Anyatha Saranam Nasti Twameva Saranam Mama
Tasmat Karunyabhavena Raksha Raksha Sayeeshwara
O Lord, please show mercy on me – as there is no one but you – 
I prostrate in front of you, to protect me!

If there was one lesson that I cherish from my Parthi days, it is that of complete surrender.  Swami instilled the belief in me that He is the Doer of His work.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, every class participates in making a Ganesha chariot and presenting it before Swami.  I couldn’t as I was sick. However, I was part of preparing a banner which would be at the forefront of the Ganesha procession. I took it to my heart and worked on it vigorously. 

I said to myself, “I will show Swami how better I am than the others! I don’t know anything about art, but I will surely impress Swami!” 

On the day of the procession, I wished that Swami would ask “Who made this?” and interact with me. But to my utter disappointment, Swami didn’t even notice me. I was devastated. 

That night I promised Swami, “I will surrender completely! For any service activity, not even 1% of ego should inflict my mind.” From then, before every act, I prayed “Sai Arpanam Astu” or “Anyatha Saranam Nasti”. This significantly changed my life. Seva opportunities came to me from different directions and concluded miraculously. 

For instance, once, while I was shifting prasadam vessels to Mandir, our Darshan line monitor offered me a chance to go to Bhagawan to get them blessed.  Within minutes I was before Swami, holding Vibhuti packets as He lovingly blessed each one of them. 

I also presented a bouquet to Swami on Sports Day. He gave us Vibhuti packets, Padanamaskar and blessed the students. Elated after His blessings we mixed that Vibhuti in the drinking water containers of our hostel.

My final physical interaction with Swami was when we got our Class 12th project blessed. One day, my good friend, Ananth, who was a Mandir Bhajan singer had to get his project blessed along with a few others. Just before Darshan, Ananth requested me to sit with my project in Darshan as his project might get late. 

So with whatever printed papers I had, I rushed to Mandir and sat in the first block to get Darshan. A senior brother had once advised me, “When Swami comes for Darshan, look at Him with such devotion as if it’s your first time and when He leaves, look at Him as if it’s your last. Life can change anytime”. I had taken that advice seriously and hence tried to make the best of every Darshan. 

To my pleasant surprise, Swami called each one of us. While I was explaining, Swami asked me to go back a page, flipped again and then took a pause. He immersed himself in the Bhajan “Sai Humara Hum Sai ke, Aisa Prem Humara” by playing talam and singing along. Who was the lead singer?  It was my friend Ananth, the one who had given me his place.

I told Swami, “Thank you for the wonderful campus and facilities you gave us. Thank You Swami for giving us an opportunity to study here”.

Swami nodded, gave Padanamaskar and Vibhuti packets. 

With this one incident, I got three insights. 

Once, Ananth later told me that he grieved for losing a chance. But he pacified himself that Swami blessed his friend. With these mixed emotions, he sang “Sai humara hum sai ke” as the lead singer. Hridaya Vihari Swami pacified two hearts by enjoying the Bhajan and blessing my project. The best thing about God is His timing. 

Two, in 2011, due to Swami’s physical health, we couldn’t offer a gratitude program. But we were glad that one of us could at least thank Swami. What a lovely coincidence that a batchmate was singing “Sai Humara, Hum Sai Ke Aisa Prem Humara” and another could offer gratitude! 

Did Swami know that we might not be able to perform a gratitude program? It was His way of saying I hear you! I know the past, present and future. You are Mine and I am yours! Not a word was uttered, but everything was conveyed by this subtle act of Bhagawan.

Three, Swami’s hands were shivering, perhaps He was running temperature too. It was saddening to see Swami like that. Yet, Bhagawan took all the pain to bless our projects. Till the very end of His physical mission, He gave His everything for us!  Students are My property, He said! 

This incident demonstrated the profoundness of His words to me.

B Sai Siva Prasad Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School in Prasanthi Nilayam. He is currently based in Visakhapatnam. He participates in service activities as a part of the alumni group.