After thus humbling the pride of that sect the Master went to the Falgu shrine, then to Tritakup (the shrine of Vishálá), Panchápsára, Gokarna (where Shiva is worshipped), Dwaipáyani, Supárak, Kolhápur (where He beheld Lakshmi and Kshir Bhagavati), Nánga-Ganesh, Chor Párvati, and Pándupur [=Pandharpur]. Here before Vitha's image He sang and danced long.
A Brahman of the place invited and reverently fed the Master. Learning the good news that Shri Ranga Puri, a disciple of Madhav Puri, was residing in another Brahman's house in that village the Master went to see him. As He prostrated Himself before the Puri in devotion, He wept, trembled and was thrilled and covered all over with sweat. Shri Ranga Puri wondered at the sight and cried out, "Rise, blessed one. Surely you are connected with my guru, or you could not have displayed such fervour of devotion". So, he raised and embraced the Master, and the two wept clasping each other's neck. After a spell of rapture, the two came round, and the Master said how He was related to Ishwar Puri. (At this) their love welled out wondrously and each honoured the other. Day and night they held forth on Krishna for a week or so.
The Puri asked about His birth-place. The Master replied Navadwip. Shri Ranga Puri had once visited that town in the train of Madhav Puri. He spoke how he had been feasted in the house of Jagannáth Mishra, how delicious the hash of green banana-flower (mochá) had tasted, what a chaste woman and tender to the world like a mother was Jagannáth's wife, how she was matchless in the universe for her skill in cookery, and how she had feasted the sannyasis as lovingly as if they were her own sons, how one of her sons had turned monk in youth with the title of Shankaráranya and had attained to death in that very place (viz., Pandupur). The Master broke in, "In his earthly life Shankar was my brother. Jagannáth Mishra was my father." So they had a friendly assembly, and then Shri Ranga Puri set out to visit Dwáráka. The Master was detained for some four days by His Brahman host. He bathed in the Bhimarathi and visited the shrine of Vithal. Then He walked by the bank of the Krishna-binna, visiting the temples at the many holy places there. The Brahmans of the country were Vaishnavs and studied the Krishna-karnamrita, of which book the Master joyfully made a copy. The world has nothing like the Karnamrita, which kindles pure devotion to Krishna. He only knows the fulness of the beauty and sweetness of Krishna's exploits, who ceaselessly reads the Karnamrita. He carried with Himself the manuscripts of the Brahma Samhita and the Karnamrita like two precious jewels.
After bathing in the Tápti, He went to the city of Maheshwati, and then visiting many holy places on the way, reached the bank of the Narmadá. After visiting the Shrine of the Bow (Dhanu-tirtha), He bathed in the Nirbindhya, and then passed on to the Rishyamukha mountain and the Dandaka forest, where He beheld a saptatál tree, very old stout and high. As the Master embraced the saptatál, the tree disappeared bodily, at which the people marvelled and cried out, "This sannyasi is an incarnation of Ram, for lo! the tál tree has flown up to Vishnu's heaven. Who but Ram can work such a miracle?"
Then the Master bathed in the lake of Pampá, and rested in the Panchavati wood. From Násik and Trimbak He passed on to Brahma-giri, to Kushávarta (the source of the Godavari), the seven (branches of the) Godavari, and many other shrines, and finally returned to Vidyá-nagar.
On hearing of His arrival, Rámánanda Ráy joyfully hastened to Him and prostrated himself; but the Master raised him and clasped him to His bosom. Both wept in delight and their minds were unstrung by rapture. After recovering composure they talked of many things together. The Master gave a narrative of His pilgrimage, and showed him the Karnamrita and the Brahma Samhita, saying "These two books bear out the theories of devotion (prem) which you had expounded to me." The Ray in delight tasted the books in the Master's company and took copies of them.
The whole village was agitated by the news of the sannyasi's return and all men flocked to see Him. At this Rámánanda went back to his own house. At noon the Master rose for His meal. Rámánanda returned at night and the two kept a vigil discoursing of Krishna. Thus five or six days were spent blissfully, the two holding forth on Krishna day and night. Rámánanda said, "With thy leave, Master, I petitioned my king, and he has permitted me to visit the Nilachal. I have already begun my preparations for departure." The Master replied, "I have come here only to take you to the Niláchal." But the Ray objected, "Master, go you in advance. A noisy throng of elephants, horses and soldiers surrounds me. Let me first dispose of them, and then after ten days I shall follow you." The Master consented and returned to the Niláchal by the route He had previously followed, the people every where chanting Hari's name as they saw Him. He rejoiced at it. From Alalnath he sent Krishna-das in advance to call Nityánanda and others of His own folk. At the news, Nityánanda went to meet the Master, his devotion knowing no bounds. Jagadananda, Damodar, Gopinatli Acharya and Mukunda Pandit went along dancing, unable to contain their delight. They all met the Master on the way, and He lovingly embraced them, all weeping in delight. Sárvabhauma Bhattáchárya joined the Master on the beach of the ocean and fell at His feet; but the Master raised him up and held him to the bosom, Sárvabhauma weeping in rapture. The whole party went to visit Jagannáth's shrine, where the Master had a transport of devotion, trembling, perspiring, weeping in delight, dancing and singing again and again. The servitors of the temple offered Him the dedicated garlands and food of the god, at which the Master regained composure. The attendants of Jagannáth joyfully flocked together. Káshi Mishra (the high priest) fell at His feet, but the Master did him honour and embraced him. The Parichhá of Jagannáth, too, did Him obeisance.
Sárvabhauma took the Master to dinner at his own house, and fed Him and His party at noon on sumptuous dishes from the temple. Thereafter he made the Master lie down and rubbed His feet; but the Master bade him go and dine; and He passed the night also in Sárvabhauma's house to please him, narrating the story of His pilgrimage all night to His followers and host, and saying, "In all the holy places I have visited I did not meet with a single Vaishnav who can equal you. Only Rámánanda Ráy gave me intense delight." The Bhatta replied, "It was just for that reason that I had asked you to see him." [Text, canto 9.]
[[1]] This is exactly like the version of the legend of the abduction of Helen given by Stesichorus and accepted by Euripides in his Helena.