My personal experience

[Guest guest]

I would like to share with you all my personal experience which happened in

last four weeks, showing sai rams grace and mercy on us. His kindness knows no

boundaries or limits. I am a doctor and presently doing residency training in

chicago. I was at that time taking care of SICU which deals with critically ill

patients after complicated surgeries like heart, lungs etc. There was one muslim

patient from middle east who I was taking care of after heart surgery in ICU. He

was doing okay and was getting ready to be extubated ( that is taking the

breathing tube out). We usually extubate the patients after making it sure that

patient is understanding and following commands and also they are not sedated.

We look into total clinical picture ,and once we understand that patient will

be all right and will be able to continue breathing , then we take the

breathing tube out,

I am a senior resident doctor, so usually my professors leave the patients under

my care considering my skill and seniority. After going through the whole

clinical picture and after I got enough assurance from the clinical

improvement, I decided to extubate this patient. After extubation, he was doing

okay , communicating okay and his blood chemistries and clinical situation was

allright. But over a period of 4 hours, his clinical situation started getting

bad and I was all alone in ICU. After examining him thoroughly, I came to

conclusion that patient breathing efforts are not satisfactory and he was

getting very agitated. Usually patients after heart surgery are very fragile

and unstable, so You have to very closely watch these patients as first 24-48

hrs after surgery is very critical period.. So in this patient, after going

through his history , I decided to reintubate this patient, i.e. putting the

breathing tube back. As I considered it semi emergency, I didnt

inform my professor before reintubation and later I spoke to him, once things got settled down.

 

After reintubation, patient had to be sedated, as he was getting agitated. Days

passed by, with patient showing no signs of improvement in mental status. That

is patient was getting agitated, not cooperative and not coherent at all. We

were all worried including me, that this patient quite unexpectedly not showing

any improvement. We were deciding to get CT scan of his brain to rule out any

bleeding in brain. His family was getting very anxious. we were in constant

touch with family members explaining the situation with his mental status. But

inside I was deeply worried about him.

 

The surgeons who operated on him were in constant touch with us regarding his

status and then it was decided to take him back to operating room for sugery

the next day , if he does not improve by next day.

 

I started praying for the patient and took one of photograph of Baba showing

shivlingam and put on his forehead and prayed for him so that he can avoid

further surgery. And our beloved lord showed mercy on me and him and

SURPRISINGLY and to all our pleaseant surprise, he opened his eyes and started

following command with in 36 hrs. Everybody was surprised. After routinely

following his total clinical picture including blood gases, we extubated the

patient. Since extubation he is doing very good. I was relieved so much. I

thanked sai ram for this great help. I will be always indebted to him. He is

alway with us guiding us in the right direction and will show his presence

whenever we call for him .

 

After this experience, another patient from Hyderabad who had cardiac surgery,

who is critically ill because of surgery and practically everybody gave up

hope of his making though for even 24 hrs after surgery.

 

I again prayed for his recovery,even though I knew that he is so critically ill

that he may not survive. I was in charge of this patient on my call, and

similarly I applied the same photograph of Sai Baba and miraculously he is

doing very good now. Whole department is very happy and everybody is wonder

stuck with his miraculous recovery. Even patients family is also Shirdi sai

devotees and they were applying vibhuti every day on his forehead. I just made

rounds on the patient. His miraculous recovery is giving me so much joy. Our

Sai Rams omnipresence is giving me confidence and sense of security that, he is

always there.

 

Om SaI Ram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iThe Story of ADI SHANKARA (780-820)

 

The life of Adi Shankara was like a brilliant flash of lightning, illuminating

the spiritual thought of India that led to the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta,

non-dualism. This philosophy stressed that the individual soul (Atman) is one

with its creator, undivided and imperishable. Man's belief that he is separate

from God is caused by Maya or illusion. This illusion is the result of

ignorance and can be eliminated by knowing the reality of the Absolute Spirit,

which is called Brahman. Shankara taught that the knowledge of the Self (Atman),

rather than mere observance of rituals, was the source of solace and the core of

Vedic truth. With this basic message, Shankara traveled throughout India

rejuvenating Hinduism and unifying the fragmented country.

Over a thousand years ago (780 AD), Shivaguru and Ayamba lived in the village of

Kaladi, in Kerala, India. They were a pious and benevolent couple who earnestly

desired to have children.

