The greatest VVS Laxman innings I witnessed off the cricket field...

The Sivam center at Hyderabad.

A VVS special at Shivam grounds VVS Laxman today is one of the stars in the galaxy that Indian cricket is and a very special one at that too. In fact, Ian Chappell, another great cricketer, termed him as ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman. The name has stuck since then and VVS has indeed demonstrated why he has been very, very special (or VVS) for Indian cricket. Laxman is retired now but still is hugely popular for his exploits on the cricket field. In fact, he is credited to have played one of the top 5 all-time knocks in cricketing history - the epochal 281 against the mighty Australians while following on in a Test Match. The result? It became the third game in the 200-year sport where a team which was following on went on to win a match.

While cricket enthusiasts will revel in these stats, the other readers will surely be simply nodding out of courtesy, waiting for something which they have begun to expect of these posts that I make about my Master and Lord, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. (By the way, in India, Cricket is almost a religion and great cricketers are considered Gods!) And it is with great joy and pride that I write what I witnessed on the 9th of June, 2013, during a magnificent children’s music programme organized at Sivam, Hyderabad.

A side-view of the stage during the children's performance on the 9th of June, 2013. Photo courtesy- Sai Kiran Boppanna

One of the guests for that event was VVS and he minced no words in revealing what made him Very Very Special. In fact, his name itself proclaims that truth because the ‘S’ in his initials does not stand actually for ‘Special’. It stands for ‘Sai’. The actual name is Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman and he got that name because his parents are devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The experiences that changed Laxman into a staunch devotee of Baba are indeed ‘very very special’ and interesting! Those were the stories that he narrated on that very very special evening.

An evening of music and color

The evening came as the culmination of a 5-day residential summer course conducted for children of the age group 10-15 in Hyderabad district. The summer course introduced them to a healthy, practical and correct way of leading life, placing emphasis on human values and Swami’s teachings. And for this, the members of the Hyderabad wing of Sri Sathya Sai organizations had toiled day and night, living with the children and lovingly guiding them. It would not be an exaggeration to say that these teachers and volunteers epitomized Swami's love and divine energy. As part of the valedictory for this summer course, a group of over 50 talented kids had toiled hard for about 2 months to prepare for a musical extravaganza.

As VVS Laxman later admitted publicly,

“This has been a thrilling experience for me. After Swami left the physical, it is for the first time I felt His presence in my heart and in front of my eyes! You children are indeed blessed. My son, Sarvajith was asking me how children could do so many things in just 5 days. I told him that where Swami is concerned, nothing is impossible. My wife Shailaja never accompanies me to the public functions where I am called. But for this event, she insisted on coming. I am thankful to the organizers for giving me this opportunity.”

As the programme transitioned from instrumental numbers to group vocals, the stage needed rearrangement and the microphone levels had to be set. It was in this gap that Laxman was invited to the stage to share a ‘few words’. And it was in this short interval that I witnessed him play a ‘gem on an innings’!

The jubilant participants of the music programme and the 5-day summer course just before the curtains came down. Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

A different kind of pitch - a different kind of debut

As he stood on stage, VVS could not help but recollect his journey with Sai. It lasted 15 minutes but at the end of it, he got an ovation like he had received often after scoring those marvellous centuries on the cricket pitch. I felt so overwhelmed. I walked to him and said,

“Sairam! I had once the chance of interviewing you at Prasanthi Nilayam”

He remembered immediately, “Ah yes! How are you?”

“I am fine thank you. What you spoke now was simply awesome. You said that you are sharing with your Sai family here. Can I share the same with the Sai family worldwide?”

“Of course! Why not? I stand by every word I said”, he smiled.

And so here is the content of his brief but brilliant innings on stage.

Though his parents had been devotees of Bhagawan Baba, VVS got his first taste of Swami in late 1997. That was the time when the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup cricket match was being planned at the Sri Sathya Sai Hillview Stadium. Before the actual match between international players comprising a World XI against the international players of India XI, a trial match was to be held to judge the readiness of the pitch and the ground. That match was between the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state cricket teams. VVS Laxman had just made international debut and was invited to play the ‘test’ match as a member of the Andhra Pradesh team.

