Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Mr. A. S. K. Varaprasada Rao

Mr. A. S. K. Varaprasada Rao,
Medarametla Post,
Korisepadu Mandal,
Prakasam District.
(M) 94418 94111

      Mr. A.S.K.Varaprasada Rao (50), an agriculturist, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'In my teens, I was ridiculing my friends for their belief in Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I was, then, a devotee of only Lord Venkateswara. Later, I learnt about Sai Baba and visited Shirdi in 1991. I bought Sri Shirdi Sai Saccharithra and began to read it regularly on Thursdays. Since then, I used to have many dreams. I used to see places and meet people in my dreams. After a few days, I used to visit the same places that I had seen in my dreams and meet the same persons whom I had met in my dreams.

In 1998, I was implicated in two murder cases and was remanded to judicial custody in Nellore. There one Mr. Srinivasa Murthy, the Head Master of the local High School used to come to the jail and give talks on spiritual matters. He told us about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and gave me the book 'Prema Jyothi' by Sri Komaragiri Krishnamohana Rao. I read it and was much impressed. It made me feel an urge to have darshan of Bhagavan. Later, both the murder cases were struck off even without arguments by the Judge, and I was released declared innocent. This was in 1999.

There after, I went to Vetapalem and saw the life size photograph of Bhagavan with a cover of vibhuti in the form of Lord Venkateswara. I realised that there is no difference between the two.

In 2000, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam for the first time for Gurupoornima, and had darshan of Bhagavan for the first time.

I came to Prasanthi Nilayam again for the following Sivarathri. As I was doing akhanda bhajan with thousands of others, I was swayed by a spiritual force that I was overwhelmed with emotion, and was shedding tears unabashedly. It was a great experience for me.

That year, I came for Swami's Birthday also in November, earlier to Sivarathri. I came again to Prasanthi Nilayam in December 2000. On December 26, I got front line for darshan. Swami came and stood before me nearly for two minutes. At that time I felt that some fine, thick, sweet fragrance had enveloped me. I asked those sitting around me if any of them had a similar experience. None of them experienced it.

In 2002 I had a dream in which Swami, coming along the darshan line, had chided me for not sitting properly. 'Learn how to sit right first' He told me when I pleaded for padanamaskar.

In another dream in around 2004, Swami gave me padanamaskar and blessed me.

In 2001, I came for seva for the first time. I was given duty near the dais in Sai Kulwanth Hall. A team of children from Sri Lanka, I think, presented a cultural programme. Swami materialized a golden chain for the child who had played the role of Bala Krishna. When the child came down the dais, I touched the chain in reverence when I felt a mild electric shock!

That year, I wanted to come to Prasanthi Nilayam for Sivarathri. I was facing serious financial problems. So I had no money to come. I was praying to Swami. One of my friends came to me one day. 'I am organizing a tourist bus to Prasanthi Nilayam for Sivarathri' he told me, 'I cannot do it in my name for certain reasons. I will put it that you are the contractor. You need not invest any money. There will not be any liability to you on this account. As I am putting it in your name, you go in the bus free of charge and come'. Thus I was given a chance to go to Prasanthi Nilayam without a paisa in my pocket, and was looked after well.

But one week prior to the day of departure, I had an attack of loose motions. I became very weak. I lost hope of going to Prasanthi Nilayam as I was advised not to travel. I was praying to Swami. 'Come what may' I decided, 'I will go to Prasanthi Nilayam for Sivarathri - motions or no motions.' Just on the night of the day of departure, the motions stopped miraculously and did not bother me again. I went to Prasanthi Nilayam despite my weak state. I could get a place to sit near Rama's statue in Sai Kulwanth Hall. I saw Swami in the bhajan mandir. He got up and was coming towards the Dasavatara gate. I was looking at Him joyfully. Suddenly I noticed that Swami had grown to 40 feet height, and assumed the form of Rama with all royal jewellery and diamond studded crown. After a minute, the form reduced to 35 feet and assumed the shape of Krishna. Later, He changed into Lord Siva of 30 feet and then became Bhagavan again. I was stunned with bewilderment. He came near me, looked into my eyes and smiled before He went back into the mandir again. That was a great and memorable experience to me.

I had the good fortune to witness lingodbhavam on Sivarathri day in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In 2002, I was very weak because of motions. So I fasted on that Sivarathri day completely. Ever since, I have been observing complete fast on every Sivarathri.'

-- Mr. A. S. K. Varaprasada Rao

   (As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 26.03.2006)