Acharya Maharaj had just entered the region of Bundelkhanda. His strict and impeccable observance of the conduct prescribed for a muni and thorough understanding of matters of the spirit had made a great impression. Maharaj had been in Katni only for a few days, when he developed a fever. Pandit Jaganmohan Lalji took charge of the treatment. Neerajji, who had come from the neighbouring city of Satna, was also in attendance. One night, appalled to see a swarm of mosquitoes, Panditji arranged to have a mosquito-net strung around Maharaj.
Next morning, when Maharaj broke his silence, he demanded an explanation. Panditji was ready with his reply. He said, “ Maharaj, you are indifferent towards your body; you do not let us treat you. But what can one do? The germs of fever have so poisoned your body that the mosquitoes biting you get intoxicated. We had to make this arrangement only to protect them from harm."
Despite his indisposition, Maharaj had a hearty laugh. And then he said, “Panditji, worldly beings are wont to offer such arguments because of their attachment to their mortal bodies. Preoccupied with the preservation of their bodies, they are always unhappy. One who desires salvation must guard against such laxity and should strive to triumph over every ordeal. Only then will it be possible to shed the accumulation of karmas. Why did you expose a sadhu to the test of temptation?"
Panditji was rendered speechless. He prostrated himself before Acharya Maharaj and became his devotee for life. He had realised that the words of Maharaj always conform to the preachings of Shri Jinendra and that having triumphed over all imaginable ordeals, Maharaj eschews laxities of all kinds and is always engaged in loosening the bonds of past karmas.
Katni (1976)