His agreement was conditional,

“I will play only if I get close darshan of Baba and an interview.”

Little did he know that nobody can ever promise on Baba’s behalf.

“If you really wish that, Baba will make it happen”, was the assurance given.

Laxman did come to Puttaparthi for the first time in 1997. He played in the stadium there and even scored a half-century of runs. All the players were seated in Sai Kulwant Hall for darshan when Swami arrived and invited them all inside. The first question He asked got VVS stumped,

“Who is Laxman?”

The cricketer presented himself and was just in a daze. His mind went blank.

Laxman continues to wax eloquent in an extempore speech. Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

“There were so many of us cricketers in that room but none of us spoke. We were just staring at Swami, transfixed. That is natural; after all He is God”, Laxman admitted in the speech.

Laxman was going through a very tough phase in his career. He had just got the team India cap a few months before. His position in the team was more on an experimental basis and he had been shuffled in the batting order from being the 7th to being the opener. He had also batted at number 3 and number 5. He had been trying very hard but success had eluded him. Thus, he was facing heavy criticism. He had hoped to get some solace from his worries during the trip. Just seeing Swami made him light and happy. He seemed to have forgotten all his worries!

But Swami did not forget it. He lovingly held Laxman’s hand and said,

“I know that there are lot of worries in your mind. But don’t worry. They are just passing clouds.”

Laxman admitted,

“I knew that He knew exactly what I was going through. That was my first experience with Baba the God! After that, I know that He has been with me through and through. There is no doubt that all the things that I have achieved after that have been Baba’s wish. I am blessed to have experienced Swami so many times in my career.”

"There are many cricketers whose lives are centered
around Swami." Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

Lost in admiration of another classy innings by VVS.
Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

.
Baba is an integral part of the cricketer’s lives

“It is not only me”, Laxman continued extempore on the stage,”many cricketers have their lives centered around Swami. Starting from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar who has had so many personal experiences with Swami to the greatest Sachin Tendulkar, their faith in Swami is firm. Even to this day, Sachin keeps a small altar with Baba ‘s picture and daily lights a lamp in front of it. On the field we discuss only cricket, but off it, we all talk about Swami so many times. It is our satsang.”

Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid are looked upon as Gods themselves by Indian cricketers and cricket fans alike. Little wonder that those that have not yet had the privilege of getting acquainted with Swami also begin to talk about Him! The way Swami touches lives is inscrutable.

“Someday, we should get even Sachin Tendulkar’s story”, I thought to myself.

Laxman continued to share how his life had been filled with Swami’s love and grace.

“My wife Shailaja was not a devotee when we got married. But today, her devotion and faith in Baba are stronger than mine. She even insisted that Swami alone should name our children. We went to Puttaparthi and waited for days because we wanted Swami to name the children. Swami did not disappoint us. He named the elder one as Sarvajith (one who conquers all) and the younger one as Achintya (the one beyond thoughts).”

VVS Laxman and his wife Shailaja with Baba
as He names their child, Sarvajith.
Photo courtesy: Nitin Acharya

(As I heard this, I remembered my classmate Achintya who was actually staying with Swami for a few months during that same period. His experiences with Swami are captured in an article entitled:

God’s omnipresence: experiences of great proximity to Sri Sathya Sai)

“My children are blessed to have seen Swami and been named by Him. All of you assembled here are also blessed to be Baba’s children. What else can I say but thank everyone for this opportunity”, concluded a moved Laxman as his wife silently wiped a few tears that rolled down her cheeks.

The gentle giant of a man who has made bowlers around the world shudder at his sight returned to the ‘pavilion’ after another ‘classic knock’. Everyone was lost in admiration for him and devotion for Swami. The grandeur and glory of Baba which we take so much for granted hits us hard when people of Laxman’s stature - he is an Arjuna awardee, a Padma Shri and the Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2002) - submit humbly to Him with gratitude and love.

