“Though I have reached the fourth stage of my life while still living in my palace (as a householder), yet I have not lost my relish for the pleasures of the senses,” he said to himself and felt very sad at heart that his life had been wasted without devotion to Hari.

Then he constrained his son to succeed to the throne and himself went with his wife to the forest. Pre-eminent of all holy places is the celebrated Naimisharanya (the modern Nimsar in Oudh), which is most sacred and grants success to the aspirant.

Companies of sages and adepts live there, Glad of heart, King Manu proceeded to that place. As the resolute pair passed along the road, they looked like incarnations of Wisdom and Devotion.

On reaching the bank of the Gomati, they bathed with delight in its clear stream. Adepts, hermits and enlightened men came to meet him, recognizing in the royal sage a champion of righteousness.

The sages reverently escorted them to all the most holy and lovely places of pilgrimage that were scattered here and there. With emaciated bodies and clad in hermits’ robes, they daily listened to the recital of the Puranas in the assembly of the saints.

They devoutly repeated the twelve-lettered charm (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya). The mind of the royal pair was fondly devoted to the lotus feet of Vasudeva (the all-pervading Vishnu).

They fed on vegetables, fruit and roots, and meditated on Brahma (the Absolute), who is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss combined. Again, they began to undergo penance for the sake of Hari, giving up roots and fruit for water only.