A write up about my Kelambakkam trip

[Guest guest]

Shankaram Siva Shankaram!

 

Dear NCS,

 

It was very very nice meeting you in person last sunday evening. It is

because of sweet natured volunteers like you that Samaratchna is at the

place where it is right now. Of course everything is with the grace of

BABA.

 

I tried to put up my thoughts about my trip to Kelambakkam in the form of a

text file which is attached. Please feel free to correct any grammatical

errors (I am sure there will be lots! I am not good at writing) or to

delete certain lines which you feel might be repetitive or not really

necessary. I apologize for making it kind of long. I just went with the

flow as you suggested! Also if you feel this is not what you were looking

for please feel free to let me know and ignore the file that I sent you.

 

Let me know whatever comments that you might have.

 

Again it was very nice to talk to you the other day.

 

Wishing you a very happy new year.

 

Take care.

 

Mani

 

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My visit to Kelambakkam this time was the best of all my visits. I was able

to spend more time there with the grace of BABA. Right from the time when I

started planning my India trip or I should say as per BABA's master plan, I

could really really feel that things were falling in perfect place to enable

me to make it. First of all I should tell something about how or why this

trip came about.

 

The last year was filled with health challenges for me. It came to a point

where the specialist doctor that I was in regular consultation with could

not help. He could not find any problem, every thing looked normal but the

problem persisted. It was turning out to be quite uncomfortable and I was

unable to perform my regular work with ease. My faith in BABA and the

helpless situation made me ask HIM for guidance. BABA's reply was crisp and

to the point. He just asked me to plan a pilgrimage to Sabari Malai and

added that I will be alright after that.

 

I was so relieved on seeing BABA's email. Now I was assured that things are

going to be fine from thereon and made arrangements for the trip. As I said

earlier things just happened on their own accord and before I knew it I was

on my way to India. I prayed to BABA that my flight journey be smooth and it

happened. Usually I don't have good luck with my baggage when I arrive at

the Chennai airport but this time I got the baggages without any problem.

This might sound silly but for some reason on my flight, I was thinking how

nice it would be if India wins a cricket match against Australia in

Australia and I prayed to BABA and guess what surprise of surprises India

did win the 2nd match!!

 

I reached Chennai on the 7th of Dec. It was Pournami on the 8th and as per

BABA's wish I found myself attending the yagam that day. I had the good

fortune of listening to BABA's speech in person for the first time. I try

not to miss any speech that is put up on the web site but listening to and

seeing BABA speak added a totally different touch to it. Also I was able to

meet Vidya Mami whose kind services enable us to hear BABA's speeches. I

heartfully thanked her for that.

 

My trip to Sabari Malai was so nice. My father who has already gone on this

pilgrimage 3 times accompanied me and so did my mother (it was the 1st time

for her just like me). Also the trip was coordinated by my father's close

friend. I kept praying to BABA throughout our journey that my mother and

father should be able to make it without any problems. My mother has a bit

of knee problem and I was concerned because of that. I had no doubt in my

mind whether I will be able to make it because it was BABA who has already

told me that I will be alright after my trip which meant that HE is going to

see to it that I make the trip without any problems. We had a nice darshan.

It was not too crowded at the Sannidhanum as it was Kerala Bandh that day

and there was not sufficient bus transportation available. The trip went so

smoothly that my parents were amazed. I knew it was BABA's grace. I could

feel BABA's presence in every step that I took While I was moving up the

hill. I could see the 'SSS' sign on some containers and it strengthened my

feelings and I felt so happy that BABA was watching over me!!

 

As soon as I came back to Chennai I had a strong urge to go to Kelambakkam

but BABA was out of station until the 25th. I wanted to go on the 26th and

it was playing on my mind ever since I woke up that morning. My father said

something about going to Mahabalipuram and MGM amusement park. I was

disappointed as soon as he spoke his mind but soon realised everything is

BABA's plan and I immediately agreed to what my father said. We had such a

nice outing that day and more importantly it was the first time that my

parents had ever been to an amusement park. Seeing them so happy made me

fill with joy. So it turned out that everything happened for the best and

as BABA always says we must learn to accept everything that comes our way

and we will be happy.