The secret behind VVS being very very special is Swami as Laxman himself admits. 

I remember the words of the feared fast-bowler, Brett Lee, speaking about great batsmen,

“If you get Dravid, great. If you get Sachin, brilliant. But if you get Laxman, it's a miracle.”

In this respect, I would like to say,

“Mr. Brett Lee! Bhagawan Baba has got Laxman - not once but repeatedly. It is not surprising because miracles are visiting cards for Baba!”

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I also had the privilege of interviewing Laxman as part of my duties for Radiosai. you can download that 52-minute audio clip from here -

http://dl.radiosai.org/TRYST_WITH_DIVINITY_010_VVS_LAXMAN.mp3

Other similar articles you might enjoy

1. The revealing story of Shiv Yogi Maharaj

2. Anna Hazare and Sathya Sai

3. Truth is stranger than fiction: The experience of a disciple of Swami Sivananda

When God gives a task, He also gives the strength to complete it

Life at Lomalinda  

For a new reader, the sub-head will appear to indicate a fresher’s experience at a foreign university. It is not! It is actually the continuation of an adventurous, miracle-filled journey of a Sai student, Praveen Vemula. This narrative is actually the third part. To get the full juice of the story, read this part after the first two parts.

Part 1 is - God’s Grace makes everything possible.

Part 2 is - No God, No Miracles; Know God, Know Miracles.

Okay, it is now time to do justice to the sub-head that was announced several sentences before.

So, the two lads rushed themselves for admission into Lomalinda University. The Sai devotee at USA packed for them lots of frozen Indian foods to help them make a gradual transition into the different foodstuffs they would have to eat, halfway across the globe from home. Praveen suddenly realized another great advantage of having ‘intuitively’ selected Lomalinda University - being a Seventh Day Adventist organization, it was completely vegetarian in its diet! This suited him perfectly and he mentally sent gratitude to Swami.

Soon, Praveen was face to face with the dean there, Eric.S.Anderson who told the boys that they were way behind in their academic schedule. They had to complete 54 credits and more than a month had already elapsed. They were told that if they worked a little harder, they would be able to complete the course in 2 years. Praveen protested,

“But sir, we have to finish and be back in India within an year. That is our instructions.”

“That is simply impossible. Even in the event of a miracle taking place and you able to do everything else in a year, how will you cover up 6 credits that you have already missed. That course on accountancy is not up for grabs till the first quarter, next year. At least to complete that you will have to stay more than a year!”

“Sir, we will finish everything within a year.”

“How?” asked a bewildered dean.

“We shall inform you soon sir”, said Praveen who had no idea about how they would be doing the same.

And then, Swami stepped in, through a ‘coincidence’, a miracle where He chose to remain anonymous. The San Bernardino Community College which was nearby was offering the exact same course in the second quarter! The boys came up with a crazy plan which struck the dean dumb with its audacity.

“If permitted, we would like to enroll side-by-side for the accountancy course in San Bernardino. That apart, we will do 18 credits every quarter so that, on the whole, we finish 54 credits in 3 quarters itself!”

The boys were brimming with confidence and the dean agreed to allow them exemption for the 6 credits if they promised to complete the same in the other college. He wanted to see whether they were really serious in their commitment.

Flying success

The sweat and toil one becomes capable of putting in while doing something for God is simply amazing. Even though Praveen knew that Swami would do whatever was best, he did not simply rest. Day in and day out he did his best. As always, Swami did the rest! The result? The boys actually completed all the 54 credits within just 3 quarters and enrolled for a months internship which was compulsory!

The dean was so impressed that he agreed to allow the lads graduate in the same year though the actual certificates would arrive the next year during the convocation. But the dean was not the only person impressed. The President of the Marian Regional Medical Center, Santa Maria, Charles J Cova was also mightily impressed. In fact, he offered both the boys US $5,000 each as stipend for their 3 months of work. Praveen was candid in expressing his thoughts,

“Sir! We are happy that you are pleased with us. But Swami sent us here to study and not earn. We would like to donate $5,000 each to the Medical Center itself to be used for patient welfare.”

