It was the year 1996. My sister’s wedding was finalized and we had only five days at our disposal to prepare for the wedding. My father was in Delhi on an official visit. When I told my mother that we had to perform the wedding in just five days, she told me to drop the proposal. I suggested that we leave it to Swami. During those days, I was working in the Steel industry. Our dealers knew of the proposal and convey their support and assistance if in need. The discussion with my mother was on the 2 February and the proposed marriage date was on the 8th of the same month.

We started the preparations leaving ‘everything to Swami. I had made arrangements for everything including the return air ticket from Delhi to Hyderabad for my father. Due to the hectic preparations, I hadn’t slept a wink for the past 3-4 days. The wedding was completed successfully and I dropped the newlywed couple at their hotel. It was close to 12.00 midnight and as I was driving back home, the weariness of action of the past few days crept over me and I nodded off to sleep over the wheel… I was suddenly jerked awake as my car hit a median on the road. When I opened my eyes, I found that the car’s windshield had completed disintegrated and that my face was covered with shards of broken glass. I could hardly see. My face was covered with blood. I called my brother and father, who immediately arrived and admitted me to a hospital. After treatment, I went home the next day for the follow-up rituals. The next day we hired a cab and the entire family – along with my brother-in-law – drove to Parthi.

The next morning we sat in Sai Kulwant Hall for Swami’s Darshan and Bhajans. Swami arrived and blessed my brother- in-law. He then came to me. I stood on my knees and said with folded hands, “ Swamy, mee dayato akka pelli baagaa jarigindi.” (Swami, with Your blessings, my elder sister’s wedding went well.)

Swami said, “Manchidi. Santosham. Kaneee choodu enta pramaadam tappindi. Kallu powalisindi.” (Look how you escaped a big danger. You would have lost your vision.)

“Swami kaapaadaru.” (Swami only saved me)

“Avunu! Swami yee kaapaadaaru.” (It is Swami who saved you from losing your vision)

He then created Vibhuti (of a very different colour and taste) and turned to Prof Anil Kumar sir. He said, “Gurthu pattava… evaroo.” (Could you place this boy… who is it) He himself replied, “Manawaade. Mana pata vidyarthi. Bhajans padevaadu.”(Our boy. Our old student who used to sing Bhajans)

He called Dr. Khosla who was then the head of Ophthalmology at the Super Specialty Hospital and told him, “Dekho, tum hospital jaao. Yah ladka Bhajan ke baad ayegaa. Thodasaa ise dekhnaa.” (Go to the hospital now. This boy will come to the hospital after Bhajans. Please conduct a checkup). Then he said, “Bangaaru, Bangaaru. Taggi potundi.” (It will get cured.)

This was a great lesson. Once we are under the protection of Swami, we need not worry at all. During the accident, I neither thought of Swami nor did I call out His name. Yet He protected me. My only qualification was that I was His student and was one among the hundreds who had His permission to sing during Bhajans in the Mandir.

Our sweet Lord will never forsake us in our hour of need even when we do not think of Him or take His name. He lives up to every word of His promise. “Mee inta, ventaa undi  Mimmalni Kaapaadutaanu.” (I shall always be with you and around you to save and protect you) When we have such a sweet Lord who forgives all our mistakes and short comings what more do we need? In turn, we need to participate in His mission – “Love all and Serve all”. Let us do this small thing that Swami expects of us and always be ready to participate in every possible activity where our presence is expected. In our own capacities, let us make every efforts to please Him, which should always be our goal.