One day during my second-year post-graduation, the hostel warden called and said Swami wanted us to chant Vedam when he is coming out for darshan. That was all the instruction. That was the time when darshan music used to be played. So we were clueless as to what needs to be done. We had a quick lesson in loving His uncertainty. 

So some of us, faculty and senior students, convinced the line leaders to give us some space in the front. Swami entered Sai Kulwant Hall and Darshan music started. After some time we started chanting and Swami went inside the interview room. So far darshan music was on and hardly we were heard. Once music stopped only we were screaming and as usual we know our boys started looking at us with a smile. After some time we stopped. This was day 1.

Day 2, we did not know if we should start Vedam as the instruction was only for a day. So we were in front but did not chant. I think it was morning darshan. After Bhajans we went back to the hostel. Warden sir then informed us that Swami had asked why boys did not chant Vedam today. So that day afternoon we had a good strength of students joining and the Rest is History. 

One afternoon, after my practical session got over, Prof. A said to me not to delay today but to reach mandir fast. He in fact repeated it thrice. It was house match times and I was on the cricket team. My house captain came to my room and requested me to come for practise today since I needed to bowl and give the batsmen some good practice. I forgot the Prof’s message and did not go to mandir that day. Evening Bhajans got over and the first student, I saw asked me brother where were you today Swami was looking for you. It did not end there. The next day in college Prof A smiled and said did I not tell you to come to mandir.  But he loving and quickly added, Don’t worry but don’t skip mandir henceforth. Of course, I never missed mandir sessions after that and Swami also blessed me with HIS grace.

One more personal experience of mine related to how Swami ensured I stayed in touch with Veda chanting. After finishing college for almost 1.5 years except chanting Veda myself, I was not actively doing anything when one day something happened. I was not teaching Vedam that time as I had an inhibition towards getting associated with the Organisation. This was in 2005/ early 2006. 

Swami came in my dream in which I was sitting in Sundaram ( Chennai) and Swami was giving darshan. I was sitting almost near the gate but luckily in the first row. Swami walked up straight to me and said ‘your boys are chanting excellent’ and gave his trademark charismatic smile. He allowed me to take pada namaskar. As I said, I was not taking any classes that time. 

Having got a very clear message I conveyed my interest to take Veda classes to the Samithi / district Convenor. And by HIS grace, I got about 12-15 wonderful and energetic youth as my first batch of students. They had so much interest and as Swami had already said the boys were excellent. One of these boys went on to do his MBA in Prasanthi Nilayam. 

And by HIS grace classes continue to this day.  There are many instances in my life where I have been benefited by teaching and chanting Veda. Veda has become an integral part of my life and has helped me a lot in my professional life as well. To give you a few instances. It has provided me with Patience, Confidence, Clarity in communication, Listening, Stress Relief, Multitasking and much more. 

I am eternally grateful to Bhagawan for giving me this opportunity and this gift of being able to connect to HIM through HIS language.

Sai Ganesh Natarajan, B.Sc (Hons) Chem in Brindavan, M.Sc (Chem) in Prasanthi Nilayam, 1999 – 2004. Currently Regional Manager – Middle east / East Asia for Skalar Analytical BV, The Netherlands, based in Chennai. He is actively involved in teaching Veda from 2004 and served as State Veda Coordinator of Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisation for 1.5 years.