After leaving his home behind, Nilkanth Varni arrived at the banks of the Saryu River. A demon named Kaushikdatta, who was actively seeking an opportunity to kill the divine young boy, suddenly appeared before him. Catching Nilkanth Varni off guard, the demon threw him into the rapidly rushing currents of the river. With a booming laugh, Kaushikdatta boasted to his companions that he had successfully killed the boy.
However, he was entirely unaware that the boy was no ordinary child, but the supreme God Himself—He who can shake the entire earth with a single wish, and without whose will the oceans cannot cross their boundaries. What, then, could a wretched demon like Kaushikdatta truly do to Him?
Even so, the Saryu River felt deep sorrow seeing Nilkanth Varni submerged in her streams. Witnessing this, Varun, the deity of water, immediately commanded Garudji (the divine eagle) to rescue Nilkanth Varni and carry him to safety. Garudji gently sat Nilkanth Varni upon his back and carried him to a banyan tree twenty-five miles away. Deities soon gathered there to offer fruits to Nilkanth Varni. They rejoiced, saying, “It is a blessing. Now there will be an end to our sufferings, and through Your efforts, we shall find eternal peace.”
Meanwhile, back in Ayodhya, the brother and his wife were weeping bitterly upon realizing Nilkanth Varni had left home. Around the same time, Shree Hanumanji Maharaj arrived in Ayodhya, seeking Nilkanth Varni’s Darshan. Unable to find Him there, Hanumanji entered a state of deep meditation. Through his spiritual vision, he discovered that Nilkanth Varni had departed for a pilgrimage into the forests.
Assuming a miniature form, Shree Hanumanji traveled to the forest where Nilkanth Varni was journeying. Upon arrival, Hanumanji prostrated himself before Nilkanth Varni, who was dressed in the simple garb of an ascetic.
Hanumanji pleaded, “Maharaj, why must You endure all of this? Please, allow me to accompany You and serve You.”
Nilkanth Varni Maharaj replied, “During this journey, I wish to travel alone and do not desire the service of anyone. However, you can do one thing for Me: return to Ayodhya and reassure My family. Tell them that Nilkanth Varni has gone on a pilgrimage into the forests and will summon them in due time.”
After bowing reverently many times, Shree Hanumanji returned to Ayodhya. He conveyed the message to Nilkanth Varni’s family, finally bringing peace to their worried hearts.
As Nilkanth Varni continued His journey, the brooks and rivers welcomed Him with the sweet melody of their rippling waters, feeling deeply fulfilled by His presence. The birds chirped joyfully from the treetops, singing praises of His arrival. Fruits and flowers swayed in delight, bowing their branches to pay homage to Him. Thus, bringing joy and imparting profound peace to countless souls, Nilkanth Varni journeyed onward.