Experiences with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
-Shiva Prasad Vankamamidi
With Humble Pranams at the lotus feet of Bhagavan Baba,I would like to start with a bhajan
Love is my form, Truth is my Breath, Bliss is my food
My life is my Message, Expansion is my life
No reason for love, No season for love, No birth No death
Prema Sathya Ananda, Dharma Shanti Ananda
Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai, Prema Sai Jai Jai
Shirdi Baba, Sathya Baba, Prema Baba Jai Jai
The very thougth that Swami has used me as part of HIS divine mission to the 1 millionth part (atleast) is itself astonishing to me....
Fortunately, my grand mother and father carried me to Swami with their own experiences and so it has become little “easy” for my monkey mind to comprehend divinity!
My grandmother went in a group of 16 and all of them sat together at different places in the crowd of thousands which is small in those days (may be 1960 's time). For about two days he did never see at any of these ladies as they all sat together. Now they decided might be one of them is not eligible for Swami's darshan and all are getting penalised. So the last day before they planned to leave they all decided to sit seperately and all 16 sat seperately. Swami did definitely pick each and all of these 16 members only for an interview in order to satisfy all of them even though they all sat seperately. That made my grandmother wonder how Swami knows it all and slowly started praying him. She was blessed with few interviews but always asked Swami about her family and repented for not asking any spiritual questions or rather asking Moksha for herself......
My father had couple of close interviews with Swami. He always tells me less. The only things he always tells me is Swami's humor. When they have gone to Anantapur as Sevadals from hyderabad in 1970 's, Swami asked them to come to puttaparthi along with him. His Car was following the bus of fortunate sevadal's. Using a railway crossing as an excuse, Swami got down from his car onto this bus which was ofcourse right behind. Initially when the bus started Swami was jokingly asking.. Ohhh This Bus makes lot of noise (As if Swami's doesn't know anything!!!).
It seems that he sat close by the window. He opened the window and when the air blew, he commented, Ohh my forest( hair) is blowing away... These two are just excuses Swami used to come near to those in the bus and then asked members to ask questions and answered all of the spiritual questions.... Apart from this father had many chances of padanamaskar's and few interview chances in which he did clarify many of his spiritual questions. Also he asked for Moksha and Swami in his own style said no one can complete MA immediately. One has to study first class, then second class.....so on should complete tenth, 12th and get into BA, complete it and get into MA and complete MA....so he hinted that there is a long process ahead.....
But still that is not complete because it is their experience and not mine....I encourage everyone to have their own personal experience!!!!
I did have a golden chance of having Swami's Padnamaskar couple of times or more. In my early childhood days where I was FORCED by father into Sai and missed few golden opportunities which ofcourse Swami was kind enough to give it back to me in full after the devotion was from SOURCE and not by FORCE. Hence an attempt to write down all my experiences with the Physical presence of Swami.....
1. Opportunity during my school days....
During my school days I remember seeing Swami once at my age of 8! I cannot forget this incident since this is in 1978 when whole of our family went to Puttaparthi. The Ashram was strict on closing the gates etc., and we were late as the bus came very slow. So until morning when the gates open we couldn't enter the heaven on earth! Since it was a village those days we decided to sleep in the varandah of someones house that night and enter in the morning. During that time in the midnight one lady came and tried to snatch away our little baby brother who was not even one year at that time. My mother immediately woke up and that lady friskly walked away....This was how Puttaparthi was in 1978...and I remember this visit because of this incident...even though vagouly I do remember seeing Swami and Swami blessing us.....
Later on, when I was in my 8th class Swami came to Hyderabad to inaugurate the extension building of Shivam and it was in 1982. As a balvikas student I got an opportunity to sit in front of Shivam temple and offer flowers at Swami's feet. Also, got an opportunity to play flute in front of the Lord! One more opportunity was to do Siva tandavam dance even though Swami didn't see this as he retired by then, this was my first stage performance ever!!!
