On 1 July 1928, after a gap of two months, Baba ordered the boys to meditate at six o'clock in the morning for 45 minutes and again in the afternoon from 4:00 to 4:30. Classes in the school were regularly held and daily attendance was required.
There was a full moon the following day and a holiday was granted. In the morning the boys washed Baba's feet, and games were played throughout the day. At midnight, Baba took a stroll in the moonlight with some of the men. They stopped by the river and rested for a while, and Faram, Minoo, and Edke entertained the Master with songs.
Dastur was still disturbed. After keeping himself aloof for some days, on 3 July, he asked permission to go to Bombay and Baba allowed him to leave. Minoo also left that day.
Later in the day, when the boys were playing in the field, a cow suddenly rushed toward them. Baidul ran forward and caught hold of the cow's horns. The animal did its best to fling him off, but Baidul twisted its head and succeeded in bringing it to the ground, thus saving the boys from harm. Baba was pleased with Baidul's courage, and the next day, in his honor, he gave everyone a tea party with bhujias. Afterward, Rustom and Vishnu delivered speeches of appreciation.
On Wednesday, 4 July 1928, Baba ordered Meredith to observe silence for a period of time, conveying this message to him:
"The time of my manifestation all over the world is very near. You will play an important part in that universal game of mine."
While in the ashram, Margaret and Esther were given the duty of sewing for three hours each day and were also instructed to meditate. Occasionally, Baba would send for them and they would sit beside him.
To Esther, Baba said, "Do as I say and I will make you another Sister Nivedita."1
Margaret had previously written a note of instruction to the mandali, which stated:
When Mr. Starr is meditating and does not wish to be disturbed, he hangs a piece of orange ribbon over the partition. If anyone coming with a note or message from Baba sees the ribbon, then please give us the message or, if we are not there, put it on the table and tell Baba.
Footnotes
- 1.Sister Nivedita was born Margaret Elizabeth Noble (1867–1911). She was an Irish social worker, author, teacher, and disciple of Swami Vivekananda, whom she met in 1895 in London. Three years later, she moved to India and joined Vivekananda, who christened her Nivedita (one who is dedicated to God).