The Akshar Purushottam Mandir in Sarangpur was under construction. Nagji Sheth, a devotee of Shastriji Maharaj, came to the mandir. Out of curiosity he peeped into the small hut that was being used as the kitchen. He expected that with so many sadhus and devotees working so hard, there would be a fully cooked meal ready. Surprisingly, he saw that only rotlos (flat bread made from millet) was being prepared for lunch. They would be served with just peppers.
In those days, Yogiji Maharaj cooked and served in the kitchen. Nagji Sheth gave a half-litre bottle of cooking oil he had brought, “Swami, please use this oil to cook vegetables for Thakorji and the sadhus.”
A month later, when he again came to Sarangpur, he met Yogiji Maharaj, “Swami, if the cooking oil has run out, let me refill it for you.”
 Smiling to himself, Yogiji Maharaj went to the cabinet to retrieve the bottle of oil that Nagji Sheth had given the previous month. He presented the bottle to him, “Sheth... Here’s the oil that you gave us.”
Nagji Sheth was confused, “Not even a drop has been used. Why?”
Yogiji Maharaj explained, “Four months, we have not seen vegetables. What would we use the oil to cook?”
Shastrji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj, as well as their sadhus and devotees, didn’t even have money to purchase vegetables. Sometimes, they would fill their stomachs with grams and water. Many times they would dissolve flour in water and drink it to appease their hunger. And often, they even had to fast.

INSPIRATION: We should keep courage even during the most trying times. This requires us to endure difficulties and continue to pray and serve Maharaj and Swami.