Shri Babaji Maharaj had a little money with him after he had left his job. He therefore opened a Coal Merchant’s shop, as coal was dear during those days of the bitter cold in Simla, when people even died for want of heat. Shri Babaji Maharaj wished to bring warmth to every home.
However it was a strange coal shop. Outside there was a board that said that anyone could take coal at any price he could afford. In addition, if the coal sacks contained any powdered coal unsuitable for burning, the purchaser could return it and get fresh coal, weight for weight, in exchange for it. People were astonished at this new shop that had been opened, where the Love of God appeared to manifest itself for the suffering humanity. In addition whoever came to the shop obtained the divine blessings of Shri Babaji Maharaj, which helped him all his life.
On one occasion, there was a shrewd businessman person who sought to cheat Shri Babaji. He bought one maund of coal – about 100 kilos– and then sent his servant to Shri Babaji Maharaj claiming that the sack contained two and a half maunds of powder!
Shri Babaji Maharaj immediately gave him two and a half maunds of fresh coal, and later said to him: Sethji, how is it that you took only one maund of coal but the sack contained two and a half maunds of powder? The man was greatly ashamed of himself and said: The servant must have mixed up the sack with other sacks lying in my house!
Ultimately Shri Babaji Maharaj closed down the shop as he had done what he had set out to do – to give away the remaining part of his earnings for the good of the people. He then declared to his close friends who held him in high esteem: I desire to open a Cloth Merchant’s Shop now, where I can do greater good to people.