Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group IV | Mr. N. Nagaraju

Mr. N. Nagaraju,
Professor in English,
Rajiv Gandhi University,
Itanagar - 791 112.

Tel: 0360-2277935
E-mail: ngurappa@rediffmail.com

Mr.Nagaraju (45), Prof. in English, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'My family deity is Gurappa (Lord Siva). Though I am very much devoted to Gurappa swami, I have always regarded all deities with reverence. I liked to go to centres of pilgrimage and places of interest, as well as to meet saints and spiritual leaders.

I was married in 1991. My wife, Mrs. Prabhavati and I left on a sightseeing trip to Bangalore and Ooty and returned to Bangalore. Dr. Janardhan, one of my relatives, is a resident of Puttaparthi. He is a devotee of Bhagavan. He advised us to go over to Puttaparthi and have Darshan of Bhagavan. Thus we came to Puttaparthi for the first time in 1991. It was a totally unscheduled visit. We were at Prasanthi Nilayam for two or three days and had darshan of Bhagavan. That is the first time I saw Bhagavan.

In 1998, one of my friends suggested to me to admit my son, Vivek Raj in Swami's Primary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. I was told that the entrance test for admission there was tough. My son was not groomed keeping admission to such an institution in view. We were a bit undecided at first. Dr. Janardhan also told us that the boy would be extremely fortunate if he were to get an admission there. One day, we started from Itanagar taking a sudden decision to go and try for a seat at Prasanthi Nilayam. This trip to Prasanthi Nilayam, too, was unexpected. We started without making advance reservation, but could secure berths and travel comfortably owing to Bhagavan's grace.

I kept my wife and children at Puttaprthi in a rented house and left for Itanagar. We arranged coaching for the child. In spite of the keen competition, Vivek could get admission which, again, was unexpected. My wife stayed here for a few weeks and then joined me leaving Vivek in the hostel. We were afraid that Vivek might get homesick, but he adjusted well with his new environs and company.

One day we received a message from the Head Mistress that Vivek was not well. I could not leave because of official work. I had to send my wife alone to Prasanthi Nilayam. When she reached the hostel, she was told that the boy was suffering from pain in the knee and could not move about. His knee cap was inflammated and swollen. He was writhing in pain. The doctor at the Super Specialties Hospital at Prasanthigram examined him. Then, he was referred to a top orthopaedic at Bangalore.

He examined the boy and suspected some fracture. The boy was advised complete rest. Meanwhile, I also came to Bangalore. We could not stand the sight of the suffering of our son and were praying to Bhagavan as well as our family deity Swami Gurappa, to cure his ailment.

One day, I was advised by some people at Bangalore to show the boy to Mr. Jha, an employee of the Air Force residing at Marthahalli. He was an acupuncturist. This, too, was unexpected. We took our son to him. He tied a grain to the tip of the boy's finger and another grain to the toe.

'Keep this for an hour and then remove', Mr. Jha told us.

Next morning, Vivek walked normally. It was a miracle.

When I offered Mr. Jha money, he accepted just Rs. 20 only. 'This is my fee', he told me politely declining the sum offered, and 'I don't take a pie more'.

Our second son, Varun Guru also got admission at Swami's school at Prasanthi Nilayam, owing to Swami's grace.

One day, Dr. Ranga Rao of the English Department, SSSIHL asked me, 'why don't you come to us as Guest Faculty?' I was glad to accept the offer. This again was an unexpected development.

In retrospect, I feel that there has been a divine undercurrent right from my first visit here to my being appointed as Guest Faculty. All these developments are, in my opinion, Swami's miracle continuum. Every turn of events is unexpected as well as extremely beneficial indicating the Divine grace in no uncertain terms.'

-- Mr. N. Nagaraju

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 28.06.2005)