Delhi-Simla Memories- Part 15 - All good things come to an end - so does the Shimla visit

A special remembrance

A sweeping view of the evening session in Shimla.... I was doing both - photography and video shooting.

CG was convinced that he had been picked for the visit to Delhi and Shimla as an accompanying artist on the Sitar for the music group. Though it had been more than a week since the Divine Visit began, CG confessed later that he never had felt like Swami had wanted him as a Sitarist for the trip. This feeling had kept getting intense as Swami called different singers and students from the music group and interacted with them. The feeling reached its heights when Swami asked for a ‘final’ music programme in Shimla. (The reason for putting the word ‘final’ in quotes shall become clear in the subsequent parts.) As CG was joining the other students out of the dining hall towards the darshan grounds, Swami had called Lu sir and said,

““Get ready for the programme. Let the Veena also play!”

{This reference has been explained in detail in the previous part which you can access at the link below:

Delhi-Simla Memories- Part 14 - Inaugurations galore at Shimla

Or you can read from the beginning of the serial where each part is linked to the next. The link to Part 1 is here:

Delhi-Simla Memories- Part 1 - Hello Delhi }

Swami interacting with the Himachal youth. The picture captures the wonderful
setting of the dining hall with the Ramayana picture.

Even as Swami mentioned ‘Veena’, He looked at CG. CG was happy that Swami saw him but later, when Lu sir told him what Swami had said, he was simply thrilled. He knew that ‘Veena’ was just a veiled reference to his Sitar! That got him completely charged up and he was raring to go play for the concert. As all the boys filed out, Swami moved to the side and began to look at the paintings and chandeliers in the hall. That was only an excuse to gently amble towards the serving boys. All the youth who were serving us knelt in a row and Swami began interacting with them. Knowing that this was a nice chance for them, I began to take photographs. I had hardly taken three pictures when Swami looked at me and said,

“All boys must go and start the singing!”

I turned around and made a quick exit.

The boys had gone up to gather the instruments. Swami knew that this would take time and so, He was striking two birds at once by interacting with the youth members of Himachal! In spite of that, we were all not ready by the time Swami moved down the lift and arrived on the scene! I was trying to double up as the video cameraman also because CG was now part of the music group. It was not an easy task. Swami began signaling from the stage itself, asking us to start.

A signal from a distance to begin... Like on that day, we should always be on a lookout for the Lord's signal in our life...
May we remember that God is always watching from a distance...

A students’ songs programme

Ashwath, the one who needs the least lead time took the mike and began, “Vataapi Ganapatim”. That was an on-the-spot-decision because there was hardly any ‘discussion time’. But the way Ashwath and P Sreenivas took everyone through the ups and downs of the song, nobody felt that it was being sung all of a sudden. Once the first song was complete, the order followed was the same as the private programme the previous evening. It was as if Swami had watched a dress rehearsal yesterday in the interview room. The second song was the qawwali by Ravi bhaiya and Lu sir - “Sai ke darbar mein”. Since Shimla is a Hindi-speaking region, it made immediate impact. Everyone clapped along with the rhythm and many of them sang along too. After that, Prabhakar and Aravind Sai sang “Maa Prana Deepam”. Then came Bantureethi Kolu - the memorable ‘prayer song’ that Swami had liked so much yesterday.

PART 2_Destroyed in seconds but rebuilt over years - the love story of Vijaya Sunder with his Swami

First trip to Puttaparthi

Vijay informed his parents about the chance he had got to go to Puttaparthi and be part of a drama to be staged there. They were happy. The past few years had seemed to really improve their son and his positive outlook towards Swami delighted them.

Vijay performed his role behind the scenes to the best of his ability and sincerity. As instructed, he made sure that he did not peep to get a darshan of Swami during the drama and, when the time came, he showered ‘Adi Sankaracharya’ with gold. When the drama concluded, Swami moved down the dais, amidst the children. He blessed all the actors with clothes. He also materialized vibhuti for some of the actors. Having done this, as He sat on the stage, the supreme Lord of the Universe seemed unsatisfied! He is never satisfied when it comes to giving.

He said something to the attendant boy by his side. A tray was brought from within and Swami beckoned to the actors. He handed over a wristwatch to each and every one of them. The line of actors ended but not Swami’s enthusiasm to give. He looked beyond, at the sets’ boys seated behind. Sathya Sai is a silent worker - always acting behind the scenes and giving credit to others. He definitely knows what it is to be a background worker! He beckoned to the sets’ boys too and Vijay was one among the first few to go to Him.

