Balu Swami's Maha Samadhi 2nd Anniversary Celebrations - December 2, 2014

"When you do my work; I will do yours." - Swami

I had no plans of visiting India as my visa situation was almost about to expire and had applied for the OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) with the government embassy. 

As they say everything happens for a reason. The embassy was taking too much time in processing the documents. I am glad that I had not surrendered my passport with them which would have definitely detained me from going to India.

Due to my father-in-law's accident, some family help was required for his well-being. As I am

retired I had the good fortune of being able to stay for several months to take care and bring them back home to the U.S.A.

On October 16, 2014 at 8:43PM, a black snake appeared next to my chair. We have been in that residence for almost 18 years and never have we encountered such a situation. I was surprised yet at the same time knew it was definitely some divine manifestation. So with the divine name on my lips of what I knew I began chanting OM SRI SAI RAM with continuous fervor. I delicately handled the snake and placed him outside on that raining and thunderous night and right in front of me the snake disappeared in a matter of seconds as my eyes were locked on him.

With the emergency visa in place I was leaving for India on November 25,2014 and would arrive on November 27th early in the morning around 1AM. I took a few days rest and visited my Guruswamy to receive his blessings prior to visiting any other places. I was indeed blessed by him as well as Kanchi Maha Periyavar in real time. I wanted to write about the experience but did not have the permission to do so. 

On December 2nd, Madhu and I left in the early hours to Karur, located on the outskirts of Chennai, about 400 miles away. We arrived at Balu Swami's residence and the host family who live right next door around 8:30AM. We wanted to pay our respects to our beloved Balu Swami before going and being a part of the grand functions being organized by the devotees of Karur.

It was a very narrow and quaint house but enormous amounts of space to accommodate all who stepped inside that humble abode of our saint, Siddhar Balu Swami. There were almost four generations living  in that house, along with a lot of devotees and friends visiting. The host, Shubha, has such a bright smile and to receive each guest with the same joy and love it came naturally to their entire family. 

At one point I was standing outside and she told me to come inside. I replied with "it is very crowded inside" only for her to respond with "this house can never be crowded. There is plenty of room inside." That alone was a message for me. Open your heart much more and include everyone. 

We left toward the ground where a devotee had donated the land for his samadhi and construction of  a building around the samadhi. On top, a lingam 8 feet from the ground, a Nandi the same size, and a bronze statue of Balu Swami himself. The entire village was decorated and huge billboards and banners informing the public with all of the details of the event. The organizers (devotees) had made sure that all the details were addressed and everyone who attended was well taken care of. Afterall, that is what Balu Swami did. As soon as a devotee comes in make sure they are well fed then talk. 

As soon as we arrived we could hear thunderous nadaswaram and moolam; Kerala style. We went in and paid our respects to our guru and immediately was whisked away to have a sumptuous breakfast. More was offered by we were very light eaters so we had to respectfully decline. We mingled with our old time friends and encouraged them with kind words recognizing their efforts that went in to pull off such an outstanding event to this degree and magnitude. 

Many saints and sages were present at that location. I wondered how they knew of him attaining this state.  As people began pouring in, there became a need for crowd control so buses of police men and women arrived to do their duty as well as to show respect for the man they loved and adored. 

Balu Swami was a bus driver and his partner at the time, Gnanasekaran, was a conductor. When Balu Swami came into the state he did not forget about his friend and took him as his first disciple. After many years of going on that divine path they split. Balu Swami followed the siddhi yoga path while Gnanasekaran followed the bhakti path (became a devi upasaka prathingara) and with many years of sacrifice he too attained that divine state. 

After our sumptuous breakfast, Madhu asked me what my plans were. I told him I was checking the crowd to see who has power. He asked me how I would be able to tell. I told him "wait and see." I had never seen or heard Gnanasekaran Swamigal. I saw a man who was tall and well-build with long flowing hair and a beard. He had exceptionally bright eyes and right away I knew he had energy. 

The host introduced me to Swamigal and witnessed waves of people prostrating and asking of him. I decided that if I have to be touched by him he surely will call for me. From a distance I took a snap shot of him. In the crowd he had asked someone to go and get me to come and sit next to him. I walked and jumped around people and eventually sat right next to him. His eyes were very deep and soon both of our eyes locked intensely looking at one another and not swaying. He said "don't, don't because you cannot withstand the power." But I am not afraid of any. Whatever happens it is okay. Just like that within minutes I am sweating profusely where the heat is just exploding out of my body and tears are flowing uncontrollably. The shaking followed and I soon went into deep meditation. The connection of the heart was complete as to what I was looking for.

Swamigal of Manamadurai

Many many people of all walks of life attended and paid their respects. They asked mundane questions that pertained to their jobs, wealth, family matters, gifted and non-gifted children and their well-being. He addressed all of their needs in such fervor. At one point I just began observing an elderly lady who came and could hardly sit on the floor. Regardless she sat and told him "I have a lot of fears and don't know how to get rid of them!" Within seconds the lady was in a trance. She began laughing then crying, screaming, and finally ended up fighting with him. He just smiled throughout it all and while tending to others he just tapped her and everything was completely gone out of her system. She was back to normal and slowly walked away. 

Both Madhu and our driver, Mr. Panchaksharam, were touched and tears just flowed from both of their eyes. They were advised to do service. Ganapathy homam, navagraham homam, and a homam for Balu Swami was under way at the final culmination of Poornahuti and was offered to the sacred fire. Abhishekam to the lingam followed with all honors destined for our beloved Swami. Maha Prasadam was offered to him simultaneously. Food was offered to all saints and sages; whatever food they wanted and whatever clothing and money was gifted to all. 

Annadanam, a grand lunch was offered to all devotees present. Nobody wanted to leave the premises but a very grand evening procession was already being organized. So we left and went back to his residence while waiting for the final culmination of the program.  A grand decorated motorcade that stood 8 feet high and a picture of swami with all music accompaniments such as the Nadaswaram and moolams were followed by fireworks.

I thanked GNANASEKARAN SWAMIGAL OF MANAMADURAI. I don't want any monetary benefits for I am interested in what you have. Just give a portion of that. He said "why a portion if I am willing to give you  all?" 
The local people have no idea and want to get into the same maya over and over again. I knew in my heart that being in the presence of the divine force can change and alter your life in a matter of seconds and indeed I was looking for just that.

WHATEVER WE ARE DESTINED FOR SURELY WILL COME OUR WAY, EVEN IF WE DID NOT PLAN IT

THE HIGHER FORCE WILL CHANGE THE COURSE.

I asked him "when would I have the pleasure of seeing you again?"

He replied "God surely knows he will unite us at the right time."

A SPECIAL DAY SPENT WITH A LOT OF GREAT FRIENDS AND DIVINE SOULS.

BALU SWAMI REQUESTS OF HIS DEVOTEES TO ALWAYS BE UNITED AND NEVER STOP SERVING

THE NEEDY. 
HE WANTED THAT PROMISE AND SAID THERE WILL NEVER BE A SHORTAGE OF

FUNDS WHEN YOU DO MY WORK.

A day we will surely cherish for years to come. "Those who think of me with proper devotion and serving the needy will be always in my protection." -- Balu Swami.

LOVE ALL SERVE ALL