Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VII | Mr. N.C. Venkatappa

Mr. N.C. Venkatappa,
Uravakonda,
Anantapur District.

Tel: 08392-245529

      Mr. N.C. Venkatappa (52), Ex-Serviceman, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'I was a student of Anantapur in the seventies. In 1971, I think, Swami came to Anantapur in connection with the opening of the Women's College there. I attended the meeting and had darshan of Bhagavan for the first time.

In 1972, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam. I had just left my place on the spur of the moment without any plan or programme. As I got down the bus, a stranger accosted me.

'You appear to be new to this place' he said, 'come with me.' He took me to the shed in Prasanthi Nilayam. It was near where Ganesh idol stands now. He took me to the canteen land paid for my food. I had darshan of Bhagavan. I did not have any money with me except a couple of rupees. Next day, Swami gave me padanamaskar also. 'You don't have money with you' the same stranger told me, 'I will arrange for your return to your place.' He put me in a bus going to Anantapur and paid for my bus fare. I thought that Swami had taken care of me in his guise.

In 1975, I joined Defence Accounts and retired in 1990. I was staying at Bellari after retirement. My daughter Soujanya was a student of Sri Sathya Sai College at Dharwar. One day she was going for tuition in the early hours when some fellow tried to snatch the chain from her neck. She cried 'Sai Ram!' The thief surprisingly left her and ran away leaving the chain. But my daughter swooned out of fear and shock. Though she fell down unconsciously, she did not sustain any injuries, not even a scratch. Soon a few people guttered, sprinkled cold water on her face and helped her regain senses. They left her safely at my residence. Everyone was surprised why the thief had run away on hearing her cry 'Sai Ram' though there was none in the street at that time.

We all joined together to construct Swami's mandir at Bellari. My son Chakravarthi was trying at that time to get a seat in Engineering. As I was busy with the mandir construction affairs, I did not take any interest in his trials. But miraculously he got a free seat in B.E. Then I was reminded of Swami's precept: 'Do my work, and I will do yours.'

In 1998, I was keeping vigil at my farm one night. I had a dream in which Swami appeared. 'Take padanamaskar' He bade me. I took.

In March, 2006, I came to Prasanthi Nilayam just on the spur of the moment. I was asked if I would do seva. I agreed. I was given a scarf and an identity card as many of those who came for seva had known me well. I was posted near the verandah in the Sai Kulwanth Hall. I had good darshan. That was the first time I came for seva at Prasanthi Nilayam. I was asked if I could stay on for some more days. Though I came unprepared for long stay here, I agreed to do seva up to April 10. I was posted at the Ganesh gate.

On March 23, 2006, I went into the Bhajan Mandir. Fortunately, I was among the last five to go in. Before Swami came, I prayed to Him 'Swami, pray grant me darshan as Lord Venkateswara'. Bhajan started. Swami came into the mandir on wheelchair. I was looking at Him when I beheld Lord Venkateswara in His place of for a few seconds very clearly. He was wearing the diamond studded crown and jewellery but His face was that of Bhagavan!'

-- Mr. N.C. Venkatappa

   (As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 24.03.2006)