The car finally arrived in the city of Dhulia which was en route to Bombay. Shri Nathji saw a large group of men, women, and children, with flowers and garlands waiting to welcome him as the car stopped. Shri Ram Lal had wired ahead and informed his relatives of Shri Nathji’s arrival.
In Dhulia there was a man, Narayan Lal, who was related to Shri Ram Lal. He had a serious affliction in one of his legs. Eight operations had already been performed on the leg, and doctors had given up all hope. Gangrene had set in, and the leg was to be amputated. Even then, the doctors gave little hope for Shri Narayan Lal’s survival.
Shri Ram Lal had sent a telegram to Shri Narayan Lal from Akola, stopping the operation, and informing him about Shri Nathji.
Forgive me for taking the liberty, said Shri Ram Lal to Shri Nathji, but I had planned that you stay the night here, and bless my relative!
Shri Nathji said:
I am a prisoner of your love. You may do with me as you please!
Narayan Lal’s wife came to Shri Nathji and began to weep in loud sobs. Shri Nathji consoled her:
Bahenji! Sister, do not weep for the living! Tears are only shed for the dead! Your husband is still alive before you!
The woman collapsed at Shri Nathji’s feet. He asked Mateshwari to lift her from the ground. Someone said to Shri Nathji:
The doctors have only one per cent hope for her husband.
And Shri Nathji said:
If it be the Will of God, even one per cent can become ninety nine, branches that have gone dry can become filled with greenery again, faded flowers can bloom once again. Have faith in God. He can remove your sorrow or else give you the strength to bear it.
Shri Nathji delivered a sermon at Dhulia which took everyone above space and time and filled them with a bliss that they had never experienced before in their lives.
After the sermon, a man got up from the audience and said he had an announcement to make. The devotees of Shri Nathji took him aside and asked him to explain.
He said: I am in possession of property worth two and a half lakhs. Within two weeks I shall be disposing of the property. I wish to give the amount to Shri Nathji! Let me make a public announcement. I don’t want greatness. I simply want to bind myself so that my mind won’t change tomorrow.
Shri Nathji’s devotees did not allow him to make the announcement, however, and brought him to Shri Nathji. Why do you wish to give the amount to me? Shri Nathji asked him.
The man said: My heart has been greatly touched by your sermon and your personality. I was to have donated this amount to any worthy society or organisation anyhow. I can think of no better place to offer it than you! I only request you to keep me with yourself always!
Shri Nathji thanked the man for his sentiments, but declined to accept his offering, saying:
That which is meant for everyone cannot come to me! I only accept the offering of the man who considers his own hunger satiated when I have eaten his food!
The man, who was a rich seth, even went as far as Bombay in pursuit of Shri Nathji, urging Shri Nathji to accept the offering, but Shri Nathji declined it.