Swami blessing Vijay with gold chain that He materialised with a wave of His hand. This was in 2008. 

(This is the second part of an interesting story. You will get maximum joy by reading it in the proper chronology. In case you have missed it, read the first part at the link below before returning to this part.

Destroyed in seconds but rebuilt over years - the love story of Vijaya Sunder with his Swami_Part 1)

Vijay knelt before Swami. It was for the first time in his life that he was seeing Swami from such close quarters. Swami held out a wristwatch for him. But Vijay’s attention was not on the watch. He was drinking deep into the fountain of beauty that Swami is. That momentary experience was enough to make Vijay desire madly for a seat in Swami’s college. He remembered Shyam’s words that one got admission in Swami’s college only when He wills. So, he told Swami,

“Please give me admission in your college. I want a seat.”

“Ok. Take”, said Swami, handing him the watch.

Vijay did not understand whether Swami was asking him to ‘take’ the watch or the seat. He did not know then that Swami has the ability to bless two birds with the same stone! He felt that Swami wanted to get ‘rid’ of his pestering presence. He took the watch and walked back to his place.

Thus concluded the Parthi trip which triggered an insatiable thirst in Vijay to become a student of Swami.

God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called - Part 1

The voice of God

Many times, the question often is asked,

“How does one distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of the mind?”

This is difficult to explain precisely because an experience can only be experienced and not explained. However, as long as we live with a mind, we shall never cease to seek explanations. And so, based on Swami’s guidance and teachings, there are some practical ways to distinguish between the mind and the heart. I still maintain that the best way is to seek that experience of hearing the Divine Voice from within, for, once the voice of God is heard, there will be no doubt as to how one can distinguish between it and the mind’s prattle.

There is no single way by which the voice of God comes to us. If there are as many ways to God, as there are many people on earth, there are at least those many ways by which God can speak to us! The Voice can come to us as an inspiration, as a dream, as some text in a book, an idea or even as a direct command which our ears perceive. Though it can come in myriad ways, when it actually comes, one just can not miss the Voice. Having ‘heard’ that voice, a sense of calm descends and a happy anticipation arises within oneself. That was exactly what happened on the 7th of December, 2013, as I woke up in the city of Chennai.

I had a dream of my Lord, my best friend, my Swami, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. That put me in a state of great peace. As I got ready to meet the day, one Christian quote kept bobbing within me. I had not thought about it or read about it in the near past. I had heard it years before during a Trayee session when the speaker mentioned it in Swami’s presence. There was no reason why that quote should have surfaced in me (at least, at that time it felt so). Little did I realize that Swami was actually gifting me the title for a new blog-post!

Yes! That quote was:

“God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called.”

Whenever one reads an article, one sees the heading before delving into the actual body of the article. Swami, in His infinite love, seemed to be doing the same for me too. Even as I was pondering over the meaning and profundity of the above quote, I met Mr.Nitin Kanade, an alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), currently residing in Chennai with his wife and two sweet little daughters.  He narrated the ‘story of his life’ and the quote attained greater meaning for me. And so, instead of delving into the quote, I shall dive into his unique and thrilling story.

When the call comes...

Right from his birth in Nagpur in 1973, Nitin grew up with Swami. His father was serving in the Indian Air Force and so was regularly transferred to different parts of the country. Wherever Nitin went, he always was ‘in touch’ with Swami. A regular in Bal Vikas classes, he took Swami as his God just like his parents before him. However, the amazing thing is that till 1989, 16 long years after his birth, he never had even one darshan of Bhagawan Baba! Little did he know that the first darshan would be the turning point in his life (just as it has been in several others’ lives as well).

How his first darshan happened in May 1989 is an interesting prelude to his story. Having completed high-school education, Nitin was bent upon pursuing a career as a doctor. He applied to many prestigious colleges and was having a tough time in deciding where he would actually study. In the meanwhile, his father who was keen that Nitin be under Swami’s love and care, applied to the SSSIHL for the Bachelors of Science course. Nitin was surprised when the application form for the Institute arrived home. This was definitely not a place he wanted to be in because he felt that a BSc degree would not fetch him any career worth its name.

When God calls, one has to respond
without a choice!

