Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group I | Mr. S.Sivayogan

Mr. S.Sivayogan
1-77, Kelso Street
Singleton, NSW 2330
Australia
E-mail: sivayogan2001@yahoo.com

Mr. S.Sivayogan (32), a Chartered Accountant, is an Australian citizen of Sri Lankan origin. He narrates his experiences in his own words.

'My parents are Sri Lankan citizens of Indian origin. They are devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. So I have been brought up in spiritual environment. As a Sai devotee I used to work in sevadal participating in seva activities.

Whenever I had to write any examination, I used to pray to Bhagavan reciting the three lines meaning, 'Swami who removes obstacles from our path, Swami who gives energy and leads us to victory, and Swami who gives us bliss'. And I have never tasted any failure due to the grace of Bhagavan.

In the month of May 2004, my marriage was to take place with Ms.S.Shamini in Malaysia. Her parents are Malaysian citizens of Sri Lankan origin. In the month of April 2004, my grandmother passed away. In the month of May 2004, my mother's sister passed away. So my mother could not organize Bhajan before my wedding to invoke the blessings of Swami. In fact, she made all arrangements to hold the Bhajan in May 2004 at Colombo but had to cancel the arrangements in the last minute and had to rush to India to attend obsequies of her sister. She was much concerned that she could not hold the Bhajan, as is customary among Sai devotees there, and prayed to Bhagavan to excuse her lapse.

I as well as my fiancée reached Malaysia a few days before the wedding day from Australia. Mr. Vijayasingam, one of the relatives of the bride, arranged Bhajan on Thursday, May 13, at P.J., Malaysia. I was told that he had a call from India from some unknown person who had asked him to arrange Bhajan for any couple that was getting married and that was going to India after the wedding.

Mr. Vijayasingam, therefore, arranged the Bhajan since we happened to fulfill those terms. My Mother, too, arrived in Malaysia on May 11 to attend our wedding. When I told her on our way from the Airport that a Bhajan was arranged before the date of our wedding, she was overwhelmed with joy and emotion, saying 'Bhagavan arranged Bhajan for us'. Till then she was upset due to her sentiment about not conducting a Bhajan before the wedding, and felt immense relief and happiness when she learnt about the arrangement of the Bhajan.

At the Bhajan, it so happened that the Bride was asked to perform Pooja with flowers while Ashtottaram was being recited. My Mother and Father performed the Harati at the conclusion of the Bhajan. Owing to the grace of Bhagavan we were happily married on May 16, 2004 in Malaysia.

I wanted that we should first visit India and have Darshan of Bhagavan soon after our marriage. I preferred a flight that would arrive at Bangalore at 1.30 p.m. But we could get tickets only for the flight that would arrive at 11.30 p.m. I was worried because of the safety angle since it was inadvisable for persons new to the place to move about around midnight. I prayed to Bhagavan to guide my wife and me safely and comfortably to have His Darshan.

Dr. Sara Pavan, who resides at Prasanthi Nilayam, came to Australia and dropped in at my in-law's place in Sydney, as he knows my Father-in-law. When he learnt about our proposed visit to Brindavan to have Darshan of Bhagavan, he said, 'don't worry. I will arrange the needful'.

When we landed on the night of May 18, 2004 at Bangalore at 11.30 p.m., one taxi was waiting for us carrying a placard with my name. We were taken to the Hotel Sai Renaissance in Kadugodi where accommodation was given to us to stay comfortably. We could get ready and go to Brindavan in the morning on May 19 and have Darshan of Bhagavan. We don't know why Dr. Sara Pavan came to Australia, but we assume that Bhagavan sent him as an answer to our prayer to facilitate our visit to Brindavan in safety and comfort. It makes me remember the assurance given me by Bhagavan when he gave me interview at Prasanthi Nilayam on December 20, 1998. Then, I still remember, I wept inconsolably, surcharged with joy and emotion, on being face to face with Bhagavan when He, while patting me repeatedly, said, 'be happy, be happy'.

'Bhagavan!' I prayed then, 'be always with me. Keep me in your hand'.

Bhagavan smiled and said in a tone of reassurance, 'I will be with you always, in you, around you, above you, in front of you and behind you!' Many times I recall these words of Divine-reassurance, as almost everyday I experience the bliss of His guidance and protection in my life.'

-- Mr. S. Sivayogan.

(As narrated to Mr. B.Parvatala Rao at Sai Gokulam, Brindavan, Bangalore on 19.05.2004.)