Steve Jobs' handwritten letter sells for $500,312 at auction, revealing spiritual journey

A rare handwritten letter by Steve Jobs from 1974 has made headlines after being auctioned for $500,312 (Rs 4.32 crore) by Bonhams. The letter, postmarked a day before his 19th birthday, was addressed to his childhood friend, Tim Brown, offering a rare glimpse into Jobs’ spiritual journey. In it, Jobs shares his aspiration to attend the Kumbh Mela, expressing a deep desire to visit India and immerse himself in its spiritual traditions. He wrote, “I wish to go to India for the Kumbh Mela, which starts in April,” ending the letter with "Shanti, Steve Jobs."

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This letter highlights a pivotal moment in Jobs’ life, as his trip to India in 1974 became a transformative experience. During his visit, he sought solace at the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba in Uttarakhand, where he spent seven months, deeply influenced by Indian spirituality and culture.

Interestingly, as the auction draws attention to Jobs’ early spiritual explorations, his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, is currently in India for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Powell Jobs, who has been given the name "Kamala" by her guru, Swami Kailashanand Giri, is participating in spiritual practices like meditation, Kriya Yoga, and Pranayama. Despite experiencing allergies, she plans to bathe in the Ganga River, continuing the spiritual legacy shared by her late husband.