FROM PUTTAPARTHI...MS SUBBULAKSHMI...

[Guest guest]

There is another incident, which conveys how Swami teaches us simple things in beautiful ways. When I was a young girl in Brindavan we were given some jobs, as there was no Sevadal gardener and cook.

Everything was done by us. So my job was to set up the altar in Swami's bungalow and I used to come only once a week since I had school on other days. That particular weekend I did not want to go because MS Subbulakshmi (a very famous classical vocalist) was giving a concert in Bangalore - Swami is always there, but MS comes only once a while!

But my parents were very strict and committed to Swami. They said, "Once you are committed to Swami you should do the work."

Then I said "Why can't you do it for today?"

Then my parents replied that I should have informed Swami last week. Then I requested for half the concert. Mother said that we can come back after Swami's Bhajan. Then I grumbled, "Swami sits and goes on answering questions after Bhajan and He will take an hour."

Everyone was doing their job but I had a long face. Swami was moving around the house and He looked at me, saying "Hey 'castor oil face', what is wrong with you, why are you banging my pictures? What happened, an argument with mother?"

"Swami, today there is a concert by MS Subbulakshmi in Bangalore."

Then Swami said, "She is a great singer isn't she? Then why did you not go?"

"Swami, my mother told me I have to do my duty first."

Swami replied, "She could have cleaned the altar. At least she should have done that much. OK, you can go a little late, but if I start speaking after Bhajans then you will be late." So Swami was speaking of all that I had told my mother!!!

Then Swami said, "Today I will not speak after Bhajans - you all go for the programme." I was thrilled.

Bhajans started and Swami was also singing. After sometime Swami asked everybody to wait and that He would come back. Five minutes later Swami walks in with MS Subbulakshmi!!! (See photo)

We were all shocked and Swami said, "Subbulakshmi, didn't you have a concert today in Bangalore?"

"No Swami," she replied, "There was a misprint in the newspaper, it's tomorrow."

Swami told her "See that young girl sitting there; she loves your music so much."

He then gave her a list of songs which I like and asked her to sing those songs. She was a very good devotee of Swami and with all devotion she gave a private concert to the Lord. Then Swami called me and said "See when you do your duty, God will reward you in more ways than you expect. You heard the concert today; you can go to the concert tomorrow as well."

Mrs. Geeta Ram comes from a family which has been associated with Swami for the last four generations. She is the daughter of Dr. Padmanabhan, an ardent devotee and a familiar figure in 'Brindavan', Swami's ashram in Bangalore.

http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_03/09SEP01/geetamohan.htm