Diving deep into Spirituality - A STORY OF FAITH AND MIRACLES

CHAPTER 17 Diving deep into Spirituality I won the battle in the mind against the bottle through the faith and belief in Gurudev and the prowess of Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama, yoga and meditation. Added to that was the firm belief and faith of my mother in the divine power and the silent prayers of my wife and grandmother. I always remained an anathema in the eyes of the General Manager of the zone professionally as I never succumbed to his haughty and self-opinionated approach. On account of the renewed tension and continuous feud I sought a transfer out from NF Railway. This was not an easy proposition as I was CFTM of the railway and there had to be another officer to replace me before I could be relieved. Thus, with some trepidation I approached our cadre controlling officer in Railway Board. “We all know about your engagement and relationship with the General Manager. Would you like to be posted as Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Bangalore?” he enquired. For me this was like mana from heaven. A posting in Bangalore meant being close to Gurudev and the AOL Ashram. This was nothing short of a miracle as I seamlessly moved from Guwahati to Bangalore. Upon joining as ADRM, Bangalore it so happened that the DRM, Bangalore, his wife, my parents and I were to have Gurudev’s darshan at the Bangalore Ashram. As the Master (who was radiance personified) stepped out of his golf cart and we got down from our official vehicles, the Apex body member from Karnataka started to introduce us to Gurudev. He was cut short by Gurudev who said, “I know he is a teacher and is with the railways.” Thus, an immediate connect was established with us. “Are you happy Amma?” the Master enquired from my mother whose eyes became absolutely misty. We all fell at the feet of the Master, who simply scans a person and can foretell the past, present and future. From then on, we had series of darshans of Gurudev. “Ravi you were extremely lucky to meet him at an extremely auspicious moment,” the gentleman from the Apex body has always maintained to this day. A trip to Mangalore We had the unique opportunity to travel with Gurudev to Mangalore and various temples in the neighbourhood. My mother accompanied me on this trip. As it happened our friend from the Karnataka Apex body was also travelling with Gurudev. He was dumbfounded when my mother recalled innumerable events and miracles which took place in our lives and those of others during her forays with Swamiji and other spiritual masters in India and overseas. On my mother’s call we paid obeisance at Udupi, Guruvayur and Kaladi (the birth place of Adi Shankara). My mother was to do Mudra Pranayama and I did Sudarshan Kriya at Guravayur Temple which transported us into ecstasy. Eleven years separated my subsequent visit to Guruvayur Temple in 2022, where I did Sudarshan Kriya once again. It was an amazing experience as I saw my parents draped in white silk somewhere in Vaikuntham (under the warm protection of Lord Vishnu) get up from deep rest and waved at me and smiled. They appeared happy and contended and at home. This is experience one feels after the Sudarshan Kriya. I lost my father to old age complications in 2019 and mother to Covid in 2021 at Prayagraj. I still recall the glaze in the eyes of the lifeless body of my father (when the prana had extinguished from his body) as if he saw Yamaraja who came to take away the soul before the doctors made valiant attempts by pumping his heart to revive him. My mother seemed to be fast asleep like a baby (with her fingers in sanjeevani mudra) as she cast her mortal self after a massive cardiac arrest. The images have been etched in my mind and it has been impossible to erase those painful memories. It is widely believed in Hinduism those who perform good deeds enter heavens; however, those who attain nirvana (that is when they are snapped from the cyclical process of life and death) enter Vaikuntham to be in the fold of Lord Vishnu. The Bangalore Days Diary It was a cool Bangalore morning and I had completed my sadhana and went up to my mother’s room. This was a normal practice I followed. She showed me the statute of Udupi Krishna which she had acquired during our visit to the temple town. “Look at the statute intently,” she said. I rubbed my eyes several times, almost in disbelief as me and my mother were to see the image of Sathya Sai Baba in it. Only a few hours back Baba had cast his mortal self. It was an extraordinary visual to see the image of Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba on the idol of Udupi Krishna. The visual passed the test as not only Sai devotees but my father (deeply agnostic by temperament) could see the image of Baba on the idol. Once with the help of a Group Captain of the Indian Air Force we organised Gurudev’s visit to the annual Aero Show of world class fighter planes and choppers at Yelahanka airbase. Gurudev watched the show with amazement and was to informally ask the officials of DRDO and some ace pilots regarding the presence of any birds at the base which was immediately negated by them. But within moments we were to watch two eagles rising from one end of the tarmac and move right across the horizon to the other end. We all watched the spectacle in astonishment and as I was offering Gurudev a glass of orange juice, Bhanu Didi, Gurudev’s sister was to say, “These are always with him, after all they are Garudas who are with Narayana.” The DRDO officials and fighter pilots