Mr.Cova presented both the lads with a special personalized President’s commendation along with the certificates which recognized the excellent work they had put in for 3 months.

Homecoming

Having conquered degrees and won hearts, Praveen leaned back comfortably against the seat in the flight back home. When he landed back in Puttaparthi, it was the 16th of September, 2002. He was excited and thrilled about meeting Swami the next day which would in fact EXACTLY mark 1 year since the departure from India! Yet another instance of His word being respected by all the forces in the Universe.

On His part, Swami seemed so excited that His boys were returning. He spoke to many elders and devotees about them. He was so proud of them and seemed to be just waiting to meet them. That day, Praveen remembers, when they went for darshan, Baba had already completed it! He was waiting for them. He welcomed them with open arms. The interview that followed was so filled with divine love.

God is always like that. He plans the script, selects the participants of the divine drama, teaches each one how to ‘act’, makes corrections when necessary, encourages and supports with love. And when the masterplan drama is acted out, He is there in the audience, clapping hard with the joy and excitement of a child!

The strength to do the task

Swami wanted Praveen to immediately join the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Prasanthigram for an internship of 6 months. In fact, Swami accompanied him to work on the first day. He picked Praveen in His own car and drove towards the hospital. Praveen simply did not know what to say or do when such grace was being showered on him. He got down with Swami at the hospital. There was a small electric buggy waiting to take Swami. Swami beckoned to Praveen to sit by His side.

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Science, Prasanthigram.

They drove in the massive hospital and arrived at the Intensive Care Unit. Swami dropped off Praveen there and blessed him saying,

“Work well.”

“Swami, please be with me always”, the boy prayed.

Swami smiled and pointed him towards his workplace. Praveen turned around and saw the board - “ICU” it said!

Yes! His Swami was seeing him always! The message reached home and Praveen too smiled.

“Swami, please ensure that I do the work properly.”

Swami then made a revelation,

“When I give you a task, I will automatically give you the strength to do the task.”

With that blessing, Swami left.

When the great devotee Hanuman was getting ready to jump from the shores of India to Lanka in search of Mother Sita (who had been kidnapped by Ravana) was asked by the Vanara army (the army of monkeys, bears, squirrels)

“Do you think that you will really be able to jump across the ocean?”

Hanuman’s reply was,

“It does not matter what my abilities and capabilities are. When the Lord Rama, the resident of my heart, has given me a task, He will definitely give me the strength I need to accomplish it. Have no doubt in that.”

Hanuman completed the task in a thumping fashion. And when he returned, Lord Rama went straight to him and hugged him to his bosom and told him,

“You are closest to my heart.”

At that point in time, the statement was true physically for Rama’s heart and Hanuman’s heart were almost beating together. But that statement has remained true ever since and wherever there is a temple of Lord Rama, Hanuman is inevitably present by the side. In fact, in no Rama temple will you find a monkey ever being shooed away. Monkeys are welcomed and worshipped. That is the result of Rama’s love on Hanuman and Hanuman’s reciprocation of the same.

The same is the case with the Swami’s students. Swami has showered so much love on some of them and some of them have reciprocated the same. That is why all the students are appreciated and held high around the world!

Swami did not stop there. When the actual degrees arrived, Swami organized a special function during Guru Poornima 2003 and felicitated the students. In fact, Swami Himself presented the degree to Praveen.

Praveen receives his degree in health administration from Bhagawan Baba. 

Dear reader, the objective of this narrative is not to elicit admiration and adulation for Praveen. The objective is to make each one us pine to be His student. And there is a difference between being a student of the Sathya Sai Institute and being a Sai Student. Can each one of us become a Sai Student?

That was the story of how Vemula Praveen rose from being an intelligent student to being the assistant-Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Bangalore.

No God, No Miracles; Know God, Know Miracles

An interview to remember

Those of you who have arrived straight over here, it is suggested that you go through the first part of this episode entitled, “God’s grace makes everything possible”, so that further reading of Praveen’s story makes better sense and is more enjoyable!

