Curiosity about God

Prannath Leelaamrit - Chapter 3

When Devchandra was eleven years old, he asked himself, "Who am I? Where did I come from? Who is the master of my soul?"

Wherever he went, he asked people these questions, "Where is the Supreme Being who created everyone?" Someone told him that God is present in every atom of the universe. Upon hearing this, Devchandra felt that, since God was so close to him, he would surely attain him.

Outside of Devchandra's village was a small temple with an idol of Pingal Shyam (Lord Krishna). Every morning, Devchandra would take a water pot from his home, complete his daily rituals and ablutions, circumambulate the temple for three hours, and then perform prostrations. Even at a young age, he began practicing devotion with great effort in this way.

There was a scarcity of water in his village, so no saints came there. Once, Devchandra traveled to Kutch with his father and saw many saints and temples there.

From then on, the thought took root in his mind, "If I go to Kutch and search for God there, I might find Him."

A feeling of detachment from worldly affairs began to grow in Devchandra's heart. He no longer desired any connection with the people of the world. Everyone tried to persuade him to take on household duties, but he remained unmoved.

Devchandra had only one desire: to leave the village and search for God. He began asking people for directions to Kutch.

One day, he learned that a minister from Umarkot was traveling to Kutch with two hundred horsemen carrying the prince's sword. When it was unsafe for a royal personage to travel, the sword was sent instead, and the marriage ceremony was performed in this manner.

Upon hearing this, Devchandra went to meet the minister and said, "I want to go to Kutch with the wedding party, too."

The minister asked, "What kind of transportation do you have?"

When he learned that Devchandra intended to travel on foot, the minister refused, saying it was impossible to walk that far with the horsemen. Devchandra insisted that he could walk, but the minister still refused to take him along.

Devchandra then thought, "Why should I ask him? When the wedding party leaves, I will simply follow them on foot."

He went home and began preparing for his journey. He packed a bundle of utensils, clothes, and food and also took a dagger for protection.

Next: Renunciation of home and first encounter with Supreme God on the journey