Meher Baba eventually decided to allow his lovers darshan. As Mani wrote in her Family Letter in May 1961:
Having bound his lovers with the invisible cord of his wish that he might be left completely undisturbed, the first week of May found Baba in the mood to decide to open the Door of His Seclusion the merest slit to allow a glimpse of himself again.
The one chosen to be first to enter was the Maharani Shantadevi, who was allowed to come and see Baba on May 3rd.
Two days later, on May 5th, Baba had this circular issued throughout India:
Avatar Meher Baba is happy in the way his lovers are doing their best to help him remain absolutely undisturbed in his strict seclusion. He says that his seclusion will continue to remain as such, and he wants his loved ones also to continue to help him remain undisturbed, whether he is in seclusion in Poona or in Ahmednagar or elsewhere. Baba will be in Poona at Guruprasad Bungalow, until the end of July 1961.
In response to the silent yearning in his lovers’ hearts to see him, Baba has lovingly agreed to allow them to visit him once during his seclusion, during two weeks only from the 15th through the 31st of May, and only between 4:30 and 5:30 P.M. Lovers may visit on any one day at Guruprasad, providing each strictly abides by Baba’s following wishes:
Baba wishes the visitors to see him only once on any one day during the specified fortnight, any time between 4:30 and 5:30 P.M. in the evening. Baba will NOT see anyone individually.
Baba says he would not wish his lovers who live at very distant places from Poona to undertake the long and strenuous journey incurring heavy expenses to see him only ONCE for such a short time. Baba says that those unable to see him this time should not feel worried, for later on he might give them a better opportunity in his own way.
Baba wants his lovers visiting Guruprasad to fully help keep his seclusion undisturbed by:
NOT bringing any offering to him;
NOT seeking to garland him;
NOT bowing down to him;
NOT seeking to have an interview with him;
NOT seeking his advice on personal problems of oneself or others;
NOT putting questions to him, spiritual or otherwise, nor expecting any spiritual discourse;
NOT seeking permission to put up at Guruprasad, nor to repeat the visit.
Baba says that by observing all these points his lovers will help him keep his seclusion intact, and those deciding to visit must come fully determined to please Baba by observing his wishes.
It was made clear that this visit to Poona was only for those closely connected in Baba’s love and not for the general public.
Lord Meher, Original Publication, Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 17, pp. 5818 – 5819.