 

Something told me that I should go to Kelambakkam a couple of days later and

it turned out to be a Sunday. I got a call from my aunt who lives near our

place inviting us for lunch. My aunt, uncle and their children (Swapna and

Ramanna) are ardent devotees of BABA. So when I told her about going to

Kelambakkam she said they were going too and that they would be able to

accomodate me in their car. My parents had some work at home and hence could

not accompany me. First We went to the Praveena Hospital. It was my first

time there. It would have been hardly 5 minutes and we saw BABA come in

along with his guests. I was so suprised and felt so happy on seeing BABA.

We were standing near the balcony and BABA was just walking by on the

pathway in front. It was quite some distance. I had a thought about how

nice it would be if BABA were a little closer so that HE could have talked

to us. In another 5 minutes it so happened that we were being shown around

by a gentleman named Krishna, in the process we landed up in a room and BABA

was standing right there!! BABA asked me to come near him and enquired

about the Sabari Malai trip. I felt so nice. He also asked me if I would

stay overnight in Kelambakkam. All I could say was if I am allowed to spend

the night in some corner in Kelambakkam it would be nice. He said he would

arrange for a room for me and I felt so nice and shook my head. In India

shaking the head in a unique way (which can only be demonstrated!) means

saying OK. After that Krishna was kind enough to show me around the general

wards and the special individual wards which are under construction. The

innovative overhead pathway that connects the 2 sections of the hospital

helps in giving a modern look. The cafetaria, the playrooms for kids do

justice to the BABA's idea of making this hospital more than just glum

looking rooms where the patients feel jittery coming in. Praveena hospital

would definitely give the patients a comfortable feeling and do a lot a good

in building a better attitude. The gymnasium and the Spa room are also

underway. What struck me was the creative methods to decorate the exterior

of the hospital. It looked really colorful and full of greenery.

 

Then we reached Ramrajya. Swapna who is my cousin and more importantly an

active Samaratchana volunteer showed me around the place. The last time I

was there I couldnot get a chance to see the Sushil Hari International

school. This time I had the good fortune of seeing the school that I have

heard so much about in BABA's speeches. It was holiday time so I couldnot

see the classrooms in session but nevertheless I got a good peek into one of

them. The cave temple was so nice and provides a perfectly calm and serene

atmosphere to meditate. On our way to the auditorium where BABA was going to

give his speech and do counseling, I saw the mosque, the Jain temple and the

Murugan temple. Then we went to the auditorium and I was thrilled hearing

BABA speak. A delegation from Bangkok, Thailand which was paying a visit to

Kelambakkam were the special guests. BABA felicitated each one of the

members. As the evening wore, I had the good fortune of seeing BABA's cosmic

dance surrounded by young and overjoyed kids. Admist the crowd of devotees

waiting to talk to BABA, I felt BABA created the right kind of situation so

that I could approach him, enabling my prayers to be answered right there.

I felt so elated. Like BABA said earlier HE arranged for a very nice

accomodation for my overnight stay. I got to meet N.C. Sangeetha for the

first time in person. Thanks to her I could locate the place of stay and she

also informed me about the morning yagum that takes place at around 5 a.m.

The reason I am telling all this in great detail is that BABA chose the

right instruments at the right time for things to happen of which I was

nothing but a witness. And what a joyous witness I was! I was able to hear

VishnuSahastrananum recited by DivyaChapan's (my close friend in Cincinnati

to whom I am indebted for a lot of things!) mother, followed by a beautiful

song by a talented young lady. The beautiful selfless service by the

volunteers which I witnessed sitting near the PoornaBrahmam temple just

overwhelmed and moved me. I was able to attend the yagum the next morning

with the help of Swaminathan sir and I am able to share this with all with

the help of NCS. The best part came in the satsangam when BABA asked me to

share my experiences with everyone present there. Oh my GOD, I was

speechless, I could have said so much but nothing came out. I was thankful

to BABA and shocked that he chose me to come out in front.

 

To sum up, based on my experience I would like to say that all it takes is

FAITH. It starts with faith and then you go on auto-pilot, BABA takes over

and moulds you into a better person. We just have to witness the glory of

BABA in everything that happens from thereon. In Samaratchana I found living

examples of 'Smile and it makes you beautiful' and 'Love is Selflessness'.

I don't think I could have asked for a better experience than the time I

spent in Kelambakkam on my trip to India and all this was by the grace of

BABA. I am hoping that with the blessings of BABA I am able to contribute

more to the development of Samaratchana in the time to come.