Several other brother disciples joined Naren. But they could not go to Badrikashrama
since the road was closed by Government order on account of famine. They visited
different holy places, lived on alms, studied the scriptures, and meditated. At this time,
the sad news arrived of the suicide of one of Naren's sisters under tragic conditions,
and reflecting on the plight of Hindu women in the cruel present-day society, he
thought that he would be a criminal if he remained an indifferent spectator of such
social injustice.
Naren proceeded to Hrishikesh, a beautiful valley at the foot of the Himalayas, which
is surrounded by hills and almost encircled by the Ganga. From an immemorial past
this sacred spot has been frequented by monks and ascetics. After a few days, however,
Naren fell seriously ill and his friends despaired of his life. When he was convalescent
he was removed to Meerut. There he met a number of his brother disciples and
together they pursued the study of the scriptures, practised prayer and meditation, and
sang devotional songs, creating in Meerut a miniature Baranagore monastery.
After a stay of five months Naren became restless, hankering again for his wandering
life; but he desired to be alone this time and break the chain of attachment to his
brother disciples. He wanted to reflect deeply about his future course of action, of
which now and then he was getting glimpses. From his wanderings in the Himalayas
he had become convinced that the Divine Spirit would not allow him to seal himself
within the four walls of a cave. Every time he had thought to do so, he had been
thrown out, as it were, by a powerful force. The degradation of the Indian masses and
the spiritual sickness of people everywhere were summoning him to a new line of
action, whose outer shape was not yet quite clear to him.
In the later part of January 1891, Naren bade farewell to his brother disciples and set
out for Delhi, assuming the name of Swami Vividishananda. He wished to travel
without being recognized. He wanted the dust of India to cover up his footprints. It was
his desire to remain an unknown sannyasin, among the thousands of others seen in the
country's thoroughfares, market-places, deserts, forests, and caves. But the fires of the
Spirit that burnt in his eyes, and his aristocratic bearing, marked him as a prince among
men despite all his disguises.
In Delhi, Naren visited the palaces, mosques, and tombs. All around the modern city he
saw a vast ruin of extinct empires dating from the prehistoric days of the Mahabharata,
revealing the transitoriness of material achievements. But gay and lively Delhi also
revealed to him the deathless nature of the Hindu spirit.
Some of his brother disciples from Meerut came to the city and accidentally discovered
their beloved leader. Naren was angry. He said to them: 'Brethren I told you that I
desired to be left alone. I asked you not to follow me. This I repeat once more. I must
not be followed. I shall presently leave Delhi. No one must try to know my
whereabouts. I shall sever all old associations. Wherever the Spirit leads, there I shall
wander. It matters not whether I wander about in a forest or in a desert, on a lonely
mountain or in a populous city. I am off. Let everyone strive to realize his goal