Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group III | Mr. Prakash Dass

Mr. Prakash Dass
Jajpur Road - 755019
Jajpur District, Orissa

Mr. Prakash Dass (34), a teacher, relates his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'I hail from the village of Banadevpur of Jajpur district. I left my village in 1996 and settled in Jajpur Road. After my college studies, I have taken to private tuitions to eke out my livelihood.

I have been hearing about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba since my childhood. But I began to take active part in Sri Sathya Sai Samiti activities about three years ago. Whenever I have a problem, I pray to Bhagavan in my mind and He will surely show me a way-out.

The convener of our Samiti was preparing a list of persons to go to Prasanthi Nilayam for seva in February 2005. He asked me also to join. I was willing but I could not say yes because I had to think of my tuitions. A break of 10, 15 days would affect the studies of my students. So I said, 'please excuse me this time'.

But I was persuaded by my friends to go over to Prasanthi Nilayam at least for one Darshan. So I agreed to accompany them, and to return after Darshan. That is how I came to Prasanthi Nilayam on January 27, 2005, but have continued to stay on.

On January 31, our Samiti leader told me, 'you have come to Prasanthi Nilayam any way. Why don't you join seva? It is a great opportunity to do service to Bhagavan'. 'I am a poor tuitor who cannot afford that', I replied, 'I am really unfortunate not to accept your offer'. So he drew a list of sevadal with others striking my name off the list.

That night I was returning to the place of my stay around 10 o' clock after seeing off my cousin who had come for seva. Suddenly I felt as if Baba was telling me directly, 'you can certainly do seva. You have that ability. Why did I bring you here? Only to teach you how to surrender to Me totally. You do my work and I will do yours. Don't worry about other things. I will take care of them'.

At once I changed my mind and decided to join seva. That night Bhagavan came into my dream and said, 'you have to do My seva and come close to Me, for My blessings'.

Next morning I went to our leader and said, 'I have changed my mind. I will follow your advice'. He was happy. He issued me an identity card and assigned duty at South-III. By the grace of Bhagavan, I could complete the term of my duty successfully and receive vibhuti prasadam and the Photograph of Bhagavan, which were distributed to us in the Divine presence today.

One day I went to the Super Specialties Hospital while I was off duty along with a patient. While waiting in the hall I had occasion to watch a video show on the T.V there. To my surprise they were showing a bhajan conducted in our place, that is, at Jajpur Road. I saw myself participating in that bhajan along with my friends and co-members of the Samiti of my village. Was it a coincidence that our bhajan was shown when I came there by chance and was watching the video show? Or, was it Swami's sankalpa?

I have no doubt that Swami brought me there on the pretext of accompanying a patient only to see that video by way of expressing His approval of my decision to stay on and do seva as per His instructions given to me both on the astral plane and in the dream.'

-- Mr. Prakash Dass.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 16.02.200.)