Savak Kotwal was also granted a private interview.
At night on the 29th, Baba revealed to the mandali that, within sixteen months, he would be recognized in Persia as the much awaited Master, with many miracles attributed to him.
Baba also declared, "War will break out this year."
On 31 May, Baba visited Toka again to assure himself that all arrangements for the new ashram had been made by the mandali to his satisfaction. He left early at 5:00 A.M. with four of the mandali and returned at 11:00 A.M.
On 1 June 1928, Baba had another private meeting with Savak Kotwal. Although only 24 years old, Kotwal was a genuine seeker and had previously contacted Upasni Maharaj (after reading Sakorina Sadguru ), Narayan Maharaj, and Hazrat Babajan. He came to see Meher Baba because someone in Poona had told him that the Irani guru at Arangaon was the chief disciple of Babajan. Kotwal opened his heart to Baba and revealed, "I desire God-realization in this birth."
Baba replied, "Either long for God or for the world — you cannot have both! It has never happened before and it will never happen in the future."
Kotwal wanted God, but at the same time he was married and had a child, and wished to be assured of his family's welfare.
Baba encouraged him, "I know how much you want to tread the spiritual path and I will see that you enter it. You will make rapid progress toward that goal and you will eventually be completely swayed toward it."
Baba instructed Kotwal to visit him every weekend. This satisfied Kotwal and from that time on, the longing to be one of Baba's resident mandali was aroused in him. He left Meherabad that evening when he received a telegram from his wife Nergiz that their baby daughter Najoo was seriously ill.
Savak Kotwal had had the darshan of Upasni Maharaj on many occasions. The first time he met Maharaj was in Bombay, where Maharaj was giving darshan. Maharaj had given orders that day that no one touch his feet, but no one had informed Savak. When Savak's turn came, he bowed down, but Maharaj gave him a hard slap and scolded him, "You are ruining my whole work and your own, as well." Deeply distressed, Savak resolved never to go back to him. When he was departing, however, one of Maharaj's disciples came running with this message from him, "Don't worry. I only slapped you because I have some specific spiritual work to fulfill. You should not feel disturbed about it."