Sri Venkateswara Swamy walked to Tirumala along with a devotee
Dear Readers,
Extremely sorry for the delay in continuation of our episodes. I was on holiday and was expecting to continue writing but due to unavoidable circumstances could not do so.
We at Achyuthan would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Late Sri PVRK Prasad, IAS, who was an Honorary Member and Advisory to Achyuthan. It was our good fortune that he guided us when Achyuthan started. He was an inspiration for all of us with his vast spiritual knowledge and has been a guiding force. He will be missed very much. A divine soul we believe, he merged with the Almighty.
Extremely sorry for the delay in continuation of our episodes. I was on holiday and was expecting to continue writing but due to unavoidable circumstances could not do so.
We at Achyuthan would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Late Sri PVRK Prasad, IAS, who was an Honorary Member and Advisory to Achyuthan. It was our good fortune that he guided us when Achyuthan started. He was an inspiration for all of us with his vast spiritual knowledge and has been a guiding force. He will be missed very much. A divine soul we believe, he merged with the Almighty.
Episode 44
This week’s story is a divine experience of one of the Achyuthan team members, Hema Kumar.
Recently he and Anil went to Tirumala by walk and to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. The very next day Anil was supposed to accompany another group of devotees who were walking up the Tirumala steps. As Anil was staying in Hema Kumar’s house, the latter dropped him at Srinivasa Mangapuram where the group of devotees were staying. Both of them had already finished their dinner, and hence when the devotees offered dinner, Hema Kumar refused and just took the prasadam, a banana offered by them. He thought that he would partake it later and started back to his home on scooter.
This week’s story is a divine experience of one of the Achyuthan team members, Hema Kumar.
Recently he and Anil went to Tirumala by walk and to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. The very next day Anil was supposed to accompany another group of devotees who were walking up the Tirumala steps. As Anil was staying in Hema Kumar’s house, the latter dropped him at Srinivasa Mangapuram where the group of devotees were staying. Both of them had already finished their dinner, and hence when the devotees offered dinner, Hema Kumar refused and just took the prasadam, a banana offered by them. He thought that he would partake it later and started back to his home on scooter.
The leela of Bhagawan unfolds for His devotee….
It was very late in the night around 10 PM. A few kilometers of driving…
He saw a lady of around 45 to 50 years standing on the road requesting him for a lift.
Normally in smaller towns ladies do not come out so late in the night and that too alone. Either her husband or any other family members would drop her where required.
Why did this lady have to ask for a lift from Hema Kumar??? Is there a divine purpose behind it???
Hema Kumar stopped his scooter. She immediately climbed behind him and said that she was assigned night duty at Vaikuntam queue complex and that she was getting late for her duty. (She is an employee of TTD)
It was very late in the night around 10 PM. A few kilometers of driving…
He saw a lady of around 45 to 50 years standing on the road requesting him for a lift.
Normally in smaller towns ladies do not come out so late in the night and that too alone. Either her husband or any other family members would drop her where required.
Why did this lady have to ask for a lift from Hema Kumar??? Is there a divine purpose behind it???
Hema Kumar stopped his scooter. She immediately climbed behind him and said that she was assigned night duty at Vaikuntam queue complex and that she was getting late for her duty. (She is an employee of TTD)
(The Vaikuntam queue complex is on Tirumala hills. Devotees who wish to take darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy have to get into the queue complex. Devotees can either enter through free darshan queues, or buy Rs 300 tickets or buy tickets for any seva. Everyone has to enter the temple through the Vaikuntam queue complex only, except for VVIPs. Depending on the crowd the darshan would take 2 hours to
24 hours. However TTD has elaborate arrangements to take care of the needs of the devotees who wait in the queue).
The lady said she was hungry as she did not have time to take her dinner. Hema Kumar immediately offered the banana which was given to him by devotees, saying ‘Amma please eat this’.
She gladly took it and said ‘see how my Swamy provides food for His devotee’. An astonished Hema Kumar did not understand what she meant but drove his vehicle listening to what she started narrating.
