The True Pilgrimage!

Long ago, in a place called Silbaripuram, there lived a great devotee of the Goddess named Shankunni. His life’s greatest ambition was to visit the famous Devi temple in the neighbouring kingdom of Kosalapuram.

However, he had never been able to make the trip. The temple allowed devotees to have darshan (sacred viewing) only for a few specific days in a year—a tradition followed for centuries. Every time the season approached for the month-long trek, the money Shankunni had painstakingly saved would inevitably get spent on some urgent household necessity.

Determined, he began saving coins again for the following year. Finally, after many years of saving, he had enough money just as the pilgrimage season arrived!

Shankunni set out on foot towards Kosalapuram. On the tenth day of his journey, he encountered an old man crying by the roadside. The man pleaded, "My family and I have been starving for days. Please, have mercy and help us."

Moved by compassion, Shankunni took the man to a nearby grocery shop, bought essential supplies, and walked with him to his house. There, he saw the man’s children were sick and frail. Shankunni stayed back, helped with the cooking, and served a hearty meal to everyone.

Seeing the dire poverty of the family, Shankunni handed over his entire purse of savings to the old man and decided to return home. When he reached back and narrated the events to his wife, she too supported his decision wholeheartedly.

That night, as Shankunni slept, he had a divine dream. The Goddess of Kosalapuram appeared before him and said:

 "My dear devotee, I am deeply pleased with you. The old man and his family were but a 'Maya' (illusion) created by me to test you. You no longer need to travel to the neighbouring kingdom to see me. From this day forward, my divine presence shall always remain right here with you!"

Shankunni woke up startled, but the Goddess had vanished. He never felt the urge to go on that pilgrimage again. He and his family lived on happily, filled with peace.

The Moral

I know many people who spend vast amounts of money on long pilgrimages, yet turn a blind eye when a neighbour, acquaintance, or relative asks for help. In reality, it is through acts of kindness and compassion that the divine light truly dwells within us.