“You all should give your sincere opinion on all the questions I put before you; otherwise you will get the birth of frogs in the next life and be devoured as pickle by the Chinese in the great China War that is to take place and the like of which the world has never seen,”
folios #2v201-2v204, April 8, 1927.
Baba and a group of mandali visited Khan Saheb Irani and Mr. Satha in Ahmednagar, taking the midday meal and refreshments there. Upon return, Baba dropped in for a surprise visit to the Girls’ School in Arangaon.
At 5 PM Baba called a meeting of selected mandali and announced that he had decided to open Meher Ashram at Meherabad. Discussion and voting began in earnest as Baba conveyed, “You all should give your sincere opinion on all the questions I put before you; otherwise you will get the birth of frogs in the next life and be devoured as pickle by the Chinese in the great China War that is to take place and the like of which the world has never seen.”
The following points were decided:
1. Meher Ashram would be temporarily located in the cottage near Arangaon where Kaka and his family formerly resided.
2. Ashram members were to have no contact whatsoever with anyone or anything outside the Ashram boundary, except for the purpose of their studies in the existing school.
3. Behramji, assisted by Pendu, Chhagan and Siddhu, would manage the ashram strictly according to Baba’s rules.
4. Rustomji would manage the affairs of the mandali.
5. The following titles were given:
Behramji (in charge of Meher Ashram) — Buva Saheb
Kaikhasroo (in charge of boarders by not ashramites) — Rav Saheb
Rustomji (in charge of the mandali) — Bade Saheb
Dhakephalkar (in charge of Hazrat Babajan School) — Principal Saheb
Other duties were also assigned: Jal was appointed orderly to Baba; Padri was assigned part-time duties as a teacher in addition to his dispensary responsibilities; Rustomji was assigned part-time teaching duties; Vishnu was appointed a full-time teacher. Many minor adjustments were made in the assignment of mandali duties. All were instructed to complete their “time tables and rules” by May 1.
A man came for help in locating his son who had been lost for several days. Baba consoled the suffering father and promised that his son would soon be found “safe and sound” and told him to bring the boy when he turns up. He instructed the man to continue searching and in particular to look at Sarola, where a big fair had recently been held.