Only Narayan stayed inside and explored deeper into the cave. His playmates thought he was lost inside, but Narayan wandered for several days in its passageways until he found some carved steps descending to a hollow room. At the bottom he found a naked yogi absorbed in deep meditation. As Narayan sat before him, the yogi slowly came out of his trance and opened his eyes to behold the boy. After bowing to him, Narayan returned, much to the amazement of his friends and elders who had thought him lost forever.
In Hinduism there is a traditional confirmation ceremony of the sacred thread. Narayan's confirmation was celebrated before a large number of guests. The young boy was handsome, with refined features, and his spiritual inclination of mind deeply impressed the villagers. Every person was drawn to his gentle beauty, instinctively loving him, and it seemed as if the song of Wine was already singing in this child's heart.
Although Narayan was just a boy, his spiritual calling was making him restless, and he found his grandmother's home confining. Once while he was eating his dinner, he asked for more ghee (clarified butter). His grandmother, instead of giving it to him, scolded him about something. The incident served as a convenient excuse for Narayan to renounce his family and friends. In 1894, at nine years old, Narayan left his grandmother's home and disappeared.
Even though Narayan was at a tender age to attempt worldly renunciation, he who has the Song in his heart has no age. This longing and ardor for God makes one go mad! In this divine madness, playing with tigers, climbing mountains, walking on fire, and passing through the worst calamities becomes possible.
For six or seven years, Narayan's whereabouts are unrecorded, but it was rumored at the time that he was traveling between Nargund and Poona as a sadhu (renunciant). In the course of his wanderings Narayan no doubt had to face many terrible hardships, but these cleared his way to the goal. Driven by his desperate search, Narayan came to Saundatti village. Nearby is the Yellamma Mountain where a yogi named Jamdagni Rishi had done penance. Narayan ventured to the mountain's temple, where he took darshan of the deity there and decided to stay for the night.
While on his way to bathe in the river near the temple, his gaze fell upon an old woman, a tapasvini (female ascetic).