|
The experience of Ravi Teja
Here I am sending the personal
experience of Sri. Ravi Teja friend of Sri Murali, studied along
with Murali in Swami's college.
One can talk about Swami's love towards his devotees for hours
together,still one cannot justify the same. Today, I would like to
take this opportunity to narrate a small incident that happend to
me a few years ago when I was in Swami's college.
This was on Jan 03, 1989. Every year, the first two weeks of
January are very lively for all the Students of Swami's college.
Because, the Inter-campus Sports and Games take place during this
time. I was a good Athlete in my school and college and I have
participated in many sports and games and won a number of medals
and had the good fortune to receive them from the lord himself for
many years. That day early in the morning ( around 6 :30 a.m. ) I
was all set to go for the Long Jump finals. There were 5 other
finalists. I had won the first prize during the previous two years
and I was a little overconfident this time, and thought I would
repeat the history. I did not even warm up or loosen my muscles
because of this overconfidence. But I always prayed to Swami
before I took the jump. As all of us know, we would be given 3
chances to make our best mark in the Long Jump. I have taken my
first and the distance I jumped was awfully low. Almost all others
cleared it. I have taken my second jump and it was fairly better
but surely not the best of me. But something happened at that
time. I sprained my ankle. I could not even stand up after that
jump and I had to be physically lifted and taken to the hospital
directly from the field.
I could not bear the excruciating pain at that time. Obviously, I
did not take the third jump. I knew I would lose the prize this
time as that was not my best jump. I was feeling awfully bad
because Swami taught me a lesson for my overconfidence and I
repented for this. The ever-forgiving and ever-kind lord has
forgiven me and I learnt later at the hospital that I won the
First Prize. I was in tears for his benevolence. There is more...
Because of the Sprain I had to "bunk" my college, I was happy
about it, but I was hoping to make it for the Darshan in the
evening. My doctor advised me not to strain my leg any further and
he has advised complete rest. I pleaded to go for the Darshan and
he said "Pray to Swami he will take care of you, but do not go for
Darshan", because my foot was swollen and round like a big
football ! I felt miserable at this time and I kept crying as I
had never missed Darshan in my whole stay at Prasanthinilayam.
That was the first time. I was lying down on my bed kept imagining
what was happening at the Ashram. " .......Now Swami is coming
out... He is on the ladies section .. now He is taking letters
from a devotee.. now He is creating Vibhuti for another Devotee...
Now He is signalling a devotee to go in for the interview.......".
Another student, Srinivas, who was participating in some sports
events that evening, was asked to take care of my needs as well,
as I could not move out of my bed without someone's help. It was
just around 4:15 p.m. or so.. Srinivas excused himself and went to
the rest room. I was lying down on the bed, turned towards the
wall, covered my face with the rug and lost in my imaginations
about swami's darshan. Tears kept rolling from my eyes as I was
feeling really bad for not having Swami's Darshan. I did not want
any one to see that I was crying so, I covered my face fully and
turned towards the wall. Then.. I felt as if someone tapped my
back from behind. I thought it was Srinivas again, I thought he
brought me some coffee or some snacks.
Slowly I turned to tell him that I was not in a mood... but...it
was not Srinivas... and behold... I found the Lord standing there
!!! I was dazed... trust me I was totally amazed...I thought I was
still imagining Swami's Darshan...and kept staring at Swami's
beautiful face without an expression or a word.... I was not sure
if I was in a dream or wakeful status.
As you all know by now that Swami gives Darshan in the mornings
and there would be Bhajans at 9 a.m. Swami takes quick ( 3-5
minute ) lunch soon after bhajans and at that time if he wants to
visit different places, he goesout for about 1 hour, and then
retires for that session. The objective is to generally oversee
how different organizations ( like the Super Speciality Hospital,
the University or the Gokulam etc.,. ) are operating and any other
new constructions etc. Obviously Swami's visit to these places
gives immense joy and pleasure to people working there and it
rejuvenates their energy and dedication to their work. Because
everyone wants to please Swami with their devotion and dedication
to work. He, however, does not visit the Boys' hostel during these
times. The Students will have to pray to Swami to make a visit, it
is only then He goes to the Hostel when all the students are in
the Hostel, and gives them the immense pleasure of hispresence.
Apart from these morning visits, Swami normally does not go out of
the Ashram at all. But that day was different.Swami apparently
gave a very quick Darshan and got into His car along with another
senior devotee ( Mr.V.K. Narasimhan- editor of Sanathana Sarathi )came
straight to the Hostel.......into my room. Swami said " it is not
a dream, it is real " (in english ).. I tried to get up andSwami
asked me not to. He then started explaining to Mr. Narasimhan in
Telugu as to how I jumped and fell down in a wrong position. he
told Mr. Narasimhan that for that fall, I should have broken my
ankle. But Swami saved me, made sure that my ankle was not broken
and it was only a sprain.
I then realised finally that swami was actually there in front of
me !! I broke down, my heart melt down for His motherly love and I
threw myself on His feet and kept sobbing. Swami patted my back
with a lot of affection, created Vibhuti and rubbed it on my face,
put some in my mouth, gave some in hand and asked me to put it on
my leg. He said, "do not worry.. It will go away soon.( in telugu
)" and quickly walked out of the room. Brothers and sisters, Iam
chocked with emotion as I am writing this to you. No one in the
Ashram knew where and why Swami was going. I was just one of the
800 students and thousands of devotees sitting for swami's darshan
in the Ashram, leaving all his near and dear devotees in the
Ashram and many important tasks in the Ashram and go out of his
way to shower his grace on a small, not-so-important, unwanted
soul like me ? He would melt for pure Love from the devotee and
sincere yearning and craving for Him.
Ravi Teja
Account ManagerNorthwest Software, Inc.
TEL: 503-629-5947, 503-629-0303
FAX: 503-645-5892
Email :
ravi@n...
http://www.nwsi.com
Sairam.
Source:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saisruthi/message/57
|