There is something deeply humbling about climbing a mountain and going on a Dham yatra in Dev Bhoomi, Uttarakhand.

Recently, during the Tungnath trek, I pushed my body to climb nearly 3,400 feet, about 4 kilometres, in just over three-and-a-half hours. Every turn felt longer than promised. Every breath was a negotiation with the body, but sheer willpower pushed me to do what seemed impossible.

The mountain was indifferent to my self-imposed guidelines, pace, targets, ego and self-image.

And then, at the top, silence fell. No, I did not trek further to Chandrashila, respecting the limits my body imposed and being a logical, practical person.

Looking around from that height of 12,073 ft, I saw endless mountain ranges. Some were barren and brown. Some were richly green, and many were snow-capped. All of these tall structures have witnessed history and accumulated wisdom over centuries.

A lesson in perspective

I suddenly felt very small. It was a feeling similar to the one that had overwhelmed me years ago in Mukteshwar, while staring at the Milky Way stretched across the night sky. That strange realisation—how tiny we are in this unimaginably vast universe.

And with that thought came another uncomfortable question: Do I........

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