Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VII | Mr.P.V.Ramana Rao

Mr.P.V.Ramana Rao,
SSS General Hospital.
Prasanthi Nilayam

      Mr. P.V.Ramana Rao, an ardent devotee of Bhagavan, records a few of his experiences in an article published in Arogyapradayini, the Golden Jubilee publication of Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam released in August 2006.

'I was in Visakhapatnam in the course of my service in the year 1970. Severe stomach pain developed and I was admitted to the Railway Hospital for treatment. On investigation, I was diagnosed as having peptic ulcer and was advised surgery. Another patient gave me a book titled 'Sathyam Sivam Sundaram' written by Sri Tirumalachary. I was struck dumb by the account of miracles of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Thereupon, I decided in my heart that Swami is God. I started praying regularly to Swami for improvement of my health, which was not very good.

In the hospital, doctors fixed my surgery date. Indeed, it was a major surgery. As the surgery date was approaching, I was in a distressed condition, and started weeping in the middle of the nights, thinking of the fate of my wife and children, in case of my demise during surgery. I prayed to Swami to keep me alive for the sake of my family. By 9 a.m. on the morning of surgery, I was on a stretcher, and ward boys were wheeling me to the operation theatre. I then asked for vibhuti from my fellow patients, who did not have any. At that moment, an unknown gentleman came out of nowhere to me and said 'you want Sai Baba's vibhuti, I have brought it for you'. I told the gentleman 'sir, my hands are tied down by the i.v. drip'. Thereupon, the gentleman himself applied the vibhuti on my forehead and also put it in my mouth. The rest of it, he kept under my pillow. The surgery was successful, and I realised that the gentleman who had given the vibhuti and saved me was none other than Swami. I offer my humble pranams at the Lotus Feet of Swami.

During the year 1987, my wife suffered from severe back pain. She was seen by on orthopaedic surgeon. There was no relief from the pain. One day, Swami came in my dream and advised me to take my wife to Bombay during Ugadi festival. Accordingly, I took my wife to Bombay and stayed in my friend's house. My friend was surprised at my sudden visit. After I told him why I had come, he said 'there is no programme of Bhagavan's visit now'. However, in the evening, after returning from his office, he said that he came to know that Swami was due to arrive the next day. Next morning at eleven o' clock, Swami came in a great procession, and stood on the stage for a while, and returned. While entering the car, He waved His hand of blessing towards my wife, who was sitting under a tree. Lo and behold! All of a sudden, her pain was completely gone. My wife and I expressed our sincere gratitude to Swami Karuna Sai (that's what we call Him).

Gradually, I started taking part in Sai activities and bhajans. One day, I decided to go to Bangalore for Swami's darshan. When I arrived there, I learnt that Swami had left for Puttaparthi. Immediately, I proceeded to Puttaparthi and, on reaching there, I learnt that Swami had again left for Bangalore. The sun was setting; I was suffering from high fever, and had had no sleep or food for three days. However, slowly, I stepped inside the main gate. Nobody was there. I prayed to Swami to grant me darshan. Immediately, Swami came down from His building. He saw me with kindness and returned. Swami was so kind to come down all the way for the sake of a mere ordinary devotee. My heart was filled with great joy.'

-- Mr.P.V.Ramana Rao

(Extracted from Arogyapradayini, the Golden Jubilee Commemorative volume of the General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam released in August 2006)