Manoj Kumar Gautam
2001 Prasanthi Nilayam

It’s a wonderful characteristic of an Avatar that he builds a relationship specific to each individual whose life He touches. Every devotee and every student of Bhagawan has a unique relationship with Him. I have always felt that Swami is the ‘Lord of Lords’, the ‘Master of the Universe’ and an all knowing ‘Divine Father’. This feeling from my childhood has shaped my relationship with Him – that of an all-knowing Divine father and a child. Rather, I should say that He allowed it to be so.

Though very limited physical one-on- one interaction, Swami has spoken to me every time through His eyes. His presence around was an interaction every time, so much I received, a real treat for my being. Many a times when I wanted to say or ask something, Swami would show that He knows it. At times He would make me understand that I should be asking what He has come to give.

One such occasion was when I was suffering from jaundice during the second year of my MFM course. I had been in isolation for almost three weeks and with under strict diet control. Though I was hesitant, some of my friends insisted that I should ask Swami about my suffering. I thought this was an opportunity for an interaction with Swami. Next day, with warden sir’s permission I went and sat in the first row. Swami came out and I kneeled and prayed, “Swami, I am suffering from jaundice”. Swami looked into my eyes, tapped on my head and replied, “Very happy, very happy, very happy” and moved ahead. Ah… what was I asking the Lord? A petty issue of sickness that’s but natural for a body. And moreover when he is very happy about it, why should I be unhappy?

The Lord of Lords, the Master of the Universe, the Divine Father always responds to sincere prayers of His child. In the year 1998, Swami had been to Kodaikanal and during those days I was at Brindavan hostel preparing for my MBA entrance exam. Being the holiday season, there were only couple of students and a few teachers there. On the occasion of the Trayee Day (26 April) we had prepared a card and along with our letters sent it to Swami. Since we write so many letters to Swami, I had forgotten about the same. But on return from Kodaikanal, as soon as Swami entered Trayee, Ravi Kumar sir called me and asked, “How are you Gantam? Swami spoke about you in Kodaikanal.” I was thrilled! I wondered about the new name, which sir narrated later.

During a breakfast session at Kodaikanal, Swami lovingly saw our cards and read the letters too. After reading my letter, Swami asked, “Who is this Manoj Ghantam?” The letter ‘u’ in my surname Gautam, must have appeared like ‘n’. Teachers there clarified that it is Gautam. But Swami insisted that it is Gantam and said people from the north write that way. It seems this interaction went for almost 10 minutes as to whether its Gautam or Gantam (Ghantam as spelt by Swami). Listening to this narrative from Ravi Kumar Sir, I felt I was with Him at Kodaikanal physically. In fact, part of the letter was my lament that I was not fortunate to be part of the Kodaikanal trip. The Divine Father knew how and when to comfort His child. Wonderful are His ways… The Lord of Lords has thought of this little creation of His, when it was needed the most. Now, our redemption lies in surrendering to Him completely with prayers “Thy Will Be Done” and making our lives His message.

Brother Manoj Gautam is finance professional based in Australia. Post his Post graduation in finance, he did a diploma in Indian Culture from the Institute. A regular participant in Alumni seva activities, He is associated with the Bhajan centre in Australia