During my childhood days, I was fascinated by the stories of Mirabai, Tukaram, and Sakkubai. I used to wonder whether any ordinary mortal could rise to such a state of single-pointed devotion to God. This thought would always gnaw at my heart. But much later after coming into Swami’s fold, I realized that one need not undergo the trial by fire like these great devotees underwent to develop such devotion, but a simple, sweet and sincere love towards our Swami is enough for Swami to shower His Grace on us. 

Till I completed my 10th standard, I stayed with my grandparents, Dr. Ananthacharyulu and Smt. Alivelu Mangathayaru in Nuzvid, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. My grandma was my first spiritual guru. Inspired by her, I read Geetha Makaramdam, Ramayanam, Maha Bharatham and Karteeka Puranam. Those scriptures inculcated fear of sin and the love of God in me. 

I was often disturbed by the various news items, I read in dailies about communal clashes.  I would think, is this not the right time for Geethacharya Sri Krishna to come again in human form and wipe out communal hatred and promote unity and harmony among the followers of different faiths? Little did I know that the Divine had already incarnated in human form as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and had made His mission just that. 

In those days my understanding of world religions was limited to just three – Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. I designed an emblem with the symbols of the three religions. Much later when I visited Puttaparthi I was totally surprised when I saw Swami’s logo with 5 symbols. It was as if Swami was telling me “See I improved upon your design.” It was also an understanding that whatever we may plan for ourselves or others, Swami can always better that. So our endeavour should just to leave everything in Swami’s hands and enjoy the bliss of being in His care. 

 After I completed my M.Sc program in Clinical Biochemistry from Nagpur University, I started a diagnostic centre at Nuzvid in 1985. Some of the patients who visited my lab were Sai devotees. They told me about Swami, His miracles, teachings, and the service done by Sai mission. On one occasion, a patient gifted a framed photo of Swami to me. I kept that photo on my table. Those were the moments of change in my life. Soon, I could find a centrally located building in the town with all the facilities suitable for my diagnostic centre for a reasonable rent. After shifting to the new location my practice picked up, it also gave me financial stability. All the other issues, which troubled me till then were resolved one by one. I started visiting the local Sai Organisation and participating in Sai activities whenever I could. My heart, however, longed for Swami’s Darshan, but I couldn't visit Puttaparthi during that period.

 One day I had a dream. Swami was walking with me and He said to me “Nothing is impossible”. This was the first message He gave me. My heart leapt with joy. I understood it is Not Impossible to have the kind of devotion like Meera Bai, but we have to do our sadhana of pleasing SWAMI every second of our life by our thoughts, speech and actions.

One aspect of my life’s interactions with Swami I need to mention here. Though I had had the opportunity to be in Swami’s physical presence many times, He opted to visit me in my dreams and instruct me! It is hard to explain in mere words that Swami’s dreams, in my case, were not mere dreams, they were living experiences. They are unlike other dreams. It is as if I am transported to some other dimension where I meet Swami and then return. They are more real than the real world. 

In 1986, I applied to a well-known corporate hospital in Hyderabad for a lucrative job. My appointment was almost confirmed. I was indecisive and prayed to Swami for guidance. I wrote a letter to Swami and was eagerly waiting for some indication from Swami. I received Sanathana Sarathi magazine and I opened a page randomly, praying to Swami to guide me. Instantly I realized that Swami responded in His inimitable way to my prayer through His speech published in the magazine, in which He said:

“Why do my children run hither and thither? Stay where you are. I am always with you. Trust me.” 

I dropped the idea of joining the Hyderabad hospital, but it was not unconditional. I told Swami that He should grant me the Ananda of doing His service. Then on I became an active member of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi participating in all seva activities like Balvikas, Satsang, and medical camps.

In 1989 I had the first Darshan of my Lord at Puttaparthi. It was like long-cherished dream coming true. It felt like the thirst of ages was finally quenched. As Swami’s form glided on the sands my being felt full, there was nothing more to seek, there was nothing more to know. After my first visit, I became a regular visitor to Puttaparthi as a Bal Vikas Guru and a Seva Dal volunteer.

Swami started the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram in 1991. It was always my dream to work in Swami’s hospital. My prayers were answered in 1995. Swami graciously gave me a job in the hospital. How I got the job is a story of Swami’s divine leela at various levels. 

