A Tryst in the Forest with Sri Sathya Sai – By S. Ravi Kumar

It was studying in Class II in Mercara (Karnataka) when my father heard of Bhagavan’s school in Ooty. My father had an urge to send me to that school and I did not mind it, but it was my mother who was not very glad of my going away from her. Anyway, we got the prospectus, and got ready to leave. We left in our car for Ooty. After an overnight stay at Bangalore we proceeded to our destination. We started singing Bhajans and when we were near Bandipur forest, a white Mercedes Benz overtook us. Immediately, another white car passed by us. The curtain at the window was half open and through it we saw that the great halo of hair and orange colour. We recognised Him and sang Bhajans more vigorously, instructing the driver to go faster after the car. He did. Swami stopped His car at the Mudumalai rest house for lunch. We also stopped there. Swami in His infinite compassion sent us lunch through some Brindavan boys who were with Him. We enjoyed it.

Swami, before this lunch, had come over to my parents and talked to them in Kannada. He asked my mother, “Where are you going?” my mother hesitantly replied, “Swami to admit my son (me) in your school in Ooty.” He said, “Very good”, and went in. My father then told my mother, “Swami is omnipresent and knows everything. He knows very well that we talk in Tamil at home, and still why did He talked to us in Kannada?” as a reply Swami after His lunch came and asked us “Saptaccha” In Tamil (Have you finished eating?) my parents were shocked, but happy too…. for Swami had shown us His infinite Glory. My father said, “Yes Swami.”

Soon we started off from there. We reached Ooty and I had my entrance exam and other tests two days later. Then the list of the selected children was put up. There were about 25 names in all. We began going through the list, and I became more and more nervous not seeing my name in the list. There!! My name was the last in the order and I was selected. After admitting me in the hostel, my mother was sitting in the Darshan line, sadness writ large on her face. When Swami came and consoled her saying, “Don’t worry. I will look after him.” Thus my parents left me in the total care of Swami when I was 7 years old.

Now, I am here, all due to Swami’s grace.

–         S. Ravi Kumar

Student (1991-1993), Department of Management Studies
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

Currently working at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Prasanthi Gram

Lead Singer, Prasanthi Mandir Group