This is what she said…
She is great devotee of Sri Venkateswara Swamy from childhood. Swamy appeared and still appears in her dreams umpteen number of times.
Unless very blessed would any of us get constant dreams of our beloved Gods.
And her name is…
Lakshmi!!!
The namesake of divine consort of Sri Maha Vishnu. What a coincidence!!!
Interestingly, she asked Hema Kumar to drive slowly so that she could narrate all her experiences. She also said that not many people know of her experiences and that some force was pushing her to share her story with him.
24 hours. However TTD has elaborate arrangements to take care of the needs of the devotees who wait in the queue).
The lady said she was hungry as she did not have time to take her dinner. Hema Kumar immediately offered the banana which was given to him by devotees, saying ‘Amma please eat this’.
She gladly took it and said ‘see how my Swamy provides food for His devotee’. An astonished Hema Kumar did not understand what she meant but drove his vehicle listening to what she started narrating.
This is what she said…
She is great devotee of Sri Venkateswara Swamy from childhood. Swamy appeared and still appears in her dreams umpteen number of times.
Unless very blessed would any of us get constant dreams of our beloved Gods.
And her name is…
Lakshmi!!!
The namesake of divine consort of Sri Maha Vishnu. What a coincidence!!!
Interestingly, she asked Hema Kumar to drive slowly so that she could narrate all her experiences. She also said that not many people know of her experiences and that some force was pushing her to share her story with him.
It was a blessed day for him where he could hear Bhagawan’s blessings from a complete stranger.
If it was not Swamy’s leelas what else it could be???
Two of her most important experiences….
When she was 13 -14 years old she fought with her family. She was so dejected that she decided to leave home. The only place she knew was Tirumala hills. So she started walking up the seven hills all alone with the abject idea of not returning home.
Those who have climbed the Tirumala hills would know that after travelling 60% of the distance they come to a deer park (please see our blog post - http://achyuthan.com/blog/kaliyuga-vaikuntam- tirumala-walkway ).
If it was not Swamy’s leelas what else it could be???
Two of her most important experiences….
When she was 13 -14 years old she fought with her family. She was so dejected that she decided to leave home. The only place she knew was Tirumala hills. So she started walking up the seven hills all alone with the abject idea of not returning home.
Those who have climbed the Tirumala hills would know that after travelling 60% of the distance they come to a deer park (please see our blog post - http://achyuthan.com/blog/kaliyuga-vaikuntam- tirumala-walkway ).
She came to the deer park and was watching the deer. Suddenly a boy of 8 to 9 years came up to her and asked ‘Akka (sister) where are you going?’ She replied that she was going to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. He immediately asked ‘Can I come with you’.
Being a child she was very interested in feeding the deer and was about to buy some cut vegetables from the sellers. The boy immediately said ‘why do you want to buy? I will climb the tree and shake it. You can collect the leaves and feed the deer’. Saying so he climbed the nearby trees and dropped leaves for her to feed the deer.
While continuing her journey she was accompanied by the boy who was chatting with her throughout the way. When they reached up the hills he escorted her to the temple and both had a blessed darshan. On coming out of the temple, she thanked him and said ‘I have some work to complete so you please carry on’.
Being a child she was very interested in feeding the deer and was about to buy some cut vegetables from the sellers. The boy immediately said ‘why do you want to buy? I will climb the tree and shake it. You can collect the leaves and feed the deer’. Saying so he climbed the nearby trees and dropped leaves for her to feed the deer.
While continuing her journey she was accompanied by the boy who was chatting with her throughout the way. When they reached up the hills he escorted her to the temple and both had a blessed darshan. On coming out of the temple, she thanked him and said ‘I have some work to complete so you please carry on’.
She started moving to one direction. He immediately stopped her saying ‘Akka that is not the way to your house. On the path you are taking there would be thieves’.
