Devotees experience
A Journey from Veda to Divine Grace
My spiritual journey began long before I came to the lotus feet of Bhagawan Shree Sathya Sai Baba. In my younger days, I practiced meditation according to the teachings of Yogoda Satsanga. A dear friend of mine gifted me the sacred book Autobiography of a Yogi, and reading it transformed my life completely. The yearning for God awakened within me.
As I practiced meditation sincerely, an intense longing arose in my heart for a true Guru. Day after day, tears flowed during meditation as I prayed, “Lord, please send me my Guru.”
One day, another friend gave me a book entitled Sathya Sai Baba – The Holy Man and the Psychiatrist. The moment I finished reading it, my heart overflowed with joy. I felt as if I had found what I had been seeking for lifetimes. Within three days, I travelled to Puttaparthi in November 1983.
The very first time I heard the Veda chanting in Prasanthi Nilayam, something deep within me awakened. An unseen force drew me towards the sacred mantras. Though I could not understand them fully, I felt that they belonged to my soul. I purchased audio cassettes and began learning the Vedas with great devotion.
Among Bhagawan Shree Sathya Sai Baba’s many teachings, one instruction became the guiding principle of my life: “cheppinatlu chestaa-raa” [ Practice what you preach]
This simple teaching became my spiritual discipline. I resolved never to go back on my word, whatever the circumstances. Life itself taught me that when one honours own word, God honours that person.
For nearly eighteen years, I continued learning Veda chanting through recordings. I started to teach Veda Mantras at a Sai Centre in Navi Mumbai at their specific request. Bhagawan decided to let me meet a competent teacher, who later corrected and refined my chanting.
In 2004, many devotees from Sai Prem Ashram in Mumbai requested me to teach Veda chanting. I accepted this as Bhagawan’s command. In time, I had the blessing of leading Veda chanting groups in Puttaparthi during 2009 and 2010.
By His divine inspiration, I was also guided to write the book “Rudra Tattwa,” explaining the sacred meanings of the Rudram word-by-word. The book has reached devotees in many countries and has been translated into several languages. Everything happened only by His grace.
When Bhagawan Shree Sathya Sai Baba left His physical form in April 2011, many devotees experienced profound sorrow. Yet the Divine never abandons His devotees.
Some years later, Shree C.A. Pratap Thakker informed me that a saint from Nepal would be visiting Mumbai. He said that this Master was continuing the mission and teachings of Sathya Sai Baba.
I thought to myself: “If He is truly my beloved Sai in another form, I am going to win a lottery by re-gaining my Guru again. Even if He is not, surely He is a great saint, and I shall have the fortune of touching the feet of a holy being.”
With these thoughts, I attended the gathering.
The very first moment Bhagawan Shree Sanjay Sai Baba held my hand, it felt as though time itself had stopped. Swamy made a remark—“Is God deaf?”—for I had just recited the Veda in full volume. The assembly laughed at His words, but I heard nothing. I was completely absorbed in His divine presence. Standing closest to Him, hand in hand, I could no longer hear what everyone else heard so clearly and loudly. My whole being was immersed in the silence of His grace.
The following morning, Bhagawan called me privately and materialized a diamond ring. This held special significance because in 1983 I had once prayed to Bhagwan Shree Sathya Sai Baba:
“Bhagawan, I do not seek any materialization. But if You ever wish to bless me, please give me a diamond ring.”
After nearly thirty-five years, that prayer was fulfilled through Bhagawan Shree Sanjay Sai Baba. Such are the mysterious ways of Divine Grace.
My first visit to Kathmandu took place during Shivaratri in February 2014. Thereafter, I regularly visited Sai Vrindavan Ashram in Kathmandu and received the priceless blessings of Darshan, Sparshan, and Sambhashan.
Bhagawan graciously took me and Priti Amma to the school, where I was given the opportunity to teach Veda chanting to the students of Shree Sanjay Sai Vidya Mandir School. By His grace, the students soon began chanting independently.
At the ashram, Bhagawan would sometimes quietly enter the Veda classes, sit among us on the floor, and shower us with His compassionate glance. Like a loving mother, He ensured that the learning was progressing properly. His presence itself became the greatest teaching.
In October 2015, I had the blessing of accompanying Bhagawan to Rameswaram. One late night, after a long journey, Bhagawan materialized a sacred crystal [sphatic] Lingam and allowed us to touch it. He narrated the divine story of how Lord Shiva had given this very Lingam to Lord Hanuman for Lord Rama’s worship.
The next day, Bhagawan unexpectedly handed this Lingam to me and instructed me to worship it. Inwardly, I wondered how I could perform daily worship while constantly travelling.
Immediately Bhagawan answered my unspoken thought: “Then carry it with you.”
Since then, the Lingam has accompanied me wherever I travel. It has become like my very praana outside the body.
Lord Hanuman has always been especially dear to me because Lord Hanuman desired nothing except Lord Rama. The image of Lord Hanuman embracing Rama represents my own relationship with Bhagawan.
Throughout life, Bhagawan has taken care of everything. Difficulties have been resolved effortlessly. During my hernia operation in 2024, every arrangement unfolded smoothly through His grace.
Many desires either become fulfilled or simply dissolve. As long as we live in a human body, desires arise. Yet the longing for God is itself a sacred desire.
Today, my life has become a continuous stream of miracles.
Whether travelling, facing challenges, or making decisions, Bhagawan’s guidance comes in countless ways. Sometimes His inner voice speaks clearly, even amidst the noise and busyness of daily life.
Recently, while attempting to open a bank account in Nepal, an inner command repeatedly instructed me to seek help from a particular person. Following that guidance, the necessary arrangements began to unfold naturally.
Through these experiences, Bhagawan has taught me several precious lessons:
- Complete surrender is not easy, but we must strive for it.
- Every action performed with surrender becomes worship.
- Listening to someone’s feeling who is suffering is also seva.
- Seva is not only giving money; it is giving time, love, and compassion.
- Prayer never goes unheard.
- Even a small step towards God invites His grace.
Bhagawan often reminds us:
“You are a part-time devotee. Become a full-time devotee.”
Perseverance, prayer, and selfless service gradually bring us closer to the Divine.
Whenever I see someone suffering, I pray for them. Prayer itself is service.
Ultimately, Bhagawan teaches us the highest truth:
“You are God, and I am God. The only difference is that I know it, while you have yet to realize it.”
May we all walk the path of surrender, seva, and remembrance, and may Bhagawan’s divine grace guide every step of our journey.
Jay Sai Ram
Maunish Vyas
Shree Sanjay Sai Sewa Organizations International
Maharashtra Chapter
Maunish Vyas
Maunish Vyas is a devoted spiritual practitioner whose journey has been guided by Bhagawan Shree Sathya Sai Baba and Bhagawan Shree Sanjay Sai Baba. For decades, he has dedicated himself to the study and teaching of Vedic chanting, serving Sai Centres and schools with humility and love.
