*Satsang Guru story*

*Satsang Guru story* Can someone else’s experience or Guru story deepen your faith in the Guru? Yes, that’s exactly what happened yesterday. A lady who regularly attends my follow-up sessions made a request—she asked if I could take her to Gurudev. She happens to be an old devotee who has held on to her faith through many hardships over the years. A regular visitor to the Ashram, a satsang chorus singer, and above all, an ardent devotee of Gurudev. By her own admission, due to health issues and personal obligations, she hadn’t visited the Ashram in the past 18 years. But her faith and spiritual practice continued unwaveringly. She first made the request three months ago, but Gurudev was travelling abroad at the time. Later, when he returned, she had a small fall and was out of action for a while. But yesterday, when she insisted again, I decided to take her to the satsang. Archana and I picked her up from her home and drove to the Ashram. We requested the volunteers to help her sit in the special seating area on the left, and they kindly assisted right away. All along the drive, she kept remembering Gurudev and sharing stories of her earlier adventures—riding her moped to the Ashram and attending satsangs. As we helped her into the seating area, she kept asking, "How will I talk to him? I want to ask him for avichal bhakti." She was also a bit upset because her regular flower vendor hadn’t stopped at her home that day. So, we bought a beautiful garland of fresh mogra flowers near the Vajrahalli Metro station. She immediately paid for it in cash. We, too, were silently praying to Gurudev—this lady had walked to the Dhyan Mandir with a stick, an enthusiastic smile, and pure devotion despite her health and age. Yesterday’s satsang was quite eventful. The Goa Festival was happening, with television celebrities and corporate leaders in attendance. Thousands were singing and dancing in joy. Just after the Q&A and the joint photo session, Gurudev sang "Nammaru... Samb Sadashiv" and was playfully walking around, giving darshan as he exited. He was throwing flowers, dancing, and singing. We continued praying silently that Gurudev would notice her and bless her. Suddenly, the large LCD screen started showing those moments live. And then—HE not only recognized her instantly, HE walked up to her, took the garland she had brought, wore it himself, and then blessed her with the same garland. She held Gurudev’s hand and asked for what she had been waiting so long to ask. Gurudev blessed her. We couldn’t believe what was happening. And even afterwards, she was in disbelief. All the way back, she kept repeating: “HE did recognize me. HE did! HE knows me!” Yes, Gurudev does know, recognize, and remember each one of us individually. Yes, I am sure!