I, Mrs. M Vanipriya, live in Hyderabad with my Husband, Mr Venkatesh. My son Sai Harishanand studies in Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Puttaparthi. I am a school teacher in Hyderabad. 

In the society where we live, there was a idol consecration ceremony on March 15, 2020. My husband Mr. Venkatesh lifted idols of Lord Hanuman, Shiva, Parvati, and Shri Shirdi Baba.  The next day, March 16, 2020, for the first ever time he had mild pain in his chest. We presumed that it might be a cramp due to the lifting of heavy idols. On March 17, 2020 evening at 5 pm he started home from his work. After about 2 km, his motorbike broke-down, and hence, he had to manually push his bike for a long distance till he could find a mechanic. Subsequently, he had a recurrence of chest pain, but now it was severe. The pain seemed to last for 20 to 30 mins. However, somehow, he managed to get his bike repaired and reached home. Knowing that I can’t take such repeated chest pains lightly, I then took him to local physician. With the doctor’s advice, Echo-Cardiogram (ECG) was done. Post observation of the ECG report doctor concluded everything to be normal. This doctor had earlier diagnosed cardiac problems with similar symptoms of chest pain for two of whom I knew. In fact, they were the ones who had recommended me to visit this doctor. Now that the doctor had concluded that nothing was serious, we were relieved. 

We were to pick our son from the Primary School on March 21st due to the prevalent threat of COVID-19. We prepared to leave for Parthi on March 20, 2020 night to arrive the next day, in time to pick our son up. However, to our surprise, I got a call from primary school on the morning of March 19, 2020 with a compelling request to take my son on that very day. We thought that this was perhaps due to the threat of the virus pandemic, which was getting worse day-by-day in the country.  The school authorities had already started allowing students to leave for their home as and when the parents came. Hence, we had to book a tatkal train ticket from Hyderabad to Prashanti Nilayam for traveling the same day. With Swami’s Grace we did get confirmed tickets and started for Prashanti Nilayam by evening. 

The travel time from Hyderabad to Prashanti Nilayam is approximately 9 to 10 hours. We started at 10 pm and expected to reach around 7 am next day.   While we still had one-hour travel time to reach the holy precinct of Prashanti Nilayam station, my husband’s chest pain recurred for the third time and he suffered much. I was naturally anxious. The train reached at 7 am. There was however no sign of a decrease in my husband’s chest pain.  As was the case, not wanting to take any chances, I took him to Sri Sathya Sai General hospital (SSSGH).  The doctor examined him and prescribed hot fomentation and ECG. We went to take ECG once more after hot fomentation. The doctor who conducted the ECG observed mild variation, which could be a cause of concern.  He immediately referred us to a cardiologist in Sri Sathya Sai Institute for Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) which is a super speciality hospital. 

As directed, we reached SSSIHMS, which is about 6 km from Prashanti Nilayam, in about 10 mins. The doctor was out of his room and was present outside in out-patient department (OPD) as though he was waiting for us. I gave him the slip which the doctor from SSSGH had given us. No sooner I handed the slip, it was as if everything was set in automatic motion. Tests like Echocardiography, blood tests etc. were done in a trice along with the investigation and report generation. It was now confirmed, post the tests, that my husband had indications of myocardial infarction (MI) - a heart attack. The blood test revealed high Troponin T levels, which indicated some damage to the heart muscles.  Forthwith my husband was admitted as an in-patient and taken to the Intensive cardiac/coronary care unit (CCU). That is where I met Dr. Ramanath Iyer, Head of the department.  He explained to me that they had to perform an angiogram to ascertain if there are blocks that needed stenting or other procedures or just medication depending on the severity of the clots. Once I had consented with my signature, the angiography was performed. It was noted that one blood vessel had 90% block and needed stent to restore blood flow. Within 90 minutes the angiogram and stenting were completed. The blood vessel which had 90% block was dilated using a medicated stent and blood flow was restored. Post the procedure after about 2 hours, my husband, though he was still under observation in the CCU, could talk to me without any pain. This was the first time I had been to this hospital. 

The above episode was mentally taxing for me to go through. My son was still in the Primary school, waiting to be picked up and at the same time, my husband was in a cardiac emergency. But, it was only the graceful, infinitely merciful, ever-loving eternal hand of Swami’s benevolence that was giving me strength. After knowing what I was going through, the primary school teachers took no time in telling me not to worry about picking my son up and that they are taking care of him. In the hospital, the doctors and nurses, His representatives that they are, relentlessly serving humanity with utmost attention to detail, gave me so much confidence. Elsewhere, the same procedure would have not only cost us several lakhs of rupees, it would have aggravated my stress, what with various procedural aspects and running around for various elements like blood, payment of bills, etc. In SSSIHMS, the whole procedure, hospital stay, medication etc. were given to us without any charge. It should be put on record that there are no cash counters in SSSIHMS to collect any money from anyone for any treatment. A temple of healing that it is – what more can we expect from Love that has walked amidst us. The selfless care and affection showered by the nurses, supporting staff, hospital administration, and the sevadal volunteers was unmatched. 

Our most loving Lord, the perfectionist that He is, the kala-athitha Swaroopa that He is, made sure that during such times we are in Parthi so that we did not have to go through the myriad ordeals that were in store, elsewhere. My brother, sister and mother could not travel to help me as the lockdown had started nationwide. HE brought us to His place and under His direct care, took care of us. Has He not assured us time and again “While the effect of karma has to be experienced, His grace shall act like the morphine that will not allow the pain of karma from making us suffer”? What we experienced is a first-hand experience of the testimony of His eternal grace. Can we ever pay back what He gives us? The only answer I have is “tears of gratitude” at the Lotus feet of our beloved Sai Maa. 

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu.