The tapasvini beckoned Narayan to her and asked, "Child, you are so young. How is it that you've come here all alone? Who and where are your parents? Tell me your story."
The child sadhu sat next to her and began, "My name is Narayan. My father is Shri Datta Maharaj [God]. He is my sole support; he alone looks after me. After my daily morning and evening bath, I repeat his name. That is my entire story."
Hearing this, the old woman ascetic was astonished and said, "Although you are quite small, your devotion would put grown men to shame. To become helpless in life is to gain strength. Only the truly helpless attain Godhood!"
With these words the old woman left him. Narayan then bathed in the river and took darshan of Renuka, another deity there. He remained at Yellamma for a few days and then continued on foot to Gurlhosur on the banks of the Malprabha River, where he stayed in the ancient temple of Vithoba — Lord Krishna — for five days.
At Gurlhosur, on one occasion Narayan felt terrible pangs of hunger and went to a Brahmin's house to beg for food. "Sir, I am very hungry," he said. "Would you be so kind as to give me some food?"
The Brahmin was furious and retorted, "Is this your father's house? Get out of here you little scamp or I'll beat you."
Narayan was taken aback and his hunger temporarily disappeared. He returned to the temple, where he inwardly began to repeat Krishna's name. Tears rolled down his pale cheeks and he lapsed into semi-consciousness.
Later in the evening an old woman entered the temple, bringing food. After offering it to Vithoba's statue, she placed the food before Narayan but he declared, "I did not ask you for food — - I asked Vithoba."
The woman gently replied, "But child, this is Vithoba's - — it is the Lord's prasad and you may partake of it." So Narayan ate the food and thanked Vithoba for answering his call.
How can he who is God's not be protected?
Even a tiger approaches him like a lamb.
Narayan left the town of Gurlhosur and moved into a thick jungle, where he stayed in a temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple had been deserted; he was all alone. One night a tiger roaring from hunger entered the temple, but Narayan was unafraid as the tiger cautiously crept close to his body. The beast merely sniffed Narayan's feet and then disappeared into the jungle.