R Sai Vignesh Prabhu
2009 Prasanthi Nilayam

The saga of my physical proximity and ‘Love story’ with my beloved Mother Sai began with my admission in His Temple of Learning – Sri Sathya Sai Primary School in the year 1996. From then on Prasanthi Nilayam became my heaven on earth and a home close to my heart, filled with many memories with my Master. Even to this day we feel elated and have a sense of fulfilment in our hearts when we cherish those beautiful days we basked in His divine presence, the moments of laughter and joy, the days immersed in His Love, the poignant moments He chose to be silent to drive in a subtle lesson and those divine moments He led us by example.

Eleven years of divine proximity saw a turn in the year 2006 when we had to move 150 Km away to the Brindavan Campus to pursue B.Com (Hons). Our daily Darshan, Sparshan and Sambashan were restricted to a few days when we came down to Parthi during festivals.

We understand the value of a chance only when we miss it. Though we felt His subtle presence, our longing and thirst for divine proximity only deepened and strengthened as days went by. It is all not that easy to taste the freshness of tender coconut, unless we have faith and patience and work towards it – Shradha and Saburi.

We faced testing times as Swami chose to stay in Prasanthi Nilayam during the summers of our first and second years in Brindavan. We grew desperate and our longing and prayers intensified. I remember many days when we went around TrayeeBrindavan after evening Bhajan sessions and knelt down in front of the Trayee door with moist eyes longing to feast on His divine form, our parched souls waited to quench the thirst with His love and our cold barren hearts longed for the warmth of His divine proximity.

Our yearning bore fruit in the summer of 2008, the 26th of April when the much awaited happened. Just as a child eagerly awaits her mother at the doorstep when she is away at the market for a long time, we all waited eagerly for our beloved Mother and Master and after many anxious moments, we received the sweet news that that Swami had left Parthi for Brindavan. It was late in the evening when Swami chose to brighten the serene atmosphere of Brindavan. As He drew close to us we got ready with floral offerings and flag salute and this time our eyes were moist with tears of gratitude. I would like to recount a beautiful episode during Bhagawan’s momentous stay that year.

It was the end of April and summer vacation, there were about 50–60 students in Brindavan. It was a typical day in Brindavan, we all assembled for the evening Darshan. Minutes dragged on and all the eyes were focused on one particular direction to have the first glimpse of the Lord. The door opened and it was our lecturer beckoning us to TrayeeBrindavan on Swami’s command. It was unusual as Trayee session would normally be after evening Darshan.

We all at once sprinted like deer heading to a fresh pond to quench our thirst, our unique thirst of being in close proximity of our Lord. We were ushered into the centre Trayee hall and asked to sit in concentric circles. The doors opened and there came a line of teachers and students carrying plates and vessels full of sweets, snacks and tetra packs to be distributed.

Swami often teaches us by example than by words. Here He was teaching us how to be a perfect host. As the distribution was on, our beloved Mother Sai entered the hall and started going around inspecting our plates, asking which flavour juice we got, whether we liked it, and so on. As He neared us, our warden from behind told, “Swami, boys are staying away from home and parents for Swami.” Swami became emotional and said, “They have come here with their heart”. Swami then moved closer to me and looked at my plate, which was already filled with various sweets and savouries, and found an item missing. He enquired whether I got everything, and I unknowingly nodded yes. Then Swami asked a teacher to come and serve that particular missing item. I wondered Swami, the Creator of the Universe, had a million other things to think of and still had time to notice one of the items missing in my plate. This showed is His love, concern, perfection -a lesson He taught by example.

Swami sat amidst us and we chanted Brahmarpanam. Swami joined is in the chanting. After the prayer, though we had our mouthwatering snacks and juice in front of us, our eyes were feasting on His form & His Divine words quenched our thirst. Swami out of His motherly compassion was coaxing us repeatedly to partake the Prasadam. Some began while many didn’t. Then there was an alarming call, “If you don’t begin, I am going inside”. This was enough and everyone stuffed their mouths.

At this Swami tossed a playful smile and called a student whose mouth, I guess, was the biggest among the group. He moved close to Swami with his mouth full and barely able to speak. On seeing this – along with Swami the hall vibrated with laughter and Swami spoke to him for a while. Then Swami told us, “You all eat slowly. I will wait behind that door till you finish. “We quickly finished our snacks and waited for the much-awaited session. After a while Swami entered the hall with His typical question, “How are you?” “Swami, we are very happy” was our obvious reply.

I had a fervent prayer for many years – to offer Padaseva. Practically, it was a complete impossibility because such opportunity arises only during a normal Trayee session and singers, who sit in the front, enjoy this privilege. So Padaseva remained a far-fetched dream.

However, this day happened to be created by Swami himself to give me this opportunity. We were sitting very close around Swami and I was just a foot away. The student before me started Padaseva and a while later I tugged him and requested a chance and he signalled me to join. As I moved close and felt the softness of His lotus feet, I was transported to another world and continued being there till the session drew to a close.

A senior devotee pointed out that it was Bhajan time. Swami in reply said, “Paapam, these children just finished eating, let them sit here for a while.” After sometime, Swami gave us mangoes and asked us to have it in the night after din ner. He asked us to go to Sai Ramesh hall and start Bhajans – while coming we had sprinted like deer, and while retuning we moved slower than a snail.

This remains as a beautiful day etched in our memories rekindling our spirits even today. We continue to feel His subtle presence, blessings and grace all through our daily lives and at every turning point. We offer everything to Him for it is He who gave us everything. We are nothing without being a part of Him. We re- dedicate ourselves to His love and service.

Swami, we love You! We need You!

We belong to You!

Brother Sai Vignesh Prabhu is a Primary school student & went on to do his graduation from Brindavan. He is based out of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu where he serves as an administrative staff of Sri Sai Matric School & is an active youth member of the local samithi