And so he protested. He did not fill out the application form. Instead, he just let it be in a corner of his study table. It was weeks later that his father found it, dusted it and filled it himself. The last date for the submission of application forms was already round the corner. He played an emotional card with Nitin,

“Son! I have allowed you to do whatever you like so far. Can’t you fulfill one wish of your father? I am not asking you to join this Institute; I just want you to apply and write the entrance test. Will you lose anything by just doing that much for your father?”

Nitin felt bad. He immediately took the filled application form and posted it to Puttaparthi. His father was happy and so was he because he knew in the inner recesses of his heart that he would never get a call letter - how could he if the last date for submission of application forms would elapse in the next couple of days? There was no way that the posted application could travel all the way to Puttaparthi from his current residence in Chandigarh in just 2 days. Nitin did not know then that when the Lord decides to enter one’s life, no force on earth can stop Him!

Within a week, he received a call letter. He had been selected to write the entrance examinations for BSc at the SSSIHL!

I came, I saw, I was conquered

Nitin and his father set out together for Puttaparthi. The bookings that they had got ensured that they would be arriving at Puttaparthi on the evening before the entrance examinations. However, a 10-hour delay (which was common in long-distance trains in India in those days) caused them to reach Dharmavaram on the day of the exams. Nitin had a bath on a platform at the Dharmavaram railway station itself before starting off for Puttaparthi in a rickety bus.

The duo landed right in front of the main entrance of Prasanthi Nilayam, at the temple of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Praying to him and placing their luggage in the large accommodation shed (that existed next to the Ganesha temple those days), they rushed to the Institute campus. Nitin was just in time for the entrance exam! He wrote the exams and also attended the interview and group discussion. It would take nearly a week before the results would be announced.

NItin’s father had bookings to leave for Chandigarh. He was in for a pleasant surprise though. Nitin told him,

“Dad! You please go ahead, I shall stay on here, in this shed, till the results are announced.” Surprised but glad at this change of heart in Nitin, his father left. Nitin had no idea what made him speak thus .Today he knows that it was the case of Swami at work!

Swami was then at His Bangalore ashram, Brindavan in Whitefield, where He would stay till the end of summer in June. Nitin thought of seeing Him after the results were announced. Since he was free during the whole day, he volunteered to help in the ashram. He met and enlisted under a certain Mr. Wadegaonkar. Mr.Wadegaonkar was the unofficial head of the toughest service group of the ashram - the sanitation group. Inspired by him, Nitin eagerly and enthusiastically got involved in cleaning several septic tanks in Prasanthi Nilayam.

“Just a minute”, I interrupted his narrative, “you who did not want to even come to Puttaparthi, was now staying there and cleaning drains and septic tanks? How did you get this change of heart?”

“I don’t know what happened. But I just fell in love with the place and everything around. I loved sweating it out. I never felt that I was amidst excrement. I felt that I was surrounded by great love and divine peace! In fact, I was now sincerely hoping to get a seat at the SSSIHL.”

That is definitely some statement on the power of selfless service - it inspires, is self-sustaining and it transforms.

As was the practice those days, Nitin too accompanied all the volunteers of the sanitation group to Brindavan, Whitefield for blessings.

“We were told that Swami would give us padanamaskar. That did not happen. Something grander took place. As Swami walked out of His residence, I was entranced. I did not know what was happening to me but a surge of great joy and supreme peace welled within me. What I felt is simply indescribable. It was maddeningly beautiful and overwhelming. People say that when you see Swami, it is wonderful, when He sees you it is magical and if you get an interview it is absolute fulfillment. But that day, I felt fulfilled and complete in just seeing Him. I felt that I needed nothing else in life.”

Thus was Nitin conquered. It was love at first sight. And so, when Prof. Nanjundiah announced the names of the selected candidates in Swami’s presence, Nitin waited with bated breath. Sure enough, his name was called out too and he felt exulted. This, he felt, was the greatest achievement of his life - a blessing from the heavens above. He immediately dispatched a telegram to his father announcing the good news.

An unexpected death blow

On the 4th of June 1989, Nitin Kanade became a ‘Sai-student’. His happiness knew no bounds. He felt that he had never been happier in his life and looked forward to years of love with his Sai. But destiny had other plans.

It landed its first blow when the results of the XII grade Board Exams were announced. He had failed in Chemistry! This meant that he was ineligible to embark on any University course in India. He kept quiet about it but these things do not tend to remain quiet.

