I am a 35 year old, IIM (Kolkata) educated finance professional, whose day job is in the insurance industry. I know it doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but it pays the bills. And I do work in one of the best companies in the industry – so that makes it worthwhile.

But like most MBA rat-race runners, my life really didn’t give me a sense of meaning. There were many sources of meaning in my life early on, but I let them go one by one in trying to be a faster rat!

I used to sing once upon a time, but my voice hasn’t found expression in a long while. I was an active sportsman, but recently, I actually rewarded myself with a slipped disc by getting up suddenly from a boring meeting! I loved reading, but who finds the time for that these days.

Therefore, it makes me feel strange that meaning should return to my life through a route I never lay much faith on. The route of the spiritual.

I was not really a religious person when I was young. I took pride in being a non-believer, trivialising our ancient beliefs and scorning ‘religious types’ of all faiths.

And then this story happened. It wasn’t really one defining moment of epiphany. It sort of just crept up on me. Slowly. First the philosophies, and then the story to convey the philosophies. This experience has changed me. My outlook to life. My attitude. And my belief in God.

I never believed in pointless ceremonies. I still don’t. But I now believe in a superior force. I believe that this superior force does not differentiate between communities, caste, sex or religions. I believe this superior force wants to help everyone. All you have to do is be willing to accept it. I believe that this superior force has been kind to me, has helped make me a more complete person. A person who is happy with his place in the world.

I have read many history books, many mythological stories, many philosophies of great men. But I don’t think the story came about from those readings alone. The information gleaned from them were like ingredients for a great meal. It is Lord Shiva’s blessing which has helped me put all these ingredients together, into what I believe is an appetising story.

Within this story which shows the simple man behind the myth of a god, I discovered my devotion to the divinity in Him.

I hope you like the story.

Om Namah Shivaiy.

The universe bows to Lord Shiva. I bow to Lord Shiva.