Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VII | Ms. Uma Maheswari

Ms. Uma Maheswari,
Staff Nurse,
Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital,
Prasanthi Nilayam.

      Ms. Uma Maheswari, an ardent devotee of Bhagavan, has come to stay at Prasanthi Nilayam and work in Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital. She has had several experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan of which she records two experiences in an article published in Arogyapradayini, the Golden Jubilee publication of Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam released in August 2006.

'Whatever has happened in my life is His Will. He has taken care of me all along, and I pray that he does so till my very end.

When I was studying in the third standard in the elementary school, I was compelled to attend the weekly Sai bhajans by our family friend Dr. Lakshmi, a staunch follower of Swami. She was a medical officer in the local government maternity hospital. It was this beautiful person, who brought me to the Sai Kingdom. Then, Swami Himself opened the door of His Kingdom of Love, and took me into His fold. He saved me from many major problems. I would like to share two of His Divine miracles.

I was physically healthy when I was born. Later, when I was a student, a tumour started growing in my left thigh and left knee. It was very painful, especially while walking. Many orthopaedic surgeons in Chennai were consulted. The uniform response was that the tumour could not be taken out as it was in the knee joint. Amputation was the only answer. My parents refused amputation. The tumour went on growing. I was in a lot of pain. After my studies at school, I worked as a teacher in the Sarada Ramakrishna Ashram. I felt the need of God, His mercy and His grace. I longed inwardly for God's grace to get rid of my physical problems, and show me the path to peace and bliss.

By Swami's will and grace, our family moved to Udipi. There, I felt Swami's Love flowing to me. While being there, I was admitted to the KMC Hospital, Manipal for a check up. My brother was then working there as staff nurse. Our family wanted to know the possibility of removing this large growth without amputation. None of us truly believed that there was a chance here, for the surgeons at Chennai had turned me down. It was believed that it was a highly malignant tumour (sarcoma). But by Swami's Will, I was made to pray to Him. I told Him about my pains, physical as well as mental. My faith in Sai started growing. The pain in the left leg became unbearable. But my prayers also became more sincere.

My operation was scheduled on the 14th July 1983. Our Mother Sai became the Doctor Sai. The tumour was removed successfully. The relief of pain was immense. The tumour was a benign fibroma. I was saved from an amputation. The tumour weighed 3.5 kg. Now, my dependence on Swami grew evermore. Later, I came to work in the same hospital as a nurse. Having been a patient myself, I have learnt how to serve the patients. It is all Swami's love, grace and blessings.

Another miracle is when I was going blind in my left eye owing to an accident. This happened just before Deepavali one year. We were whitewashing the house at Manipal; some of the lime mixture splashed into my left eye accidentally. The burn was very severe and to control it I poured water in my eye. This aggravated the problem. The cornea was destroyed. I felt darkness. I could not open my eyes. All I could see was blackness. I was given the bad news that there was no chance of getting the vision in the left eye as the cornea was burnt.

Hearing the doctor's words, I screamed loudly 'Sairam'. I could not control myself. I started weeping. The only thing I remember was 'Sairam, Sairam, Sairam'. The doctor covered my eyes with bandages and instructed me not to open them for two weeks. As I was not able to see anything, my mind dwelt on Him constantly in prayer for a cure, prayer to remove the darkness and to give 'vision'. Finally, the day came. The Lord did it again, as He is doing every moment, every day to all those who call Him sincerely and to all those who surrender themselves at His Lotus Feet. I continued to say Sairam. The bandage was removed, and I could see light. I was saved from the agony of not being able to see Him.

My yearning grows stronger by the day. I just want to be at His Lotus Feet, surrendering to Him fully. Whatever I am today is by His grace alone, vision and all.'

-- Ms. Uma Maheswari

(Extracted from Arogyapradayini, the Golden Jubilee Commemorative volume of the General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam released in August 2006)