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While we were still living in the U.S.A, we were fortunate to participate in three pilgrimages (2003, 2005 and 2008) to India, along with hundreds of devotees of Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba from the Region X of Sri Satya Sai Organization. The four southern states Texas, Arkansas, Luisiana and Oklahoma cover this particular region of the organization in the U.S.A. We had a fantastic spiritual experience, each time when we had undertaken those pilgrimages.

Interestingly, from 2003 to 2007 Vijaya had the privilege of working as the Regional SSE (Sai Spiritual Education) Coordinator for region X. So she had a unique opportunity to train SSE children and prepare them to perform in Swami's divine presence, during the first two of those pilgrimages. The first program was a musical drama "There is only one religion" performed in Swami's Brindavan Ashram (in Whitefield, Bangalore) during June 2003 and the second was a play named "The only element" which was performed in the Sai Kulwant Hall during July 2005.

Both these occasions were memorable as they gave Vijaya and Ram a precious chance to spend two weeks in Swami's fold - basking in His glory, enjoying the divine Darshans, working with amazing fellow devotees, coordinating quite a few areas of the pilgrimage like play rehearsals, direction, audio, costumes, make-up, stage, props, backdrops, food etc. So when Swami finally blessed us with His permission to perform in His divine presence, our happiness knew no bounds! The grace showered by Swami during each of these pilgrimages was unbelievable and those memories will stay with us forever and ever....

During the course of these pilgrimages, it slowly dawned on us that our access to Swami was becoming less and less each time. It could be because of Swami's physical illnesses that had started back in 2003 or it might have been because of some other higher reason that only Swami knew about, but Ram and Vijaya had both started feeling as though precious time was running out and that the right thing to do would be to move to India as soon as possible. Such a move would give us a better chance to spend more time with Swami, closer to His physical presence.

This feeling persisted until everything came together and we landed in India after taking early retirement. So after settling down in Guntur, we took the earliest opportunity to visit Puttaparthi and pay our respects and offer our heartfelt thanks to Swami for the divine guidance that He had been providing us, all through.

We also continued to go back to Parthi at frequent intervals and stay there a few days each time. This way we not only got to feel the peace in the Ashram but also got to enjoy the bliss of Swami's Darshan very frequently. We could also recharge ourselves and draw inspiration needed to start and participate in the various seva activities in and around Guntur. In addition, we were able to participate in many major festivals there like Sankranthi, Guru Poornima, Sri Rama Navami, Dasara, Swami's 85th b'day, Sports Day and others.

When Swami's Mahasamadhi happened in April 2011, we were totally stunned - none of His devotees expected that He would leave us before the age of 96. After slowly absorbing the truth that Swami was no longer in Parthi physically, we realized two very important things - that He was still with us spiritually and secondly that He happened to give us a big gift by prompting us to move to India in 2010. Because of our proximity to Puttaparthi, we had the opportunity to
enjoy His physical presence a lot more than what would have been possible if we stayed back in the U.S.A during those precious months. With this realization, we expressed our heartfelt gratitude to Swami and offered Him our tear-filled Pranams. We also decided to continue our visits to Parthi just as before, while trying to put His teachings into practice as much as we could!

Here are two special experiences related to Swami that we'd like to share:

I.  During Nov 2011, Ram and Vijaya planned to be in Parthi, to attend Swami's 85th birthday    celebrations. We knew the crowds will be huge, so did not have much hope of getting a close   Darshan or of being anywhere near Swami. But all the same, we wanted to go and be there on  that holy ground,  just to feel the vibrations and be a part of the momentous occasion.

Over the years during our stay in the U.S.A,  we watched Swami's birthday celebrations and His    Sahasra Chandra Darshanam function etc, on the video, many times at the Dallas Sai Center,.    Those spectacular scenes made a deep impression on our minds and we always wished we   could one day be a part of such special celebrations, live at Parthi.

Thus we were very excited to be there for Swami's 85th b'day but had no hope of getting a close    Darshan. On the 22nd of Nov, the day before Swami's b'day, we met one of our Dallas friends in the    Ashram. He said he was there as a part of the stage decoration team for the function at Hill View    stadium, which was the actual venue. When we inquired the possibility of a close Darshan, he   ruled it out totally, saying it would be impossible to get through the vast crowd. Soon after that, one of Ram's childhood friends called him and said he could get Ram inside the stadium but he won't be able to provide any help on the ladies' side. Ram told him he didn't want to leave Vijaya alone, so   he passed up that opportunity ( even though Vijaya insisted that he should go :) ).

