As the construction work of the Cottage got under way, Shri Nathji encountered the worst faces of the world of contractors and government offices. As a human being, part of Shri Nathji’s manushya leela on earth was to be too trusting, too innocent, and too good to the world around him. This naturally led many to exploit Shri Nathji in various ways. Businessmen and shopkeepers and sharks in the Municipal Office knew of Shri Nathji’s innocence, and some unscrupulous amongst them sought to take advantage of his goodness and generosity.
The divinity within Shri Nathji was not revealed to all the residents of Mussoorie. Many knew him as a great spiritual teacher, a Swamiji, or even as a Raja or Sethji for such, indeed, were the impressions his dress conveyed.
For the greater part of the time, he would stay indoors, and seldom deliver public lectures to the residents of the town. His purpose in Mussoorie was to seek solitude from the multitudes and, therefore, Shri Nathji did not disclose his real self on the residents of this town, though people who came from afar were granted this vision.
He could have converted the entire town in a glance if he had so desired. But that would have made it impossible for him to live in peace and devote his time to the writing of books which would go to enlighten the world, and which would reach distant places he could never visit.
Of course, it was impossible for any man to deceive God. If Shri Nathji allowed himself to be deceived by worldly sharks, it was only because he did not care. Once in a while, he would say: God laughs at those who try to deceive Him.
“It is the voice of God:
‘Mujhe makar dete ho? Main to makkaaron kaa bhi banaane waalaa hoon!’
‘Would you try and deceive me – I, who have created even the deceitful?’”
Shri Nathji often quoted the following verse:
Deedao daanist hai naadaan bane baithe hain
Shaane Subhaan hai insaan bane baithe hain
He is All knowing, but he pretends ignorance
His is the Glory of God but he pretends to be man!
Shri Nathji was very loving to the poor workmen who served him. He would speak to them for hours enquiring about their families and welfare, and give money to them liberally. He would also speak to them on spiritual themes, even while they were working, whitewashing, laying bricks or hammering nails.