One day, in the middle of the class, he was summoned by the principal of the College, ‘Mahajan sir’. Mahajan sir told him that he could not be a student of the SSSIHL because he was not academically qualified to be one! The next day, Sri. K. Chakravarthi, the registrar of the Institute summoned him. Returning all the submitted certificates he told him to leave the institute and the hostel campus. There was nothing that could be done about it because those were the rules. The rules remain the same even to this day.

As a teary-eyed Nitin was wending his way out of the college building, the shutters of the exit door suddenly were closed. Nitin wondered what was happening and was told that Swami was driving on the road towards the hostel. He did not like any students loitering on the streets.

“The students must either be in college, in hostel or in the mandir. Why should they be loitering on streets?” He would often ask.

So, as a preventive measure, the college shutters would be pulled down especially when Swami went out for a drive.

As Nitin had been kicked out of college, Swami had come out and the shutters of the exit had been closed. Just like any of us, Nitin missed the symbolism in all these signs. He stood crying at the door, not realizing that Swami does not call based on qualifications. His call, in fact, is the greatest qualification in itself!

A lecturer of the college, Sai Giridhar, who knew this Truth about Swami and also knew Nitin’s plight, called him to a side. He told him,

“Don’t think all is lost. Swami is always there as the greatest refuge. He is going to the hostel to see the students’ music practice for Guru Poornima. You too go there. Things will change. You may not need to leave tomorrow...”

“But how do I go to the hostel when these doors are closed?” cried Nitin.

“Follow me”, said Giridhar sir, holding the ‘key’ to his problem.

Nitin sneaked out of the college as Giridhar sir took the risk to let him out. He ran to his hostel and scaled the wall since that gate was also locked. From there he went to the entrance of the hostel where he came face to face with the warden, Sri. Narayan Rao. And Sri.Narayan Rao’s face swelled in anger when he saw him. What was this student doing in the hostel when Swami had come there for witnessing the music practice? The fact that Nitin would be leaving and he could upset Swami with his ‘indiscipline’ (which could later affect the entire student community) only angered the warden even more.

“Stop there”, he commanded.

Was the warden Sri Narayana Rao (to Swami's immediate right) destined become an obstacle for Nitin (the
boy in spectacles to warden's right)? Read the second part to witness the unfolding of a drama divine.
Also seen to the extreme right of the photograph is Venkatachalam sir, the kitchen in-charge.

... to be continued in Part 2 located in the link below:

God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called - Part 2

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".

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Wherever my devotee sings my name, I install myself there.

Always pining to get close to Swami. The rest got conferred.

 Inspirational story

In most of the inspirational movies based on the hard-work and focused efforts of an individual, the scenes of the actual working are shown very briefly. Let me elaborate. The flow of any inspiring individual’s story if presented like this -

• The failures and problems of the individual are shown in great depth and detail. This is done to ensure that the audience begin to completely identify with the protagonist.
• The ‘inspiration’ which triggers the protagonist - a statement, a sight, a person etc - is also shown in great detail.
• The hard-work that the protagonist puts in achieving the goal is usually shown very briefly and fast. A song or music sequence follows at the end of which the protagonist has translated his/her inspiration into concrete reality.
• The culmination again is shown in great detail so that the audience experience the joys and highs of the protagonist with whom it had sympathized with in the beginning.

That shall be the format in this narrative too. While Aravind Sai’s inability in singing was presented as a complete article so that the readers can feel his pain and longing, the hard-work that he put in over the years will be summarized in a few statements! (If you have not read that part, it is highly recommended that you read the article entitled - Talent-Search : The experience of a student who achieved talent by loving God). Though it does not do real justice to the effort he made, this much will suffice to say that Aravind Sai put in a lot of hard work for the next 3-4 years! And the motivation behind those efforts was not for becoming an excellent singer, but for being Swami’s singer!

The Easwaramma Burrakatha

Every year, the trio got an opportunity to put up a Burrakatha  in Swami’s presence - in 2004, 2005 and 2006. As the academic year for 2006-2007 came to an end, Aravind Sai felt that this being his last year as an undergraduate student, he should put in all his efforts for a final grand Burrakatha. And so it was that the trio prepared for a Burrakatha on the divine Mother, Easwaramma.

The month of March dawned. Known for the famous ‘ides of March’, it brought along trepidation in Aravind Sai’s heart. Will they get a chance this year to perform for Swami? Far from his desire of singing on a daily basis, his annual singing for his Lord too seemed in danger as the final day of the academic year drew close. He even went around the idol of Mother Easwaramma at the Smt. Easwaramma School, praying to her to tell her ‘son’ to bless them with an opportunity. His heart almost cried with great pining for that opportunity.

