Baba's Characteristics -- His Dependency on Bhaktas

Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way, and did not like any other persons interfering in this. To quote
an instance, the same Mavsibai was on another occasion, kneading Baba's abdomen. Seeing the fury and force used by her,
all the other devotees felt nervous and anxious. They said, "Oh mother, be more considerate and moderate, otherwise you
will break Baba's arteries and nerves". At this Baba got up at once from His seat, dashed His satka on the ground. He got
enraged and His eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand before or face Baba. Then He took hold of one
end of the Satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of his abdomen. The other end He fixed to the post and began
to press His abdomen against it. The satka which was about two or three feet in length seemed all to go into the abdomen
and the people feared that the abdomen would be ruptured in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable and Baba
began to go closer and closer to it and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the rupture was expected, and they were all
dismayed, did not know what to do, and stood dumb with wonder and fear. Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake of His
Bhakta. The other devotees wanted only to give a hint to the Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any
trouble or pain to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not brook even this. They were surprised to see that
their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this catastrophe; and they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately,
Baba's rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed His seat. From this time onward, the devotees took the lesson
that they should not meddle with anybody but allow him to serve Baba as the chooses, as He was capable to gauge the
merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.