Saying so he left. Ignoring his advice she took a few steps and came to a very lonely place. What did she see? Four thieves who were sitting there as if waiting for her. They asked her to shell out money whatever she had. When she told them that she did not have any they asked her to borrow from a lady selling flowers and give it to them.
When she looked around a lone old lady was selling flowers in that area. There were no other sellers or shops around. So she went and requested the old lady for money.
The lady gave her a few rupees and when Lakshmi asked her how she could return them, the old lady said ‘you give it in the shops over there. They will pass it on to me’.
Saying so he left. Ignoring his advice she took a few steps and came to a very lonely place. What did she see? Four thieves who were sitting there as if waiting for her. They asked her to shell out money whatever she had. When she told them that she did not have any they asked her to borrow from a lady selling flowers and give it to them.
When she looked around a lone old lady was selling flowers in that area. There were no other sellers or shops around. So she went and requested the old lady for money.
The lady gave her a few rupees and when Lakshmi asked her how she could return them, the old lady said ‘you give it in the shops over there. They will pass it on to me’.
Now who will give money to a child as soon as she requested and then without disclosing anything ask her to return in the shops???
Who was this old lady?? Is it Devi maa herself?
She went and handed over the money to the thieves and with whatever money that was left, she boarded the bus (in those days the ticket from Tirumala to Tirupati was very nominal)
What is this maya?? And why did it happen.
May be Bhagawan wanted the child to return home safely and hence enacted the scene.
A scared Lakshmi got into the bus to return home. She got down at a junction which in those days would become deserted by evening. It was almost 8pm in the night and she started walking home. It was a lonely area and some men were drinking alcohol and chatting. Being alone she was scared. Suddenly she heard the voice of the boy whom she met on the hills from behind saying ‘Akka, don’t worry I am behind you.
Don’t lift your head and walk straight ahead’.
Who was this old lady?? Is it Devi maa herself?
She went and handed over the money to the thieves and with whatever money that was left, she boarded the bus (in those days the ticket from Tirumala to Tirupati was very nominal)
What is this maya?? And why did it happen.
May be Bhagawan wanted the child to return home safely and hence enacted the scene.
A scared Lakshmi got into the bus to return home. She got down at a junction which in those days would become deserted by evening. It was almost 8pm in the night and she started walking home. It was a lonely area and some men were drinking alcohol and chatting. Being alone she was scared. Suddenly she heard the voice of the boy whom she met on the hills from behind saying ‘Akka, don’t worry I am behind you.
Don’t lift your head and walk straight ahead’.
She did not know from where the same boy came. She was sure that he did not get into the bus which she took. Then how did he come there??
He walked alongside to her house. As soon as she reached home her worried family shouted at her for not informing her where abouts and later hugged her and took her inside. When they enquired who the boy was she replied that she met him on the way to hills and that he accompanied her back home safe guarding her. Lakshmi’s mother loves to pamper guests. She offered water and snacks to the boy. But he did not touch or eat anything.
Her mother asked him to have his dinner before leaving and went into the kitchen for serving them. Her father was sitting on the verandha in a chair reading a paper.
Lakshmi went inside for a second. The boy walked up to the door and suddenly…
Disappeared.
No one saw him going out. Just like that vanished from the door way…
Now who could this boy be!!!!
We can only guess…
He walked alongside to her house. As soon as she reached home her worried family shouted at her for not informing her where abouts and later hugged her and took her inside. When they enquired who the boy was she replied that she met him on the way to hills and that he accompanied her back home safe guarding her. Lakshmi’s mother loves to pamper guests. She offered water and snacks to the boy. But he did not touch or eat anything.
Her mother asked him to have his dinner before leaving and went into the kitchen for serving them. Her father was sitting on the verandha in a chair reading a paper.
Lakshmi went inside for a second. The boy walked up to the door and suddenly…
Disappeared.
No one saw him going out. Just like that vanished from the door way…
Now who could this boy be!!!!