2. Soka Tapta hrudayudni Saranu jochu vachanu....
I have prepared along with a friend for both B.Tech examination in A.P as well as a common examination conducted all over India (IIT). I had very high hopes of getting into IIT and so was my friend. Unfortunately none of us could get into none of the engineering classes. Both were disturbed to very deep extent because we didn't even imagine we will be forced to do Bsc which is considered very less and/or wait for one more year. I went to Puttaparthi along with this song
Soka Tapta hrudayudni Saranu Jochi Vachanu ... Saranicchi karuninchi deevinchu Sai....
Saranicchi karuninchi deevinchu Sai.... Saranicchi karuninchi deevinchu Sai....
meaning
Filled with tears my heart has come to you for total surrender, please accept it and bless me Swami...
He sure did....
Miraculaously the same college I joined opened a Bsc (computers science) one month later and I did get admission in it with my high academic score anyways... After which I did my masters in Computers and am in a position in par with my friends who made it to the B.Tech then....
Since then I got couple of Padanamaskars from Swami accepting my prayer and I think I am extremely fortunate for it.
3. 65th Birthday grace
There is a lot I had experienced during the 65th birthday of Bhagavan. I also learned a lot. The greatest sacrifice given by Uncle Sri Nageswara Rao garu and aunty had made a lasting impression for my life time. I can never forget it. Being one of the richest families and having lot of influence themselves, yet they preferred a very simple life style. It so happenned that they sacrificed their life while doing Narayana Seva at their home before leaving to parthi for 65th Birthday.
I was assigned to work at the post office for the 65th birthday. I also helped in writing the room numbers for some of the West 7 and further down buildings. Every day I used to go to the post office that is outside gokulam and get the enough stocks of letters, stamps etc., predetermined by the post master Sri Seshayya garu. Also, I used to communicate any messages to any members as this is the only one phone outside the main line I guess. I enjoyed working with Sri Seshayya garu. Initially I was asked to stand outside controlling the croud etc., But as the crowd became big, I took the charge of Sri Seshayya garu and sold the letters etc., being a young boy and having experience at my grand parents house, I could do it faster than Sri Seshayya garu. At the end of the 15 days, on the day of birthday, I was asked to reserve the seat of VVIP’s so that VIP’s won’t occupy and guess what? I had to sit on the President Of India’s seat!!! Next to CM of AP and also governer. As soon as the president Sri R. Venkataraman came I vacated the place. It was the most thrilling experience in life for a middleclass person like me to be so close to President of India and sit next to CM and Governer of AP even though for a short time of 10 minutes or so....This was all ONLY possible because of Swami......
4. Choclate at Brindavan...
After my Bsc in computers which I got with his love, I tried to do MBA in puttaparthi. I wrote the exam perfectly well but didn't fair well all on the group discussion. When asked in the interview I professed the same and the Vice-chancellor being extremely happy told me that Swami will be always with you wherever you are don't worry that you didn't get a seat here...!!!
After this failure to get a seat at MBA, I wanted to see Swami who was in Banglaore during that time. I calculated that I had enough money to go and have darshan and come back but not any more money. My whole goal was to have his darshan and return back to Hyderabad. Unfortunately by the time I figured the exact place where Swami stays in Bangalore and visited him it was little late and also Swami just left after seeing the first few people while I was in the last. Suddenly one of my collegue who also appeared the MBA exam runs by me and says there is a room for very less and a need of one person to share it. He asks if I am interested to stay for one more day! I readily accepted thinking to save money by travelling back home in general comparatment instead of a sleeper coach.
The next day morning got up very early, did head bath with cold water and went to darshan sparing the cold and cough I got few days back. To my utter dismay, I got a big number of token at darshan line and was terribly dissatisfied with myself. Anyway, as soon as Swami came for darshan no cold no cough nothing... we all just immerse in his divine figure....That day Swami came out and threw Chocolates on people. Two of them directly fell on my lap. I thought it was somebody's birthday and Swami picked them and threw at us. Even that was a good blessing and so was contendly returning. Meanwhile, the friend of mine who shared room with me sat in the front rows asked me if I saw Swami creating and throwing Chocolates from no-where? I said I didn't see it but I was fortunate to get two!!! One I removed from my pocket and shared with all our friends there itself, forgot the other one totally. Went back to the room and while packing the bags, just looked at something obstructing my pen and saw this Chocolate... No it was a cough drop not a Chocolate. I thought Wow Swami what a perfect throw!!!. Among around 20,00 - 30,000 devotees you knew who got cough and who should the cough drop go to!!!
