In the Samvat Year 1869, there was a severe drought in Kathiawad. In order to lessen the consequent burden, Maharaj sent away Muktanand Swami to Surat with a group of two hundred saints. Gunatitanand Swami was also included in this group. Somebody had tied a dark-blue monkey in the ruins just opposite the lodging of the saints. Everybody's attention was naturally drawn towards that monkey due to its incessant movements.

One night, whilst giving a discourse, Muktanand Swami addressed all the saints, "Look, how vagrant are our senses! They always beguile us. There is no need for us to look there, but there is hardly anyone among us who has not seen that monkey. If there is anybody, please stand up." Everyone was astonished when they listened to Swami Muktanand. Only Gunatitanand Swami stood up with folded hands from amongst the two hundred saints.

Seeing this, Muktanand Swami was also surprised and he said, Oh! You are the only one amongst this group who could control his instincts. Even I have looked at that monkey." But Swami could do it because he constantly looked inward and there was nothing in his heart, except the image of Maharaj. Muktanand Swami was all praise for this brahmic state of Swami.

In those days, all the saints took turns in Surat city for collecting grains from house to house. Swami had to go everyday, under the instructions of Muktanand Swami. The reason was that other saints had to fast invariably because they unconsciously cast glances on ladies; but Swami had no difficulty in observing this strict rule because he was totally absorbed in the image of Maharaj. His companion saints changed everyday, but he went out unperturbed for this service everyday.

Once Swami Anand also witnessed the experience of Swami's constant involvement with the divine form of Shriji Maharaj. Both of them were on their rounds for collecting grains in the cloth-bag. Swami was holding two ends of the bag and chanting 'Narayan Hare, Sachchidanand Prabho' on the way. At that time, Maharaj walked in front of Swami, but backward's and gave His darshan in this form. Swami bowed to Maharaj and prayed, "O Maharaj ! Please walk looking straight ahead because the land is uneven and You might lose balance." Maharaj replied, "How can I show My back to an ascetic like you ?" Swami Anand saw and heard all this by the grace of Maharaj. He realised the infinite glory of Swami. In this way Swami spent six months in Surat, collecting grains in the cloth-bag.

Swami never looked beyond his nose; he had no interest in anything except the image of Shriji Maharaj. So, Swami's benevolent looks imbibed piety in the hearts of those who were graced by them.

"Yogashchitta Vrutti Nirodhah" was the ultimate goal achieved by Swami through the image of Shriji Maharaj. And yet he constantly craved for the face-to-face darshan of Maharaj.