Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group III | Mr. Rasaranjan D

Mr. Rasaranjan Dharanipragada.
403, Sandtree Drive,
Palm Beach Garden,
Florida 33403, USA
Tel: 561-622-4459
E-mail: rasaranjan@usa.com

Mr. Rasaranjan D (71), a businessman from the USA, relates a couple of his experiences of Bhagavan in his own words.

'During the sixties I was an agriculturist in Hyderabad raising grape gardens. We came into contact with Mrs. Tulasamma, an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Swami came to Hyderabad in 1961. 'Why don't you come to Puttaparthi with us?' Mrs. Tulasamma asked me, 'Mr. Reddy, Registrar of Co-operative Societies, AP, Hyderabad is taking me in his car. You can also come'. I agreed. To my surprise, Swami entered our car and travelled with us. Mr. Reddy, Mrs. Tulasamma and I sat in the back seat while Swami was in the front seat, by the side of the driver. That was the first time for me to have Darshan of Swami.

As we were nearing Jadcherla, the car came to a halt. The driver got down and took out a can from the dickey. Obviously, there was no petrol in the petrol tank. Mr. Reddy was furious and began reprimanding the driver. The driver was planning to get a lift in a passing car or vehicle to the nearest petrol bunk to get petrol. 'Why don't you try to get a bicycle? We both can pedal it to the bunk and get petrol'. I suggested. But no cycle was available.

'Go to that draw well', Swami told the driver showing an agricultural well nearby, 'get a canful of water!' I was at a loss to understand why Swami wanted water from that draw well. After the driver brought the water, Swami tapped the can gently and told the driver, 'pour the contents of the can in the petrol tank'. The driver must have been horrified. Would any driver in his senses dare pour water in the petrol tank of his car even if his boss told him? He poured with obvious hesitation. Swami tapped the car gently and said 'start.' The driver started the car. It ran without any problem till we reached the petrol bunk where the driver got petrol filled.

It was my first visit to Puttaparthi. 'What you find here now would all change', Swami told me. 'When you come next time, you would not be able to meet me with this ease. My devotees in their thousands would be surrounding Me'.

Even though I had witnessed a miracle, I, did not take Him as God-incarnate. At best, He was a saint endowed with powers. I went abroad later and settled down in business in the USA.

One day I was driving my car on the High way from Palm Beach to Miami. Very unusually, I dozed for a second. 'Why are you dozing? Awake', some one tapped me on my shoulder. Swami was sitting on the dashboard. I could see Him in flesh and blood. I was not dreaming. I was wide-awake. I did not know what was happening. I could see only Swami, and nothing else. Cars coming behind me were blowing horns frantically. But I was not paying attention.

'Don't worry', Swami said, 'everything will be all right'. He disappeared. I found that my car was parked on the side of the road. I had no remembrance of driving it to a side and applying breaks.

I could not understand why Swami had told me 'not to worry' before He disappeared. At that time, I was worried about the marriage of my second daughter. After a few weeks, her marriage could be held in India excellently well. Then I realized that Swami was telling me not to worry about the marriage of my daughter, and was assuring me that everything would be all right.

Recently I had thought of conducting a chain of Rudra Homas and Chandi Yagas in various states of the USA to acquaint the local people with our spiritual heritage and culture. I don't know why, but I thought of taking the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba before embarking on my plan. That is what has brought me now to Puttaparthi. This is my second visit. What Swami told me in 1961 has come true. He is beyond easy access. Thousands of devotees congregate here daily for His Darshan as foretold by Him in 1961.'

-- Mr. Rasaranjan Dharanipragada.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 10.02.2005.)