5. Kalyana mandapam experience
This is unique in its own kind. I got a seat in Masters in Computers in a prestegious college and Swami came to Hyderabad to inaugurate the Kalyana Mandapam when I was in 1st year. I flunked the classes many days before the event and went and did some small services like cleaning etc., in the Kalyana mandapam. The then PM of India Mr. Rao also was supposed to come and so there were strict protocols to be followed. They said only those who had white Safari will stay inside. Rest all should stay outside. My father got the Safari for himself but I didn't dare ask to get one for me as it was difficult for him to get one in those days. Any ways I decided to be at the door expecting I can get a glimpse of Swami. The big day did come. Swami came first before scheduled time. I and my classmate stood at the main entrance expecting to see Swami atleast while he was entering in. To our deep discontent Swami came by the side door. But Lo and behold ... After 10 minutes or so .. Swami and Swami alone, came from inside to the front door!!!! He stood exactly 2 arms distance from me! I was thrilled and surprised to see Swami!!! He checked the whole outside from this entrance and stood very close to me looking at me for atleast 5-10 minutes. I was totally drenched in his looks that I didn't have a word. In the heart I was praying for padanamaskar's and he surely did grant them to me at a later date, asking me to be satisfied with that darshan for that day which drenched me totally. It is only
because of Swami that we could see PM of India in such a close proximity.....
6. Ultimate Seva opportunity at Trayi Brindavan during summer showers
I was preparing for my exams which are due to start in 30-40 days time from one fortunate day. Suddenly, the son of the President of the local Sai Samithi came to our house. I lend my ears there instead of concentrating on the studies. He was saying there is a golden opportunity for my father if he could make it to Banglaore and keep leave for 20 days. My father thought about it a little while and said he was busy at work because it was year end or something. I suddenly broke my silence and dashed into the varandah and asked if I could get that chance instead of my father. The boy returned telling that he would check with his father. After a while I got a message saying he accepted!!! Now, the exams start 5 days after the date we return home, but I dared it because it is once in a life time opportunity and surely it was a life time blesssing....
We had to serve the students of Swami in close proximity of Swami. Swami used to come atleast twice a day and he would choose when to drop according to his will in the cafeteria. We would serve, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner daily. We were busy, cleaning, arranging for dinner and serving food to the students daily. It was such a wonderfull bliss that the 20 days we didn't know how it passed and daily we got to see Swami from close quarters. Some times we also had a chance to enter the Trayi Brindavan. Swami eats very less and just acts as if he is eating to satisy elders and students I believe! Believe me the food is so great that I haven't eaten such a collection of wonderfull items from North to South Indian and also East to West. I am also sure I will never get a chance to even taste such food again in my lifetime. The cooks are the best in the country and they take utmost precautions while cooking as it is for Swami and his students. Swami just slipped one curry on one evening and commented that the curry was little too salty....!!! How does the divine master knows each and everything what even the cooks might have slipped!!!! While in the trip we were blessed with Swami's prasadam and during the end, he blessed us with a photo opportunity with him. Also, he gave vibhuti to each and everyone of us and padanamaskars... While giving vibhuthi he said, "Chala kashta padi pani chesaru Bangaru, Manchidi Bangaru Chala Santosham Bangaru" A life time opportunity..... I always remember these words as they were THE ONLY words of Swami to me direct!!!!! Rest all communication was HEART to HEART.....