who were stunned beyond belief and reason fell at the feet of the Master and shed copious tears of gratitude. In a few days’ time the ace pilots, air force personnel and DRDO officials were at the Master’s feet at Ganga kutir (Gurudev’s abode at the Bangalore Ashram) and soon underwent the Part 1 Course of AOL. On the 6th of December 1992, the Babri Masjid (the disputed structure) was brought down by some staunch Hindu activists. Almost twenty years later the Allahabad High Court pronounced its judgement on the disputed site and the construction of temple. The date was 30th September 2010. On security grounds, no vehicle was permitted inside the Bangalore Ashram, despite the fact a very important Teachers’ Refresher Meet was taking place, being conducted by Gurudev himself. There were only 3 cars in the entire Ashram premises. Gurudev’s vehicle, the vehicle of Chief Operations Manager, South Central Railway and our vehicle as we proceeded to Ganga kutir for a special darshan of Gurudev. We were overwhelmed by Guruji’s love and affection for us even though he was amidst such an important Teachers’ Refresher Meet. Two important developments took place, the Chief Operations Manager gave an undertaking to Gurudev to commence Government Executive Programme (or GEP in short) courses for the officers and staff on his railway and second Gurudev quietly mentioned to me that had I been conducting courses regularly I would have been in the Vishalakshi Mantapam with those senior teachers, swamis and rishis rather than sitting in his abode. It was a subtle message to me that as a teacher I ought to conduct courses. I was totally misty-eyed and fell at his feet. Such is the love and concern of the Master. A disciple has to merely surrender and he takes care of the rest and we overcome all obstacles in life. But the Guru’s words would never go in vain as we could organise several batches of the GEP across several zonal railways which provided a panacea for thousands of railway personnel who work under enormous pressure and stress. The two years in Bangalore provided me numerous opportunities to interact with Gurudev and the series of miracles continued unabated which included travelling with him, help in organising courses and satsangs, setting up Divine Stores of the Art of Living at Bangalore and Yeshwantpur stations and organising tree plantation programmes in partnership with the railways among others. On the professional front as the ADRM, Bangalore Division I was exposed to general administration, RTI cases, interacted with trade unions, important politicians, railway ministers, artistes and sports personalities of eminence besides renewing my interest in writing and dramatics. Posting in Hyderabad The two years in Bangalore passed by in a jiffy. I will always cherish those memorable moments. Foray into writing This was also the time where I made serious foray into writing. Sometime in 2011, I began writing for Life Positive E-Magazine which itself was a chance encounter. Vasu Uncle sent me a book Dancing with Life written by Jamuna Rangachary. I assumed the book was on her father’s recovery from alcoholism, but it turned out to be her own resuscitation from Multiple Sclerosis. I seized the opportunity and reached out to her. She was then the editor of Life Positive E- Magazine and encouraged me to write on my recovery from alcoholism on their website. Soon I embarked on writing my story, about the Art of Living, Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, pranayama and subjects pertaining to addictions and on the human mind. These articles were noticed Free Press Journal, Mumbai who asked me to contribute to their column on Mind Matters. It was a miracle that I showed these articles to Gurudev, who prophesised that my books would soon be published. This was certainly a matter of immense fulfilment. A truism of Gurudev Gurudev always emphasizes to speak the truth and positive things as angels are always intersecting our paths and bless us and utter tathasthu or so be it. In the process our desires and ambitions get fulfilled. During Navaratri Pujas at Bangalore Ashram, I always pined to be near Gurudev near the havan kund as I was blessed to get this unique opportunity aeons ago in Mysore Ashram of Swamiji. Fortuitously, this happened. Once all the teachers assembled during the pujas were asked to seek Gurudev’s blessings. He was looking frail on account of fasting but at the same time was looking absolutely radiant like a divine personality. Another opportunity arose when I escorted the General Manager of South Western Railway for Rudra Puja during the Navaratri Pujas and Gurudev asked us to sit very close to the sanctum sanctorum. These were absolute blissful moments which any devotee, seeker, savant or stock individual pines for – that is to be in the close proximity of the Master and draw positive energy. Another occasion came when Ananda Shankar, a Padma awardee performed in the presence Of Gurudev during Navaratri Pujas. The master made me a facilitator in this programme and it was a unique experience to be in Yagnyashala. Suddenly there was a life turner when the spiritual Master unveiled my first book The Matter of the Mind and I was asked to recite a few pages from the book before a packed gathering of devotees on Dusshera day during the auspicious Navaratri festival. “This is the good karma you are carrying on account of the deeds of your ancestors,” postulated a family friend. Interviews with Gurudev The year was 2014 and it was a crisp, cool morning in early November. I was then