On a visit to the Shiva temple of Trichur, they spent the day worshiping Shiva

devoutly before retiring early. That night, both of them had the same dream in

which Shiva, disguised as a sage, said to them, "I am pleased with your

devotion. You can choose to have either one extraordinary son with a short life

or many ordinary sons." The couple replied, "Lord, give us one extraordinary

son."

Months later, Ayamba gave birth to a son who was predicted to become an

extraordinary person. The child was named Shankara, another name for Shiva.

Shankara was only five years old when he had his sacred thread ceremony. After

that, following the custom of the times, he went to live and study with his

guru, a learned teacher.

Shankara learned of his father's death on a visit home. He saw his mother

weeping and shared her grief. Ayamba grew feebler after Shivaguru's death and

Shankara spent more time caring for her.

On one occasion, Ayamba expressed her concern, "Will I ever be able to go to the

river to take a bath?" Shankara consoled her by stating that she need not go a

long distance to the river because the river would come to her. Then, he and

his friends, with great effort, changed the course of the river to flow by

their house. After this great show of devotion, his mother was delighted and

blessed her son.

As a teenager, Shankara was distressed by the fragmentation of the country. He

felt that he should become a sanyasi, or monk, and travel across India

preaching spiritual unity. As a first step toward this goal, he visited King

Rajashekhara of Kerala and talked with the royal poets. The king was deeply

impressed and invited Shankara to stay and join the group. Shankara declined,

setting his clear goal of becoming a traveling monk.

Determined to fulfill this goal, Shankara asked his mother's permission to

become a sanyasi. She refused, saying, "I am all by myself and old. Who will

look after me? You should marry and settle here."

Shankara was deeply troubled. He was committed to what he knew was his life's

goal but he would not leave home without his mother's permission. He wondered

what he should do. He did not have long to wait.

One evening, as Shankara was bathing in the river, a crocodile caught his leg.

It appeared he would be dragged to his death. His mother was on the bank and

was greatly alarmed. Shankara shouted, "Mother, I want to die as a sanyasi,

please give me your permission now!" His mother could not refuse her son's

final request, so she agreed.

At that moment, the crocodile released Shankara and disappeared into the river.

Shankara came out safely from the river. His relieved mother blessed him and

said, "Son, you have great tasks ahead of you. I will not stand in your way."

Shankara accepted his mother's blessing and left home at the age of twelve. He

promised to return at any time she needed him.

As Shankara traveled northward, he came to Narmada and met the famous sage

Bhagvadpada and his disciples. The sage greeted Shankara cordially and asked

him about his beliefs and conclusions. Bhagvadpada was greatly impressed with

Shankara's bold and direct answers. The sage could discern a clear mind and a

depth of knowledge. He agreed to ordain Shankara as a Paramahamsa Sanyasi, the

highest order.

Sometime after that, Shankara was meditating when alarmed villagers cried for

his help. The river Narmada was flooding and water was near the hermitage.

Shankara placed his meditation staff at the edge of the rising water and the

water began to recede. The amazed villagers paid reverence to the power of this

holy person.

After three years with his guru, Shankara had a vision in which the legendary

sage Vedavyasa told him, "I want you to move onwards on your great mission of

uniting India." Shankara obtained his teacher's permission to leave and

proceeded on his life-work.

 

When he reached Kashi (Varanasi), Shankara was well received by scholars and

poets. Many were attracted to his teaching of Advaita, the oneness of each

individual with the creator. His fame increased as he visited temples and

talked with many scholars. Shankara began attracting disciples and he

established a monastic order.

While in Kashi, Shankara and his disciples were returning to the monastery from

their daily bath in the Ganges when an outcast approached from the opposite

direction. The disciples called out for the outcast to move aside so they might

pass without touching him. The outcast calmly replied, "What shall I move - my

body which is made of earthly elements or my soul which is all-pervading

consciousness?" At that moment, Shankara had a vision in which it was revealed

to him that the outcast was Shiva in disguise. He suddenly realized the one

reality in all. He stopped his disciples and said, "He is indeed my guru,

regardless of his low birth."

This intuitive flash of insight strengthened Shankara's convictions and he

boldly taught his Advaitic message to the sages and Brahmins who had believed

in rituals only. He said, "True happiness does not lie in the practice of mere

rituals. Try to understand the presence of the one reality in all." This

teaching gave a new and larger meaning to the narrow definition of religion and

was eagerly received by many who heard it.

