The Ray reached Mathura by way of Prayág, Ayodhyá, and the Naimish forest (where he lingered some days). In the meantime the Master returned from Brindában to Prayág, and Subuddhi on reaching Mathura grieved to miss Him. The Ray sold dry faggots at Mathura, at five or six piece per bundle. He lived by chewing one pice worth of gram and lodged the rest of his earnings with a _baniá_. Whenever he met a poor Vaishnav, he fed him, and to Bengali pilgrims he gave curd, rice and oil for anointing the body. Rup greatly favoured him, and took him through the "Twelve Woods" in his own company. After a month at Brindában, Rup hurriedly left to search Sanátan out. Hearing that the Master had taken the Ganges route to Prayág, Rup and his brother Anupam followed that path. But Sanátan from Prayág went to Mathura by the king's highway, and so missed Rup, who had taken a different route, as Subuddhi Ray told Sanátan on his arrival at Mathura. Tenderly did the Ray treat Sanátan, who cared not for tender treatment; being very averse to the world, he roamed through the woods, passing a day and night under each tree and grove. Securing a copy of the holy book named _Mathurá Mahátmya_, he searched the forests to discover the forgotten shrines. Rup with his youngest brother came to Kashi and there met the Maratha Brahman, Chandra Shekhar, and Tapan Mishra. He lived with Chandra Shekhar, dined with the Mishra, and heard from the latter how the Master had taught Sanátan. Delighted was he to hear from them about the Master's doings at Kashi and His grace to the _sannyasis_, and to see the devotion of the people to him, and hear them chanting _kirtan_. After a ten days stay there, Rup left for Bengal. The Master wended His way to Puri, feeling intense bliss in the lonely jungle path. Balabhadra accompanied Him, and He sported with the deer and other animals as during His first journey. Reaching Athára-nálá He sent Bhattáchárya in advance to summon His followers. At the news of His return, they got a new life as it were, ran to Him in rapture and met Him at the Narendra tank. The Master touched the feet of the Puri and the Bhárati, who embraced Him lovingly. Damodar Swarup, Gadadhar Pandit, Jagadananda, Kashishwar, Govinda, Vakreshwar, Kashi Mishra, Pradyumna Mishra, Damodar Pandit, Haridas Thakur, Shankar Pandit, and all other _bhaktas_ fell down at His feet. He embraced each and was over come with love. The faithful swam in the ocean of bliss. With them He went to visit Jagannáth, before whom He with His party danced and sang long in rapture. The servitor of the god presented Him with a garland and _prasád_, while Tulsi Parichha bowed at His feet. The Master's arrival was [soon] noised abroad in the village. Sárvabhauma, Rámánanda, and Vánináth joined Him. With them all He repaired to Kashi Mishra's house. Sárvabhauma bade Him to dinner, but He declined, and ordering some _mahá-prasád_ to be brought, feasted there with all His followers. [Text, canto 25.]