For an alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, 1^st January, declared by Bhagawan as Alumni day holds special significance. It means different things to different people but Bhagawan made 1^st January 2009 an unforgettable day in my life. With just one action Swami answers prayers from a million hearts! What Bhagawan did that day taught me that whatever the situation, Swami is there to take care. And this has held me in good stead professionally as well! Here is the lesson!

I was part of the alumni brass band in 2009. On the 28^th of December, something I ate disagreed with me. 48 hours later, dehydrated and faint, I admitted myself into the Sri Satya Sai General Hospital. Suspecting food poisoning, the doctors immediately administered antibiotics, antifungals and IV fluids. My aunt who lives in Prasanthi Nilayam, stayed with me in the hospital. I spent 30^th and 31^st December, hospitalized and on 1^st January morning, the situation returned to normal. The IV cannula was removed and to stem the tiny bleed a cotton ball was held in place with surgical tape. After discharge, resting in the room outside, I was fervently praying for the alumni program to be in the evening and I could participate. Suddenly my sister burst in, breathless! Running to the room from the Mandir!

“The alumni program is in the morning and Swami has not yet come Anna, come to the Mandir, you can have Darshan”, She gasped!

I threw the equations overboard, told her to return to the Mandir and rushed to finish my ablutions. A short while later I entered the Sai Kulwant Hall. The Alumni Band group seated in the 4^th Block stared at me wide-eyed as I briskly walked to them. Their silent shocked expressions said it all!

I dropped on a knee and asked,” Anyone brought my trumpet?”

Heads shook! Obviously, they hadn’t. I was supposed to be in the hospital on IV drips. Who’d have imagined!?

I raised my head; towards the far end a senior brother opened his trumpet case and took out… Two trumpets! One Brass, the other Silver! With a terse smile, he raised both. I grinned back and quickly skirted the group towards him. Even as I reached, he delved back into the box and took out… Two mouthpieces!!! Western woodwinds have mouthpieces separate from the main instrument. Think about it, Two trumpets… and Two mouthpieces as well!? Need one say who had arranged this? I sat down next to the brother, on the extreme right of the fourth block. Raising the silver trumpet to my forehead I thanked Swami from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to recover enough to sit in His Hallowed proximity. A moment later I looked to the right and… Bhagawan emerged from the Yajur Mandir!

Would one call it timing, or blessing… With just one action Swami answers prayers from a million hearts! This too perhaps was one such magic moment! But… to me, personally, it meant, Swami had waited for me to come to the Mandir so He could bless me with the opportunity to play for Him! Bhagawan was seated in a white upholstered wheelchair and as He approached, our eyes met, locked and remained so. A gentle smile of Benevolence blossomed on His lovely countenance. I responded with a smile of gratitude. I was lost in His Love, filled with energy. A nod from me and another from the band leader, I quickly took position in the last row… though I knew the songs being played, I had not practiced! The morning program offerings went off smoothly and Bhagawan in all His Love allowed for the music group and Alumni Brass Band team to receive His Padnamaskar. As I approached Him, on my knees, the only thoughts in my mind were that of gratitude. My turn came. I kissed His Lotus Feet, touched my forehead to them, rose, gently took His sacred right hand in mine, kissed it, touched my forehead to it in heartfelt gratitude and moved to make way for the brother after me. Everything happened in one smooth flow and one was only conscious that one had to move fast so as to not tire Bhagawan’s physical frame! Yet, He once again arranged for a photographer to capture that precious moment when I kissed His Abhaya hastam! One Moment in life – a lesson for Eternity!

Personal or professional, life is a game, play it. As Swami said, Follow the master, Face the devil, Fight to the end and finish the game! What I learned that day was to do our best and Keep the faith, He is always with us! He will get it done! His will be done!

Arvind Y. BSc., MSc. Chem, MBA & PGDICAP, 1992 – 2000, Prasanthi Nilayam. SSSIHMS Whitefield & Prasanthigram 2001-2014, continued in Healthcare industry. Currently Senior Consultant, Healthcare. Contributes to Cultural activities of SSSSO, Alumni and Vidyullekha.