When Gulmai returned to Poona a day or two prior to the birthday celebration, Baba told her to join the men mandali when they visited Babajan in the evening. It was Gulmai's first meeting with the ancient woman Qutub, whom she had heard was greatly revered by many in Poona. As Gulmai was about to put her head on Babajan's feet, Babajan stopped her, crying out, "You are dragging me to sin!"

This startled Gulmai. Babajan patted Gulmai's head and embraced her, speaking softly, "You are my mother, too."

seated outside the Poona Jhopdi with an ektara

In celebration of Meher Baba's 28th birthday on Saturday, 18 February 1922 (according to the Zoroastrian calendar), Sadashiv decorated the top floor of his house and invited all of the Master's followers there.  Baba arrived in the evening and after a lavish meal, a renowned musician from Bombay played the sitar and sang beautifully. The music performance lasted late into the night and the celebration ended with all singing the arti that Baba had written and dedicated to Upasni Maharaj. Surprisingly, Baba stayed that night at Sadashiv's instead of returning to the hut.

Baba's mother Shireenmai had come for the celebration, and afterward Baba instructed Gulmai to go home with her and spend the night at his family's house. Memo took Gulmai by the hand, and as they were leaving Baba said, "These two ladies are my mothers — one worldly and the other spiritual."

Gulmai presented him with some clothes and a thin gold chain with Zoroaster's portrait in a locket. The next day Baba went to the railway station to bid farewell to her and to the others who had come from Ahmednagar and elsewhere.

Although Baba had moved out of his parents' house, as mentioned, he still joined them each afternoon for lunch. Out of respect, upon entering their house he would bow and kiss the feet of both Bobo and Memo, as he had done since childhood.

Spiritually, Sheriarji knew what had become of his son and who he was, but Memo continued to take him only as her favorite child whom she loved dearly. Naturally, his mother was pained by his staying away from home and in such an unbefitting hovel — a grass shack! She was still not reconciled to how Merog had changed, and shed tears over his absence.

Once Baba told his mother, "If you want salvation, bow down to me and pray to me."

Memo was indignant. "You are my son and you want me to bow down to you?! I pray only to Zoroaster."

One afternoon, Baba arrived for lunch with six or seven persons. Memo was furious. How would she be able to feed so many persons? She had cooked only enough for her family. Baba told her not to worry, that they would eat whatever was prepared. When all sat down, Baba himself served them, heaping dal and rice on everyone's plates. Despite this, the serving vessels never became empty. Baba pointed this out to his mother, who retorted, "Next time, don't bring them here again!"

According to Baily, however, an incident occurred on Baba's birthday that changed Memo's outlook.