Aishwarya has reasons to smile. No, it isn`t only because of the several Hollywood offers that have poured in in the wake of Devdas. Neither is it because of a new man in her life. "I am off men for some time at least," she has revealed to close friends.The cause of her joy is the fact that she has "personally gained so much from her quest for the Divine". The new-found happiness is evident from the radiant glow that Ash`s face wears these days.

On a recent flight from the US, she couldn`t control her tears when the crew and fellow passengers realised that it was her birthday the next day and sang `A Very Happy Birthday" to her as the clock struck twelve. But the real surprise came from songstress Asha Bhonsle, also on the same flight. She sang some of her favourite numbers on the occasion. Later the two ladies walked up to Swami Shankaracharya to seek his blessings.

But contrary to what people expected of her, there was no grand celebration in the evening. Instead the current Bollywood sensation went out with her family for a quiet, late night dinner. "She is at peace with herself," close friends later disclosed.