Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group III | Mrs. D. Lakshmikantham

Mrs. D. Lakshmikantham
Sai Ram Theatre & Sai Gayathri Temple
Chebrolu - 534 406
Ungutur Mandal, West Godavari District
Tel: 08818-251535

Mrs. D. Lakshmikantham (75), a housewife, relates a few of her experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'We came to Prasanthi Nilayam in 1949 for the first time. Later we came again in 1954. In those days one could not leave unless Bhagavan permitted one to leave. Swami did not ask us to leave even after a month. We stayed on.

My husband Mr. Subba Rao used to suffer from breathing difficulty. One night the problem grew worse. No one dared to disturb Swami. We were in the room on the ground floor. Swami came to our room in the night. He asked for hot water and began to put fomentation to my husband. When I said that I would do it, He said 'this is not the time for you to do this. It is my job now. Now you know why I have kept you here for a month', Swami told us. My husband was completely cured of his problem.

In the same year we constructed a house. Swami approved the plan. Swami said, 'I will come for the housewarming ceremony'. So we printed invitations. Expecting Swami, a huge crowd of about 10,000 gathered at our house. My husband, who went to Prasanthi Nilayam to bring Swami to our village, did not come back. We had no information. Swami, it appears, gave no indication of His programme to my husband. We provided food to all those that had come for the function. We did not, however, perform the function. The day passed off.

Soon after Sivarathri, Swami left for Chebrolu along with my husband in His car. They arrived in the night. Our cook went to the cinema hall, locking the gate of our house, without my knowledge. Swami's car halted before our house.

'The gate is locked', Swami told my husband, 'the driver will break open the lock'. When Swami entered our house, we were all pleasantly surprised.

'You pester me, 'come, come, come to our house', Swami told me pretending anger, 'and you lock the gate securely when I actually come'.

Later Swami told us what all to be done for grihapravesam, and guided us throughout the ceremony taking care of minute details.

He stayed with us, and slept in our new house for three nights consecutively as required by the custom.

'Had I come on that day (when we issued invitations) it would not have been this peaceful and memorable for all of you, isn't it?' Swami asked us.

'Yes! Swami', we agreed.

Swami then materialized a copper plate with some yantra and beejaksharaas on it and said, 'place this underground immediately behind the mukhadwaram (main entrance)'. It will be raksha (protection) for you.'

We complied.

We have had numerous experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan. These are only a few, by way of illustration of His grace.'

-- Mrs. D. Lakshmikantham

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 10.03.2005.)