When at last Shankara left Kashi, he traveled north to Hardwar and Rishikesh. At

the temple in Rishikesh, he found the sacred idol missing. The priests had

hidden the idol in the Ganges river to protect from the raids of the

hill-tribes, but later could not find it. With divine insight, Shankara went to

the river and instructed the priests to look again. To their utter surprise, the

image was found and was ceremonially installed.

Shankara next visited the hill-tribes and taught them his powerful message. Many

of them reformed their ways and some followed him as he proceeded on his

journey. At Badrinath, Shankar once again found the idol missing. The priest

pled Shankara to find the idol, which he did, and ceremonially installed it.

Shankara and his followers proceeded westward through the Himalayas to Kedarnath

and Amarnath. From there he went north to Gangotri, the source of the river

Ganges. At this time, Shankara was only sixteen. His knowledge of the Vedas was

extensive and many sages came to him for clarification and were drawn to his

powerful teaching.

Shankara returned to Badrinath where he stayed for some time writing and giving

discourses. His disciples were truly dedicated to him, serving his needs and

carrying out his wishes.

Many of the Brahmins rejected Shankara's teachings because of his indifference

to their high social standing and their spiritless, ritualistic approach to

religion. One of the highly respected Brahmins was Mandana Mishra, whom

Shankara challenged to a debate on eternal truth. Mishra accepted the challenge

and they agreed to take Mishra's wife, Saraswati, as the judge since she was

known to be learned and impartial.

 

Saraswati observed, "How can a sanyasi, who has no experience as a citizen, and

a householder, claim complete knowledge?"

Shankara replied, "I accept your verdict, Mother. I need to be wise in the ways

of the world. Give me time." Saraswati granted Shankara one year time to gain

experience and return to continue the debate.

Shankara secluded himself in a cave with only his faithful disciple Padmapada.

When Shankara explained to Padmapada that he must obtain the experience of a

householder, Padmapada objected, "In what way will the experience of a

householder help in obtaining spiritual perfection? In fact, it will be an

obstacle."

"No, Padmapada," replied Shankara, "spiritual perfection must be obtained in the

battlefield of life itself."

Then Shankara revealed his plan. Padmapada, listened carefully. "I shall soon

enter into samadhi through my yogic powers. My soul will take flight to another

body to gain the experiences of a householder. Until I come back and reenter my

soulless body, guard me carefully."

Saying this, Shankara went into a state of samadhi and his soul traveled to a

town in Vanga Desha, today's Bengal. There the king was on his deathbed. When

the king's soul left its mortal body, Shankara's soul entered into it. The

king's body revived and no one could tell the difference. Shankara began to

experience the life of a householder, the joy and the sorrow. Shankara

experienced the responsibilities of a king; the kingdom had to be defended and

law-breakers had to be punished. He made decisions both great and small that

affected other people's lives. He was also able to experience the luxuries of a

king without becoming involved and attached.

When Shankara obtained the needed experience of a worldly life, its good and

evil, he made plans to return to his own body. Upon his departure, the king's

body weakened and was declared dead. At the same time, Shankara's body came to

life. Padmapada bowed in reverence as he witnessed the soulless body return to

its former state.

Shankara returned to Mandana Mishra and plans were made to resume the debate.

Both of them were given garlands and the agreement was that the competitor

whose garland withered first would be the loser. The debate went on for a few

days until they reached the topic of Eternal Truth.

Mishra said, "I hold that worship and rituals make for happiness here and hereafter."

Shankara calmly replied, "Rituals do not bring the highest happiness. Complete

knowledge through the Vedas is the only answer for such knowledge reveals the

one Reality."

As this was spoken, the flowers in Misra's garland wilted and faded. Mandana

Misra understood the message. He accepted Shankara as his guru. Mishra was

ordained and named Sureshwaracharya.

Shankara, accompanied by his followers, including Sureshwaracharya and

Saraswati, journeyed south stopping at all the holy places. At Gokama, a rich

man brought his deaf and dumb son for Shankara's blessing. Everyone was

astonished as the boy's speech was restored. The boy was ordained into

Shankara's monastic order.

At Sringeri, Shankara founded the Shradha Peetha and put Sureshwaracharya in

charge. They stayed at Sringeri for several months until Shankara had a

premonition and said, "My mother needs me. I must hasten to her side."

