The Journey of Kartik
Kalyan Singh picked up the note from the desk once again.
“Please do not search for me. I have left this place, never to return. Please leave me alone.”
He read the words for what must have been the fiftieth time since discovering the note on his teenage son Kartik’s desk that morning.
His mind spiralled into a vortex of memories and regrets. “My limited education restricted me to ordinary jobs,” he reflected bitterly. “I struggled just to make ends meet. We couldn’t afford anything beyond the bare necessities. I overworked myself. All our hopes were pinned on Kartik. I dreamed of him becoming a software engineer, earning a good salary, and bringing us a better life.”
But Kartik had not scored the marks needed to get into an engineering college. Kalyan Singh had felt that disappointment even more deeply than Kartik himself. He tried to explain to his son that life still offered many routes to stability and success. Kartik eventually enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Management program, a course Kalyan saw as promising. His son even seemed to recover from the disappointment, embracing the new path.
Then why? Kalyan Singh wondered. Why this sudden disappearance? Why abandon everything and shatter all our dreams?
He contacted Kartik’s friends, probing for signs of distress or clues. He asked if Kartik had expressed any unusual ideas or shown signs of romantic involvement. But every friend assured him that Kartik was decent, focused, and driven by a desire to achieve something exceptional. No one had sensed anything alarming.
Meanwhile, Kartik was already far away. Anticipating that someone might come looking for him, he had crossed the Ganges in a small boat, worried about being discovered and dragged back home. Once he reached Rudra Prayag on the opposite bank, he felt a deep sense of relief. He waited at the small village bus station for four long hours before boarding a bus to Jamnagar in Gujarat, from where he would continue to Dwaraka.
The bus was nearly complete, but Kartik managed to find a seat beside an elderly man. As the journey began, Kartik was lost in thought.
His interest in Indian philosophy and Sanatan Dharma had begun in high school. He devoured religious texts and became deeply drawn into spiritual study. His father, however, insisted that the key to a good life was academic success and a stable profession. Kartik tried to meet those expectations but couldn’t muster enough interest in conventional studies. Consequently, he failed to secure the marks needed for engineering.
He knew his father would never approve of his true passion—religion and philosophy. Kartik decided to follow his calling without his father’s consent. His destination: Dwaraka Math.
At 8:30 AM the next day, Kartik arrived at Dwaraka Math. He inquired about various teaching programs and chose one focused on the Vedas and Indian philosophical systems. Maha Vakya of the Math was “TAT TWAM ASI”. The Math provided free lodging and education, and Kartik embraced its austere lifestyle.
After a few days, Kartik gave a man bound for Delhi a letter addressed to his parents. It contained only a single line:
“I am fine. Don’t worry about me. Please do not search for my location.”
Though it lacked details, it gave Kalyan Singh relief to know that Kartik was alive and safe.
Kartik began studying Sanskrit and English, alongside in-depth explorations of the Vedas. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. His intelligence and inquisitive nature soon made him popular among the faculty. Time flew.
To maintain minimal contact, Kartik sent similar one-line letters from different towns over the year.
By the end of that year, he had completed multiple courses and developed a sound understanding of the Vedas and philosophies, including Sanatan Dharma, Buddhism, and Jainism. His fluency in Sanskrit and English improved dramatically.
He began giving discourses in Hindi to the local population. His popularity skyrocketed, and his name was the first to be suggested whenever a speaker was needed. Though Gujarati was the regional language, Kartik’s oratory in Hindi—enriched with Sanskrit verses and powerful expression—deeply resonated with listeners. Eventually, he began delivering speeches in Gujarati too.
An invitation came from Mumbai. There, the audience was cosmopolitan and well-educated, with English as the common medium. Kartik confidently delivered his lecture in fluent English and received great appreciation.
Soon, he began travelling across India.
As per Math protocol, Kartik never set a price for his services. However, deeply moved attendees generously offered gurudakshina. After the Math deducted its share, the remainder was deposited into Kartik’s account.
Requests for his discourses came from towns and cities alike. Then came an invitation to represent Sanatan Dharma at an international conference in New York. Kartik participated in intellectual discussions with global religious leaders and articulated the core philosophies of Sanatan Dharma so eloquently that many expressed interest in learning more. He directed them to Dwaraka Math.
Invitations followed from countries like the UK, France, Italy, and Australia. With the Math’s approval, Kartik toured abroad and earned significant honorariums.