7. Bombay and life saving experience ....
After my education, I worked in Bombay for couple of years. Those days, I was given an opportunity to do a small Seva by one of our center presidents Sri Hanumantha Rao garu. All he asked me to do was to take the dairy's he got printed in hyderabad and handover to one of the authorities in Dharmakshetra....those dairy's would be sold at Bombay Satyam Mandir and the money to be utilized for social services. I took the load of dairies in the bus from Hyderabad to Bombay. At checkpost before entry to Bombay there was a police officer who checked the whole bus. He came to the place all the huge luggage was kept underneath the bus and enquired about all of them...opened most of them and asked for reciepts etc., Then when my turn came....all I said is this was Sai baba's stuff and showed him some letter that uncle has written to Satyam officers and was scared since I didn't have any official reciept. On hearing Sai baba....that much strict police officer....just kept quite and said ok ok.....he didn't even see what was inside or didn't even care to see my letter....
Bombay was quite a good place to live but food in Bombay was the most tough thing especially for an Andhrite like me. There would be minimal rice and all we have to eat was pav-bhaji most of the time....I neglected much more and so became very weak. Couple of times I used to just fall off in the train (like fainted) but luckily two times I fainted, my friends took good care of me and Swami made sure I didn't faint while I was alone!!!! Later on got a job in New Jersey and that was the first time I left India and stayed alone in an apartment in New Jersey. I knew little about cooking so my eating got much lesser and there was a tremondous pain in the back bone developing. Luckily the manager of the company which brought me to New Jersey was nice and took me to hospitals couple of times and even waited for me! I was suggested to take complete bed rest for 6 months and so the manager decided to send me back home so I came back to India in just 3 months time in New Jersey....After showing to the doctor in India, I was worrying about my career and the doctor scolded me for bearing such a huge pain for so long....The best doctor in that field got surprised how I beared so much pain....I thought it was Swami who might have bored all the pain.......Anyways...it was life saving since after 6 months total bed rest....I slowly got to normal.......I am sure ONLY Swami could have saved me.......
8. Marriage and Los Angeles experience….
Later on I got married and was thrown into this physical world of so called pleasure! Immediately after marriage we both went to Brindavan to have Swami Darshan. Still remember the old service days and just went near the place where lecturers stand. Surprisingly, I didn't think anything and also no volunteer or any one stopped me! There some one was giving harathi to Swami and luckily I could get the harathi!!!
We moved to Mountain View, CA and our daughter was born there. Father visited us from India on this occassion. I thought to show him Tustin Sathya sai center. I found that it is open on saturday till 3 PM. Planned to start early and infact did start early. Meanwhile just thought to visit the temple in Los Angeles as it is in the way before going to Tustin. Reached the temply by 10:30 AM. But the temple doors were closed for some pooja. We sat expecting the doors to open and they didn't untill 11:45 or so ... By the time the darshan was over it was 12:30. Now my tension increased as there was traffic jam outside. Immediately after crossing the traffic at one point the speed was increased to 50 (limit 65) and within 3 minutes one of my tire got flat! I was so dissappionted and went out to see for some help. My cell phone's battery was down and the local telephone on the pole didn't work. Frustrated I wanted to call AAA using a phone nearby. I walked long invain and couldn't find any phone. While I was returing back invain, my wife Veena called me to come fast. I said why and she said someone came and repaired the car, she was looking for some change to tip that person. That person said he saw in the camera that our car got flat and came immediately to rescue us and he doesn't accept tips. After all this it was almost 3:15 and I wanted to atleast show the building from outside to father since we were pretty close to this site. We went there to our great surprise found that the door was open and the manager there was discussing Swami's leelas with his old friend and readily asked us to shop!!! Swami made them discuss and let us not get dissappointed at the same time!!!
9. Swami Paduka's experience ....
During december of 2004 I visited one of our friends house who was Swami's devottee too. He said he is going to India and asked me if he could get any thing for me in return of the help I have done to him sometime back. I said nothing much but if he could find Swami's Paduka's please get them. I was thinking to get them blessed by Swami with some small influences I might have (Bad thought of monkey mind!). My friend obviously tried a lot but didn't get any and I didn't insist too... Meanwhile we put our house for sale got a new home and moved to it. In the meantime we even had to stay in a hotel for short period of time. Afte we settled in our new house on May/June 2005, I got a message that this friends father is coming to US. I asked my father and he somehow arranged for 2 Paduka's sets. This uncle has brought both to US. One set of Paduka's were kept at our local Sai center. The president of the center here started putting the paduka's from Gurupoornima celebration for which we all felt very happy. In my mind there was a little dissatisfaction as Swami didn't still make me eligible to have his Paduka's. Requested father for one more set if possible and he said ok. After a few days got the news that the set of paduka's which father ordered now, went to Puttaparthi to be blessed by Swami directly on Guru poornima day!!! What a blessing. Finally I got this set of Paduka's directly blessed by Swami....(without using any influence but for HIS!!!)
