B Raghavendra Prasad
1985 Prasanthi Nilayam

Way back in June 1969, we relocated to Kadugudi as my father had joined as a faculty member in Swami’s college in Brindavan. It was in the month of October, the period immediately after Dasara celebrations. My parents rushed us all to Brindavan one evening saying that Swami was coming. It made no impact on me, but I was very happy to be in Brindavan and play. There were very few people and I was lost in my own world and was impervious to the surroundings. Suddenly, there was a rush of activities and I remember my mother telling us to offer Namaskaram. I raised my head and saw this person with a red robe, thick bushy hair – smiling. I am not sure as what exactly transpired. It absolutely made no difference as who or what He was. But that look and smile – life started revolving around Him ever since.

Swami used to call me and my brother as Rama–Lakshmana and Lava–Kusha. He always called me “Srinivasa Murthy Pedda Koduku” (Elder son of Srinivas Murthy). Me being myself, I had a very special prayer those days. “Swamy please do not tell anybody as what I did today. I will not do that again”. He reciprocated with “Alacheyavaddubangaru”(Don’t do such things bangaru) to “Dunnapothu” and finally “Neekukovvura, madamura. Ninnu cheekati roomulovesi pachimerapak aipettali.”(You have pride and ego, you must be kept in a dark room and fed green chilly.) Perfect understanding indeed. Life was wonderful in Brindavan from childhood days to student days. He ensured that all three of us grew up under His wings.

Life moved on… Almost 25 years has gone by since I passed out of the hallowed portals of the University. It was on 20 March 2011. I was feeling extremely restless and some kind of inexplicable anguish within me. My wife also felt the same. We simply could not focus on anything and had a very deep urge to go to Prasanthi Nilayam. Those were very difficult days and one was never sure if Swami would give Darshan. In any case, we just wanted to go to there. We went straight into the Mandir and sat in the portico. Bhajans started and we were praying for Darshan. Lo and behold, there He came. It was extremely elating to see Swami blessing devotees, students and everybody there. Swami came into the portico. There was that look and smile. It hit me straight. I was not sure as what they conveyed, but I was absolutely certain that it made my life once again. My wife also had an identical experience. Swami sat for a few Bhajans and all were happy. After Mangala Arathi, I saw an extremely unusual sight – Swami conveyed His Namaste to all those assembled. I could not fathom the significance of that event. Least did we realize what was to unfold.

But, that look and smile – still makes my life.

Those eyes, more tender than a mother’s,

That smile, worth the whole universe,

Those words, forever in my heart,

Swami,  Your legacy forever my inspiration,

Swami, my life forever at Your altar.

Brother B Raghavendra Prasad is a Professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. He is an active member of alumni service activities He did his Masters in Physics way back in 1985 from Prasanthi Nilayam. During his stay at the institute, he had the opportunity of serving in Gokulam.