His uncle was deeply moved by the young boy's sentiments and tried to console him, saying, "It is our duty to look after our children and support them until they have grown up and are ready to earn their own livelihood."
For a year, Kashinath was sent to live with his parents in Dhulia, but the idea that he was a burden to them troubled his conscience. The boy became depressed and made up his mind to leave home to lead the life of an itinerant; but this was not destined to happen for several years.
Although Kashinath's heart revolted against worldly attachments, his family made preparations for his wedding. Against his will, Kashinath had to accede to their wish and he was married to a young Hindu girl named Durga. At the time, according to custom, the newly married husband and wife were young — Kashinath was fourteen and Durga was only eight — although couples did not live together until they were older.
Despondent, Kashinath had no interest in establishing himself in a business or household and later paid little attention to his wife. He was having powerful inner experiences. Someone whom he did not know was singing in his heart. He was eager to know whose voice he heard and have a glimpse of the Singer, but he was terribly confused. Bewildered, he obeyed the promptings of his heart and left his wife and home without saying goodbye, wandering on foot to Nasik.
For some months he lived in Nasik where he was befriended by an acquaintance of his grandfather. He wrote his parents not to worry about him, that all was well. After a month, his father wrote back that that his mother was seriously ill, pleading with him to return, and he was forced to oblige. Then one year after his marriage, his child bride died. Soon after, his family again prevailed upon him to agree to a second marriage.
In 1885, Kashinath married another girl, but leading a worldly life was still intolerable to him. He paid little attention to his second wife and was restless with the echo of the Song constantly ringing in his heart. Still bewildered by what he was feeling, again he wandered away from home. But his search found no one, and although his heart questioned, "Who is singing to me?" there was no reply. Kashinath had no answer to what he was experiencing, and so he returned to his home.