FROM PUTTAPARTHI...WHAT IS RIVER GODAVARI !!!

August 21, 2008

Bhagavan narrated this experience which happened 30 years ago. A devotee from East Godavari (AP) had come to Bhagavan and prayed to Him to come for a house warming ceremony. Swami consented to his prayer and fixed a date when He would be there. He even said, "I will be there on that day at 9:00 a.m."

Given this Divine assurance, the devotee made all preparations for Bhagavan to visit his home in East Godavari. As usual, the yearly rains came and played havoc with the lives of the people. And that year too a cyclone hit East Godavari. As the Godavari River began to swell, so too did the hearts of the devotees with prayer. But God had given them His word and assured them that He will be there.

Swami says: "There may be people who suffer because they do not have Faith, but there is no one who will be let down if he has Faith." Based on this assurance, they made ready to receive SWAMI in East Godavari.

Nature continued to pour down relentlessly on East Godavari and the only connection East Godavari had with the rest of the world was the old bridge at Rajahmundry. For obvious reasons, the district officials closed the bridge and no transportation was now possible across the river.

But SWAMI had said He would go. And so, on the due date, He set forth with a few dignitaries to East Godavari. When they approached the river it was in full spate. The district officials tried to dissuade the party from attempting to cross the bridge.

They insisted that Swami had to give a declaration that He is taking the journey at His own risk. Consider the irony of the situation where God had to assure them of what He does!!!

Bhagavan wrote there: "Nothing will happen to anyone who is with me!"

Who else can give such an assurance except the POORNA AVATAR? And so, a small boat was arranged to ferry Bhagavan across to the other side. And it was in such a position that it had to go under the bridge to reach the shore.

The devotees gathered on either side of the river to see what would happen. By now the water level had risen so high that when the boat reached the bridge it was lashing the roof and there was absolutely no space for the boat to pass beneath it. The people waited eagerly and anxiously wondering what would happen.

Bhagavan instructed the people in the boat, "Close your eyes. Do not watch what will happen." Then, in a fraction of a second, the boat suddenly disappeared and appeared on the other side! Imagine the roar of the devotees on both sides drowning out the roar of the river. And as promised, Bhagavan reached the home at exactly 9:00 a.m.

During a public meeting SWAMI said, "When I came as Rama, the ocean gave way; it had to give! When I came as Krishna, Yamuna gave way! When I came as Sai, what is Godavari? This Lord of Puttaparthi will never give you up – He will never forsake you. This ocean of mercy will take you by His hand and guide you across. You will never be abandoned." (See old photos)

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAY06/Faith_all.htm

PS: The link to all those who might wish to join this group & get the 'FROM PUTTAPARTHI…" postings. Rest is SWAMI's will.

Link to read the previously sent DIVINE EXPERIENCES in 22 PARTS under 'Sai Prashanthi Gurukulam, courtesy: Deepak Arjandas Bharwani. Thank you very much for your service Deepak.

There is one aspect that you can use to identify Divinity. That is by showing your gratitude. God is giving you so many things. When you are not well, a doctor comes and gives you an injection. You then pay the doctor his fees. Your expression of gratitude ends there. When you are hungry, you tell your mother that you would like to eat something. Your mother gives you some food that you relish with great joy. This is also an expression of gratitude to your mother. You may be suffering - when someone consoles you and gives you strength, you express your gratitude to him. In this way, all the help rendered should be gratefully acknowledged without fail. – SWAMI