THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE MASTS OF INDIA 161occupied on three sides by the buildings, the fourth side being closed with bamboo matting. In thisspace the body of the motor bus, already referred to, was mounted on empty oil drums, fixed inbrick and lime. There he spent forty days, from 22 June until 31 July 1949. The daily routine wascarefully detailed, with time-tables, duty charts, and instructions for emergencies. All, with a fewexceptions for practical reasons, were ordered to observe silence and to fast, including Kaka whowas to wait upon Baba in the enclosure, being called by a bell.On the 21 June Baba called the mandali and his local disciples at 7 a.m. to participate in what hecalled the purification ceremony, which consisted of recitations from the sacred books, Baba freelycommenting upon each recitation. He said:"These are all different approaches to the one Truth, God, and the purpose of each book is thesame. These approaches are of two kinds, direct and indirect, or personal and impersonal; but thesame end is reached by either way. What can be received in a flash by spiritual experience takesages to grasp by the mind. I have reasons of my own for this seclusion. It should not be lookedupon as a time of meditation, for I am free in every way; but I am going to get myself boundvoluntarily. I shall intensify my silence and will not allow the least sound from my mouth."He entered the cabin at 5.35 p.m. the following day. Quiet had to be maintained by everyone.Kaka would be called at any hour of the day or night, if only to be told that no disturbance of anykind should take place. He was relieved for short periods from time to time by two other watchmen.Kaka was also observing silence. Baba normally sleeps for an hour or an hour and a half each night,but this time so far as the watchers could tell he slept for no more than a few minutes at a time, forthey would hear constant noises and footsteps from the cabin.The seclusion was interrupted on 26 June when twenty-one poor people were sent for, who wereallowed to go into the enclosure one at a time, when Baba washed their feet and presented themwith ten rupees each. On 29 June seven mad and mast men were fetched, to have their hair clipped,to be bathed and clothed by him and presented with a packet of sweets.For the first eight days Baba took tea once, coffee once, and food once. From 1 July he took onlyhoney, water and milkless tea, but the small diet, alternating with complete fasts, was raised fromtime to