To the great delight of many people who had long hoped to see Maharaji in their city, he spoke at a surprise event in Alwar, India, on November 19. He had not been there since 1970, just over a year before he first traveled to Europe and the Americas. Before that, Maharaji had visited this city several times as a boy with his father and teacher, Shri Hans Ji Maharaj.

Alwar is the administrative headquarters of the Alwar district of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Famous for the world-renowned Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar sprawls below the Aravali mountain range and is home to over 200,000 people.

Attendees came from all over Rajasthan by every possible mode of transportation—car, bus, train, motorcycle, bicycle, cycle, rickshaw, and by foot. Over an hour before Maharaji’s arrival on stage, more than 4,000 people had gathered, eagerly waiting for the event to begin. Scores of local volunteers had come together quickly to help make the event run smoothly. A number of enthusiastic young people helping with the event were scattered throughout the audience wearing black pants and sky blue shirts so people needing help could find them easily. One of the older volunteers expressed, “Helping with this event has been a wonderful opportunity for me. I have enjoyed it fully, and I hope to be able to have this chance again and again.”

Maharaji arrived by helicopter at a nearby helipad just after 10:45 in the morning and walked on stage to a standing ovation, with people clapping and calling out to him. A few people held small lighted lamps, reminiscent of Maharaji’s words that each person who has found peace within is like a lamp that has been lit and can light others. Many poured their hearts into rhythmic songs of love and celebration, which Maharaji seemed to enjoy along with his audience before beginning his talk.

Soon after he began to speak, Maharaji asked the audience, “In spite of having everything, why do human beings ask the question, ‘Why am I here?’ All ask the same question. I say that there are two different kinds of people—those who have asked this question and those who will ask it. When they go through difficult times, they will ask it. There are also those who have already asked the question and have discovered the answer.

“There are many holy books. Why do people ask, ‘Why am I here?’ even after reading them? We don’t understand ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is the purpose of my life?’ by reading a book. You read the answers deep within your heart. And the day you start looking there, you will find all the answers.”

The feeling in the hall after the event was palpable. One woman, a musician, echoed a common sentiment when she said, “Today opened up all the tones of my heart, and it is filled with joy. All I can say is, thank you Maharaji.”