Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Ms. Puja Adhikary

Ms. Puja Adhikary, III B.Com. (Hons),
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
Anantapur Campus.

Ms. Puja Adhikary, a student of the third year B.Com. (Hons) of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus narrates her experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'As Bhagavan came gliding to grant darshan and to satisfy the many hearts' secret longings, there was a pair of keen eyes that observed the Lord's movements very carefully. I had just joined the Anantapur College. That day was my first opportunity to see Swami at such close quarters. Even when I was immersed in the joy of having His darshan, one of the Lord's actions caught my attention. I observed that Swami created for His devotees vibhuti once in a while, and always the wave of His hand was followed by the stretch of the palm. Yes, while the fortunate one received grace, another person nearby would wait for an opportunity stretching a handkerchief. Even if it took some seconds for the kerchief to appear, Swami would invariably take it, use it and throw it back, looking pleased.

Month after month, observed this again and again, the scene seeped into my heart. Sometimes I admired it from the kerchief giver's perspective. How alert one had to be so as to be of service to God! And, at other times, I appreciated the magnanimity of the Lord, the actual giver, who takes every opportunity to grant even simple desires.

It was the 9th November evening … the last hours of akhanda-bhajan. As prayerful hearts sang soulfully, Bhagavan entered the prayer hall and walked straight to where I was seated. With one wave of His hand, He created vibhuti for an elderly lady sitting just in front of me. The scene that had been etched in my heart so deep was now happening right in front of me. Without a moment's thought I stretched out my handkerchief. But, at the same time, ten other handkerchiefs sprang up around Bhagavan. I was anxious and, to add to my confusion, many around me began to murmur and nod disapprovingly. All of a sudden it struck me like a flash that amidst so many spotless white kerchiefs was my old and used printed ladies' kerchief. 'To hold on or to withdraw' …, even before I could make up my mind, I realized that the kerchief was in Swami's Hands. He took it, wiped with it and threw it back to me in the same familiar divine way of His.'

-- Ms. Puja Adhikary

(As extracted from the souvenir Ananta Prematarangini published by the Anantapur Campus of the SSSIHL on the occasion of the 80th Birthday of Bhagavan)