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| G.R. Praveena with Sri Sathya Sai |
To be a student of Bhagavan is the result of the fructification of one’s good merits. A deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment prevails in the minds of students, who pass out from His Institute.
After I completed my M.Sc. at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, I sought Swami’s guidance about my career. A long period of waiting itself became the most rewarding period of my life. It was a spiritual practice suffused with the experiences of Divine revelation.
On 15th August 1990, when Swami called me for an interview, my long prayers were answered. I was in tears and my throat was choked. I was unable to say anything. Swami consoled me and said, “Yes, I know for two long years you have been waiting. Don’t worry, I will look after you.” Swami’s motherly gesture filled me with immense joy and confidence. Thereafter, I experienced Swami’s love and protection frequently.
Once, Swami called me to do some work in the store rooms located above the garage in the Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir. Swami was observing various articles arranged in an orderly fashion. Then Swami told me to open an almirah located in one corner. After it was opened, Swami saw the piles of clothes, neatly arranged inside. It appeared to me as if Swami was counting them. But more interestingly, Swami was humming some tune, rather loudly. It continued for a few minutes. I was really enjoying, myself and tried to make out which song it could be. But probably He alone knew that celestial song, which gave me immense solace at that moment.
I have the hobby of writing Shlokas (verses in Sanskrit) and sending them along with my prayerful letters to Swami. Swami has always been kind enough to accept my letters and poems. One night, I sat in the Mandir verandah, busily engaged in writing some Sanskrit verses. My feelings manifested in the form of three Shlokas, which I finally wrote on a small piece of decorated paper, to be offered to Swami on the next day.
The next evening, I sat in front of the students, with the prayer that Swami should accept these Shlokas. After the regular interview, Swami came near us and started talking casually. Suddenly, Swami turned towards me. He told me to get up and asked me my name, place, etc. Then, at once, Swami closed His eyes typically as if He was recollecting something. Seconds later He opened them and told the other students sitting around, “See this boy, last night he wrote three Shlokas, sitting in the Mandir. Good Sanskrit.” Again He turned towards me and asked if He was right. I said, “Yes Swami”. Then Swami added, “In the third Shloka, such and such word you have used is wrong. Correct it using this word ...” Bhagavan not only revealed His omnipresence but also was kind enough to guide me in my little efforts.
To live with Bhagavan is the best kind of education one can get. This education alone can take us closer to Him. Faith and patience are most essential for one’s self-advancement. Bhagavan will never forsake those who surrender to Him with faith and patience.
- G.R. Praveena
Student (1984-1989), Department of Biosciences
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Currently, Faculty Member, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School
Prasanthi Nilayam
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