Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group IV | Swami Ramakrishnananda Giri

Swami Ramakrishnananda Giri,
Chitravathi Road,
Puttaparthi - 515 134

Swami Ramakrishnananda Giri (64), who took sanyas in 2001, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'I visited Prasanthi Nilayam in 1977 and had darshan of Bhagavan for the first time. (Swamiji's name before he took sanyas is Mr. K. Ramakrishnam Raju. He was a businessman.) As Bhagavan was coming nearer me along the darshan lines that day I lost my consciousness and was not aware of what was happening around me. I could regain my senses only after Swami passed the place where I was sitting and went a little ahead. I used to visit many Swamijis before, but I did not have this type of experience anywhere.

I came to Prasanthi Nilayam again in 1985. But then I came for seva. That year I came three or four times for seva. Swami used to give padanamaskar to all sevadal those days.

In 2001, I sat in the darshan line and mentioned to Bhagavan when He came near me 'I want to take sanyasam, Swami!' Swami said 'manchidi, manchidi, manchidi.'(He said 'good' three times.) That evening I took ochre clothes with me and Swami blessed them. Next day, I sat in the darshan line and Swami came along when I repeated my request about sanyasam. Swami said 'santhosham' (happy) three times. He then materialized akshatas and sprinkled on me.

'Kindly give me a name for my sanyasasrama, Swami!' I asked. Swami smiled and left, but did not give any name. Later, I went to the ashram of Malayala Swami in Yerpedu and took sanyasam (renunciation of worldly life) from Swami Vidyananda Giri on February 21, 2001 assuming the name Swami Ramakrishnananda Giri. When I was coming from Yerpedu to Prasanthi Nilayam again, the ashram people gave me an envelope and requested me to pass it on to Bhagavan. Bhagavan took the envelope from me and blessed me when I returned to Prasanthi Nilayam in ochre robes for the first time from Yerpedu. I do not know what the envelope contained. Owing to the grace of Bhagavan, I am able to reside in Puttaparthi , have darshan of Bhagavan daily and continue my spiritual sadhana in the area sanctified well by His Divine aura.'

-- Swami Ramakrishnananda Giri

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 08.09.2005)