Let us begin our journey with the gentle dawn of childhood, when the heart is still open to the mysteries of the universe and the soul’s longing is pure and unfiltered. Imagine a young boy, Mukunda, growing up in a loving Bengali family, his days filled with the fragrance of devotion and the gentle guidance of his parents. Even as a child, he is not content with mere toys or the fleeting joys of play. Instead, he gazes inward, searching for something eternal. He remembers, with startling clarity, a life lived as a yogi in the snow-clad Himalayas—a memory that feels more real than the world around him. This sense of déjà vu is not a burden but a beacon, illuminating his path and setting his heart ablaze with the desire for truth.
His mother, a gentle soul, is his first spiritual teacher. She weaves stories from the great epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana, into the fabric of daily life, teaching her children that love, sacrifice, and faith are the pillars of a meaningful existence. She encourages Mukunda to look beyond the surface of things, to see the hand of the Divine in every event, every sorrow, and every joy. It is she who, during a moment of crisis, demonstrates the power of faith. When Mukunda is struck by a deadly illness, she urges him to bow mentally before the photograph of her guru, Lahiri Mahasaya. In that moment of surrender, a brilliant light fills the room, and the boy is instantly healed. Such is the subtle magic of devotion, the silent miracle that faith can bring.
Family life, too, is a crucible for spiritual growth. Mukunda’s father, a man of intellect and discipline, tempers the household with reason and order, balancing his wife’s overflowing compassion. Together, they create an environment where the search for God is not a separate pursuit but the very rhythm of daily living. Charity, discipline, and self-restraint are taught not as rules but as the natural fruits of a life lived in harmony with higher principles.
In these early years, Mukunda’s longing for the Infinite only grows. He attempts to run away to the Himalayas, driven by an inner call he cannot ignore. Though his efforts are thwarted, each setback is a lesson, each disappointment a step closer to understanding that the journey to God begins within. Even simple childhood experiences—like a playful experiment with willpower that results in a physical manifestation—hint at the latent spiritual power within every soul.
As we close this first chapter of our story, let us hold close the lesson that the seeds of greatness are often sown in the quiet moments of childhood, in the silent yearnings of the heart, and in the gentle guidance of those who love us. The journey to the Infinite is not a sudden leap but a gradual unfolding, nurtured by faith, family, and the persistent call of the soul. Let us remember: Our earliest longings are often the whispers of our true destiny. And so, as Mukunda’s story unfolds, we move forward to the next chapter, where the longing of the heart seeks its answer in the form of a living guru.
