It will be remembered that, on the eve of the Swami's departure from Delhi, Akhandananda had said to him, "Even if you go to the nether world, I shall hunt you out." And indeed he did follow the Swami. The story of that hunt has thrown light on the Swami's route. At Jaipur, Akhandananda learnt that the Swami had gone to Ajmer, after staying for some months at Khetri. When he reached Ajmer, he learnt that the Swami had gone in the direction of Ahmedabad. On his way Akhandananda passed through Beawar, where he learnt that the Swami had been there, but had returned to Ajmer some time before. However, Akhandananda went on to Ahmedabad, thinking that the Swami would be going there; but there he learnt that the Swami had left for Wadhwan. At Wadhwan he came to know that the Swami was at Junagadh as the guest of the Dewan. On reaching Junagadh he had the news that the Swami had left four days previously for Dwarka via Porbandar. At Dwarka he was told that the Swami had left for Beyt Dwarka. Akhandananda halted for the night at Dwarka, and next day went to Beyt Dwarka, where he learnt that the Swami had left for Mandvi in Kutch, on invitation from the Maharaja. At Mandvi, he heard that the Swami had gone to Narayan Sarovar. The way to Narayan Sarovar war infested with dacoits; but this did not deter Akhandananda For the sake of meeting the Swami, he set out for that place. On the way he was beaten and robbed by dacoits. When he reached Narayan Sarovar, he fell ill; but he was cordially received by the Mahant there. He was told that the Swami had gone to Ashapuri, a place of pilgrimage. The Mahant gave him a horse and a guide for going to Ashapuri, which he reached with great difficulty, only to learn that the Swami had gone towards Mandvi.

At Bhuj, the Swami said to Akhandananda, "We should not stay here for long. The way in which the Raja is entertaining us will result in making us cankers in the eyes of his people. Let us leave this place tomorrow." Accordingly both of them returned to Mandvi, where they halted for a fortnight, and where the Swami made many friends.

Next day Akhandananda went to Mandvi. He learnt that the Swami was staying at the house of a Bhatia gentleman. On reaching the Bhatia's house, Akhandananda was over whelmed with joy to meet the Swami at last. He was also surprised to see a change in the Swami's face, which had a sublime radiance. The Swami was astonished to see his beloved brother ¬disciple after a long time. He heard with amazement the story of the chase. Noting the trouble that Akhandananda had taken to find him out, the Swami was afraid that this monastic brother would not leave him alone. He said to Akhandananda, "You see, I have a mission; and if you remain with me, I shall not be able to fulfil it." At first Akhandananda was adamant: he would not leave the Swami alone. It may have been because the Holy Mother had told him on the eve of their departure from Calcutta, "I am leaving my all [the Swami] in your hands. See that Naren does not suffer on the way for want of food." The Swami then said to his brother-monk, "Look, I have become a spoiled man. You leave me." Akhandananda replied, "What would it matter to me even if you had lost your character? I love you, and that is not in any way affected by your good or bad character. But I do not wish to be in your way. I had a great longing to see you, and now I am satisfied. Now you can go alone." The Swami was happy to hear this from him, and next day left for Bhuj, which Akhandananda reached a day later.