Dr N Shivkumar
1989 Prasanthi Nilayam

It was the year 1986. I was studying in the 3rd year of the B.Com. course at Brindavan. Just before the winter vacations, Swami decided that the Brindavan campus students should stage a drama titled ‘Bhaja Govindam’ as part of the institute convocation. Incidentally, this drama was staged many more times in the next few years.

All the students forming a part of the drama group were asked to stay back for practice during holidays. It was a great blessing as Swami was staying in Brindavan and personally witnessed the rehearsals inside Trayee. What a great blessing it is to practice in the presence of the ‘Jagan Nataka Sutradhari’!

Towards the end of the holidays, Swami arranged a dinner for all the students in the Brindavan hostel. We eagerly waited for this occasion as we would get the blessing to dine with Bhagawan. Imagine the joy in chanting ‘Brahmarpanam’, knowing that the Supreme Vaishvananara who accepts the food we eat is actually in our midst!

We were orderly seated in the dining hall of the hostel. Swami had arranged for professional caterers to prepare and serve us the dinner. The dinner was a feast for both the stomach and the eyes. After we chanted ‘Brahmarpanam’, our eyes feasted on Swami having His meager meal. As always, Swami ate very little and just for a few moments. He then blessed the remaining food and items on His table and washed His hands. He then gesticulated to all of us to start eating.

Swami started moving across the rows of students having dinner. What a great fortune it is to have Bhagawan coming near us and actually inspecting what we are eating and instructing what should be served to us next. We have read in the Mahabharata about Lord Krishna asking Draupadi to serve Him food from the Akshayapatra. Here, the ‘Akshaya’ Lord was instructing to serve us food. The Sai Bhagavatham is indeed unique and very different.

I was concentrating on the dinner knowing that Swami was moving in some row behind me and would soon come in front of me. All of a sudden I felt a gentle, but firm, kick at the bottom of my spine. I swung around and to my astonishment and delight I saw Swami just behind me. Swami had just kicked me on my back. As I saw Him, smilingly He remarked in Tamil ”Nalla Sapdu” (Eat well). Swami then moved on and went back to Trayee.

Even to this day I can feel that kick. Instead of an ‘Abhaya Hasta’ blessing, I was fortunate to get an ‘Abhaya Pada’ blessing. But what did Swami teach me through this act? He wanted me to learn that He need not always be in front of me to bless me. Swami remarks “Intane, Jantane…” Swami is indeed not only in front of us, but behind us too, blessing and protecting us.

Let us offer our grateful salutations to this wonderful Lord who blesses us from the behind too!

Brother N Shivkumar is Associate Professor, in the Commerce department of the Institute, Brindavan Campus. Part of the Vedam group during His student days, he has taught Vedam to students across two decades he has served in the Institute. Post his doctorate, he continues to publish management research papers in journals of repute.