posted as the Chief Traffic Planning Manager, South Central Railway. As I was poring over files, in walked two gentlemen who had been closely connected with Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba. They were Shri V.S.R. Moorty and Shri G. Ramaniah. We exchanged pleasantries and Moorty garu focussed his attention on my computer screen. Pictures of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar were flipping across the monitor. He looked at Gurudev’s photograph quite intently and in an unfazed manner uttered, “Ravi, I would like to have an interaction with Gurudev.” I was certainly taken aback. Moorty garu added further that the interaction would be recorded by Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel (SVBC). I was not aware about SVBC and expressed my ignorance. Moorty garu dispelled my doubts and mentioned that SVBC was a popular channel which broadcast religious and spiritual programmes across the globe. Zillions of devotees of Gurudev wait to have a glimpse of the Master and I had the onerous task of organising an interaction with the Master himself! But this is a challenge for any seeker. Immediately I contacted Shri Kishore Mukherjee, fondly called Kishoreda. He was excited about the proposal and asked me to send a mail to Gurudev directly, marking a copy to him and the Secretariat. While these developments were taking place, Moorty garu made a few quick calls to the SVBC authorities, their production team among others. I was amazed at the alacrity with which he acted and his supreme confidence about the execution of the project. He then shared, “Ravi, the sankalpa needs to be pure, rest Almighty God will take ensure that things fall in place, Sai Ram.” The two of them soon left my room. I was stupefied and exhilarated. Meanwhile that evening, I received a call from ABC (the media arm of the Art of Living foundation) that dates had been fixed for the interaction between H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the spiritual scientist Sri V.S.R. Moorty. Therefore, the divine planning was already done and we were mere instruments and navigators in the project. Moorty garu, Kumar and Mani Naidu (both members of the Art of Living family) and yours truly made our peregrination to the Bangalore Ashram. We were soon joined by the SVBC team led by a gentleman by name Srinivas. For three days and three nights we were witness to something beyond normal and absolutely extraordinary. The interaction ranged on a variety of subjects from ancient Hindu practices, various schools of Hindu philosophy to the present day. It is well-nigh impossible to decode the Divine and pen the interaction. A senior teacher of Art of Living, Shri Vinod Menon was to tell Moorty garu, “This is the closest one could unravel divinity and you are fortuitous coming so close to the Divine.” Through the television screens, thousands could watch the proceedings across the swathes of the globe. We were overwhelmed and were a witness to two more such interactions. The First Rail Yatra Sri Sri Express – Anugraha Yatra, February 2014 In ancient India, kings performed the Ashwamedha Yagnya to expand their kingdoms through forcible conquests or states accepted the suzerainty and became vassals. Gurudev undertook a cultural conquest spread over five days and won the hearts of the people through divine love. The horse was replaced by a train. This train which included a saloon meant for Gurudev was christened Sri Sri Express (Anugraha Yatra). The journey covered eighteen districts of the former state of Andhra Pradesh. Gurudev interacted with lakhs of people. A Background A chilly and wintry morning greeted us in Bangalore sometime in 2010. As part of my protocol duty, along with other senior railway officials we received Gurudev Express (a special train commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore) at Bangalore Cantonment Station. There was a fleeting thought in my mind that had Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar been the Chief Guest of the function, the headlines would have been GURUDEV RECEIVES GURUDEV. The seed of Sri Sri Express was thus sown. Promptly I sent a mail to Gurudev to travel by a special train in Karnataka, showcasing various facets of Art of Living, particularly Sudarshan Kriya and various seva activities of the NGO. But the proposal did not fructify. Meanwhile, I was transferred to South Central Railway, and along with Kishoreda kept requesting the Master to allot dates and travel Andhra Pradesh by a special train. But a mere request is not answered unless accompanied by a deep sankalpa. It needed to be supported by a concrete action plan. From 2011 to 2012 we kept request letters at the sanctum sanctorum during the Shiv Ratri and Navratri Pujas seeking divine blessings, hoping that Gurudev would give his nod. Finally, at a Teachers Refresher Meet, Gurudev agreed to the dates sometime in February 2014. But we were overcome by anxiety and feverishness which literally forced Gurudev to advance the programme to November 2013. We did not anticipate poor response in bookings, inclement weather conditions and the agitation by the populace of Seemandhra against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The Divine was aware of all but gave us a long rope and in all his magnanimity changed the dates to the earlier planned February 2014. To begin with there were only a few of us involved in this yagnya. And we got caught in the vortex of ego and gurumandal. Gurudev purged it all by his grace thus a larger group was formed to execute the