Dev Badri Shaligram*
After bidding farewell to Guruji, we all returned to our rooms. We had come back, yet it felt as if we had left a great deal behind—and carried so much more within us. Everyone’s heart was filled with joy after meeting him! But in my mind, the divine form of Shaligram Ji kept appearing again and again.
A desire arose within me—to bring home a Shaligram. I didn’t know why, but this wish would not stop. I began to wonder: How would I worship Him? Where would I keep Him? These thoughts kept circling in my mind.
Then an idea came to me. A few months later, we were going to embark on a *pilgrimage to Badrinath* on foot. I thought, when we stop at Rishikesh, I’ll buy a Shaligram there, take Him with me to Badrinath, perform worship there, and bring Him back. The thought filled me with deep contentment, and I decided upon it.
After that, we returned to Kangra. Preparations for the pilgrimage began. We were to leave in *June 2025*. But no one knew about my wish to bring a Shaligram—it was a quiet yearning within my heart, something I never shared with anyone.
While packing for the journey, I included a *silver throne (singhasan)* for the Lord. I thought, I’ll buy the Shaligram at Rishikesh, place Him upon this throne, and perform daily worship during the pilgrimage.
With this devotion in my heart, I once again set out from home towards Rishikesh.
All of us gathered there, planning to stay for two days. I wanted that time to buy supplies for the journey—and the Shaligram.
The next day, we went to the market. We bought many things at one shop—it took quite some time, since everyone had something or the other to get. Afterward, we sat by the banks of the Ganga, watching the evening aarti in silence, praying within our hearts for a safe and blessed pilgrimage. Then we returned to our rooms for the night.
The next day, we set out toward the place from where our *walking pilgrimage* would begin. By evening, we reached our lodging there. As I started arranging the small temple for the deities I had brought, my eyes suddenly widened when I saw the silver throne.
I struck my forehead in shock and said to myself, “I bought everything from Rishikesh—but forgot the one thing I had gone there for!”
Everyone asked, “Babaji, what happened?”
I replied, “I forgot to do something very important!”
I was filled with deep regret—how could I have made such a mistake? I couldn’t understand it at all. I had gone to that shop specifically to buy the Shaligram, yet somehow, I completely forgot. For a whole day, it didn’t even cross my mind. How could it have slipped away so completely—from both my heart and mind?
Looking at the throne I had brought for the Lord, I felt a wave of sorrow. I prayed for forgiveness—because my intention had been to take the Shaligram with me to Badrinath.
But who can truly understand *His divine play (Leela)*?
Thinking so, I prepared for the next day—when we were to begin our *200 km walking pilgrimage*.
The next morning, our journey on foot began…
To be continued…