10. 80th Birthday and Viswaroopa darshanam experience....
We were fortunate to be selected as delegates to attend the Lords 80th birthday. Our whole family, me my wife Veena and daughter Sai Trayi came to Parthi just 5 days before birthday to attend the 8th International conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. As a delegate got some very good opportunities to sit close to Swami and was fortunate to have his grand Darshan. One more of HIS 80th Birthday discourse and many more. Small Highlight of this trip was while I was going on the road, suddenly everything cleared and lo and behold Swami was in the car travelling the same way. Just I was there in that spot and Swami saw at me doing Namaskar and Saying Sairam. He laughed at me and went ahaed. One more thing was there were about 5-6 lakhs devotees who came for his 80th birthday. In that crowd, I heard that some of the Sevadals liked my daughter Sai Trayi's voice and while Swami's car was passing lifted this small girl so as to show to Swami and Swami saw this Trayi and blessed itseems in a group of 5-6 lakhs devotees and that too busy time of HIS Birthday....!!!
Later on in 2007 while I was doing my regular puja something really stuck me and said come to see me.....It was so intense that I couldn't ignore it...The same day one of our Sai brothers in our center told to me that he would like to invite me to come to puttaparthi along with our center president and himself and a few of our other brothers in our center. Initially I was thinking about it but later on decided to go to puttaparthi.....The whole journey was so spiritual that through out in the plane all we were doing is thinking about Swami's experiences and his bhajans etc., etc., We landed in Chennai and waited to recieve couple of our other friends including our center president who came in the other flight that landed in a hour difference.
We then went to one of our brother Sri Krishna's house and he gladly helped us during the whole stay. We were first taken to Tiruvanmalai to see Arunachala Shiva!!! We were blessed to chant Veda in front of the Ganapathi Swami there. Also, we visited Ramana Maharshi's ashram right there. The same night returned back to chennai. Next morning we chanted veda as one of the pious soul came to inaugurate the 24 hour Namasmarana program. we attended the whole program which lasted the whole night did Namamsmarana which was very nice and in the morning did Suprabhatam and Veda chanting again. Later on after the conclusion of that program did Rudrabishekam at one of his friends house.
Later on packed our bags to leave to Parthi. I decided to stay 5 days at parthi since it was long time since I have been at parthi, however all my other friends went in 2-3 days time. Daily was enjoying Swami's darshan and was so pleased when he saw at us....My wife's grandmother stays in parthi and I was informed that she has to be taken to a doctor. So apart from Swami's darshan I used to help her in what ever small way I could. That day was a thursday and after morning darshan she said we need to go to super speciality hospital. That was my first visit to Super speciality hospital inside. However, to my surprise, I felt like I came many times here since not only all the staff are Swami's students but also because the procedure is the same which we follow in one of the free clinic we do service in bay area. That day got to see lot of units inside the hospital. Luck was on my side as one of the other person who helped my wife's grandmother was the son-in-law of Smt. Mangamma who donated the throne that is there in Prashanti mandir. Had a quick chat with him and he was so nice to help us by dropping us at the hospital and picking up. However it was late that day at the hospital since we had to go to several wards. So, grand mother requested the son-in-law of Smt. Mangamma to help me go inside along with him and he agreed. That day being thursday so surprised to see the whole hall was full and I entered thru the VIP gate for the first time in my life.....!!! Swami made me VIP too.....and not only that when we came and sat in the VIP section....Swami looked at us and gestured as though to make sure we were there.....