The Mother worked a miracle overnight it seemed! The next day, the 18th of March, 2007, Swami asked for the trio out of the blue! Aravind Sai joined the other two boys in getting dressed and soon, found himself on stage with Swami by the side. It was such a heart-rending experience for Aravind Sai. He was so lost in singing the stories of Easwaramma and Karnam Subbamma (another lady in the village of Puttaparthi who cared for Swami as His own mother). The trio related many well-known and little-known stories about these two mothers and it was a treat for those that understood Telugu. For those that couldn’t, the music itself was enthralling. 

Before one of the Burrakatha sessions in the bhajan hall. Swami checks the costumes.

Sitting in the audience that day, I felt that Swami would shower these boys with blessings and grace galore. However, as the Burrakatha ended, I was almost shocked. Swami simply turned and went into the interview room. He did not even look at the trio, forget blessing them with namaskar or a chance to speak to Him. Aravind Sai was deeply disappointed. He felt that his efforts had not been good enough and cried. The accolades that poured in from all his teachers and classmates were of no use at all. His ears were deaf to them. His heart ached for his Swami had not seemed happy.

Little did he realize then that many times a pin-drop silence is greater appreciation that a thunderous applause. 

God’s delays are never His denials

Two days after that day was the beginning of the New Year according to the Indian calendar. It was the Ugadi day on the 20th of March. As always, Baba delivered His divine benediction via a discourse on that day. The coming new year was the year of Sarvajith. (Incidentally, Swami named the child of champion Indian cricketer, V.V.S Laxman as Sarvajith in this year. The cricketer’s experiences are also an amazing read.)

That day, the discourse almost seemed centered on Swami’s life- His childhood mainly. Aravind Sai was seated in the audience. He had goosebumps and multiple chills running down his spine as Swami began to almost repeat entire dialogues from their Burrakatha, two days ago! Swami relived the stories of Easwaramma and Subamma! Once again, Aravind Sai had tears in his eyes. How he had misunderstood his Swami! What a blessing and tribute it was for the Burrakatha that Swami was almost repeating it from memory. He was thrilled that their performance seemed etched in Swami’s heart! You can read that entire discourse by clicking on this link - Ugadi discourse on 20th of March, 2007.

The ultimate gift from Sai to Aravind Sai (and the other two boys also) came as the final few sentences of the discourse. Swami said,

“Yesterday, three boys sang a nice Burra Katha about Easwaramma. They rendered it well. There was a wonderful description about Subbamma too in that Burra Katha. I am very happy about it. In fact, it was such a unique story. No one has written such a story so far. “

After that, He called out for the three boys and honored them publicly in front of a capacity crowd in Sai Kulwant Hall. Then, He gifted them with white safari cloth pieces and blessed them with padanamaskar. The only language the boys spoke that day was that of love and they spoke it through the medium of their tears. Definitely, God’s delays are not His denials and His timing is the best ever!

The start of a new chapter

From that day onwards, it was a kind of upward spiral for Aravind Sai. His singing abilities seemed to have jumped up notches and he began to get chances to sing bhajans in the divine presence of Baba. After his undergraduate studies, he joined the Sathya Sai Institute for his post-graduation in Masters of Art (Economics). Two years, two Burrakathas and several bhajans later, it was once again the end of his final academic year.

For those that love God and pine for Him, there is nothing like the ‘End’, it is forever one ‘beginning’ after another! Aravind Sai was blessed by Swami to enrol for the MBA course in the Institute! So, even in 2009, he continued to be a student. 2009 happened to be a landmark year. As the trio prepared for their ‘annual’ Burrakatha, Swami called and spoke to them. In a jovial manner, He told them,

“There are so many people sitting in the hall. When you sing ensure that their ears do not bleed. Sing well to bring joy to all the devotees. The person sitting in the first row and the one sitting in the last row must experience bliss equally with your performance. The joy in the devotees’ heart is what will reflect on my face!”

That was a revelation - the way to please God is to make others happy; the way to love God is to love all and serve all!

“Swami, you are the one who does everything...”, the lads replied.

“That is true. But you are the instruments right? Your efforts too count.”

Swami blessed the trio and that evening was another wonderful performance. The smile on Swami’s face told them that everyone in the hall had indeed been filled with joy to the brim of their hearts.

