Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Ms. Kiron Gupta

Ms. Kiron Gupta,
Sri Sathya Sai Women's Hostel,
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
Anantapur Campus.

Ms. Kiron Gupta, who works in the hostel in the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus narrates her experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'My father heard of Bhagavan, but he denied Him vehemently. He had great faith in the world, his relatives and his friends. One day, his world came crashing down when he suddenly lost his job, and his dearest friends and relatives refused to even recognise him. In this hopeless state he called out to Him whom he had always denied thus far. Yes, the Lord responded to his call.

Our house was filled with a strange fragrance. There were manifestations of vibhuti (holy ash), haldi (turmeric powder) and kumkum (vermillion) on the pictures of all forms of God. To everybody's surprise all the thresholds of the house had the message - 'I come, do not worry - Sai Baba'. This was written by a finger on a layer of vibhuti and haldi. This message appeared and disappeared like an image on a television screen. I still remember very vividly how all of us went running around the house like people possessed. We were engulfed by this overpowering presence of Love. Tears of joy and gratitude fell from our eyes, and our heads bent in humility.

In this turbulent period, when everybody deserted us, there was somebody to say 'everything will be all right, I am here with you.' Life went on for us but with a difference now. There was a hope. I must say that life with God is not a fairy tale which always ends with 'and they lived happily ever after'. God's presence in our lives is not the absence of difficulties; rather it is the absence of fear in the presence of faith.

Tragedy struck my family again, and this time it was death that knocked at our door. We lost our father, the sole earning member of our house. All of us children were still studying. Our relatives advised my mother to discontinue our education so that we could take up jobs. Life came to a standstill for us as we stood helplessly and hopelessly watching our dreams shattered by the cruel hands of fate.

But the most merciful Lord had already taken over, and His help was on the way. My sister and I were at Anantapur at the time of my father's death. We looked forward to Swami's consoling words and went to Prasanthi Nilayam. He created vibhuti for us and placed His Hand on my head saying 'don't worry, Sai Mata is with you always. I will give you scholarship for your studies.' We continued to get our monthly bank draft; only now, it came from Prasanthi Nilayam, and not Delhi. My 'Father' changed his address. All four of us, sisters, had the privilege to study at Anantapur. True to His promise, Bhagavan paid for our education till the end.

All of us are now well settled in life. We believe what we are today is only because of the bounty and mercy of Bhagavan.'

-- Ms. Kiron Gupta

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