Even as people continued to pour in from day to night, Shri Nathji became exhausted from the exertion and began to run a fever. Shri Bhutt was deeply concerned and immediately arranged for a separate bungalow where Shri Nathji could rest for the night and be undisturbed by visitors. Guards were posted at the gate of the house with orders to not to allow anyone inside for the night.
However there was a knocking at the gate of the bungalow in the middle of the night. Some persons had come for Shri Nathji’s darshan and were pleading with the guards to let them in. When Shri Nathji came to know of this, he said to his attendants:
If the visitors are rich persons, tell them to come in the morning. If they are poor folk, allow them inside at once.
It was a group of villagers. They were led inside Shri Nathji’s bedroom. Shri Nathji was sitting up in bed.
Why did you take the trouble of coming? Shri Nathji asked them.
It was no trouble. We have you come to see God, said the simple-minded folk.
They continued: There were many persons who came and told us that God was in town. There were others who said it was a Yogi. But we haven’t come for a Yogi. We have come barefooted from our village. We told people that we were going to see God only, and we wouldn’t return without meeting anyone who was less than God.
And suppose you don’t find God? Shri Nathji asked them.
All that will be wasted will be the trip, said the villagers, philosophically.
And what do you find here? Shri Nathji asked them.
They were all sitting on the ground before Shri Nathji. At Shri Nathji’s question they stopped talking and stared hard at his face.
Yes! they said, there is no doubt about it. You are Bhagwan-God.
How do you know? Shri Nathji asked them.
You have entered our hearts and told us you are God. We can feel it from within! Hamaaraa dil gavaahi de rahaa hai ke aap Bhagwan hain! they replied.
Is there anything that you would like to ask of me? Shri Nathji said.
No, they said, nothing! Looking upon you is enough!
But if you were before a king and the king was in a generous mood, wouldn’t you ask for something?
Yes we would, of a king. But not of you! they said
You have doubts that I may not be able to grant your wishes? Shri Nathji asked them.
No. We don’t have any doubts. But we don’t want to ask for anything! And that is the greatest proof of your being God! All the desires within us have vanished ever since we set eyes upon your face!
“Aapke saamne aakar to kul ichhaayen samaapt ho gayeen!
Here was the greatest of spiritual philosophies being narrated by the simplest of folk. Shri Nathji had often said that real devotion only began when one desired nothing from God except God. Upon reaching God all desires were extinguished.
There are some rich people outside, Shri Nathji said, shall I ask them to have you sent back to your village by train?
No, said the villagers, we shall walk the same way we came. If we were to take anyone’s obligation we would have to share our spiritual pilgrimage with him and part with a portion of our spiritual earnings -punyas, that we take from here!