A pick-up chair was ready for him and he sat down in it. Meherjee and Adi K. Irani lifted the front bars of the chair, while Eruch alone lifted the chair from the rear. Baba was carried onto the dais, and the cheers grew to an uncontrollable roar when he stood there with folded hands looking at the thousands who flocked to feast on the divine bliss of his sahavas (company). When the cheering subsided, Baba sat down.

The Poona Center Hall is fairly big with a dais at one end. Baba's life-size portrait hangs on the wall near the dais. On its other walls are neatly arranged beautiful enlarged pictures of Baba. On the opposite side of the dais are three entrance doors. A balcony overhangs the entrance to the hall. An open-air terrace roofs the hall. Surrounding the hall was a pandal (awning). Inside the hall about 150 Meher Baba lovers sat on chairs feast­ing their eyes on Baba. The remaining crowd of about 5,000 strong, thronged at the doors and windows to get a glimpse of their Beloved.

After Baba sat down, Mr. Patil garlanded him on behalf of the Poona Centre Several huge boxes containing prasad (gift from the Beloved) were brought to the dais and Baba blessed the prasad by touching the boxes. This was distributed to the lovers after they had Baba's darshan (placing one's head on the feet of the adored or revered One). On the dais were Baba, Maharani Shantadevi to his left, and Eruch on his right.

Mr. Amar Singh Saigal then recited the Parvardigar prayer in Hindi on the mike in a very touching manner. Baba lovers carrying cameras had descended on Baba like locusts since the time he had entered the hall. While Baba sat on the dais smiling, pointing to someone, catching the eye of another, making a sign of recognition to another, the cameras clicked on merrily.

Madhusudan then sang a welcome song. Baba asked him whether it was a new one composed by him. Just then, Baba turned to me and gestured, "The pain in My neck is severe."

Mr. K. K. Ramakrishnan, the secretary of the Avatar Meher Baba Poona Center, then gave his welcome address. He said, "Beloved of all hearts, Avatar Meher Baba, our first thought this morning is, 'PurnasyavahanamKutraSarvadharasya Chasanam'— ' What place is there in which to welcome the One who is Infinite existence, and what can serve as a seat for Him who contains within Himself all Existence?'

"However, in the light of your silent revelation, we understand that it is through infinite compassion for mankind, that, responding to the all of human hearts, you have clothed yourself in human form as our beloved Baba, so that we can offer God Himself a place and a seat amongst us.