Eternal Companion - September 2025
Born Into His Fold
I was born in Tamil Nadu (Tiruvannamalai), India, in 1987, into a family that was devoted to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a blessing that shaped every aspect of my life. From early childhood, I was surrounded by Swami’s presence through His stories, bhajans, photos, and most of all, the devotion that filled our home. I had the rare good fortune of seeing Him many times, enjoying close darshans, and once, the blessing of even touching His lotus feet. Yet, deep within, I always had an unfulfilled desire to have a personal interaction with Swami to experience the special nearness and dearness to Him. This could happen mainly through a personal interview. Although such an interview never materialized, I now realize He has granted me such blessed experiences in many other ways.
A Highway Blessing in Brindavan
I had a truly blessed moment with Swami in 2004, when I was in higher secondary school. I travelled with my father and a few Sai-family friends from Tiruvannamalai to the Brindavan Ashram in Bangalore, hoping to get Swami’s darshan. But we heard He was about to leave for Puttaparthi, and it seemed like we would miss Him. That was when a faculty member from Swami’s Brindavan College told us that we could have Swami’s darshan standing on the roadside along His travel route. We trusted his words and waited by the highway.
A miracle unfolded right before our eyes. When Swami’s car passed by, to everyone’s astonishment, He smiled and raised both hands to bless us. That single gesture, which was very rare at that time due to His arm fracture, was overwhelming. We followed His car all the way to Puttaparthi, where He later visited an old age home and then returned to the ashram. I observed that even at those stops, He did not raise His hands in blessing. That made our moment feel even more special. I was convinced that He had singled us out for a special, quiet, and personal benediction on the highway! What a special blessing!
Unseen Rewards at the Ati Rudra Maha Yajna
In 2007, I had the opportunity to do seva during the Ati Rudra Maha Yajna that Swami conducted in Chennai. It was an elaborate and sacred, 9-day Vedic worship, chanting Rudram and doing homa, a fire ritual. My heart longed to serve in the Yajna Mandapam, the main area where the sacred ritual was being conducted, as I would be in Swami’s immediate divine presence. I was posted instead at the Easwaramma Exhibition stall. Though I was disappointed at first, I accepted it as His will and performed my duties with sincerity.
On the last day, as I was walking alone through a dimly lit area, a man dressed in white, like a sevadal (volunteer), tapped me on the back and said, “You did nice seva,” and quietly walked away. I never saw him again. That one sentence lifted my spirit.
The next morning, Swami gave special darshan to all sevadal at Sundaram, and I was blessed with a close darshan, a group photograph with Swami, and a silver dollar as prasad, a memento of His love. Once again, He had noticed, and He had given me much more than I had hoped for.
Guided to Port Blair for Higher Studies
In 2008, I moved to Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital of the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India) for my postgraduate studies at the Pondicherry University campus. The island was completely new to me, and I felt disconnected from my familiar Sai gatherings. However, upon enquiry, I found a Sai Center nearby and began attending weekly bhajans, which gave me peace and strength.
Divine Timing for Doctoral Admission
After completing my master’s degree, I decided to pursue doctoral research at the same university. I took a national-level entrance exam and secured the 13th rank. I approached the head of the department as well as another faculty member for guidance in my Ph.D. The head of the department said it would depend on my interview performance. The other faculty member agreed in principle, but she hadn’t received her guideship recognition letter, the official document that authorized her to guide Ph.D. students.
Days passed, and the day arrived before the interview. It was a holy Thursday, and after our usual bhajan at home, I suddenly thought of calling the proposed guide. To my great delight, she said that she had just received her guideship recognition letter that very evening at 5:30 p.m. She told me to come for the interview if possible.
It Was a Divine Sign!
I immediately informed my family and rushed to Chennai airport, hoping to get a ticket to Port Blair. Normally, getting a last-minute flight ticket is very expensive, but by Swami’s grace, the fare was nominal, and I got a seat! When I reached the venue for the interview, I was surprised to find that no other candidate had made it on time! I was the only one! And that is how I got selected and began my journey of doctoral studies. Swami had arranged every single aspect of my journey silently, lovingly, and perfectly.
His Presence During the Final Darshan
In 2011, during my doctoral research at Port Blair, I heard that Swami had been hospitalized. Around that same time, I had planned a brief visit to my hometown, Tiruvannamalai, before heading to Kerala for a training program. But on that very day, I was home when the devastating, painful news came that Swami had left His physical body! Our entire family rushed to Puttaparthi to pay our final homage.
At that time, the Andhra Pradesh sevadal was serving at Prasanthi Nilayam. Since there was an overwhelming crowd, the Tamil Nadu State Sevadal Coordinator requested that we be accommodated inside Sai Kulwant Hall, where Swami’s physical frame had been placed. And by His grace, we were accommodated within the hall during all three days, until the final rites were completed.
Later, I realized how lovingly Swami had arranged everything. If I had been in Port Blair, I would have missed those final moments. But Swami ensured that I was in Tamil Nadu, close enough to go and be with Him. Even for the last darshan of His body, He included me, guided me, and comforted me in the most personal way.
Completing My Doctorate by His Will
In 2012, after finishing my fieldwork, I joined a national laboratory in Goa as a researcher. I also started attending the Sai Center in Goa, continuing my spiritual routine. As part of our oceanographic work, I often participated in scientific cruises to collect samples at sea.
Soon after I submitted my thesis, I was called for the final viva voce examination, but at the same time, I was also scheduled to go on a cruise. My mentor at the lab insisted that I join the cruise, while my Ph.D. guide from Port Blair asked me to skip it and attend my viva voce. Confused and torn, I simply prayed to Swami for guidance. I boarded the ship, unsure of what would unfold.
Miraculously, my guide personally spoke to the Director of the National Lab, who then instructed my mentor to release me from going on the cruise. At the very last moment, I was allowed to disembark and attend the viva voce. I successfully defended my thesis and was awarded the doctoral degree!
Today and Always: Under His Watchful Eyes
Today, in 2025, I serve as a Project Scientist at a National Institute in Kochi. From the time I was a child to this very moment, Swami has been guiding, guarding, and shaping my journey. At every crossroad, His hand has been there, in silent gestures, timely phone calls, affordable flight tickets, and unseen blessings, to name a few.
My life has been nothing but a constant reminder and a testament to His love. I did not get the coveted personal interaction I wished for, but in truth, I have received blessings more profound: a living relationship with Him, built through surrender, silence, and grace.
Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu.
Jai Sai Ram.
Dr. Sai Elangovan Subramanian
India
Dr. Sai Elangovan Subramanian is a marine biologist from Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India. He works as a Project Scientist at a national institute in Kochi. Born in 1987 into a family deeply devoted to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, he was raised in a spiritual atmosphere. His journey took him from the sacred hills of Tiruvannamalai to the remote islands of Port Blair, and then to ocean expeditions. He earned his Ph.D. in marine science from Pondicherry University and has contributed to research on marine ecology. His personal and professional life has been guided by the unseen hand of Swami.