JOIN USI used to feel defeated, especially when I could not earn sufficient money. I took on more work and more headaches and my life was very stressful. I did not know how to stop feeling depressed. I heard about Sai Baba and read that he was God on earth. I eagerly surrendered my life to Him.
Beloved Swami said, “When defeat and disappointment stare you in the face, you must not give way to weakness or despondency. Never condemn yourself as inferior or useless. Analyze the situation and find out the reasons for defeat so as to avoid it next time. You should have muscles of iron and nerves of steel. Then your resolution will generate the necessary confidence, and that will win over opposition. For the crop of life, courage and confidence are the best fertilizers. Be like lions in the spiritual field, rule over the forest of the senses and roam fearlessly with full faith in achieving victory.”
Puttaparthi Krishna continues to fill my life with happiness even when I’m having difficulties. Living in the Divine Presence for so many years I became courageous and confident; His love is contagious! To this day people fill up the mandir at Prasanthi Nilayam to take Mahasamadhi darshan and partake of the peace He continues to bestow.
He explained, “Do not attach too much value to victory or too much importance to defeat. Even in examinations when you fail, do not be overcome by despair and do silly things like attempting to take your own life. Life is much more precious than that.”
I have experienced His miracles. Once on a rainy night, walking along a remote road, I fell into a drainage ditch and got stuck there unable to move.
My head had hit the side of the ditch and I saw stars. I screamed into the darkness, Baba! Baba! Help me! And from out of nowhere a young man appeared. He pushed and pulled and tugged and somehow extricated me from the ditch. My injuries were minor and I walked back to my room grateful to be alive.
Another time while chopping wood a big chunk flew up and slammed against my left eye. Blinded, I stumbled into the house holding on to my eyeball which I felt was out of the socket. My cheek was covered with what I believed was blood. I did not dare to look into a mirror.
I grabbed some of Swami’s vibuthi (sacred ash) that I kept on my altar and packed it all around the eyeball and the socket. After praying, I decided to examine the eye knowing I would have to go to the hospital.
At the mirror I prepared myself for the worst. What I saw astonished me: a perfectly intact eye with not a drop of blood or any sign of an injury on it. In fact, there were only traces of the vibuthi on my lashes.
He Himself has assured, “Your destiny does not depend upon examination marks, it depends more on character, will-power and the Grace of God.”