One day Baba asked Kaikhushru Masa what time the ladies went to sleep. Masa replied at midnight, as they stayed up making garlands for Baba. Baba then sent a message to Mehera and the other women not to prepare the garlands but to retire early.
Kaikhushru Masa kept Baba informed about the women's health. Baba would always be sure to inquire about them. Although in seclusion, the Master kept the women mandali within the boundaries of his orders, and so, like the men, they had no freedom of choice. The men at least were able to go up the hill for work, whereas the women were ordered not to leave the bamboo-matting compound surrounding their quarters at the Bathroom Building. In addition this strict confinement, Mehera was also not allowed to read or write. Yet even under these restrictions, she was happy and found contentment in pleasing her Beloved Lord.
On 23 January, Baba stopped drinking even milk and coffee, and for the next 28 days remained fasting on only hot water and weak tea, which the boy Lahu would bring in a flask prepared by Mehera. Baba had now been fasting for over two months.
Raosaheb and a few of the boys were called to the crypt a few days before, on the 19th, and Raosaheb read aloud couplets in Persian from Shams-e-Tabriz. Abdulla, Rajaram, and Lobhaji each lost bodily consciousness that day. Vasant too was crying continuously.
About Vasant, Baba remarked, "I will make him a kamal [remarkable, extraordinary] boy in the future."
Abdulla was most distraught when Baba sent the boys away and spent an hour talking with Dastur and others. During the night Abdulla even woke up and wandered off, unaware of what he was doing. The night watchman found him walking about and brought him back.
Owing to the delicate physical state of many of the boys, Baba repeated his strict orders to the mandali not to talk with or touch them. On the 21st, Baba christened Abdulla Chhota [Little] Baba . Baba was particularly concerned about Chhota Baba and Rajaram, who had had extraordinary inner experiences. On 23 January, Rajaram remained in the hospital quarters all day, while Chhota Baba was brought near Baba from 2:30 to 4:00 P.M. Both boys were taken for a walk in the evening.
When Pendu was helping Rajaram to the bathroom that day, he asked the boy, "Do you know me?"