Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group V | Ms. N. Devi

Ms. N. Devi, II B.Com. (Hons),
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
Anantapur Campus.

Ms. N. Devi, a student of the second year B.Com. (Hons) of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus narrates a few of her experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'At the tender age of five, I began to feel the support of God. I entered the portals of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. My Divine Companion gave me succour, sometimes directly and most times indirectly. I remember the gift I received from Him on my eighth birthday. It so happened that even the third attempt I had made to get Swami's blessings, on that day, failed. I was given only one more, much awaited, chance to try my luck. I came with a cup containing cloves, most eagerly, into the mandir. To my utter dismay, I saw the place kept for the primary school children filled with devotees from Kerala who had come to celebrate Onam. Thus, I hesitantly took the first tow in a section rarely visited by Swami. The lilting flow of music announcing His arrival cut all the negative thoughts in me, and filled me with positive energy. I waited with bated breath, and my eyes followed every move of the Lord. I had never celebrated my birthday without His direct blessings for the past seven years and a fear suddenly gripped me. He walked on gently. My eyes, however, could no longer follow Him, as He moved away into the gents section. I prayed intensely for one and a half hours. Bhagavan was testing the strength of my prayer and faith. Lo! Just before the bhajans started, Swami came out again. His immense love filled me as He glided down to where I was seated. His intense gaze and ever-welcoming smile overwhelmed me. None else seemed to exist in the hall, as He walked straight to me. He came close to me, bent gently and, in a sweet tone, said 'achha'. That word was enough to dry all my tears. When a mother wants to teach her child an important lesson, she thinks of the best way she can impact it, of a way in which the lesson stays imprinted in the child's mind forever.

The lesson of faith and yearning for God is an important lesson, and the teaching needed to be efficient So He chose one of my most sensitive areas, and the most favourite time of my birthday to drive home the lesson that a sincere effort to please God reaches Him even before we realize it.

The initial lesson of faith is followed by a lesson on surrender. My mother had come to see me at school and she informed me that my brother had met with an accident while getting on to the train. The train, by which he was travelling, picked up speed while he was getting on to it. He was unable to hoist himself up. If he released his hold, he would fall between the rails and if he didn't, he would hit an electric pole. At this crucial moment, I believe, he closed his eyes and said 'Sai Maa, please take charge'. So saying, he released his grip. For the next few minutes he was not aware of what was happening. The only thing that registered in his mind was that he was miraculously saved. He let go, and God took over! He returned home safely, ran straight into the pooja room, and prostrated in front of Swami's picture. My mother told me that none other than Bhagavan could have saved my brother. To surrender to Him is indeed to be 'surely under His care.'

-- Ms. N. Devi

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