We can only guess…
According to her, Bhagawan does not like her to be sad or unhappy. He always shows a way to solve her problems or comes in some or other form to take care of her.
If sad, Lord Krishna appears in her dreams and invites her to play with him and his gopikas. In another of her dream, she saw a huge figure of Sri Venkateswara with his feet covering the entire place between Alipiri and Galigopuram (the first hill of Tirumala). And His complete form occupying the whole sky.
If sad, Lord Krishna appears in her dreams and invites her to play with him and his gopikas. In another of her dream, she saw a huge figure of Sri Venkateswara with his feet covering the entire place between Alipiri and Galigopuram (the first hill of Tirumala). And His complete form occupying the whole sky.
What a divine soul!!!!
In another encounter…
A few years back…
She finished her duty at Tirumala and reached home very late. Her house was under construction and the first floor did not have any parapet wall. As is natural in towns and villages, Lakshmi’s family was sleeping on the roof and she too joined them. At around 12.30 she woke up to go to the washroom. It was quite dark and being sleepy she did not know the direction of the steps to go down.
She started moving in one direction…
She took one step, next step, and the next..
And the next step..
She was in the air and could feel herself falling down from the first floor..
Govinda, Govinda, Govinda..
Her Bhagawan’s name came out from her mouth.
Suddenly she saw Sri Venkateswara Swamy with full decoration (same form as in Tirumala temple) appearing before her. He held her from behind for a few seconds and left her.
In another encounter…
A few years back…
She finished her duty at Tirumala and reached home very late. Her house was under construction and the first floor did not have any parapet wall. As is natural in towns and villages, Lakshmi’s family was sleeping on the roof and she too joined them. At around 12.30 she woke up to go to the washroom. It was quite dark and being sleepy she did not know the direction of the steps to go down.
She started moving in one direction…
She took one step, next step, and the next..
And the next step..
She was in the air and could feel herself falling down from the first floor..
Govinda, Govinda, Govinda..
Her Bhagawan’s name came out from her mouth.
Suddenly she saw Sri Venkateswara Swamy with full decoration (same form as in Tirumala temple) appearing before her. He held her from behind for a few seconds and left her.
Lakshmi showed him how Swamy held her. At this point Hema Kumar was very excited. The feeling was indescribable. It was as if Bhagawan Himself had come down from Vaikuntam to show His presence to Hema Kumar and narrated the whole experience through Lakshmi.
This is most astonishing thing - a strange lady asking for the lift and then narrating her experiences as well as hugging a stranger from behind to show how Bhagawan held her. I don’t think in a place like Tirupati women are so forward that they are ready to take a lift from strangers unless there is a divine purpose.
Don’t you think so??
In Hema Kumar’s words ‘That moment I was not in this world’.
However she suffered some fractures due to the fall but she says she did not feel any pain. Her Swamy’s touch had left her in an unexplainable bliss.
Lakshmi revealed this to only two people in the world -- her mother and the second one being Hema Kumar.
She says she does not know why she was pushed to share these experiences with him.
When she requested for the lift she was a complete stranger to Hema Kumar.
We only believe that Bhagawan wanted this miracle to be shared with the world and hence arranged for this imprompto meeting between these two divine souls.
This is most astonishing thing - a strange lady asking for the lift and then narrating her experiences as well as hugging a stranger from behind to show how Bhagawan held her. I don’t think in a place like Tirupati women are so forward that they are ready to take a lift from strangers unless there is a divine purpose.
Don’t you think so??
In Hema Kumar’s words ‘That moment I was not in this world’.
However she suffered some fractures due to the fall but she says she did not feel any pain. Her Swamy’s touch had left her in an unexplainable bliss.
Lakshmi revealed this to only two people in the world -- her mother and the second one being Hema Kumar.
She says she does not know why she was pushed to share these experiences with him.
When she requested for the lift she was a complete stranger to Hema Kumar.
We only believe that Bhagawan wanted this miracle to be shared with the world and hence arranged for this imprompto meeting between these two divine souls.
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