Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VII | Mr. A. Srirama Murthy

Mr. A. Srirama Murthy,
HIG-224, Housing Board Colony,
Vijayawada - 520012.

Tel: 0866-2414656

      Mr. A. Srirama Murthy (61), who retired from the Postal Department, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'In 1964, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam quite unexpectedly. At that time there was good crowd as the Birthday of Bhagavan was being celebrated. It was my first visit to Prasanthi Nilayam and had darshan of Bhagavan for the first time. At that time Swami was accepting flower garlands. I saw the garlands on the dais in a big heap as hundreds were garlanding Him continuously. In the end, Swami personally gave us all each a small laddu as prasadam. I, thus, had the good fortune to receive prasadam from Bhagavan's Divine hand on His Birthday.

In 1967, my father and his sister were going to Bangalore. On the way they visited Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagavan called them for interview.

'Swami' my father said, 'I want to perform the marriage of my son.'

'You have a boy' Bhagavan replied, 'and she (pointing to my aunt) has a girl to be married. Get them married.'

'But, Swami' murmured my father, 'her health is not good.'

'Swami will take care of it', Bhagavan assured.

'We have a vow to perform my son's marriage at Anantapur' my father added.

'Who is there? And who is here?' Bhagavan replied, 'do whatever you like. Bring the couple to me after the wedlock.'

My marriage took place at Anantapur in February 1968. My wife and I came along with our parents and in-laws to Prasanthi Nilayam after the wedlock. Bhagavan called us for interview.

'Where is sutram?' Bhagavan asked. We had not brought anything. We could not even understand what Bhagavan was asking.

He then materialised a thread, passed it over His hand smoothly when it became yellow being smeared with turmeric. Two golden mangalasutras also sprang on the thread. Bhagavan gave it to me and began chanting mantras Himself bidding me to tie it around the neck of my wife. Thus I was married again to the same bride in His Divine presence, Bhagavan acting as our priest.

He materialised flowers and akshatas and sprinkled them on our heads as we took padanamaskar. Later, Bhagavan sent a silk sari to my wife.

In 1969 we were blessed with a daughter, and in 1970 a son. We came to Prasanthi Nilayam with children in 1973. It was the time of Dasara festival. When Bhagavan came near me in the darshan line, I requested Bhagavan to do aksharabhyasam to my daughter. He wrote Aum on a new slate and gave it to my daughter blessing her.

'Pray name the children' I requested. 'Sai Manohar' Bhagavan replied, 'you have already named your daughter.'

In those days, when Bhagavan walked on the sand before us, we used to collect a little sand where His lotus feet tread and take it home.

I came for seva to Prasanthi Nilayam in April 1985. On May 2, we went to Brindavan at the end of seva to have darshan of Bhagavan who was there at that time. I sat in the last as I went there late. Bhagavan luckily entered from my side. I took padanamaskar. He went along the line to the end, and again returned to me. 'Swami' I said, 'I have some problems.' He materialized a silver ring and gave me. It had Shirdi Baba's face on it.

In 1997, I came for seva again and went to Brindavan in May for darshan at the end of seva. Bhagavan came along the darshan line.

After taking padanamaskar, I said 'Swami we want to perform the marriage of my daughter.' 'Good' said Bhagavan, 'you will get good son-in-law this year.' This was in May, and in September my daughter's wedlock was settled, and in February 1998, the marriage was performed.

In 1996, I applied for allotment of a house in the HB Colony. I was allotted a west-facing house with veedhisoola (facing the street, which is considered inauspicious). So I requested that the allotment be cancelled. Though I asked for fresh allotment, it had to go to the Commissioner and was not done usually. I prayed to Bhagavan. Unexpectedly, I received a fresh allotment. This time the house allotted is a east-facing corner house with good vastu features.'

-- Mr. A. Srirama Murthy

   (As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 05.04.2006)