After a month, he returned to Dwaraka Math.
One evening, sitting by the Arabian Sea, he thought, “Should I return home and seek my parents’ blessings? I want them to know that I am happy, though not in a way they had imagined. I want to give them all the comforts they have ever dreamed of. That way, I’ll feel free to embrace my spiritual path fully.”
After discussing with the Math authorities, he boarded a bus home.
There was a knock at the door that morning. Kalyan Singh opened it—and there stood Kartik.
Overcome with joy, Kalyan Singh embraced him, tears streaming down his face. Kartik’s mother burst 2into sobs the moment she saw her son.
“It’s been over three years,” Kalyan Singh murmured. “We got your short letters, yes—but do you realise how deeply you hurt us? Where have you been? What have you been doing?”
Kalyan Singh was brimming with questions, but Kartik’s mother interrupted.
“Let him rest. Let me cook his favourite ‘halwa-puri’. Kartik, freshen up. Your meal will be ready soon. We’ll talk afterwards.”
Kartik, though happy to be home, felt guilt gnawing at him. He had never fully considered the pain his parents endured. After lunch, he answered every question they asked.
That evening, he took them to a nearby mall and bought everything they had once considered out of reach. In a few days, they shifted to a large, well-furnished house. Kalyan Singh was proud that his son had fulfilled every one of his dreams.
Still, he was anxious. Where had Kartik been? Where did this money come from?
One night, Kartik spoke openly.
“Pitaji, are you happy now that I’ve earned enough for a good life?”
“Yes, Kartik. I feel peace. But tell me—how did you earn it? Was your path honest?”
“Pitaji, I have never compromised on principles,” Kartik assured him. Then, he shared his entire journey.
Kalyan Singh and his wife listened, stunned.
“Ma & Pitaji,” Kartik continued, “I’m glad you’re proud of me. But truthfully, these things don’t satisfy me. I wish to walk the path of spiritualism. I know it leads far from conventional happiness. That’s why I left—I didn’t want to disappoint you by pursuing a path you would disapprove of.
I had understood that the divine is not somewhere far away but lives within each of us. It lies in the embrace of the soul’s journey. I’ve come to realise that every breath brings one closer to aligning with your true self, a part of the greater whole. My soul whispered that I should experience it myself.
I also knew that this way of life would take me away from material gains.
At Dwaraka Math, I discovered that the world does honour spiritual seekers. They give Gurudakshina generously, not because we look for wealth, but because they value wisdom. That money supports others who wish to break from materialism.
My love for you both pulled me back. I wanted to give you comfort before fully committing myself. Now, with peace in your lives, I can return to my spiritual mission without guilt.
I travel the world sharing knowledge of Vedanta and spiritual thought. I feel fulfilled when I help others, regardless of their beliefs, understand the wisdom of the Vedas. My goal is to help every soul find a sense of peace and purpose.”
Kalyan Singh was speechless. He embraced Kartik. That night, the family slept with heavy but contented hearts.
The next morning, when Kartik woke up, he found that his parents had packed their belongings and were ready to leave the place.
“Pitaji, what is this? Where are you going?” disturbed Kartik asked.
“My son, you have enlightened us. These material things mean little to us now. We could not sleep on the soft bed. Instead of it being comfortable, it poked us the whole night. The sofa and the carpet appeared unattractive. The jewellery which we bought in the mall looked unpleasant on your mother. All the luxurious items, which I had been craving for so long, we noticed, appeared repulsive.
We both pondered the idea of leaving this place and joining the ashram run by Dr. Amte, whose family has been serving leprosy-affected people for more than 60 years in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. There, victims of the disease are treated and taught various skills to lead their lives independently. We want to contribute our services there. Whatever money we earn from this property, we will donate to the ashram.
Be in touch with us at the ashram in Chandrapur. Our blessings are with you.”
Kartik’s mother hugged him tightly, reluctant to let him go. The next morning, Kartik prepared to leave. He touched their feet, picked up his duffel, and stepped out of the house. Without turning back, he hailed an auto-rickshaw and headed to the bus stop.
By afternoon, he was on his way to Dwaraka Math, with blessings from his parents strengthening him further.
Back home, Kalyan Singh and his wife gathered the bare essentials and headed for Chandrapur. They had a resolute idea of donating everything that Kartik had given them to make them happy, which no longer interested them.
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