Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Mrs. N. Srilakshmi

Mrs. N. Srilakshmi,
W1-B2, Prasanthi Nilayam - 515134.

Mrs. N. Srilakshmi (63), a housewife, relates her experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'I think it was 1982 or 1989. I went to Kedarnath with a group of pilgrims. There we had to go along a narrow path. On one side is the high mountain forming part of the Himalayas. On the other side is a deep valley in which the Alakananda flows. We engaged horses to take us along that narrow path. As we had no experience in horse riding, that too, along a narrow mountain path of ups and downs, it was quite dangerous. Then I remembered that I had read somewhere that to die in such holy places is a great boon. I began to prepare myself mentally for any eventuality.

The saddle of the horse, which was engaged for my use, was not in good condition. I could not hold on to anything when I suffered a jerk or jolt in the ride. All of a sudden I became very reckless. I removed my foot on one side from the ricab (foot hold) of the saddle. As the horse was going along the path which was full of ups and downs, I began to experience jerks and jolts severely because I let go my foot from the foothold. Why I did so I do not know. May be a spirit of reckless abandon engulfed me. Subconsciously, perhaps, I was longing to die, as death in such a holy place is a benediction.

Just at that time, I saw Swami in front of me. At once I folded my hands in the posture of namaskar chanting 'Sai Ram'. I was completely oblivious to my surroundings. I saw only Swami. Swami was going in front of me, and I was following Him on the horse with folded hands. Everyone would cling to the horse by clutching the saddle all the time. Here I was riding with folded hands with reckless abandon. Later, I was told that many had assumed that I was an expert rider who could keep her balance despite jerks and jolts without holding on to anything. After going thus for about 3 to 4 km. in front of me, Swami disappeared.

It was in 1994, I think, that Akhanda bhajan was held at Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami delivered the Divine Discourse. As the bhajan was going on, Swami rose to leave. Before leaving, Swami said, 'continue the bhajan. I will be here only'. Saying so, He left. At once I saw Him in the very chair where He was sitting earlier. I was stunned. I asked some people sitting by my side, 'do you see Swami over there?' 'Yes', they replied, 'of course!' But Swami had left a few seconds before! Yet, we could see Him in the chair for a few hours like that! While leaving did He not say, 'I will be here only?' He was!'

-- Mrs. N. Srilakshmi

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 24.11.2004.)