Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group II | Mrs. K. Girijamma

Mrs. K. Girijamma,
Girijamma General Stores,
Gopuram Road,
Puttaparthi - 515 134
Tel: 08555-288513

Mrs. K. Girijamma (69), a general stores keeper, relates a few of her experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'My parents belonged to Mysore. Our house was near that of Mr.Ram Setti's. Bhagavan used to stay generally in Mr. Ramasetti's house whenever He came to Mysore in those days. We used to go there and have Darshan of Bhagavan. I used to have Darshan of Bhagavan like that since 1945. As I was only a girl at that time, I could not understand the significance of what we were receiving from Bhagavan by way of bliss. I had a yearning to visit Puttaparthi but no one was there to take me there. I lost my parents at an early age and was brought up by my elder sister. I was married in 1948. My husband, Mr. Rajanna Setti was working in the accounts wing of Raja Kondaiah at Dronachalam. He used to suffer a lot from asthma. Though I used to visit Puttaparthi from as far back as 1952, my husband came to Puttaparthi in 1961 only.

Swami called him for interview and advised him to mend his ways. Then Bhagavan materialised three packets of medicine for him. The medicine was very, very bitter to taste. My husband took two packets and was better. The third packet was missing and could not be found even though we searched for it everywhere.

His health failed again in 1962. Swami counselled him again to mend his ways and gave him a bottle of medicine and vibhuti. Mr. N. Kasturi used to tell us that they used to keep some bottles filled with water in the interview room, and the water used to turn into appropriate medicine when Bhagavan picked up the bottle. The change occurred just with His sankalpa. My husband became well with that medicine.

In 1964-65, I had a dream in which Swami appeared to me and said, 'come! Come to Puttaparthi!' I reflected, 'how can I come, Swami! I have no money'. The dream ended.

Finally, in 1967, I decided to shift to Puttaparthi. I came with my elder son. We stayed in Patamandiram from Dasara to Sivaratri. In fact, we could not have stayed that long there but for Mrs. Venkamma, the sister of Swami, a kind-hearted lady, with a soft corner for the poor. We could continue there owing to her good will.

While we were there, Dr. Modi came to Puttaparthi and held his eye camp. After that Swami called us for interview. We had as many as 20 interviews or more later. Whenever my husband came, Swami used to call him for interview. It was not then, as you find it now. Swami used to spend hours and hours in interviews. He seldom sent away any one without interview.

At that time, I was in a helpless state. So when I saw Swami in the interview, I could not control myself. I broke down and wept. Swami tried to console me saying, 'don't cry! All your difficulties come to an end.' He suggested that I set up a small shop, and get on. So I started a small bunk on the Chitravathi Road. Later, I shifted it to the Gopuram Road on the suggestion of Mr. Janakiramaiah, brother of Swami.

I do not know to whom Swami mentioned about my shop, but soon many started coming to my shop even though there were already, by that time, bigger shops at Puttaparthi. My customers included no less a person than Mr. N. Kasturi. Mrs. Namagiramma, Mrs. Yasoda, Mrs. Kamalamma, Mr. Kishtappa and many others used to patronise my shop. My son used to go to Bukkapatnam and get provisions for resale here. When it was difficult to hire a cart, he had to personally carry them. We struggled like that to honestly eke out a livelihood against all odds. The only thing that was on our side always is Swami's grace.

Many people living at Puttaparthi used to get money orders from their kith and kin. They used to give that money to me. I used to maintain account and adjust it against their purchases in due course. Thus we gained capital also. We performed the marriage of my elder daughter in 1967. Later, in 1972, my husband passed away.

My younger daughter, Ms. Annapurna got a seat in Anantapur College in Inter. I told Bhagavan about my worry. There was no hostel at that time. Where to keep her? Bhagavan said, 'admit her. She would get good company'. Later, two other girls and my daughter joined the college at Anantapur and used to stay together. Mrs. Raja Rao went there and stayed with them. As Swami assured, my daughter got good company.

I requested Swami to admit my second son in Veda Pathasala started by Him. 'You admit him elsewhere', Swami advised. 'If he gets good character, it is enough,' I pleaded. Swami laughed and laughed on hearing my words. I could not understand at that time why He laughed like that. He gave my son a seat in the Veda Pathasala, but my son could not continue there for long because the Vedic school was closed after 2 years. The good character for which I was hoping also eluded my son. Swami who knew our past as well as future laughed on hearing my desire, perhaps, because He knew that I was expecting the unattainable.

When a proposal for the wedding of my younger daughter came for consideration, I asked Swami about it. 'Go and see', Bhagavan told me. But I hesitated to go, as it might not look auspicious for a widow to go on wedlock rounds. I sent others. When I approached Swami again, He said, 'I asked you to go but you did not.' So I went. It was a good match but they were demanding Rs. 10,000 as dowry. We could not afford it. I told Swami that they were rich but demanded dowry of Rs. 10,000. 'Don't we have?' Swami asked me. I could not follow what He meant.

In fact, we could not afford to pay that much dowry. When Swami used the word 'we', He included Himself in our family. When He is with us, how can there be want? He then asked my daughter whether she liked the boy. When my daughter bent her head out of modesty, He gave the go-ahead signal. We fixed the alliance. Everyone was suggesting, 'go and ask Swami for money. He will give.' I did not. Owing to His grace, our business flourished to such an extent that we could mobilise our own resources to perform the marriage on a grand scale after giving dowry, etc.

Once a theft occurred in the house of my daughter. Gold and cash were stolen. Swami asked the police, 'what are you doing when the thieves are at large?' Owing to His grace, the jewellery was recovered completely.

Bhagavan brought me here. Made me set up a small business, which has grown beyond expectation. He gave us everything. If we are what we are today, it is only owing to His grace and not due to anything else.'

-- Mrs. K.Girijamma.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 29.10.2004.)