Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group III | Mrs. M. Anantalakshmi

Mrs. M. Anantalakshmi
Sai Ram Theatre & Sai Gayathri Temple
Chebrolu - 534 406
Ungutur Mandal, West Godavari District
Tel: 08818-251535 Mobile: 98494-05883

Mrs. M. Anantalakshmi (63), a housewife, relates a few of her experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'My father, Mr. D. Subba Rao took us all to Prasanthi Nilayam in 1949. In those days, Swami was staying at Pata-mandiram. I was in Class VI at that time. I had a problem with my nails, which were decaying. I had also boils on my feet. These ailments remained un-healed in spite of taking medicines. Swami came straight to me and materialised vibhuti and gave me. 'Your problem will leave you by the time you get down the train at your place on your return journey', Swami told me. Both my ailments disappeared completely and they never recurred later.

When we arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami was not there. He was in Venkatagiri. 'My devotees have come from West Godavari district', Swami told Raja of Venkatagiri, 'I must go'. So saying He returned. He told my father on arrival at Prasanthi Nilayam, 'I called you deliberately to this place. You are not recent ones, but longstanding people'. He materialised 10 Photographs of His and gave each of us one.

We also came afterwards to Prasanthi Nilayam for opening of the present mandir. I worked as a lady volunteer during Dasara and participated in kumkum pooja. I saw Swami performing vibhuti abhishekam to Shirdi Baba on Vijayadasami day. He put His hand in the empty vessel and rotated vigorously when vibhuti showered in heaps on Baba's idol. A day prior to that, Swami went round the ladies wing distributing bangles, haldi (turmeric powder), kumkum and a jacket piece. I had the good fortune of holding the large plate in which bangles, etc were placed, and went round with Bhagavan while He distributed the material.

We all came to Prasanthi Nilayam again in 1960. I passed Intermediate. 'Don't study further', Swami told me, 'take care of your household duties. Enough.' I did not study further though I used to appear for Hindi exams privately.

My people thought of getting me married. They went and saw an alliance for me. As they did not find it suitable they returned. Swami came to Agiripalli that year. First Swami ignored us when we went there. Later, He was angry that our people had gone and seen an alliance for me without telling Swami. 'I will do Ananta's marriage. Don't worry', He said.

In 1961, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam and stayed there for a few weeks. Swami used to take us to the bank of the Chitravathi in the evenings daily. He used to bring a big torch with Him. One day He took out crystal idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana from the sand.

Swami fixed the alliance for me with Mr. M. Rambabu of Nellore. Our wedding was held in Swami's Divine presence in the mandir. He materialised tali and gave it to the bridegroom to tie it round my neck. It was bigger than normal size. My mother brought another tali. Swami said, 'only the tali brought by the bridegroom is important'. Curiously, the tali brought by my parents was not to be found at the time of my wedding. So now I have only one tali given by Bhagavan.

After my marriage, I could not go over to Prasanthi Nilayam for about 10 years. In 1970, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam. 'Anatalakshmi! You have forgotten me!' Swami accosted me on seeing me in Darshan line after ignoring us for four days.

'You have forgotten me, Swami!' I replied.

'If it is so', Swami asked, 'how come I called you Anantalakshmi?' I had no answer.

'How many children have you?' Swami asked. 'Four, Swami!'

Swami allowed us to do pada-pooja and He performed kesa-khandana to my elder son. All my four sons later became students of Swami.

One day I was doing pradakshinas to Gayathrimaata when I felt sad that Mother Goddess was wearing gilt jewellery. Then I heard a voice telling me, 'you can give gold jewellery'. Afterwards, Swami's grace helped me to construct a Sai Gayathri temple in Chebrolu, and I could decorate the idol with gold jewellery.'

-- Mrs. M. Anantalakshmi

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 10.03.2005.)