Anyatha Sharanam Naasthi, Twameva Sharanam Mam
Tasmath Karunya Bhaavena, Raksh Raksh Mam Sayeeshwara

Other than You there is no refuge, it is said. So what else can we do but hold on to Him. Hold His Hand as He leads us on. Hold on to His Feet in Surrender as He finds a unique solution to our unsurmountable problems.
I would like to share with you all some instances where Bhagwan came to my rescue in different ways

Anyatha Sharanam Naasthi...

It was Easwaramma Day some time in the early 90's. Swami used to be in Brindavan, His abode in Bangalore, at that time. It was a special day for everyone. As a Bal Vikas teacher, I would say it was the highlight of the season. On that day the children would sing bhajans in the morning and we would be on Cloud 9 as Swami closed His Eyes and swayed as in Bliss. He would walk around and stop and speak to the children, materialize vibhuti here and there... Oh it was simply heaven! Well, on this day we returned home feeling very elated. Having dropped our Bal Vikas children to their homes, I proceeded with the next job on hand. I used to be helping my husband who ran a Small Scale Industry. Being the 6th of the month it was my job to go to the bank and withdraw the requisite amount of cash so that salaries to the workers could be disbursed. It was a breeze. The staff at the bank were familiar with me. My cheque was cleared, and the cashier gave me the amount in the various denominations I had requested. All in sealed bundles. I stepped out of the bank with a spring in my atep. The after effect of the Darshan, it was. Barely had I walked a few metres when a man politely came across and told me that there was some dirt on my sari, Surprised, I put my hand at the back and did feel something sticky. By now another passer by stopped and told me that sombody had thrown dirt. Then came another helpul man who said that there is a tap in the alley on the left and guided me. I followed. There were a couple of men there. They got me a mug of water and one of them poured a little here and there and asked me to wash it off. Soon there were about ten men or so all round me assisting me in removing the sticky substance by giving me directions. At this stage I put my bag down so I could do the job better. It was now outside the ring of men around me. But, being bright coloured, I could still see it from between the gaps in their legs. Suddenly one of the men asked me, 'Is this yours?' And to my surprise I saw notes of many lower denominations scattered all around me! Another helpfully asked me to pick it up. I knew I had just sealed bundles of currency notes. I declined saying they are not mine. At this point I thought I had better go home and wash my sari. I thanked all of them, moved forward, picked up my bag, and said I would go home and give it a proper wash. I called up my husband after reaching home. Told him what had happened. He was very shocked. He later told me that the local Doordarshan channel had recently aired a show on con men in Bangalore and their common modus operandi. And to my utter shock this was what they had shown! I thanked Swami with all my heart for coming to my rescue.

Twam Eva Sharanam Mama...

Here is something that happened a little over 5 years ago. My father had had a fall and had to be operated upon. Post surgery, things went terribly wrong and he had to be in hospital for almost 20 days. It was touch and go. My brother stayed with him at night. And I was with him during the day. Hospital policy has it that only one attender could be with the patient. So every morning when I went, I used to call up my brother and ask him to come down. As he came out of the lift he would give me the Attender's Pass and I would enter the lift. During this interval my father would be alone in the room and my heart would be pounding, and my breathing rapid. And I would be saying Sai Ram- Sai Ram- Sai Ram continuously and ever so fast. Once out of the lift I would simply charge to the room, push open the door and hurry in and peep in to see if my father was alright. Heave a sigh of relief and thank Swami; as my heart beat and breathing slowly returned to normal. One evening when my brother came to take over and I returned home, my father told him that Swami had come to his room! Feeling so awed, my brother asked whether Swami had spoken to him. He had asked, my father said, 'Rao, Kaisa Hai?' Rao, how are you? Bhagwan always addressed my father thus. And what did you say, asked my brother. 'I said', said my father,'Sab teek hai'. All is well. By now my brother was beaming. And when was this he asked. 'This morning,' said my father, 'just before Gayatri came!' So much for my praying to Him to take care till I reached the room. Bhagwan had actually come! He had come and given Darshan and spoken to my father; a staunch devotee of His. When I heard this, a variety of emotions coursed through me. Pleasure, joy, gratitude, wonder. And shame! It was so stupid of me asking Him to take care till I reached. When He is the One Who really takes care!

Tasmath Kaarunya Bhaaven Raksh Raksh Mam Sayeeshwara

This is a recent incident. Last month there was a Training Camp in Brindavan for the teachers of schools covered by the SSS Vidya Jyoti programme. I was given an opportunity to do seva. Being asked to coordinate this, and also give a talk on one of the topics. I felt so blessed! The thought of being in the Divine Abode for the day lifted my spirits to a different level. I relived those heavenly days when the Lord walked in our midst and bestowed on us His Grace. Darshan - Sparshan - Sambhashan. Though I had set the alarm early enough, I was woken to the sound a heavy downpour around 3-30 am! In Bangalore it usually rains only post noon. Mornings are always dry. Here was this downpour! My house is quite far, and I had planned to go by bus. This meant changing a bus midway and then taking another to the Ashram. And how was I going to manage all this! And worse, by evening the roads would have flooded. And how was I to return home in the growing darkness! In growing horror I recollected reading in the newspapers about how the army had been despatched recently with boats to rescue people in the surrounding area! My mind went into overdrive imagining all kinds of obstacles in my return journey. Then I told Swami, 'Look, if You want me to attend that training camp, this rain has to subside. At least by 7 am. Otherwise I'll have to call up our State coordinator and ask her to excuse me'. Having surrendered to His Will, I felt light hearted. I went about my work, getting my husband's breakfast and lunch ready. Unbelievably, I saw that as the clock struck six, the sound of the rain had become significantly less. And as the sun rose, the clouds cleared. And by seven it had completely stopped raining! I made it to Brindavan in good time. I did not have to wait long for either of the buses. I was able to do my session comfortably and help out in a couple of others. My journey home was no less comfortable. I got a bus almost right away. And for the first time in one and a half months, Bangalore did not have rain at all in the evening.

I have realised from my experience how true are Swami's Words when He says:
Take One Step Towards Me And I will Take A Thousand Steps Towards You

I had but taken just that one step as I held on to His Lotus Feet in Surrender, and He had indeed taken those thousand steps and taken care of me all the way!