Analyze the theme of 'ill-luck' versus 'God's grace' as presented in the author's personal anecdote in Chapter 21.

Chapter 21 presents a compelling contrast between 'ill-luck' and 'God's grace' through the author's personal story. When he was a Magistrate in Bandra, he had the opportunity to visit the famous Siddha, Pir Maulana, but his pride and concern for his own prestige prevented him. He explicitly attributes this failure to 'ill-luck' standing in his way, suggesting a force that obstructs spiritual progress. This is contrasted with his later experience where 'Shirdi became an unbreakable bond,' which was only possible when 'God’s grace is present.' Therefore, as explained in Chapter 21, the author uses his own life to illustrate that pride and ego are manifestations of ill-fortune that create a veil, while divine grace is the necessary catalyst to overcome such barriers and attain the blessed company of a saint.