The best
thing
that can
happen
to
anyone
is when
God
enters
one’s
life and
showers
His
blessings
in
various
and
myriad
ways
known
only to
Him.
When,
where,
how and
why are
questions
whose
answers
are
unknown
to
anyone
and will
ever
remain
unknown
to
mankind.
The Journey Begins
My journey to Swami began when I was 12 years old. The Chinna Kathas told by Him caught my attention in the year 1989, which led to a series of events weaved by Him into memorable reminiscences.
Every person who comes to Bhagavan, no doubt, has a mysterious, scintillating Sai Katha (the story of their journey to Sai) to narrate and treasure. From the moment I first saw Swami at Prasanthi Nilayam in 1989, a desire unconsciously grew in me that I must become His child. A Bal Vikas program nourished this yearning; Swami’s discourses and visits to Parthi strengthened it.
Longing for a Photo with Swami
In 1990, I wrote a letter to Swami expressing my desire to have a divine opportunity of being photographed with Him. What an imprudent desire! How can I have the privilege of standing next to the Almighty? After posting the letter, I contemplated on this impossibility and smiled at myself. After that I never nourished that desire again.
But nothing goes to waste with Bhagavan; He reads our minutest thoughts. We may forget about them, but He will not. He is our only true friend. There may be a delay, but there is no denial in God’s realm.
Becoming
His
Student:
A Prayer
Answered
After
eleven
years,
my
passing
thought
and
desire
became
crystallized.
I was
praying
very
intensely
to Swami
to bless
me with
the
divine
opportunity
to
become
His
student.
My
prayer
was
answered
in the
year
2001
when He
allowed
me to
enroll
in His
University
for my
master’s
degree
in Home
Science.
The
Institute
taught
me not
only
Home
Science,
but
Heart
Science
as well.
After I joined the Anantapur Campus of the Institute, mysterious events led me to become a part of the Nadaswaram group (Nadaswaram is a non-brass band very popular in South India) of the campus. It was a Herculean task to learn as it was totally new for all of us. We had to start from scratch. Being girls, it required a great deal of stamina, willpower, physical strength, self-confidence, and above all, Swami’s grace.
We put all our hearts and souls into it just to make Swami happy. But it was not easy! We had five hours of assiduous practice sessions for days together. We rehearsed morning and evening. The constant encouragement, timely guidance, and support of our teachers and other students helped us over the hurdles. With Swami’s grace, in only three months’ time we learned this new art and were able to present it before Him. |
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“Are You
Going to
Play?”
The long
awaited
day
arrived.
We sat
next to
Swami’s
interview
room on
the
ladies’
side
with our
instruments
– four
Nadaswarams
and
three
Tavils
(Tavil
is a
percussion
instrument
while
Nadaswaram
is
wind-based).
On
October
12,
2001,
after
arathi
in the
evening,
Swami
came by
and gave
us a
mysterious
and
loving
look,
and with
a
captivating
smile
asked,
“What is
this?”
Before
we could
answer,
He said
with
enthusiasm,
“Are you
going to
play?”
We
nodded
in
affirmation.
He
blessed
the
instruments
by
gently
touching
them and
blessed
us with
His
Abhaya
Hastha
(hand
raised
in
blessing)
and
graciously
granted
us
permission
to
perform.
A Most Memorable Moment
We were blessed to lead the procession on Ladies’ Day on November 19, 2001. It was the most memorable moment in our young lives. We had practiced vigorously as we were to perform not only on Ladies’ Day but on Swami’s Birthday as well. In order to please Baba with our performance, we rehearsed for many hours at a stretch while at Parthi, sometimes even going without darshan.
With exactly one day to go, on November 18, 2001, we were at the Culvert gate devotedly practicing. Suddenly, we saw Bhagavan’s car coming towards us! Seeing it approach brought tears of joy to our eyes. Incidentally, at that point in time we were playing, “Bhaagyaada Lakshmi Baaramma.” He stopped near us and enjoyed the tune immensely. He gave us all a wonderful smile, like a proud father.
It was a
torrential
downpour
on
parched
souls as
we
rarely
get a
chance
to be in
close
proximity
of
Swami.
