FROM PUTTAPARTHI...WHEN SWAMI GAVE THE HALL TICKET !!!

August 22, 2008

When I was a student in Brindavan in the 1970s that there were a number of students who had finished their undergraduate studies at the Sri Sathya Sai College, which was then affiliated to the Bangalore University.

After having tasted the nectar of proximity to Bhagavan, the students did not feel like going back to their home towns. So they prayed to Bhagavan and Swami yielded and allowed them to do their postgraduate studies in Bangalore University while staying in Brindavan, Whitefield.

There was one boy who was doing his Masters in the Bangalore University who used to suffer from a respiratory disorder. And as Bangalore was wet most of the year, he used to have a lot of problems because he had to travel more than 25 kms. everyday.

So he missed his classes during the year on a number of days. It was time for the annual examinations and all the other students who were studying with him were able to get their hall ticket. When this boy went to the office he was told, " Sorry, you will have to write your exam next year because you have a shortfall of attendance - you will not be able to write the exam. "

This boy was crestfallen and returned to Brindavan. The next morning was his exam. All the others were praying to Bhagavan for Paadanamaskar. He was waiting with them. And all the others had their hall tickets blessed by Bhagavan.

When it was this boy's turn, he tried to tell Swami that he did not have a hall ticket, but how often we forget that we need not inform the all knowing! And Swami just brushed aside his attempt and said, " Do Namaskaar! " So he did Namaskaar but was crestfallen that he could not even explain his predicament to Swami.

That evening, as the warden was going upstairs to Swami's room, this boy went to the warden and explained his plight. " Sir please explain this to Swami. "

When the warden went up and mentioned this to Swami, Swami said, " I know, I know. Tell him to finish his breakfast in the morning, go to the exam hall and write the exam!!! " No words that Swami utters are in vain.

So this boy did exactly as he was told by Bhagavan. In the morning he had his breakfast and went to the city, following Swami's instructions…

That afternoon, as Swami was coming out for Darshan, He was searching for someone. He looked around and spotted this boy amidst the group of students standing at a distance, called him and said, " What about your exam? "

The boy said, " Ah, Swami, I wrote my exam. "

We were all surprised - how did he write the exam when he did not have a hall ticket. We could see the glow of relief on his face.

Swami put up a very inquisitive face and asked: " You wrote the exam? Who gave you the hall ticket? "

Then the boy said, " Swami, I went to the University in the morning. I was sitting there in front of the examination hall. Swami had said 'Write the exam' so I knew somehow I would write the exam. And suddenly there was this person who called out my name and gave me the hall ticket!!! "

Swami asked, " Who was it? "

And the boy said, " Swami, it was the University peon who I don't know personally. In fact I was so excited I forgot to even pay him something and when I remembered this lapse and tried to make amends he was no longer there. "

Swami said " It was not any University peon. It was me; the Universal Lord Who came to give you the hall ticket. Everyone else had written you off. But I shall always stand by you. " We were all moved to tears. (3 snaps attached)

Transcription of the talk delivered in SWAMI's Divine Presence on the 18th of October 2004 by Dr. T Ravi Kumar, a lecturer in SWAMI's Brindavan Campus

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAY06/swami_mother.htm

GET INSPIRED: Remember that nothing happens without my will. Be still. Do not ask to understand. Relinquish understanding. Relinquish the imperative that demands understanding. - BABA