Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group II | Mr. D. Lakshminarayana

Mr. D. Lakshminarayana
24-143 / 2 / 1, Anand Bagh
Malkajgiri, Hyderabad - 500 047

Mr. D. Lakshminarayana (75), retired Joint Secretary, Board of Intermediate Examination, A.P., Hyderabad, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'Though I was hearing about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba since 1955 from my friends and colleagues, I had no belief in Him till I saw Bhagavan the first time when He addressed a huge gathering at the Exhibition Grounds, Hyderabad in 1967. Later, I went to the house of Sri Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao in Barakatpura with my wife, Mrs. Kamala Devi and our three-year old son, Mallikarjuna Rao. At that time, we had the good fortune to touch His Divine Feet. Bhagavan blessed my son while the boy offered Him a rose. My wife was overwhelmed with joy on seeing Bhagavan from close quarters. She became an ardent devotee of Bhagavan. She bought a Photograph of Bhagavan and kept it in our pooja room, worshipping Him ever since.

In 1977, I had occasion to go through a book written on Bhagavan by Howard Murphet. It influenced me greatly. My wife and I began to participate in seva activities of Sri Sathya Sai Samiti at Vijayawada after my transfer there.

In 1978, I was included in a team sent to Puttaparthi to invite Bhagavan to Vijayawada on His way to Rajahmundry. We were seated separately for Darshan and Bhagavan called us for interview. He materialised vibhuti and gave it to all in the room. 'I do not have a need for this', I thought and decided not to stretch my hand for it. But when Bhagavan came near me, I stretched my hand automatically. I was the last in the row. I did not get any vibhuti as vibhuti in Bhagavan's hand got exhausted by the time He reached me.

After that Bhagavan asked each one of us about our personal problems. He tapped lightly on my cheek and asked, 'what about you?' I broached about my son's education. 'I will give him a seat in my college', Bhagavan graciously assured. I felt thrilled and tears of joy rolled from my eyes down my cheeks. My son was a student of Swami's Institution from 1982 to 1988. He did his Intermediate, Graduation and Post-graduation there. He also learnt Veda and used to be in the team of students selected to recite Veda during festive occasions in the Divine presence.

In 1980, we all went to Puttaparthi. My father-in-law, Mr. Mukkamala Poornachandra Rao of Penamalur was also with us. We sat in the sand opposite Mandir. Bhagavan came straight to the place where we were sitting, and stood before my father-in-law. When my father-in-law stretched his hands for the blessings of Bhagavan, Bhagavan materialised vibhuti and gave him a handful. My father-in-law was never seen with folded hands before any idol or guru earlier. He did not even concede the request of his wife to name his son Satyanaraya. We were surprised to find such a person praying before Bhagavan with folded hands.

After I had come into the fold of Bhagavan, many problems began to get solved. My second daughter Vijayalakshmi was selected for appointment at Hyderabad in a Bank in 1983. I was reemployed after retirement in 1987 for 7 years during which period I could construct a house of my own and perform the marriage of second daughter in 1988.

I have had the good fortune to visit Prasanthi Nilayam many times. In 1994, I had a desire to touch Bhagavan's lotus feet. Luckily, I was allowed to sit in the prayer hall along with the members of a group of Railway employees with which I came. As per the entry line, my seat would come in the last row near the wall. The person on duty caught me by the shoulder and made me sit along the pathway. Bhagavan entered the hall and began walking along the pathway. He came along the pathway but moved on without stopping by me. I could not touch His feet. So, I began praying to Him within myself. Suddenly He turned back and returned. As I was praying with my eyes closed, I did not notice His return. He stood by my side and tapped me gently on the head. Immediately, I opened my eyes to find Bhagavan by my side. At once I touched His feet. Thus my desire was fulfilled.

I lost my wife in 2002. My son-in-law Dr. Sagi Satyanarayana had a dream as a result of which he constructed Vijaya Satya Sai Mandiram at Anand Bagh. Mr. N. Surendra Sarma is the purohit who conducted the house warming ceremony on August 31, 2002 (Srikrishna Janmaashthami). Photographs were taken on the occasion. Even though Mr. N. Satyanarayana Sarma, the brother of the purohit, did not attend, he, too, appeared in the photograph taken on the occasion. It was a miracle. Since then Bhagavan has been showing a number of miracles in that mandir.

On December 31, 2002, vibhuti appeared in the mandir; later, kumkum and haldi (turmeric). These have been emanating in large quantities from all the photographs of deities in the mandir.

The place on which the mandir was constructed was vacant for a long time as it had vastu-dosham. But, when the construction of the mandir was taken up, it went on without any hitch. Vastu-dosham did not affect it in any way.

Dr. K.V. Krishna Kumari visited the mandir on February 23, 2003. She kept a copy of her book, Bhadra Kalyanam on a chair in the mandir and said, 'Bhagavan will show miracles here'. Next day, when the mandir was opened, the book was found placed on the floor, opened at chapter No.6 entitled 'Arrival of Krishna'.

Bhagavan appeared in the photographs taken on various occasions to indicate His Divine presence in the mandir. Example: Once a photograph taken when a bell and a set of lamps hanging from a chain arrived by themselves at the mandir showed Bhagavan along with the devotees. Another photograph taken on November 26, 2004 on Karthika Pournami (full moon day in the month of Karthika) also showed Swami among the devotees. Countless number of idols emanated physically in the mandir - some disappeared after sometime, while some of those disappeared re-appeared also later. All the miracles take place in the mandir when my son-in-law, Dr. Sagi Satyanarayana is present. Appearance of large number of idols of various gods indicates, 'God is one, though He can be worshipped in many forms.' Appearance and disappearance of articles indicate, 'He is the giver and taker, and that nothing belongs to us'.

-- Mr. Lakshminarayana.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Sadasiva Rao at Hyderabad on 31.01.2005 and sent by post by Mr. Sadasiva Rao to Mr. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam.)