Hence, even the best attempts should be made for the temporary impulses to be expressed also. A few stand the chance of contracting permanent longing through chance contemplations in spite of their advanced age. Enthusiasm, inner impulses, and even temporary longings are to be welcomed as they often prove to be steppingstones to real love.
Padri's 24th birthday was celebrated on 26 November 1927 with sweets served at 3:00 P.M. That night, in honor of the one-year anniversary of their leaving Meherabad (for Lonavla), Baba permitted a tea party. Gramophone records were played until 10:30.
The next morning, Baba suddenly announced his desire for a trip to Happy Valley. Rustom was instructed to bring the car. They started at 10:30 A.M., but on the way the engine started giving trouble and the car had to be stopped near Akbar Press. The Satha family was called and had the unexpected but welcome opportunity for darshan.
Once they were on their way again, Baba changed his mind and decided instead to go only as far as the Pimpalgaon Tank (as it was then called). On the way, he made a puzzling remark, "Note today's date. Today is the day of my death!" and he instructed Chanji to write this in his diary. Baba seemed to be joking, still the mandali were dismayed, and Chanji asked what he meant by this remark. Baba did not elaborate upon it.
At Pimpalgaon, Baba discoursed on one of his favorite subjects — poetry. He further explained about Hafiz and certain other great poets:
Hafiz never actually wrote poetry. He only spoke it out loud when in the mood, or he sang it. Shams, too, did not ever write, but Rumi did. In his odes, Hafiz describes with poetic beauty the charms of the universe, the planes and the Path, and he reveals secrets. Tukaram, Kabir, Shams, and Rumi were all God-realized [Perfect Masters] and said splendid things, but none so splendid as Hafiz in language and poetic diction.
On their return at 2:30 P.M., Baba stopped at Khushru Quarters, where he saw Adi Sr., who had been ill for the past few days with fever and jaundice. Sadashiv Patil and Vithal Bhokre arrived at Meherabad from Poona the same day.
The next morning around 10:30, Baba called a special meeting on the tennis court and explained to the boys:
At first, it was my intention to advance you gradually on the Path, but considering the spiritual outburst that takes place in the world during certain ages, I have changed my mind as that time is very near.