Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Mr. Ashok Sarma

Mr. Ashok Sarma
Sarada Nagar, Saharanpur - 247 001
Uttarpradesh

Mr. Ashok Sarma (50), working on the teaching side in Education Department, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'My cousin sister, Ms. Neelam was given in marriage to Mr. Baldevraj Joshi. My uncle (Ms. Neelam's father) has been a longstanding devotee of Bhagavan. He gave Neelam a photograph of Shirdi Baba with Aum in His hand as a wedding present.

Mr. Joshi, unfortunately, fell into bad company. He was a non-believer and got addicted to alcoholic drinks.

One day vibhuthi began to emanate from the hand of Shirdi Baba in the photograph with Ms. Neelam. Many people came to witness it. It attracted media attention also. CID people came to investigate if there was a fraud in it. Mr. Joshi, even though he witnessed the miracle, did not change. Vibhuthi was emanating in such large quantities that there was much left even after distributing vibhuthi prasadam to several visitors thronging the place.

One day Amrit began to emanate from the photograph. Even then, Mr. Joshi did not change much. One day when he was lifting his glass of brandy to drink, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba stood by his side and caught hold of his hand, signalling not to drink. As Mr. Joshi seemed adamant, Bhagavan twisted his wrist a little when Mr. Joshi began to writhe in pain and let go the glass. After a day or two, Mr. Joshi made another attempt to drink when Bhagavan appeared again and twisted his wrist as Mr. Joshi writhed in pain. After that Mr. Joshi changed completely. He became a devotee and gave up drink.

As I was a witness to all these miracles happening in my cousin's place, I developed faith in Bhagavan and became His devotee. I yearned to have Darshan of Bhagavan.

In 1982, I came for seva to Prasanthi Nilayam. It was my first visit here. I was given duty at the VIP gate and could have excellent Darshan of Bhagavan. At the end of seva, Bhagavan distributed vibhuthi prasadam personally to us. Ever since, I have been coming to Prasanthi Nilayam for seva.

In 1997, I was crossing a railway crossing. As I was preoccupied with some problem, I failed to notice a railway engine coming on that line. When it was about to hit me, a miracle happened. Someone pushed me forcibly so that I came away from the railway line to safety. When I turned back to see who it was that pushed me, there was none. Even if I had lingered there for another second, I would have been crushed to pieces by the moving engine. Bhagavan saved me from certain and horrible death. I am ever grateful to Bhagavan for His love and compassion.

-- Mr. Ashok Sarma

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 06.06.2005)