A Journey Beyond Plans




On that brisk morning, the fate of our day hung in the balance. My brother and I had initially planned to witness the India vs. New Zealand cricket semifinal match, eagerly awaiting the clash of the Titans. With that event in mind, I canceled all other plans for the day, except for one crucial appointment with a fan who insisted on meeting me. Despite the uncertainty, my brother and I decided to commit fully to the cricket match, canceling all other engagements. The day took an unexpected turn when, out of the blue, my brother posed a question to my friend who had come to join the impromptu cricket party.

Amidst the aroma of Rasogulla wafting through the air, my brother asked our friend if he would be interested in visiting Devraha Baba. The idea seemed to materialize in his mind like a sudden thunderclap. Our friend agreed, albeit with an air of uncertainty surrounding our spontaneous decision. Life, it seems, is a delicate dance between certainty and uncertainty, a play of fate that we often interpret as mere randomness.

During his studies in New York, my elder brother stumbled upon tales of Devraha Baba. Interestingly, the saint's actual name was different, shrouded in myth and referred to by locals as Devraha Baba. He was renowned for blessing Indira Gandhi after the Emergency and her subsequent election as the Prime Minister. Originally from Deoria District, the locals began calling him Devraha Baba, an honorific title for saints or revered elderly men. Later, he moved to Vrindavan, spending the rest of his days at the top of a Machan on the banks of the Yamuna River. His miracles were known far and wide, and he adopted different names in various states.

En route to meet Deoraha Baba, I delved into the stories of his miracles, captivated by the mystical aura surrounding him. Little did we know that our journey was about to become an adventure, a narrative we were unwittingly scripting at home as we prepared for the unexpected.

As we embarked on our journey, the sun prepared to retire, and a bone-chilling cold began to encroach upon us. Undeterred, we pressed forward, guided by the unseen force that seemed to beckon us to our destination. Thanks to the wonders of Google Maps, our journey was navigated through the twists and turns that led us to our mysterious encounter.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the sight of a venerable saint, deep in meditation, clad only in the face of the biting cold. In stark contrast, we, the seekers of his blessings, were wrapped in layers of clothing. The energy in the air was palpable, and as I meditated, attempting to connect with the potent force my brother had spoken of, I felt a subtle, albeit not overpowering, wave of energy.

The realization struck that perhaps the energy was weaker than anticipated, but the environment whispered that we were destined to experience it nonetheless. Touched by the same Machan where the Baba had meditated, we offered our prayers and retraced our steps homeward.

On the journey back, I couldn't help but reflect on the unpredictability of our adventure. Scribbling the details in a notepad, I contemplated the essence of life—an intricate blend of planned and unplanned moments. The journey, much like life itself, is a series of unforeseen events. I concluded that understanding every nuance of our journey wasn't necessary; instead, one should embrace each moment, feel the energy, and stay positive.

In the midst of uncertainty, It has the potential to create history. As I penned down my thoughts, I expressed gratitude to my big brother, for sharing the tale of Deoraha Baba. Moreover, my thanks extended to the divine force that made this unplanned journey possible, reminding us that sometimes, it's the uncharted paths that lead to the most profound discoveries.