Soon after I applied for the job at SSSIHMS, I changed my residence and forgot to inform the hospital about it. Several months later a message was sent to Sai Samiti Vijaywada, which was at a distance of around 40 km from Nuzvid, by the hospital enquiring about me. In ordinary circumstances, there would be no chance of tracking me down. But Swami had planned for everything. My friend who was with me in Nuzvid happened to visit Vijayawada Samiti and overheard the conversation that someone was enquiring about me and got the news. She immediately informed me. Soon enough I was on the bus bound for Puttaparthi. 

As the bus reached Ananthapur town early in the morning, there was a lighting strike by the Andhra Pradesh State Transport Corporation employees. I was struck at Ananthapur. My pleas to the drivers yielded no results. Then one senior official, looking at my plight and the plight of a mother of a baby told a driver to drop a few of us, women, to our respective destinations. All other passengers dropped off much before Puttaparthi and I was the only passenger when the bus reached Puttaparthi. It was as if Swami had sent the bus especially for me to reach His abode. I joined the hospital in 1995 and started working in the Biochemistry department. My life’s dream of working at Swami’s hospital thus came true. 

One day in 1997 my husband Chaturvedi had a dream. Swami appeared in his dream, and as my husband focused on Swami’s feet he noticed that Swami’s feet were invisible. An idea flashed in his mind by the grace of Swami. He felt that Swami wanted him to conduct an artificial limb camp , which he conducted in Velduthy in Guntur district. All the Seva dal volunteers from neighbouring Sai Centres participated in the camp and many people were benefited from the artificial limbs. A few days later, while boarding a bus in Puttaparthi he slipped and the rear tyre of the bus went over his left foot. The sandal he was wearing was broken into two pieces, but his foot was intact, there was no fracture. The skin had peeled off for which he was operated, but his foot was saved by Swami, which otherwise would have been crushed to pieces. This was one more way how Swami works. He encourages His devotees to do virtuous deeds and protects them from the consequences of karma.

The invisible hand of Swami never left me alone whenever I faced troubles in my life. In 2003, Swami appeared in my dream and asked me, “ How are you?” 

I said, Swami,” I am fine.” 

Swami said “No, no, you are not well. You should consult a doctor. 

I said “Swami please give me vibhuthi. That will fix any problem.” 

Swami said “ Of course I will give Vibhuthi but you need to consult a doctor. Make a phone call” Swami insisted. 

“Do you have the money to make the STD call?” He asked. The concern and the compassion showed by Swami touched my heart.

 A year later, I felt severe pain in my spinal column. The X-rays and scanning didn’t reveal any abnormality. I understood that Swami’s warning in my dream must have been about that health issue. I visited Swami’s Hospital in Bangalore and consulted a neurosurgeon. In the dream SWAMI mentioned STD, giving a clue that I might have to go to another state. An MRI was done for me and the doctor at Swami’s hospital Whitefield found an infection in my spinal column. I underwent treatment and after a few months, I regained normal health. Swami warned me several months earlier, and by His grace, I could lead a healthy and active life. 

On another occasion, Swami appeared in my dream and threw a red hibiscus flower and a folded paper towards me. I am fond of red flowers. I held the flower to my heart and opened the paper and found the words “research” written on it. I considered it as Swami’s instruction and started my research work on diabetes. Attending to my regular duties and finding time to carry out the research work was a tough task, but by the Grace of Swami, I could do justice to both tasks. On 11 December 2010 during Darshan time, I showed my thesis to Swami. With great interest, Swami turned the pages, asked me a few questions regarding my research work, granted me pada namaskaram and showered akshatas on my head. 

 All my experiences with Swami unravelled before me the subtle relationship between a devotee and God. Swami graciously responds to all our prayers and fulfils our desires and aspirations  and at the same time evolves us spiritually.  

Whenever I look back at my life, I feel blessed to recall the day on which a devotee gifted Swami’s photo to me. On that day I thought that Swami’s photo entered my lab but I realized later, He entered my life, made my heart His temple, and started guiding me from within every moment of my life

The way Swami showered His grace on me and programmed my life is beyond my perception. Those experiences made me realize that He responds to every call of a devotee and no prayer goes unanswered. As a thread is invisible through a garland of flowers, Swami’s graceful presence runs through every moment of a devotee’s life. 

JAI SAI RAM