Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group III | Mr. Kalpataru Swain

Mr. Kalpataru Swain,
Banmalipur Post, Jajpur District,
Orissa - 755008

Mr. Kalpataru Swain (36), a teacher, relates his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'This was in 1988. By that time I failed XII Class (Intermediate) twice. I was much frustrated. Even though I studied hard, I could not pass the exam. Why? I felt dejected. In those days, my friends used to tell me about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. 'If I go to Him, my life may turn the corner', I thought.

One day I was given some amount to do some purchases. I quietly ran away from home with a view to going to Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I didn't know where I could find Him. As He is an Andhra, I thought He would be at Hyderabad. So I came to Secunderabad. From there I went to Hyderabad. But no one could give me the address of Baba. I returned to Secunderabad. I could not relish the food in the railway canteen. I was very tired. So I slept on a bench on the platform. That night, Swami came into my dream. I saw Baba's photo in our village earlier. So I could recognise Him.

'Get back! This is not the time for you to come to me. You will come to me for seva afterwards. Now go back to your parents.' Swami told me caressing my hair with His fingers.

'No! Swami! I will come to you. I will not go back', I protested in the dream. The dream ended as I woke up in a huff. After a few minutes the dream returned. Swami also came back. 'Your parents are sad. Your mother is weeping. Listen to me. Go back to your parents', Swami told me still caressing my hair with His fingers.

'No! Swami! I have to see you. I wont go back until I see you', I protested. The dream ended. The same thing repeated. I slept again. Swami came back in my dream. 'Your father is going now to the T.V. Station with your photograph. You will be identified, caught and sent back', Swami warned me, 'so return to your parents and make them happy. I will be with you and take care of you'. I woke up. When the same dream came repeatedly, I thought that it was divine will that I should go back. So, I returned to my place. I was afraid that my father would take me to task. But no one said anything. They were all visibly happy on my return. After two or three days I told them why I had left the home and the reason for my return.

That year I appeared again for my exam and passed. I underwent teacher training and passed it. I was selected as a teacher under the Education Guaranty Scheme of the Government of India. I joined Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization. As Bhagavan assured me in my dream that He would take care of me, my life changed for the better. It was, indeed, a turning point.

As foretold by Swami in my dream in 1988, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam in the first fortnight of February 2005 for seva and had Darshan of Bhagavan for the first time in physical form. By His grace, I could complete the full term of seva successfully. Of all the boons He has been bestowing on me, I consider the opportunity to participate in seva is the most precious.'

-- Mr. Kalpataru Swain.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 16.02.2005.)