That was also the year when Swami took him along with the other two lads, Prabhakar and Raghuram, to Kodaikanal. In Kodaikanal, Aravind Sai got the bounty of his life as Swami asked the trio to perform different Burrakathas, one after another, on successive days! And Swami was full of praises for them. He almost sang their praises making them realize that they definitely did not deserve all this.

And that is God. At times, one feels that He does not give what one deserves. But there are also times when one is convinced that He showers much more than one ever thought one deserved. He who showers without reason is allowed to withhold without reason too. It is best that we realize this and trust in His wisdom for, as Aravind Sai said,

“Swami’s timing is amazing. Today, when I look back at my life, I realize that everything happened at the perfect time and circumstances. It just could not have been planned better. I know that though I pined for Him, He didn’t give me what I desired when I wanted it. But I also know that He gave me what I desired, when I most needed it!”

Always giving what one needs...

After one Burrakatha in Kodaikanal, the overwhelmed trio broke down,

“Swami, intha prema pondhataaniki memu arhulamo kaado koodaa maaku teliyadu" (Swami we don't know whether we deserve this much love which you are showering on us).

Swami replied (and this is a statement for all of us to keep in mind)

“Icchinappudu teesukondi, lenappudu icchinavanni choosi anandinchandi!" (When I am giving, receive it. When it is not there, remember and cherish all that has been given and be blissful.)  

HERE IS THE CATCH.

When Swami said , “lenappudu icchinavanni choosi anandinchandi”, it also translates as “When I am not there, remember and cherish all that has been given and be blissful.”

It is only Swami who can strike two birds in a single stone!

“And that is why I am sharing this brother”, Aravind Sai said, “because I realize today the greater import of His statement. We should all live this way, constantly sharing His stories and experiences. I am sure that they number into millions and billions! Swami’s instructions are that we relive those memories/experiences and feel blissful.

Aravind Sai’s dream achieved

It started off as a journey to become Swami’s singer but Aravind Sai has realized today that singing is just a medium. The ultimate journey is to achieve Swami/God Himself. For that, singing is a means but so is playing, dancing, studying, sweeping, serving food and any of the millions of activities and actions. The most important point to be kept in mind is to simply love God while constantly putting in efforts because God confers everything. God’s grace is such that once obtained, it makes one lose interest and taste for anything else.

“As long as I strived to sing, I seemed to be struggling. Once Swami was pleased and He blessed me, I just wanted His love and grace. I no longer strived to sing but got so many opportunities to sing! Is it not paradoxical - the minute I stopped trying to be His singer and chose Him, I became His singer!”

Gone were his difficulties to sing on pitch. Chances to sing in the divine presence were showered on a daily basis. In fact, for several years till Swami’s Mahasamadhi, Aravind Sai sat in the first row, singing bhajans for Swami on a daily basis. 

Even to this day, the trio comes together once a year and does a Burrakatha in His presence.

 

A final message

One thing that amazes me about Aravind Sai is that even to this day he continues to sing with the same enthusiasm and energy, even in Swami’s physical absence. In fact, the trio, even to this day, sing their annual Burrakatha in Sai Kulwant hall. I asked him what was the secret behind this enthusiasm. He replied with a sweet experience.

In 2009, Swami asked Aravind Sai to get his dental clips removed.

“Aaa mulla kanchani eppudu teesthaavu, adhi teesthe chaala baaguntaavu “ (Remove those fences and then you will look nice!”)

And so, he had to get an appointment in Anantapur (a nearby town) to visit the dentist. The day he had to go, he told Swami,

“Swami, I am sad...”

“Why are you sad?”

“Because today I will not be able to sing for you Swami.”

“What time will you be returning?”

“By 5:30 Swami...”

“And when is the bhajan session?”

“Swami, that is at 5:00pm.”

Swami smiled at him and then told him.

“Wherever you are at 5:00pm, close your eyes, think of me and sing. I promise you that I will be sitting there and listening to you.”

That is what Lord Narayana promised Narada too,

“Mad bhaktha yatra gayanti, tatra tishtami” (I am present wherever my devotee sings my name.)

Swami has modified the same,

“Mad Bhakta Yatra gayanti, tatra sthapayami” ( Wherever my devotee sings my name, I install myself there.)

“And so, everytime I sing, I know that He is listening. How can I not give my best and have enthusiasm?” Aravind Sai concludes. 

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".

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