In a world where growth is often measured in deadlines met and milestones achieved, we rarely pause to ask: What truly moves the soul? What if self-development wasn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder, but also about climbing within .....one quiet step at a time?
We often look for inspiration in grand speeches, bestselling books, or powerful personalities. But sometimes, the most profound lessons come from the quiet corners of life , from people who go unnoticed but live with a rare, deep purpose.
Recently, I had the blessed opportunity to visit Tirumala, the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara. While the divine darshan itself was soul-stirring, it was the journey , the climb, the people, and the silent stories unfolding around us , that left a lasting impression.
Amid the chants of Govinda Govinda and the rustling of countless bare feet on ancient stone steps, I met a man whose simple spiritual routine shook me deeply.
He was in his 60s , a retired employee, dressed plainly, with a small towel over his shoulder and an old keypad mobile in his pocket. No Instagram, no WhatsApp forwards, no selfies. Just a straightforward life, centred around a deep devotion. What’s astounding is that he climbs the around 2800 steps to the Tirumala temple every day..EVERDAY ,not for any vow or wish-fulfillment ,but simply to catch a glimpse of the divine gopuram and bow down in reverence.
“I just come to see Him,” he said with a gentle smile, “and offer my namaskarams.”
He doesn’t rest. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t check his watch. His heart seems to beat in sync with the divine. In a world that is constantly scrolling, posting, and reacting, here is a man who has chosen stillness in movement, purpose in simplicity, and joy in surrender.No agenda. No ask. Just love.
He doesn’t count steps ,He doesn’t rest or seek applause. His journey is inward a movement of the soul towards surrender. In a world obsessed with being seen, here is a man who walks only to be seen by the Divine.
Little Feet, Big Faith
As we climbed, we noticed young children , tiny, breathless, clutching their parents' hands, still chanting “Govinda!” Some asked, “Amma, when will we reach?” with tired eyes and innocent hearts. It was both sweet and spiritual ,a reminder that faith is ageless. Their tiredness was real, but their devotion was deeper. They climbed not out of compulsion, but with love and belief , and that’s what devotion looks like in its purest form.
In the queue for darshan, we met a family from Vijayawada. What began as a casual conversation turned into a shared journey. We stood, walked, and prayed together. We exchanged divine experiences, held each other’s places in line, and even looked out for each other’s children. By the time we reached the sanctum, it no longer felt like two families , it felt like one.
At one point, my husband said something that has stayed with me:
“In places like this, there is no ‘your family’ or ‘my family.’ We are one. This is what our culture calls Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the whole world is one family.”
And he was right. Spiritual places dissolve man-made boundaries. They remind us of our shared essence, our shared longing, and the deep unity that lies beneath our diverse lives.
Learning Comes in Divine Packaging
It was around 4:30 a.m during Sathumurai Dharshan ., the quiet hours when the stars still hung gently over Tirumala. The atmosphere was hushed but alive , the kind of silence filled with purpose .
In those sacred pre-dawn hours, My husband and son encountered yet another gentle reminder that growth comes in the most unexpected forms.
A young man with beautiful tirunamam and Pancha-kachcham standing next to them struck up a conversation with my son. He turned out to be an IITian soft-spoken, humble, and deeply rooted in tradition. Within minutes, he was teaching my son Vedic Maths tricks, his tone as light as the morning breeze but his insights sharp and precise.
And then he gently asked,
“So dear child, how many slokas do you know?”
There was no judgment, only genuine curiosity the kind that springs from a love for learning and sharing. In that simple exchange, I felt like two generations bridging tradition and intellect, modern education and ancient wisdom, in the most organic way.
It reminded us that temples are not just about prayer. And sometimes, the waiting line becomes a classroom, a playground of minds, and a sacred space for exchange. That moment taught not just my son, but all of us, that learning doesn’t need a timetable ... only the right spirit.
More Than a Pilgrimage
Tirumala ( any temples and spiritual places too) wasn’t just a spiritual destination , it was a reminder of how ordinary people carry extraordinary devotion, of how faith can walk barefoot, and how the soul finds kinship with strangers when the heart is open.
Whether it’s the old man climbing without rest, the child whispering a tired prayer, or the unknown family that becomes your friends, divine darshan begins long before you enter the sanctum, a tears of joy that feast your eyes. It begins in these encounters, in these silent lessons, in these unexpected moments of grace.
Next time you take a spiritual journey, go with open eyes, open ears, and most importantly , an open heart. You might just discover that God walks among us, often in the form of the simplest, most sincere devotees.
Love to hear from your spiritual experiences.
Spread Love...Spread Positivity..
With 💕
Swetha Vishnuchittan
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