The very mention of the word Swami evokes myriad emotions as He holds a special place in all of our lives. He has at different times been guardian, saviour, friend, philosopher and guide.

It was October 1990 and I was in my first year B.Com at the Parthi campus. One Sunday, we had our customary Cricket match in the Hill View Stadium. We used to play on matting wickets and on that day a nail that was used to hold the mat to the ground was jutting out. It was at a corner of the mat, and we didn’t think it would cause any problem. I was keeping wickets. The opening bowler was fired up and was bowling at express pace. It was the fourth over and one of the deliveries landed directly on the protruding nail, changed direction and headed straight for my left eye. I felt a force pushing my head down and due to that the ball missed the eye and hit me just above my left eyebrow. I started to bleed badly. My team members helped me to the shaded enclosure next to Shanti Vedika, the main stage.

Now, they had to find transport to take me to the General Hospital. There were no autos in Parthi those days, and the only mode of transport was cycle rickshaws, stationed near the bus stand. As one of the brothers was preparing to rush to get some transport, a car driven by one of Bhagawan’s relatives (who was at that time studying in Parthi campus) came into the Hill View stadium. It was God sent. I was quickly put into the car and taken to the General Hospital. The wound required five stitches and was promptly attended to. 

When we came back to the car to return to the hostel, the car didn’t start. Slowly, it stuttered back to life and moved in fits and starts towards the hostel. I muttered a silent thank you to Swami since it had started without any problem during the emergency earlier and dropped me quickly to the hospital. I didn’t realise that I had to thank Him for much more.

For soon, the brother shared that the car had an engine trouble, and he had taken it out to get repaired. It was only Bhagawan’s grace that we were able to reach the hospital without any problem, he said.

There was much more in store for me. The Hostel warden was reluctant to let me go for Darshan since there was a swelling on my left eye. A couple of other brothers had also hurt themselves at that time and the Warden was pulled up by Bhagawan for that. He didn’t want to face the music yet again. He finally agreed only after three days after the swelling reduced. I requested him for a seat in front. He reluctantly agreed.

I found myself in the front row, but a bit worried as to what Swami might say. Would He speak to me at all? His room door opened and as soon as He saw me with the injured face, He rushed towards me enquiring what happened. He admonished me for being careless, and said that I should take care. He wondered what would have happened if the eye had been injured. I was so overwhelmed that I was left speechless. It was only after Bhagawan left the spot that the import of what Swami mentioned struck me. I remembered the force that pushed my head down, which saved my left eye. It was Swami who saved my eye. 

A couple of days later, while moving around in the mandir verandah He asked when the stitches were to be opened. I replied ‘Wednesday’. Later, yet again, He asked the same question. I repeated, ‘Wednesday’. He thought for some time and said that ‘Friday is a good day’.  I didn’t realize that the Divine Doctor had given His verdict. As advised previously I went to the General Hospital on Wednesday morning for removing the stitches. The doctor examined me and asked me to come back on Friday. Bhagawan, as always, had the final word.

Let us pray to Him so He continues to have the final word in our lives and guide us and guard us throughout our earthly sojourn called Life.

P Satya Narayan Menon High school Grade 11 & 12, B.Com, Masters in Financial Management, 1988 – 1995, Prasanthi Nilayam. Currently Senior Manager – Corporate Credit Risk at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait. He is currently National Council President for Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation – Kuwait and has been actively involved for the last 14 years.