Later on there was an announcement by Prof. Anil kumar that there is going to be a Viswaroopa darshan in the airport and all are requested to go there by 7 PM. Since I was there with this gentleman who is a VIP, I asked him only for help to take me to airport and he readily agreed. Also, to my surprise, he gave ride to Sri Veda Narayan Sir also. So had a little chat with Sri Veda Narayan sir and followed him closely. Luckily by the time we settled there in a few minutes Swami's car came and stood just in front of us. Lucky, I was in the third row and could see Swami very clearly....What all he did was so much great....He just stopped the car in front of us for 10 minites. Then he ordered the light inside the car to be on. There was luckily no security no sevadal no students no staff....it was Just Swami and we HIS chosen devotees.....he also at one point in time opened the car door and tried to come out. Since it was just devotees as they were getting unruly....he went back inside the car. Later on for 10 minutes he stayed there only. From then on it was Viswaroopa darshan for me. His car started moving here and there....and no matter where HIS car moved.... he made sure that I was right beside HIS Car. This happenned for 10 more minutes. Later on I understood that students got another jeep or big vehicle and tried to make way for Swami to go back by pushing us here and there. To my surprise no matter if the Jeep pushes or HIS car moves, I was always almost next to his car door and was seeing Swami all the time.....message is no matter the world might pull this way or the other....just get sticked to Swami! And after 30 minutes of this drama....Swami's car got cleared and went I could run some distance but was so tired and so didn't run behind. I walked and to my surprise at the gate again I see Swami's car next to me!!! HE made sure I come out of that airport and there at the entrance also gave me another 5 minutes of BONUS darshan.....I couldn't believe myself....went home somehow catching some local bus. What a Viswaroopa Darshan of Swami we got!!!
11. Another Service Opportunity at divine presence
In the year 2010 there was a parthi pilgrimage by US devotees planned. I initially signed up for this as I thought I can make it. Later on I realized that I need to take my son to India at a later time and so decided to stay back. But this time, during my puja there were mixed signals to go or not to go was a big question....Later on one fine day, I said to myself, I had so many darshans of Swami and will definetly have one more darshan soon as I have to go to take my son and show to Swami etc., Since I couldn't decide myself, I thought ok Swami, If I am made incharge of something, I will come in parthi trip.. fully knowing that I will never be considered to be made leader for anything. But, Lo and Behold...Swami again blessed me to represent the region 7 and the regional service coordinator called me and conveyed this message to me. I was thrilled and decided since it was definetly call from Swami....Sure enough....booked the tickets in the last minute and had the GOLDEN opportunity to do HIS service one more time.....This time, I was made incharge of the dining hall service as we all from US served in the Western canteen.....What an incredible experience this was for 10-12 days didn't know how things went. Apart from Darshan of Swami I busied myself in the western canteen most of the time. To my surprise, saw Sri Raman Rao garu who was our incharge in point# 6 above was serving here during his free time.....We remembered the old memories and cherished them.....After doing 10-12 days of service through out the day and night at the last darshan as an incharge of service I was given an opportunity to offer the letters to Swami. This was a great opportunity since I never gave any personal letter to Swami so far and here I was sitting to handover the entire USA groups letters to Swami! Swami surely indicated Sri Chakravarthi garu to take the letters and I had one more close darshan.......
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The more I think about it, to sum up, Swami gave me exactly THREE great service opportunities at HIS Physical presence for about 15-20 days each. Swami talked to me physically only THREE sentences which are most aspired by any devotee. Swami gave me Padanamaskars exactly THREE times which I can relish and remember. Swami gave me exactly THREE group photos along with my fellow friends. More than all these, HE has shown me the royal and easiest way to practical spirituality.
There are many more incidents which are small to mention but the whole attempt of this blog is to recaptulate my own experiences with the physical presence of Swami so that I don't forget such divine experiences of the past. This is the spritual journey and Swami is certainly the best master we all can have. It is great fortune for all of us to have this Divine Drill Master as our spiritual GURU and GOD. I pray to HIM to continue to bless us with his immense wisdom ....
JAI SAI RAM .. JAI JAI SAI RAM .. JAI SAI RAM....
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