We were
totally
drenched
in His
love.
A Wish Fulfilled: A Photo with Sai
On Ladies’ Day, after the function was over, we walked back in procession towards Swami’s residence followed by the Band girls. Swami graciously agreed to pose for a photograph with the Band girls. Lovingly, He turned our way and called us to take a photograph with Him.I was dazed by this rare and wonderful opportunity. It suddenly flashed on me that I had written to Swami praying to Him to bless me with a chance to have a photograph with Him. After eleven years, He fulfilled my heartfelt desire!
More and More Blessings
After this, Baba blessed us with further opportunities to perform in His presence during various functions. He also spoke to us several times.
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He
enquired
about
us, our
names,
the
courses
we were
pursuing,
etc.,
and gave
us
advice
and
guidance.Each
time we
performed
sitting
at the
gate,
though
we
weren’t
professionals,
He
encouraged
us by
slowing
down,
putting
thaalam
(providing
rhythm
by His
hand),
and
blessing
with a
charming
smile
and
loving
glance
for each
one of
us. This
encouragement
inspired
us to
work
harder
and aim
for
perfection.
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Saris and Suitcases: Prasadam from the Divine Hand
God’s ways are mysterious and beyond our comprehension. In October 2002, we came to Prasanthi Nilayam for the Dasara celebrations. On October 8, we were recipients of Swami’s boundless love. We, the Nadaswaram girls, were called to the entrance of Swami’s residence (Poornachandra entrance) where He was waiting for us.
He spoke with us and gifted saris to each of us as a token of His appreciation and love. Receiving a gift directly from the Divine Hands of Swami was a unique and thrilling experience! While handing us the saris, He looked into our eyes and filled us with motherly love and affection. They were the most cherished moments for all of us, as we Anantapur students rarely get such opportunities to be so close to Baba. |
On
January
14,
2002,
the day
of the
valedictory
function
of the
Annual
Sports
and
Games,
we were
all
feeling
very sad
as this
was our
last
opportunity
to
perform
in His
presence
in that
academic
year. We
were all
gloomy
with
tears
uncontrollably
welling
up in
our eyes
. However, not a drop of a tear shed for Baba goes in vain! Swami’s heart is like butter which melts with a sincere prayer. Exactly at that moment, He called the Institute Band boys onto the stage and gave them suitcases. I was delighted on seeing that wonderful sight. I felt happy for them and told Baba inside, “Swami, we are also your children.
We have put our hearts and souls into our performance and practiced so much just to make you happy.” As these thoughts were going on within myself, an announcement over the PA System said that the Nadaswaram girls should go to the dais and receive Swami’s blessings. We were all stunned, especially me, on hearing the announcement. It was unbelievable! We went up to the dais where Swami presented us with a suitcase each and an opportunity for a group photo with Him. In the course of His Divine Discourse, He mentioned the Nadaswaram group. |
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Let
me
humbly
submit
that
it
was
only
by
His
grace
that
we
were
able
to
play
the
Nadaswaram
as
it
requires
a
lot
of
stamina.
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In God’s Time
A prayer submitted to Swami eleven years ago to bless me with a divine opportunity of having a photograph with Him was fulfilled. It took many years, but it did get materialized. Therefore, it is very clear that in the kingdom of God there may be delay, but no denial. All our prayers, big or small, will be answered in God’s time. We should remain patient and firm in our faith.
I had just prayed for one opportunity, but when it came, He bestowed several upon me. How can I ever express my gratitude to such a loving Lord? I only pray to Swami to make me worthy of His love and blessings so I may be an instrument in His Divine Mission. I will remain grateful to Him till the last breath of my life.
If you tap any Sai devotee, he or she will have stories upon stories to narrate. Even if sage Vyasa comes and turns all the oceans into ink, all the trees into pens, and the entire sky into paper, he will not be able to write the glory of our beloved Bhagavan Baba. Such is Sai Kathamrutham - the nectarine stories of the lord; it will have a beginning but no end. And such is the glory of our Lord Sai!
Jai Sai Ram. |