Features | Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan by Devotees | Group VI | Ms. Vijayasree

Ms. Vijayasree, I M.Sc.,
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
Anantapur Campus.

Ms. Vijayasree, a student of the first year M.Sc. of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus narrates her experiences of the Divinity of Bhagavan in her own words.

'It was in 2001 that my father first visited Prasanthi Nilayam. He was so overjoyed to see Bhagavan that he decided to take all of us there. On Januray 13, 2002, I had my first opportunity to step into His Heavenly Abode - Prasanthi Nilayam, and have the darshan of the Lord. During that visit, my father gave me the application form for the B.Sc. Course in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur. Though I was very enthusiastic about writing the EAMCET entrance and joining an Engineering course, I wanted to give this a try, as I was very influenced by the devotees I had met.

Back at home, I gave the EAMCET examination, and was confident about qualifying. The next day, however, I was to come to Prasanthi Nilayam to write the entrance examination for my B.Sc. Course.

Everything regarding the journey, the accommodation, the food, etc, went on smoothly. I wrote the examination well, and was selected to attend the interview also. My parents were very happy. However, I still doubted my securing the admission. I began to pray intensely. While we were returning, my mother asked me 'if you qualify in both the examinations, what will you choose?' To this, I replied that I would certainly join the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. My mother was very happy.

Within three days, I received a telegram from the Institute that I was selected. I was happy as we were to attend the Summer Course. It was then that my test began. On the third day after the Summer Course began, I got the news that I had secured a good rank (to be exact, 1721st rank) among the many lakhs of students who had taken the EAMCET test. All my relatives wanted me back home to join a more prestigious professional course. The choice was difficult - between profession and providence, between ambition and aspiration. I was confounded, and my mother left the choice to me. I cried out to Bhagavan to rescue me from this situation. Upon a senior student's advice, I wrote a letter to Swami that night. I prayed that if He is really 'God', then He must accept my letter within three days. If He did not, then I would leave the place and go back home.

The next day, as I was seated at the rear end for darshan, it appeared impossible to give Him the letter. In my disappointment, I thought that He really wanted me to return home. But He caught me unawares as He unexpectedly turned to our side, and took a letter from the person right next to me. My soaring expectation dipped to desperation as Swami began to move on. Then with a knowing smile, He came back to me, and took the letter. He stood in front of me and blessed me with abhayahasta. I was filled with joy. Tears streamed down my cheeks. That instant, I made my choice. I decided to stay back. I informed my parents about my decision. They were very happy. Much later, I discovered that while checking my EAMCET results on the Internet, my father had mistaken 17211 to be 1721. I had no chance to get a seat in a good professional college. Truly, my alleged rank was illusory, and Bhagavan had helped me choose the 'real'. I realized that Swami knows everything, and does whatever is good for us. Wisdom lies in trusting His Will.'

-- Ms. Vijayasree

(As extracted from the souvenir Ananta Prematarangini published by the Anantapur Campus of the SSSIHL on the occasion of the 80th Birthday of Bhagavan)