On the 23rd morning we were getting ready to go to the stadium by walk when our Dallas friend  called us suddenly and said "There is a van leaving from the North block in five minutes, so please get on it to come to the stadium along with a couple of other VIP's". We couldn't believe this! We immediately rushed to the North block and caught the van just in time. There were unbelievable crowds on the way and the security was so tight that the cops were not allowing any vehicles at    all, towards the stadium. But ours being a vehicle with a VIP pass, we were allowed to drive all the
way up to the entrance.

Once we alighted from the van, we were in for yet another surprise! Ram's friend was waiting for us    there at the entrance, even though Ram had already told him he could not accept his offer for help.    As soon as he saw us, he walked towards us to greet us. He said he was on the team that was in    charge of Swami's meals. He had arranged for His breakfast and rushed to the stadium to meet us!

We were grateful but still didn't think we could use his help. But he said he had arranged for  Vijaya's  seating on the ladies' side as well! He escorted us into the stadium and took Ram to the VIP stand    next to the dais and made him sit down very close to where Swami was going to be. He then entrusted  Vijaya to a lady volunteer, who took her to the VIP section on the ladies' side, with a wonderful direct  view of both the entrance as well as the stage.

After a small wait, Swami entered the stadium radiating divine energy, while gracefully riding his    magnificent golden chariot. His glow on that sacred morning was unbelievable! And the entire procession    along with a colorful entourage was a treat to the eyes of all the devotees who had gathered there! At that moment we both realized that the experience of being there on such a holy day had filled our hearts  for this entire life time!

    Later when we looked back to understand the turn of events that lead us into the stadium to give  us such a special Darshan and unforgettable experience, we could not fail to recognize Swami's  loving divine hand behind them. Thank you Swami,  for blessing us with this sweet experience!!

II. On April 24th 2011, we were shattered to hear the news of Swami's Mahasamadhi on the TV. Our    initial instinct was to immediately rush to Parthi. But slowly we realized that all trains were full    and the journey by road would be very hard from Guntur and there was also some indication that vehicles were not being allowed into Parthi because of millions of devotees and countless number of VIPs descending on that tiny village, from all over the world.

So we finally compromised to stay back and offer our prayers right at our home. As we recited  Ashtotharam and started meditating at our altar, tears streamed down our faces and we continued to be in total shock, unable to absorb the fact that our beloved Swami was no longer physically  there for us.....

That evening, while we were still trying to cope with our grief, we got a call from our neighbor -  one Mr. Prasad. He has always been devoted to Lord Shiva and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba but was never directly involved with Sri Satya Sai Avatar.

Some time before April 24th, we happened to give the book "Shirdi To Parthi" by Dr.Kakhade to our neighbor's college children, upon their request. Apparently, their father had also read the book and  developed a deep yearning to see Swami in person. So when he heard the news on TV, he felt like it was his only chance to have Swami's Darshan. He knew that it was then or never again.

  That's when he called us because he knew that we were ardent devotees of Swami and so he   assumed that we would be going to Parthi and he wanted to request if he could accompany us.

We explained to him that we decided not to go because of travel and security issues and that we    were praying right at home. This however didn't satisfy his urge, so he left for Parthi immediately, by himself!

    Upon his return the next day, he called and gave us a detailed account of how he got into one of the special trains and traveled all through the night without reservation, to reach Parthi. And how he stood waiting in the line for hours together, to finally get a glimpse of Swami's body and pay respects. He was astonished to see the Ashram and the premises and the organized manner  in which Darshan was being conducted, even during such an unexpected situation. He was also    stunned by all the arrangements made by the Sai volunteers and the villagers, to help the devotees
who had come in from far off places.

 We were touched to hear his first hand account and were amazed by his devotion and commitment.  The next morning our neighbor called again, around 10 am. He said he has been doing Sri Satya  Sai puja since morning and he invited us for lunch. Ram and Vijaya were away from home on some  errand, so Ram told him that we would not be able to accept the lunch invitation. But he said we could visit them later in the evening to take their puja prasadam.

So we got ready in the evening and visited them next door. To our surprise, along with the sacred prasadam, they also presented new clothes to both of us and went on to seek our blessings. We were hesitant and asked them what the occasion was for all that. Then he told us about what had happened.

Apparently, Mr. Prasad had a dream the previous night in which Swami had appeared and directed him  to perform Sri Satya Sai puja in the morning. Then He also told him to invite the couple from the next door who were His devotees, present clothes to them and take their blessings!

On hearing this, we were both speechless and taken over by deep emotion. We couldn't believe how our dear Swami had sent us such a sweet blessing through our dear neighbor!

There is only one religion" performed in Swami's Brindavan Ashram (in Whitefield, Bangalore) during June 2003

Part II