Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group IV | Mr. V. Somasundaram

Mr. V. Somasundaram,
10/34, Sivanar First Street,
Gugai, Salem - 636 006
Tamilnadu.

Tel: 0427-954 1624, Mobile: 93455-05464

Mr. V. Somasundaram (54), textile businessman, relates a few of his experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in his own words.

'After graduating in 1975, I started a plastic pipe manufacturing industry which had to be closed owing to some problems. I disposed off the industry and joined as the Sole Marketing Agent in a private textiles company. Later, without my knowledge, the owner of the company appointed another agent in contravention of our agreement. I held up the collections with me with a view to discussing with him about why another was appointed as agent when I was the sole agent. He complained to the Police and I was called to the Police Station for enquiry.

A few days before this, one devotee of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave me a photograph of Swami. I kept it in my pocket. I did not know anything about Swami at that time. After discussion with the owner, we arrived at a compromise and I paid him all his dues. Though I came out of the problem without any trouble, my prestige in the area suffered a setback as I was called by the Police to the Station. To clear my debts, I had to sell away certain assets. I faced a financial cringe and was at a loss to know how to make both ends meet to feed and clothe my family. I began toying with the idea of committing suicide out of desperation. I was praying to God to clear the damage done to my name as I had not committed any fault. Then I got appointed as a Sales Agent to another company by God's grace. Thus my position improved.

After sometime, I went to Mettupalayam where I met Mr. Rajendran, the devotee of Bhagavan who had given me the Bhagavan's photograph earlier. He chided me for thinking of suicide which meant losing patience as well as faith in Bhagavan. He also said, 'you have done the good thing by keeping Bhagavan's photograph with you always. He saved you from the Police case. He got you a job. But you are not realizing it'.

Later, I went to Sai Samithi at the behest of a devotee in Salem. I wanted to go and buy a photograph of Bhagavan there to keep in my pocket, and had no intention to stay on for bhajan. I waited till the bhajan was over outside. I did not buy any photograph as I did not like those available there.

A few days later, a member of the Samithi told me that a bus was arranged to Puttaparthi for Gurupoornima. I consulted my wife and decided to go to Puttaparthi. I booked one ticket for me and came here. This was in 1991. Then I had the darshan of Bhagavan for the first time. I had the good fortune to listen to Bhagavan's Divine Discourse.

On return, I became Balvikas guru for Group I & II. I had the good fortune to attend the Gurus Conference at Brindavan in 1994. I had padanamaskar also at that time.'

-- Mr. V. Somasundaram.

(As narrated to Mr. B. Parvatala Rao at Prasanthi Nilayam on 04.11.2005)