Sarasvatichandra’s Initiation Those knowing the knowable, and resting in all pervading spirit, and acquiescing alike to their wants and gains enjoy lives of perfect tranquility.¹¹⁵ Sarasvatichandra craved the ascetic life. He deliberated over the decision. In order to please Vishnudas—the man who had given him new life—he adopted ochre robes. He wore an ochre dhoti, an upper garment and ochre headgear. At the moment of his initiation, calls of ‘Alakh!’ echoed across the hills of Yadu Shrunga. Amidst all this, a delighted Vishnudas whispered the verse quoted above from the Yoga Vasistha in Sarasvatichandra’s ear. Sarasvatichandra repeated the verse after him. Vishnudas accorded to him the highest order among his followers. On that day, the ascetics decided not to engage in their usual study and contemplation, nor did they go out to seek alms. Each one went on an excursion to a place of their liking. Viharpuri and Radhedas took Sarasvatichandra on a tour of all the major hills of the mountain. They had gone out on an excursion early that morning as well. At that time there was curiosity, many questions and even banter among them. That easy playfulness of Viharpuri and Radhedas had now given way to a somber, almost worshipful attitude towards Sarasvatichandra. Their Guru Vishnudas had accorded their companion the highest degree, and their hearts were filled with devotion towards the master and the chosen one. Their demeanour was that of humble followers. They adjusted their pace to Sarasvatichandra’s slow, deliberate walk. They walked in silence and had not uttered a word, not even to ask a question. They were convinced that their Guru could predict the future. Their devotion to him was so deep that any doubt about his word was a sign of lack of faith and evil lurking in their minds. If they had any question, it was about the attire that Sarasvatichandra had adopted. They were curious about his early life, the merits that he had accumulated and the glorious future that awaited him. The followers of Vishnudas wore only a loin cloth, smeared ash over their bodies and applied sandalwood paste on their foreheads. They wore their hair in a roll. Attired in his ochre robes, the fair Sarasvatichandra flanked by the two dark-skinned ascetics in loin cloths looked like Mahadev with his gana or like Rama flanked by Hanuman and Sugriva. His companions felt blessed and content in his presence. ‘Viharpuri, where are we going?’ Sarasvatichandra asked. Viharpuri came forward, bowed his head slightly and replied, ‘Maharaj, at dawn we had gone to the western side. Now you have come to the hills on the eastern side.’ ‘What is that water body in the east?’ ‘We are on the highest peak. There is a large sandy area between this mountain and Ratnanagari. What you see is not water but an ocean of illusion; it is a mirage.’ Sarasvatichandra caught his hand and exclaimed, ‘Oh, so this is the fabled Mrigjala or mirage?’ His fingers went to his lips in awe