God’s miraculous ways

Happy Badari Narayan Thirunakshathram (birthday)!

Jai Srimannarayana!

Last June, my daughter and I embarked on a journey from the US to India, carrying four large suitcases weighing about 92 kgs. Our itinerary included a flight change in Doha on our way to Hyderabad.

During our layover in Doha, while glancing at the flight information screen, we noticed a flight to Hyderabad at the same scheduled time, complete with a gate number, but curiously, the flight number was missing. Hoping for an update, we waited patiently, but unfortunately, the missing information remained unchanged. With some concern, we proceeded to the specified gate, where a long line greeted us. Upon reaching the counter, the attendant informed us that it was not our flight, and there was another Indigo flight departing from a different gate. We found ourselves pressed for time as the alternate gate was quite a distance away. We hurried as if participating in a race, but by the time we reached the gate, it had already closed, and the flight was ready for take-off.

Regrettably, few other passengers, like us, had missed the flight. The next available flight to Hyderabad was scheduled for the following day, and taking that option would cost us $300 each. With the long journey already taking a toll on my tired daughter, we frantically explored other airline possibilities for a same-day trip to Hyderabad. Thankfully, Indigo airlines offered a flight to Delhi in just a few hours, with no additional cost. My daughter insisted, “Amma, I’m not waiting at the airport for two days. Let’s just go to Delhi.”

Several weeks prior to this incident, I had asked my daughter if she would like to visit Badri. At that time, she declined, saying, “Amma, I had already been there once. I’ll come another time, but not now.” I respected her decision, and that was the end of it.

However, God had other plans. It suddenly dawned on me that His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji would be in Delhi for a VT Seva event dedicated to the benefit of visually challenged children. Swamiji’s subsequent itinerary involved a flight to Hrishikesh (Dehradun) with a subsequent visit to Badri.

Returning to the present moment, I inquired whether she would be interested in visiting Badri since we were already heading to Delhi. Her response was, “Fine.”

In Delhi, we attended the event and, given our substantial luggage, decided to travel to Rishikesh by road instead of opting for domestic flights’ exorbitant baggage fees.

In Hrishikesh, we met other devoted individuals and set off for Badri Narayan darshan the following day. Among the fellow devotees, we encountered a family from Philadelphia who had come to Badri to have their daughter’s Samasrayanam performed by Swamiji. Looking at her, I marveled at the blessings bestowed upon the child—receiving the sacred Ashtakshari mantra in the holy place where Lord Narayana Himself revealed the mantra to Nara. It is believed that even now, Nara and Narayana perform the Ashtakshari dhyanam in that very place.

Suddenly, my daughter asked, surprising me, “Can I get Samasrayanam too?” It was a stark contrast to her previous disinterest in visiting Badri. Events seemed to unfold rapidly.

I advised her to carefully contemplate her decision. She was already familiar with Pancha Samskaram and the practices involved with it, as she had attended Swamiji’s discourses before. The morning of the Samasrayanam day arrived, and she harbored some doubts. The idea of not being able to eat outside with her friends on certain occasions troubled her. I assured her that she could, as long as she chose to consume only Sattvic food. Although still unsure, she agreed to attend Swamiji’s discourse before making her final decision.

During Sri Swamiji’s discourse, He elucidated the significance of Samasrayanam and the do’s and don’ts associated with it. My daughter listened attentively, and with Swamiji’s grace, she confidently said, “I’ll get it.”

Thus, she experienced a rebirth of knowledge, Jnana Janma. She received the most potent and sacred Ashta;kshari: mantra from Acharya Sri Swamiji in the holiest of places, Badrinath, in the divine presence of Badari Narayana.

One of the names of the Supreme God is Hrushikesa, the controller of everyone’s senses. He effortlessly changed her mind.

With the benevolence of Acharya and the divine will of Perumal (God), one can attain what is needed, even if it entails missing an international flight or landing in Delhi instead of Hyderabad.

All we must do is surrender, and the Divine will guide us, illuminating the right path.

This is our divine experience where we serendipitously found ourselves in Badri, and my daughter, in the most unexpected way, underwent a profound transformation.
Indeed, God showers His grace in miraculous ways!

Jai Srimannarayana!