Shankara returned to his home in Kaladi and found his mother in poor health. He

comforted her and imparted to her the divine knowledge he had learned in his

short life. Ayamba died peacefully with an enlightened soul. Shankara carried

the body to a corner of the garden and, placing it on a pyre of plantain stems,

cremated it. Orthodox Brahmins in the community objected to a sanyasi performing

what they considered the rites of a householder, even though Shankara was her

only heir. However, they later repented and praised Shankara for his filial

love.

After his mother's death, Shankara traveled twice throughout India. He enjoyed

the patronage and protection of kings and scholars. Many, including members of

royal families, gave up their wealth and position to become his disciples. He

produced a wealth of learned and devotional literature. Shankara was above the

discriminations of sex, wealth, and caste.

Shankara died at the young age of thirty-two, ending his extraordinary earthly

mission. He witnessed during his lifetime the awakening of spiritual India and

the strengthening of Vedic truth. The gospel of Shankara "the brotherhood of

all humanity, the oneness of truth" lives on, ever active and luminous. The

lives of Vivekananda, Chinmayanada, and many thousands of others were inspired

by the dedicated teaching of Adi Shankara. If India can ever be united, it will

be by the common bond of Vedic knowledge.

A few of Shankara's sayings:

Just as a piece of rope is imagined to be a snake in the darkness so is Atman

(soul) determined to be the body by an ignorant person.

Neither by yoga, nor philosophy, nor by work, nor by learning but by the

realisation of one's identity with Brahman is liberation possible, and by no

other means.

A father has his sons and others to free him from his debts; but he has none but

himself to remove his bondage.

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

"Chawla, Joey" <jchawla

Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:26pm

RE: [saibabanews] My personal experience

 

Dear Brother,

 

How fortunate these patients are to have a doctor who not only uses

his medical skills on them but also prays for them.

 

Surely Swami will answer your prayers.

 

Joey

 

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Meenakshi Chintapalli <mkchintapalli

Wed Jul 13, 2005 0:07am

Re: [saibabanews] My personal experience

 

Sai RAm Venu MAdhav,

Your realization of Swami's hand and grace in your daily life shows

your love and devotion to swami and the humility in service with

love. Thank you very much fo rsharing the miracles with the group.

MAy swami show his omnipresence in your daily work.

Meena Chintapalli

 

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ramu gsv <ramu_gsv

Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:16am

Re: [saibabanews] My personal experience

 

It is nice to know of Dr Venumadhav's experience. Most doctors

belived and it is true that they administer medicine and it is only

He who heals. Everyone of us must realise and apply religion and

prayer in our real life. Generally once we come to work place we de

link God and prayer thinking that is restricted to Pooja room,

house, specified timings and emergencies.

 

But God and prayer are a continuous process and the switch has to be

on. Whatever be the profession one is in, one must constantly think

of God and seek his guidance. May be in medicine, may be in

marketing, may be in tough negotiations, may be in praying success

for our clients etc.... Everytime I shake hands with my customers I

pray simultaneously to Swami to bless him with peace and prosperity

and metntally feel that thro my hand shake and my thought he is

connected to Sai. All must apply prayer and Sai's love and grance in

whatever they do and it would be fruitful.

 

Love, Ramu.

 

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"Uttara Widanagamage" <uttara

Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:31am

RE: [saibabanews] My personal experience

 

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH OUR BELOVED SAI

BABA. ALL YOUR PATIENTS ARE LUCKY TO

HAVE A WONDERFUL DOCTOR LIKE YOU. I WISH ALL YOUR WORK SUCESS

 

SAI RAM

 

UTTARA

 

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Sai Kavi <niraakaaram

Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:57am

Re: [saibabanews] My personal experience

 

Sai Ram Madipatla, Swami is that powerful! I have experienced His

divine power many times. Thank you for sharing your precious story

with us. God bless. Kavi

 

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saibabanews, maddipatla venumadhav

<venumadhav55> wrote:

> Sai Ram to all ,

>

> I would like to share with you all my personal experience which

happened in last four weeks, showing sai rams grace and mercy on

us. .....

[Guest guest]

Feels very good to read such experiences. Mysterious are his ways. Constant

chanting of his name is immensely powerful. I too have that picture(of Baba

with Shivalingam) with me, I always carry it with me.

 

Sairam Usha P