project. The entire thrust of Gurudev’s campaign was against the unjust bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh (keeping the sentiments of Seemandhra in mind), forcible proselytization and the need for good governance not only in Andhra Pradesh but in the country as a whole. He skilfully and succinctly raised these issues during the entire yatra without offending any particular group’s feelings or sentiments. A special train consisting with 1000 voyagers awaited Gurudev’s arrival with a bated breath. Gurudev was greeted by the sounds of the nadaswaram and he literally floated to his saloon. Gurudev who is pure energy personified sprang surprises on the passengers by boarding the train and meeting each and every devotee, celebrating their birthdays, commiserating with their problems if any and primarily making them happy. That night the Master after the satsang at Yerraguntla reached the saloon at 12 am. He smiled when he was briefed that we were running behind schedule. Through that night and early the next morning Sri Sri Express travelled perhaps as fast as Vande Bharat notching may be 180 kms/hour and by 4a.m. we were at Renigunta. I was to open Gurudev’s door at the most auspicious time and there emerged Gurudev absolutely blue in pallor. He was Narayana himself providing a glimpse of his true self. What an experience it was! Not something which can be fathomed through words, just something that has to be experienced. At Tirupati Gurudev was felicitated by the priests of Tirumala with Vedic hymns and incantations which reverberated through the temple. Again, my small mind had small desires bubbling up. I had pined to stand next to Gurudev while watching the Master looking at his mirror image in Lord Venkateshwara. Lo and behold, there I was right next to Him at the shrine. I could feel the vibrations and once again he was absolutely blue in colour. Day 2 was a Monday. The organizing team felt that something was amiss. How could the Master not perform the weekly Rudra Puja? Gurudev had already reached Srikalahasti and was present during the Rahu-Ketu Puja and Rudra Puja too. As soon as the train reached Srikalahasti, he boarded the train. The devout saw the Divine energy spreading as he entered his saloon. But the remarkable moment was when there were seven of us sitting in the saloon occupied by Gurudev at the rear end of the train (known as the window trailing section) from where one can see the track. Gurudev went into a meditative mode and played the sacred Rudram for the seven of us as he sat like Shiva (on a Monday morning!) with a sling around his neck which represented a snake. We were immersed in the incantations and wept like children. Gurudev had purified us in those blissful moments. Guruji touched many towns enroute. Everywhere he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds and the Master spread the divine knowledge and his deep concern to make India a strong country. There are a very few spiritual leaders who make such strong pitch not only to rejuvenate the country spiritually but also politically. At every halt and venue, thousands flocked to catch a glimpse of the Master and His grace simply flowed. Despite the crowds, the Master walked from one end of the platform to the podium in the circulating area of the station which was at a quite a distance. The dream journey culminated on the morning of the 19th at Kacheguda. While one can chronicle the physical aspect of the journey, it is next to impossible to gauge the spiritual energy received by the 1000 travellers, station staff enroute, staff on board, a few lakh people who saw Gurudev in the physical form. People were transported from the mundane to sublime in those five days. There were to momentous events during my stay at Hyderabad which are now an inseparable part of my personality and brought me so close to Gurudev. Soon after the yatra Gurudev gave his dhoti to three of us. We were just astounded. Millions of people flock to Guruji, try to touch him, take his pictures and the Master gave us the apparel he wore. We became inseparable. Another interesting incident was when I had undergone Cranio Sacral Therapy (CST) under the guidance of a doctor. CST is a gentle hands-on treatment that may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck pain and side effects of cancer treatment among many others. CST uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of fluids in and around the central nervous system. During the session, which spread over two days, I sweated profusely, saw amber light and felt that I was in the times of Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ. Had it gone on like that I would have seen Gurudev as Narayana. But I got up, startled and shocked. But certainly, the process thoroughly cleansed me and I was shining like a diamond. Rail Yatras a few Years Later The journey had just begun and the next major event was at the World Culture Festival in Delhi during March 2016. Artistes, assembled to celebrate Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, and I received a rare opportunity to organise the transportation of thousands of devotees by rail across India to different terminals in Delhi. As we stepped out of the portals of the hotel, the Master stepped out of his car and waved at me with immense love and happiness and pinched my cheeks signifying that he was aware about the proceedings. My entire body, mind and soul was electrified with jollity transporting me to a state of ecstatic happiness. We all pine to be recognised by Gurudev and that is what happened