This was yet another powerful experience of my life. This happened sometime 2001-02. I had travelled alone to Tirupati to be with my parents who had proceeded there earlier.
I flew down to Chennai and then went to a bus terminus to catch a bus to Tirupati. After reaching there, I took another bus to reach the top of the holy hill. By the time I reached the hotel where my parents were staying, it was past 11 p.m.
We were booked for an early morning darshan of the Lord. Visitors to Tirumala will be familiar with the long wait time for getting the darshan. Visitors would also know that the actual darshan of the Lord of the Seven Hills is hardly a few seconds. There are plenty of crowd managers who literally push you out so that the others in the queue also get to see the Lord.
I had visited this temple many times before and have always missed observing the alankaram (decoration of the Lord) in the short time I had in front of the Lord. It was usually a brief darshan when the mind goes blank and the ears numb by the shouts of 'Govinda Govinda' by the devotees. The eyes too are unable to fix on the Lord due the other distractions.
This time I resolved that I will carefully observe the alankaram and come out and share this with my parents and family with whom I will talk about the darshan.
As I walked towards the sanctum I found a tall (6 feet plus) security guy ahead of me and I had to put an effort to see the Lord. Within seconds we had come to the presence of the Lord and were on our way out. I started walking backwards and facing the Lord to see Him clearly.
Suddenly, the security guard pushed me with both hands saying "Go away". I got irritated as I was not standing but actually moving out only. Then again he pushed me with both hands.
I turned and headed towards the exit while my mind was saying to the Lord, "Why should I take so much effort to come here if I can't have a peaceful darshan?".
Within a nano second, the same security guard stopped me and said, "Have full darshan. Don't go.". He also spoke to the crowd managers and instructed them to not allow me to go till I was fully satisfied.
I was shocked, surprised and grateful to the Lord for immediately responding to my thoughts. Unfortunately, my eyes were filled with tears and I was choked and hence couldn't have the darshan.
In a matter of seconds, the Lord conveyed to me that He listens to our thoughts and He loves to have us come for His darshan just as a parent would love it if his child visits him.
What more can I say about this divine Intervention? Even as I write this my eyes are filled with tears of gratitude & love.
Govinda Gooovinda !!
