“”It is the same with those who are Realized and have come back down to the world for the sake of duty to the universe. To them, you are all like children.
On 17 February, Baba bathed 150 poor boys at Upper Meherabad opposite the Water Tank, and he served them food with his own hands. The mandali were served the same food and all returned to lower Meherabad at one o'clock.
Behramji was responsible for the arrangements and complained to Baba that some of the mandali had disobeyed him and had not brought with them the remaining materials from the program. Baba started walking back up the hill to help with the job himself, but seeing this, the mandali members concerned apologized for the misunderstanding. They returned to the hill and brought down everything. There was much to be done for the birthday celebration the following day, and everyone worked until well past midnight in preparation.
All the mandali awakened early on Friday, 18 February 1927 and took a bath at four o'clock. It was Baba's 33rd birthday. The gong rang and everyone gathered around Baba, who dished out rawa (a sweet dish), along with two quinine tablets. Baba later went to the women's quarters at the Post Office and was invited to sit in an improvised swing which was rocked to and fro while the women sang Krishna's cradle song.
When Baba came out of the women's quarters, Raya Sakhare told him that he had seen Mahatma Gandhi walking toward Meherabad.
“”Baba remarked, "His time has not yet come. He will not come here. If he comes, I will begin writing again and explain many things to him."
(Vishnu kept Baba's slate and chalk ready, in case Gandhi came unexpectedly.)
Gandhi had arrived in Ahmednagar to address a mass meeting of supporters and for the dedication of the Rashtriya Pathashala . He was staying in a Marwari's bungalow not far from Meherabad and was taking his morning constitutional on the road toward Meherabad. Nusserwan and Kaka Chinchorkar were with him, and they explained to Gandhi about Meher Baba, remarking that he was the chief disciple of Upasni Maharaj. Hearing Maharaj's name, Gandhi was taken aback, and quickly changed the subject and did not express any desire to meet Meher Baba.
There was a reason why Gandhi avoided seeing Meher Baba. As mentioned, in 1923, as ordered by Baba, Rustom had mailed Gandhi a copy of Upasni Maharaj's biography. After Gandhi read it and was released from prison, he went to Sakori to meet Maharaj.