Photo Credit: Sathyasaiwithstudents.blogspot.in

Having successfully cracked the GRE examinations, the two lads applied for a host of Universities in USA for the course in Hospital Administration. From among the several universities that offered the course, the duo chose the Lomalinda University based on ‘instinct’ and ‘gut feeling’. Then, they happily drove back to Puttaparthi, to their Swami (Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) who awaited them.

They found themselves in the interview room with a few elders after the next darshan session itself. In the interview room, Swami said,

“These boys did not study anything at all. They just went to Bangalore and ate well.”

Praveen had a look of shock on the face. He was sure that he studied quite hard - well maybe not that hard! But he was dead sure that he did not simply ’eat well’ as Swami alleged. So, with a blank face, he tried to shake his head to negate Swami.

“What is your weight? Tell me”, Swami asked.

Praveen recollected that it was about 75 kilograms the last time he had checked. He stated that figure.

“Let me check”, said Swami, going in and fetching a weighing scale!

Praveen stood on it and the scales tipped over 80 kilograms.

“See! What did I say? He just ate well. I had to do all the studies!”

Now that was a statement that Praveen simply could not refute. It was definitely Swami’s grace that had seen him sail through the GRE and had fetched him the miraculous score. The leg-pulling did not cease. A smiling Swami looked at both the lads and asked,

“Now that you have eaten well, can you both together lift at least me off the chair?”

That was a tempting offer! A great chance from Swami. Being able bodied they were sure to be able to raise the puny 108-pounds frame of Baba. They agreed and Swami let them try. With each placing one hand behind His back and the other below (like a chair), the boys tried to lift Swami. But try as hard as they did, Swami did not budge a millimeter. He was simply smiling. After a few moments of intense effort, Swami said,

“It is alright. I shall get up myself.”

Effortlessly, Swami got up from the chair and opened the interview room door. The interview was over!

TOEFL trouble?

Soon, Praveen came to know that there was another test to be taken - the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language). He was worried now. It was not as if he had problems in English. His worry was something totally different. Having spent all his life with microscopes and petri-dishes, Praveen had almost no acquaintance with a computer. (In the 1990s, one could actually get educated without touching a computer! How will the children of today ever believe it?)

But hey! Wait a minute! What has knowledge of the computer got to do with the TOEFL examination?

Nothing actually. However, one of the sections of the test is writing an English essay. And however logical a QWERTY keyboard might seem to regular computer users, it was an absolute mess of letters for Praveen. He had not the slightest idea on how he would be able to type out huge essays on a keyboard. It was too late for him to pick up typing!

And then came another ‘miracle’. The Lomalinda University decided that since the students were post-graduate Masters who had obtained very good scores in the GRE, they must be good in English! And they were simply exempted from the test. So, the selection of Lomalinda University based on ‘gut feeling’ turned out to be a good one! Once again, Praveen simply smiled knowing whose hand was behind all this. When the string-puller for the universe is pulling strings in a divine manner, what can ever go wrong? And so, all one has to do is to make God happy; the rest will simply follow.

A passport without the visa is not of much use

Just when everything seemed set to launch off towards the US, came another hassle that almost every Indian wanting to go to the US faces - the Visa troubles (maybe that will change in times to come).  The next unbelievable sequence of events started happening in Praveen's life. To start with, he had to go to Chennai for the Visa interview.

It was the day before the actual interview and he was trying to get everything in order. Equipped with the documents, self-confidence and faith in Swami, Praveen slept at night. The next day, hell broke loose - in the United States of America!

It was the 11th day in September 2001 and jihadi terrorists rammed aeroplanes into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York! The US Consulate in Chennai shut down for 3 full days and Praveen’s stay in the South Indian city extended. The interview was now scheduled for the 14th and Praveen faced one of the most hostile sessions ever. Since he was not on scholarship, he was questioned about his educational funding. The terms 'Swami', 'God’s grace', 'devotees’ love' and the like had a negative impact on the lady who was almost interrogating Praveen. She simply stamped a big ‘REJECT’ on the Visa and chucked him out of the office.

