In this manner they bathe everyday in the month of Magha and then return each to his own hermitage. There is a similar rejoicing every year, and after performing their ablutions when the sun is in Capricorn the companies of sages disperse.

On one occasion, after bathing for the whole period of the sun’s stay in Capricorn when all the holy men had left for their hermitages, Bharadvaja clasped by the feet and detained the supremely wise sage Yajnavalkya.

Reverently he washed his lotus feet and set him on a pre-eminent seat; extolling Yajnavalkya’s glory with religious ceremony. Bharadvaja spoke in mild and reverential tones.

“A grave doubt haunts my mind, holy sir! While in your grasp are all the mysteries of the Vedas. I am afraid and ashamed to utter the doubt, but I lose a great opportunity if I do not speak.

“The saints lay down the rule, and the Vedas, the Puranas and the sages too affirm it that pure wisdom cannot dawn in the heart, should one keep anything concealed from one’s guru (spiritual preceptor).

“Remembering this I expose my ignorance; dispel it, my lord, taking pity on this servant; the saints as well as the Puranas and the Upanishads too declare that the potency of the name ‘Rama’ is measureless.

“The immortal Sharkara, who is the fountain of joy and a storehouse of all wisdom and perfection, continually repeats it. There are four kinds of living beings in the world; such of them as die in the holy city of Kashi (Banaras) attain to the highest realm.