MRK Prasad
Prasanthi Nilayam

I walked with Him alongside. I sat with Him for hours looking at His magnificence with awe. I listened to His voice enchanted. I laughed with Him for the humour. I played with Him as He naughtily caught my every moment. I posed with Him for photographs. I cried with Him living His moments. I worked for Him to please Him. I lived with Him in His Avataric mission.

In February 1979 Swami asked my father, who was in Prasanthi Nilayam, to enroll his four sons at the educational institutions in Puttaparthi. Swami said, “It is for you that Swami is establishing colleges and University and it is My wish that your children study here.” Overjoyed by Swami’s command, the entire family went to Parthi. My parents and grandparents are also devotees of Swami. In fact, Swami had personally arranged the alliance of my parents and performed their marriage.

There were many meritorious students who had come to take admission in Swami’s college. Since I had compartmental passing grades in tenth standard, I was not given admission even after attending interview. Our only recourse was to pray to Swami! One day He enquired my father on my admission. My father earnestly replied that the authorities were not able to offer me a seat as I was not eligible as per standards. Swami called the principal and warden during Darshan and told them to admit me. He answered our prayers! Thus I was admitted into His college by His own personal recommendation. I was thrilled to join the portals of Swami’s institution – the very first batch of students in Prasanthi Nilayam.

Swami was particular with the first batch of students. He taught us everything – to talk, walk, read, write and behave as per His expectations. He made surprise visits to the hostel and see our lifestyle. He corrected us in every aspect of life including how to fold beds, dress, etiquette, hospitality to elders, serving in the canteen, performing daily chores and so on. He would sit on one of our beds and start the conversation with “Emi Samacharam?”

We used to enjoy the conversations with Swami. Teasing, chiding, reprimanding, that all knowing smile, laughter… The expressions that we watched on Swami are forever etched in the core of our hearts. He is more than a parent, Guru, and friend. In a few days, we have become inseparable from His divine Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan.

I wanted to be noticed by Swami and so wrote a letter to Him. The first day he took many letters, but avoided me even though I was very close to Him. The second day, I dashed to the front line and sat on my knees to hand over the letter. He just turned the other way, talked to someone and walked away. The next day I could not go near Him as I was a few lines behind. The following day, Swami came up to me and started talking to a few students around me. I gently tapped His fingers to draw His attention and hand over the letter, but He did not seem to notice. I then gently tapped His feet with my hand so that Swami would see me directly in my eyes as I was right in front of Him. Still no response. I then wriggled my letter into his fingers so that He might at least hold it. I still could not get His attention… and Swami walked away! I felt like a wretch not being able to make most of my opportunity to be seen and offer my prayers in the form of a letter. The fifth day, determined to give the letter to Swami, went much before Darshan and waited only to see Swami go in quickly into the Interview room with many devotees. Let alone take my letter, He did not even see me. I was depressed and frustrated at my plight that I could not give a simple letter to Swami sitting right in front of Him. Disgusted with myself, I came to the hostel and tore of the letter, which was soiled and in a bad condition, vowing not to give a letter to Swami in the future. The next day, I had no prayer. Just went in to sit in the last line not caring much to be seen. Swami came in right in front of me – up to the last line – and stretched His hand asking for the letter. I almost fainted. He saw me and smiled! But I was not ready to give Him the letter I wrote for Him six days ago. Deservedness is the key that we already have as a Sai student. Testing the hammered nail on to the wall is what we frequently experience with Swami to check the steadfastness to cling to Him and only Him. This is what Swami teaches us.

Swami had very clearly told me not to watch movies even though our family ran a ‘Cinema business’ back home. He admonished me on a number of occasions directly and indirectly on the habit of watching movies. Every time I succumbed to the temptation of cinema, He graciously corrected me and never punished me for disobeying Him. On one occasion Swami told me that cinema will harm one’s mind as there are no good movies these days worth watching.

I have been fortunate to have witnessed innumerable miracles of Swami. During our final year graduation interview, we asked Swami in deep concern about how to live in the outside world after spending five lovely long years at His lotus feet. Also, with growing multitudes of devotees, will we be allowed to see Swami in Parthi? Swami lovingly said, “I will give you My visiting card. No one can stop you from coming here.” He created His visiting card. He personally gave one to everybody and said, “Do come and go and keep Swami in your hearts.”

Being in His service is the ultimate joy!

Spreading His message is happiness! Living His life is inspiration to many! As Swami says, “You do My work like yours and Swami will do your work perfectly like Swami’s own work!” I got the opportunity to work for Sri Sathya Sai Seva organizations as a Convener at Hyderabad. I participate in Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini, coordinating and facilitating teamwork for the project. All my learning is put to practice to become a useful tool in Swami’s mission thereby sanctifying my life. After all, it is only one lifetime that we live as a contemporary with the Divine.