Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group II | Mr. Kondapalli Hanumantha Rao

Mr. Kondapalli Hanumantha Rao,
10-6-31/3/2, Mamillagudem,
Khammam - 507001
Tel: 08742-227352

Mr. Kondapalli Hanumantha Rao (65), a retired Accounts Officer from the Department of Forests, presently circulation promoter of Sanathana Sarathi and an active worker in Sri Sathya Sai Samithi at Khammam, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'Owing to my neighbour, Mrs. K. Rajendraprasad, I began to attend bhajans in his house at Khammam since 1996. Later, I came into contact with Mr. Vijayasankar who encouraged me to participate in seva at Puttaparthi. I had the good fortune to attend seva at Puttaparthi in January 1998 when we all received Padanamaskar.

In June 1998, I retired from service, and hoped to spend more time in seva activities. But in February 1999, my 35 years long piles' complaint aggravated necessitating surgical treatment. I was not willing to undergo surgery. One day my people made arrangement to get my piles operated. That day I had an inspired feeling that Sri Sathya Sai Baba was telling me not to undergo surgery. At once, I declared that I would not undergo surgery and went to a Homoeopath at Vijayawada. Miraculously I had great relief with just three doses of medicine given by him.

Later, after a few weeks, I had a dream in which a phone call came for me when I was at the house of Mr. Rajendraprasad, who handed over the receiver to me saying, 'phone for you'. When I said 'hello', it was Bhagavan's voice that answered me. When I told Him about my illness, he said, 'come to Puttaparthi'. In those days, the convener of Sri Sathya Sai seva samithi was asking me to go for seva at Puttaparthi in April 1999, but I was hesitating on grounds of ill health. The dream turned the tide, and I enlisted for seva.

When we reached Puttaparthi, Swami was at Kodaicanal. However, we completed seva as usual. All our sevadal members wanted to go to Kodaicanal for Darshan. I declined to go there along with them, as I was advised not to undertake long trips by bus. On the last day, I had an inspired thought - 'go to Kodaicanal and have Darshan of Bhagavan'.

It was not possible to accommodate me in the bus, as it was full. They wanted to accommodate me in the last seat in the ladies' bus, if I were willing to go in the last seat. I agreed. But just at that time, one person, who wanted to bring his children along with him on the one ticket booked by him for him alone, left the bus in anger, as he was not allowed to do so. Miraculously, I got a front seat in the gents' bus, vacated by him.

At Kodaicanal, Swami gave us Padanamaskar. When Bhagavan was coming near me, I prayed in my mind, 'Swami! You gave me everything. Give me health to enable me to attend to my work without depending on others'. Swami came to me and blessed me touching me on my head. Miraculously, I was rid of my 35-year old piles companion at once for good. This happened on May 2, 1999. That has not bothered me again. When I went for a periodical medical check-up of piles later, the doctor was surprised to hear that I had ever any piles at all!

In 2001, I supervised the construction of a building on a site for my daughter, Mrs. Usha; the building was completed, but, by that time, an age old deep well in the yard dried up. I got a bore laid, but it failed. We tried at another place, but even that bore failed. I used to pray to Swami about this problem. One day I had an inspired thought, 'why not get municipal taps?' Usually, the municipal officer does not sanction more than one tap connection. Owing to Swami's grace, I got two connections. Those taps daily fill the sump without any problem.

From 2002, I made it a point to recite Tapovan in an old age Home called Smt Eswaramba Vriddhasramam of women of Khammam run by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi. Dr. M. Shyamasundara Rao used to come with me and explain the meaning and background of the passages read by me. We continued the recital afterwards at Prasanthi Nagar, Khammam, also. It was my practice to pay respects to the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan displayed in a large size photograph of 'Paadamulu' brought by me from Puttaparthi and hung at the entrance to my house. I had a dream one day in which I started the recital at Prasanthi Nagar. Then I saw Swami coming towards me after having a word with students as if it was taking place in Prasanthi Nilayam. I took Padanamaskar when He stepped back a little. I looked at the Feet, which were exactly like those to which I was performing namaskar daily at my house in the above-mentioned photograph.'

-- -- Mr. K. Hanumantha Rao.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Kambhampadu, Krishna District on 01.12.2004.)