Leaving Home

Without telling anyone, the young sage left his home, leaving behind only a brief note. This act of complete surrender marked the beginning of his life as a renunciate.

After the incident in Madurai, Venkataraman’s outward life continued for a short time, but his attention was no longer on his surroundings. An inner pull toward Arunachala began to assert itself steadily. The thought of the sacred hill returned to him again and again, without effort.

On 29 August 1896, he decided to leave. He did not inform anyone in the house. Taking only the clothes he was wearing, he quietly departed. Before leaving, he wrote a short note and placed it where it would be found.

The note read: “I have gone in quest of my Father in accordance with His command. This is only embarking on a virtuous enterprise. Therefore, none need grieve over this act.”

He left behind the small amount of money he had and wrote separately to his brother, requesting that no effort be made to search for him. Having done this, he left the house without hesitation.

He made his way to the railway station and began the journey toward Tiruvannamalai. Along the way, the money he carried was spent, and he continued his travel without concern for comfort or provisions.

From that day onward, he did not return to his former home or resume his earlier life.