The Master of my Destiny - The experiences of a student

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The Master of my Destiny

The experiences of a student

 

"Manchidi Bangaru.... ekkadikayna vellu….kani service cheyyi..!! (Go

wherever you want to go – but do service)".These were the words

which kept ringing in my ears…when I was in my maiden trans-atlantic

flight to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. These were

the words which Swami blessed me with, when I asked for His consent

for me to leave India for higher studies abroad.

 

I never imagined that at that moment of my life that I would be

traveling to Trinidad and it was once again Swami's Divine play that

I landed up at Trinidad Embassy seeking a visa to go to Trinidad.

While I was waiting to meet the High Commissioner of Trinidad in

India, I casually opened a newspaper from Trinidad and what I saw in

the newspaper left me awestruck. In the newspaper was a smiling

picture of Swami and an article written on Him. I was convinced

beyond doubt that…Swami was going to be with me.

 

While the flight was landing, I wondered, looking at the tiny island

of the Trinidad, "What is that Swami expects of me in this beautiful

island. I had no clue whatsoever and my first few days in the

country were of sheer misery-having left parents, family and

motherland, I was in a dilemma…I wondered if that was a correct

decision in my life ? But, the only consolation was the fact that I

had asked Bhagawan personally about it.

 

While contemplating upon Swami's words, I kept trying to get in

touch with Sathya Sai Organization in Trinidad… I also wondered, if

this small island did have any organization, in the first place. My

only solace was the fact that I had seen Swami's picture in the

newspaper and I had a ray of hope regarding finding the

organization.

 

With Swami's grace I had my work permit papers processed by my

hospital within a months time ( usually it takes 4-6 months time )

and I went to the local transport office for my car license

exam .While I was taking a photograph for the license , a young lady

turned up to me and asked me very politely.. "Are you a devotee of

Sai Baba ? " For a moment I did not know what to answer and before I

could reply, she said "I remember seeing you at the Sai centre

here !" I managed to get my composure back and replied that this is

my first trip outside my hospital campus and that I was, in fact,

looking forward to get in touch with Sai centre. She was surprised

to know that I had moved into Trinidad recently and was kind enough

to give me the number of her brother-in-law, Mr. Rajendra Bansi, who

happened to be the convener of north zone of Sri Sathya Sai

Organization.

 

I started attending satsangs regularly at the centre and 3 – monthly

medical camps…and the people in the Sai organization showered me

with so much love, which I cannot emphatically describe in words.

Once they came to know I was a Sai Student – they asked me to share

my experiences with Bhagwan and it went to the extent of me giving a

radio programme on one of the FM stations..where they interviewed me

about my stay at Puttaparthi.

 

While I have realized the importance of being a Sai student , it

also concerned me, that the expectations of the Sai devotees

regarding Sai students are also very high. I always remember Swami's

words during my 12th standard, wherein he clearly stated "It is not

a problem for me, if you don't get marks…but never get remarks!"…and

also..when he said "When you leave the institute, if you cannot

bring good name to your institute…at least don't get a bad name !! "

 

But with Swami's grace my stay had been a wonderful one in Trinidad

and the Sai family was like my own family and I had become much

closer to Swami during my two years stay there. Now, having come to

UK and working in one of the prestigious hospitals in London, I

often recollect Swami's words, which he once said in an

interview "The whole world is in my hand…all that you have to do is

hold on to the other hand and I shall give you whatever you deserve"

 

Just to emphasize this with my own experience : I was one of those

city-bred public school brats during my school days, whose main

interest in life was to miss school and play cricket as much as

possible. It was primarily due to the devotion of my parents that I

did manage to go to Parthi during my 8th standard when Swami blessed

us with an interview. During the interview Swami asked me what I

wanted to become in life. The brat I was…I answered most haughtily

that I wanted to become an engineer ! I clearly remember even to

this day that Swami laughed most heartily to my reply and hugged me

but at the same time gave some nice pats on my back. Maybe for all

the mischievous deeds I have done in my life ! He told me clearly

that I was weak in mathematics and that I needed to concentrate on

my studies and always listen to my parents.

I never ever imagined that my life would change so much in years to

come after the interview. I started to work hard at my studies but

only to the extent that I just managed to pass my pre-finals of my

10th standard exams ! I applied for both mathematics/biology groups

and managed to get short-lsited for written exam in biological

sciences. I wrote my entrance exam and with Swami's divine grace I

managed to secure a seat in higher secondary school at Puttaparthy.

If there is any example of how Swami's institute can transform an

individual and prove that Swami's educational system…based upon

human values is the best in the world, I am a living testimony of

that fact. Is it possible for a person who just managed to pass his

pre-finals in 10th standard to score a high percentage of 90.4% in

12th standard? Is it possible for him to be a doctor? I have no

qualms saying that I owe what ever I am today to His mercy and

abundant love.

Many people ask me what did Swami give you ? Any rings, medallions?

My only reply to them is that HIS greatest gift to me is His LOVE

and the transformation it has bought about in my life. I wonder, if

I am worthy of so much love and ask myself the question – "Is my

life a gift to HIM?"

I would like to end with a very personal experience of mine. My

mother once dreamt that she was attacked by a bandit (covered in a

black blanket) and who was pulling her mangalsutra (a thread worn

around the neck that is most sacred for married Indian women;

probably more important than life itself!)! She was crying

desperately to Swami to rescue her. Then Swami appeared and seeing

Him, the bandit left her mangalsutra and escaped. She woke up

totally shaken up by the dream and praying Swami for His grace. Few

weeks after this incident, my father happened to visit Puttaparthi

for Swami's darshan and while returning from Puttaparthi , the car

he was traveling accidentally skidded off the road and toppled 3

times over and fell into a ditch off the road. The local villagers

were even scared to approach the vehicle expecting the inevitable.

While the car was skidding off the road, all that my father

remembers was saying "Sairam!" . The car was in a total wreck, but

there wasn't even a scratch on my father or the driver of the car.

This is our Swami, who can do anything and everything for us, HIS

children.

 

I have no other words to say ….but…

 

" Jeevan daatha ..Bhagya vidhaatha….Yuga Yuga Vandan Sai….Yuga Yuga

Vandan Sai"

 

"O Bestower of Life! O Master of my Destiny! I bow down to You!"

 

Radio Sai Journal Volume - 2 Issue - 14

http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/14July15/05_Moments_Memories/

memories.htm