As years passed by, Atmadeva’s hopes to have a child started to diminish and one day he became totally desparate. Unable to control his emotions, he set out of the house and started wandering here and there. One day he was walking in a forest when he saw a sage taking a dip in a river. The sage noticed the depression of Atmadeva and enquired about him. Atmadeva couldn’t control his emotions and told all about his desire to be blessed with a child.

The Sage meditated and could foresee that Atmadeva was destined to be childless for seven lifetimes and nothing could be done about it. Even if he had a child, it would bring him endless misery. So it is wise to forget the desire to have a child and live life in the remembrance of the Lord. Thus the sage concluded. Hearing this, Atmadeva literally broke down and said that he would end his life if he was to live a childless life. The sage was unable to console him. The sage tried to advise him that all worldly relations are in reality bondages. They give joy as well as sorrow, so it is better to renounce the world. The only relationship that can uplift you is that of a Guru-Shishya.