombay. He would play with his twelve-year-old brother and eight-year-old sister and enjoy their sweet conversation.