Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Ms. J. Sai Lavanya

Ms. J. Sai Lavanya, II M.Sc.,
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
Anantapur Campus.

Ms. J. Sai Lavanya, a student of the second year M.Sc. of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus narrates her experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'My entry into Swami's Institute occurred in a very mysterious way. From childhood, my sister and I were interested in studying in Swami's school. Every year, my mother tried to get us admission in the school but in vain. After completing my X standard, I received a call letter from the school for the admission test, and my joy knew no bounds. I wrote the entrance test well, attended the interview and returned home. I was so overconfident that Swami would give me admission that I had not even applied elsewhere. The news that I had not been selected struck me like a thunderbolt. Everyone consoled me saying 'Swami will surely give you admission in His Anantapur College.'

After another two long years, I applied for the B.Sc. Course in Swami's Institute. This time, I was more than sure of a seat, but alas! I was once again disappointed to know that I had not been selected in the entrance test. We were despondent and debating our next alternative, when all of a sudden news reached us that Swami, most unusually during that time of the year, was making a trip to Prasanthi Nilayam from Brindavan. Swami arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam on the same day the admission test results were published. My mother and I rushed into the Sai Kulwanth Hall and sat in the first row for darshan. As Swami walked slowly and came near us, my mother raised herself and pleaded 'Swami, please give her admission in Your College.' Then Swami replied 'tappaka osthundi (she'll surely get it).' But I failed to believe those words at the time.

There were no further developments, and we returned home completely unaware of Swami's plan for me. I joined a B.Sc. Course in my home town itself. In a short while, my mother fell ill and was diagnosed as suffering from cancer. Since I was at home, I had the opportunity to serve my mother and perform all the duties at home. When she was being treated for cancer, she developed a brain stroke and it led to paralysis of the entire left side of her body. She passed away in the month of January. Swami gave us strength and courage to bear the loss of our beloved mother. More importantly, I understood why Swami had not granted me admission in His College; I would have been away from my mother when she had most needed me.

We were now desperate to have the darshan of Mother Sai, and hence we went to Brindavan. My sister and I managed seats in the first row in the Sai Ramesh Hall. A little before Swami was expected, a cover was passed on to me. I opened the cover and found in it an application form for the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. A well-wisher, on her own, had procured it for me! I hurriedly filled in my name and address and waited to get it blessed by Swami. Swami emerged for darshan, and as He came near us, He took letters from both of us. Then, as I stretched the application form requesting His blessing, Swami took that away from my hands and moved on. I took this as a sign that Swami had taken me into His Institute.

We returned home to prepare for my departure to the hostel. One day, I received, by post, the application form which Swami had taken from me. Enclosed was a small note that read - 'Fill the form fully and send it to the Registrar.' My joy knew no bounds, and I sent this form in greater anticipation now. When my sister reached Prasanthi Nilayam with this form, Swami appeared in her dream and asked 'did you get the application form? Don't worry, I will take care.' This time I could pass through the entrance test and interview because it was purely His Will. Later, I felt doubly convinced why Swami had not given me admission the previous year.'

-- Ms. J. Sai Lavanya

(As extracted from the souvenir Ananta Prematarangini published by the Anantapur Campus of the SSSIHL on the occasion of the 80th Birthday of Bhagavan)