the Arti song, when Godavari Mata was about to leave the Meeting-pandal, the congregation should acclaim Her by shouting "Godavari Mata—Ki-Jai," in addition to the usual "Avatar Meher Baba—Ki-Jai. " Godavari Mata left the Meeting-pandal at about 12:05 p.m.

Baba wished that none should rise up or leave the hall. Some newcomers who arrived only that morning for the Sahavas were called to the dais and were asked to embrace Baba and take His "darshan" by touching Baba's feet. Some of them were Christians and in the village from which they came, a solitary one among Hindu parts, out of a total population of 2,000 villagers, 1,400 were converted Christians. In this village, Baba was much worshipped by the villagers including the Christians. The name of the village is Keshavaram in East Godavari district (Andhra Pradesh).

At about 12:10 p.m., Baba continued: "This morning, Pendu, Vishnu and Adi told Me that some of you from Andhra wanted to arrange special programs for the birthday on the 25th instant. I am happy. I permit you to arrange any program you like and you are free to do what you like. You may speak to the management and do what you like."

"I am told that some want 'Pada-pooja' to be done to My feet. All cannot do it. There is no time. In the afternoon of the birthday, I am giving public darshan to the villagers and the local people from Ahmednagar and surrounding places. So, some solution must be found. I want you to agree amongst yourselves and choose in all 12 women and 12 men to do the 'Pada-pooja,' on behalf of the rest. It is for you to decide and select whom the 12 would be. Later, after the Pada-pooja (on the 25th) all can approach Me one by one and have "darshan." You can garland Me and can touch My feet. But on that day, there is no time for embraces. Last night, I was engaged in My Universal work and when I was lying on the bed and changed sides and pressed any part of My body, I felt pain, and that was due to the program of embraces yesterday. On the birthday, let there be bhajan programs, while the Pada-pooja and darshan are proceeding."

One devotee got up and remarked: "If we cannot agree among ourselves about the 12 men and 12 women to be chosen for the Pada-pooja, we are not fit to be here." Baba appreciated this and asked him to make the choice which would be acceptable to all. Baba added that the 12 men should include the entire male congregation, that is, Andhra, Calcutta, Madras and Gujaratis. Baba said that after the Pada-pooja (which all