Divine Threads: A Symphony of Love, Loss, and Grace

Life's Unseen Turn: Navigating Challenges with Swami's Love

October 13, 2023, today marks thirteen years since something profound happened in my life. Back in 2010, I was a first-year student at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in Brindavan. During Dussehra, we were at Puttaparthi for Grama Seva. At the same time, my mama was fighting lymphoma since 2008, a tough journey that flipped our family life upside down. Life was smooth until 2008; everyone, including my grandparents, was healthy. But cancer changed everything.

Fast forward to October 13th. I spoke to my father, and the ominous tone in his voice spoke volumes. Mama's health was failing, and he was rushed to the hospital. Yet, why worry? I was with Bhagwan at Prasanthi Nilayam. "Don't worry," I assured my parents. "I'll write a letter to Swami, and I'll bring blessed Vibhuti home on October 18th."

Divine Blessings Unfold: A Touch of Heaven

I wrote a letter to Swami, sharing our pain, and handed a Vibhuti packet to a friend, hoping Swami would bless it during Darshan. I wasn't sure if Swami would take the letter or bless the Vibhuti, so I covered both bases. Destiny had a different queue for me—third row, not the first. 

As Swami approached, I clutched the letter, with deepest prayers. Amidst a sea of letters, miraculously, His eyes found mine. With two fingers, Swami beautifully gestured, signaling He wanted the letter. Leaping from the third row, I handed it over to Him, but lost balance amid the student surge. And there it happened—I landed, with all my force, on Swami's tender feet. A mix of immense gratitude and guilt flooded me. Yet, the compassionate one showed no discomfort and proceeded granting Darshan so gracefully.

 

Swami accepting heartfelt prayers for Mama

Post-Darshan, I got to know that Swami not only accepted the letter but also held and blessed the Vibhuti packet which my friend held. Relief washed over me—mama was in safe hands.

The Departure: Swami's Silent Embrace

I got home on the evening of October 18th. Amma was heading to the hospital to see Mama. Since I hadn't freshened up, I asked her to go ahead, promising to visit Mama the next day. However, I made sure to give Amma the Vibhuti blessed by Swami. The next morning, I got a call from my mother. Mama was put on ventilatory support, and the doctors gave him only a few days to live. Reality hit us hard.

Prayers filled the air, but on October 24th, around 3:25 PM, Mama took his last breath. We were shattered. After the rites, it was time for me to return to my hostel. It felt like Swami had orchestrated the entire winter vacation just so I could be with my family during this difficult time.

Amidst the tragedy and what seemed like unanswered prayers, I realized how mature I had become in handling this situation. Swami had somehow groomed me into dealing with something I never thought I could. What followed were remarkable events.

In Complete Control: Swami's Whispered Wisdom

I headed straight back to Prasanthi Nilayam (it was Swami’s Birthday Celebrations month) and wrote a letter to Swami, informing that Mama had merged with Him and now Swami had to take care of him.

This time, I was fortunate to sit in the first row. But fate had its plans—Swami didn't accept letters from anyone that day. We were even made to sit a few feet away from the usual spot. Although Swami didn't accept my letter, He seemed to look at me and say something. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear it from my position, about 10 feet away from Swami. 

 Swami's Silent Blessing as He Chooses Not to Take the Letter.

That night, I had a dream, and surprisingly, it replayed the previous evening's Darshan with us sitting, Swami not accepting letters. The only difference was that, in the dream, Swami made me hear what He said. He uttered, "AT MY FEET," indicating that He had already acknowledged Mama's passing without me handing over the letter. It was a poignant reminder that He is the one who controls everything. The next morning, I woke up with goosebumps!

 

Divine Replay: Swami's Whispered Wisdom Echoes Within

Sai: The Divine Parent

On November 4th, the day before Mama's 13th day (Shubhasweekaram), preparations were underway in Chennai. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there due to restrictions in my hostel. Traditionally, for the departed's close ones, it's customary to purchase new clothes—a symbolic gesture signifying acceptance and the continuation of life. My mother asked if I had new clothes, but I didn't.

That evening, as I found myself sitting in the Darshan Hall, lost in the nth row, something extraordinary happened. Swami gestured to the office bearers, and suddenly, loads of Safari cloth material appeared. Every student was given new clothes! Tears welled up in my eyes. The Divine mother's kindness didn't stop there. He cut through the lines, wheeling in His chair in such a way that I was in the partition. I received the Safari cloth blessed by His hands, along with a Padanamaskar!

Witness the Moment Swami Breaks Lines to Bless New Safari Suits! My blessings captured in 45-50 Seconds

Beyond Miracles: When Love Triumphs

We all speak about how Swami miraculously 'cancels' cancer, brings someone back to life, and more. However, this story holds none of those dramatic events. Instead, it unfolds with something abundantly powerful and profound—His LOVE. As the cosmic force, Swami comprehends the karmic baggage each of us carries and decides what is truly best for us. Just as curing a cancer is His mere will, choosing not to cure is also His will, both actions saturated with His Love, and Love alone. This incident taught me a powerful lesson—to love Him regardless of whether His will aligns with our limited understanding and expectations. In contrary, what matters is our ability to align ourselves with His plans and continue to love Him unwaveringly. To me, that is surrender.