It was with despair that Praveen returned to Bangalore. He had no clue how he would show his face to Swami. After so much had been done, the trip seemed sabotaged at the last step. The hopes of the two boys too had come crashing down like the twin towers in New York. The devotees of Baba decided to do everything possible. They requested the then chief-minister of Karnataka, Sri. S.M.Krishna and the then vice-president of India, Sri Krishan Kant (both devotees of Swami) to pull a few strings. But all that was to no avail! It was the secretary to the chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu (where the US Consulate was located) who brought the bad news,

“The US rules are such that once a Visa application is rejected, one cannot re-apply for another 6 months. Though the people at the Consulate are simply amazed at the influence being wielded by these two lads, they simply cannot do anything about it, they say.”

When God steps in

Photo courtesy: sathyasaipath.wordpress.com

Everything seemed lost now and the Tamil Nadu state president for the Sri Sathya Sai Organizations conveyed the ‘bad’ and ‘sad’ news to Swami. In Puttaparthi, Swami simply smiled and sent a message,

“Tell the boys that they will get their visas by 3:00pm.”

Everyone, including the state-president, wondered how this would happen.

A sudden twist of events took place. The US Consulate, on that very same day, 14th of Spetember 2001, was attacked! It was well-covered in several newspapers and the NDTV website screamed "86 arrested in US consulate attack in Chennai". The Consulate requested the government of Tamil Nadu for added protection. Such requests are always give and take. Can you guess what was the reciprocal request from the Tamil Nadu government?

Yes! Accept the Visa applications of Swami’s boys and security will be provided! The people at the US Consulate must have really wondered who this Praveen was! Just as Swami had said, the Visas were approved and Praveen picked up his visa gingerly. The time was exactly 3:00pm!

Both the boys returned to Puttaparthi and all they could do was simply fall at Swami’s feet. Swami seemed surprised. What had He done, He asked! God knows everything but acts as though He knows nothing. Man knows nothing and yet acts as though he knows everything.

Another problem; another divine solution

Finally came the day when the boys had to actually leave for USA. Needless to say, it was quite a tearful one for Praveen. He had simply been overwhelmed by Swami’s love and was just not ready to let go of it for 2 full years.

“But Swami, you said it would be a short trip. I cannot stay without you for two full years!”

“It will not be two years. You will complete it in 1 year”, was Swami’s reply.

At any other time he might have asked, “How Swami?”, but now, Praveen was wise enough to know that nothing is impossible for God.

Swami blessed both the boys and even gifted them with suits to wear in the US!

Praveen wears his new suit and poses alongside his dear Swami before embarking on the journey.

Another problem cropped up now! The ticket to Los Angeles was booked via Singapore. Though the tickets for Singapore-LA leg of the journey had arrived, there were no tickets available for India-Singapore part of the journey! The flight had to be taken to LA because the course had already begun nearly a month before in Lomalinda! But what was to be done?

Pray to the Lord. (Where would we be if not for prayer?)

It was an incredible sequence of events that happened. One devotee from India seeks help from another devotee in Singapore. This devotee in Singapore is a doctor and has a scheduled appointment with the Chairman of Singapore Airlines! Tickets are issued immediately. But how to reach them to India? Here comes the awesome way things were done - the tickets were faxed with a letter explaining the special circumstances. This would let the boys in through the security check at the airport. The actual tickets were sent with the crew of the Singapore Airlines flight which was arriving from Singapore!

It was with gratitude to Swami in his heart that Praveen sat at the window, gazing out at nothing in particular. He was filled with thoughts of the amazing things that had happened to make this flight possible.

A day later, on the 18th of September, Praveen was on American shores. He had to rush immediately to enrol in the University. Amazingly, there was not even the slightest sign of jet lag. He was as fresh as a flower. And when he was asked how he managed not to get fatigued, he replied,

“Know God, Know miracles!”

... to be concluded in the next part entitled

When God gives a task, He also gives the strength to complete it.  

For all readers:

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