After that, at the instance of Kushal Kunvarba of Dharampur, Maharaj was on His way from Vadtal to Dharampur in the company of Muktanand Swami and the group consisting of saints and devotees. On the way Devanand Swami was taken ill all of a sudden at Surat. He had an attack of dysentery and was forced to abandon the journey. Now the problem arose as to who should stay behind to nurse him. Since nobody was prepared to forego the benefit of moving along with Maharaj, on such occasions, Maharaj always looked to Swami. So Maharaj said, "Where is our Nirgunanand ? Call him. He will abide by My orders."
Swami stayed behind according to the wish of Maharaj and Maharaj went to Dharampur. Swami nursed Devanand Swami affectionately and to the best of his ability. Devanand Swami also recovered and he was pleased with the faithful nursing rendered by Swami and said, "You have nursed me very well. I am very pleased and I wish to give you this coat which is Maharaj's prasadi; and I also wish to teach you my art of music." But Swami was detached and disinterested in anything except the pleasure of Maharaj, and therefore he politely declined the offer and said, "I have nursed you only in order to please Maharaj. Moreover, I may not be able to preserve well Maharaj's coat so let it remain with you; and secondly it would not be convenient for me to abandon meditation on Maharaj in the morning in order to pursue the art of music." In this way Swami politely convinced Devanand Swami and went to Maharaj at Dharampur.
Once Maharaj arrived at Sanjaya after celebrating the samaiya of Chaitra Poonam at Vadtal. Here He ordered Swami to form a group and move around in the up-country. But Swami remained silent. Then Maharaj Himself formed a group of four sadhus for Swami. At that time sadhus used to move alone because there was no rule for a companion. But Swami always moved with a companion, and in case he had to go alone, he used to observe a fast according to Maharaj's wish.