NEVER ALONE

V. GANESAN

 

It was in 1991. One day, when I was with Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar, he asked me : "Ganesha! Did you receive any letter from Germany?" I replied in the negative. After a few days, he again asked me the same question. This time I could not contain my curiosity. "May I know why Swami is specifically asking this question ?" "Because Ganesha has to go to Germany!" he burst out laughing. The next day I received a letter from my dear friend Charles Madigan, inviting me to Germany.

Before leaving for Germany, while seeking the blessings of the Yogi, I said : "Again I am being sent away. I don't like it. I am all alone, Swami.". He touched my hand and said : "You are never alone, Ganesha! This beggar is always with you. He will be with you wherever you go. My Father's Blessings on you. Now, go!" Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes.

It was a direct flight to Frankfurt. From the airport, I was taken by my friend Mr. Folker Gausmann to Bonn, to meet Marlis Hibschenberger. As the car sped along the autobahn, that leave-taking from the Yogi flashed in my mind's eye. I opened my eyes and looked around. On my left was a van and on the right a big car, both moving equally fast. My attention was pointedly drawn to the names of these vehicles : "Brahma" the van, and car "Ram". (The Yogi's initiation mantra is Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. He always utter the name "Ram", especially when people prostrate to him, and he blesses them by voicing the holy name : "Rama".) The two vehicles continued alongside our car for a long time. It thrilled me.

And, in Bonn, Hambourg, Frankfurt - whenever I went - either at under ground stations or on billboards, I was met with huge advertisements proclaiming "Rama" : "Begin your day with RAMA, the margarine!" When I landed in Boston from Germany, a Westerner stopped me at the airport and enquired :"Are you from India?" When I said "Yes", he asked with devotion : "Do you know the saint who lives in South India, Yogi Ramsuratkumar?"

Yes, the Yogi accompanied me throughout the trip.