Excerpt from Sai Rapture, The Ecstatic Journey of a Modern Day Gopi by Sonya Ki Tomlinson
MADURAI
During my conversation with Professor Bhaskar, he encouraged me to visit the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. And so boarding a public bus for Madurai, I bid goodbye to the exhilarating beauty of Kodaikanal. O the sweet leelas of the Lord!
Madurai, the “City of Temples,” is about three hours from Kodaikanal. The Meenakshi Temple is a resplendent testament to the glorious stories and leelas of God. As I entered this ancient and venerated temple, I could sense a tremendous fount of Cosmic energy suffusing the atmosphere.
Intricately carved, sculpted architecture and artwork depicting Vedic lore, culture and philosophy sanctified and exalted every square inch of the temple. I felt the hand of Sai leading me through the myriad sacred portals. First, to the Shiva temple, where the priest noticing my rudraksha mala, inquired about it. “Gayatri,” I responded. He chanted some prayers for myself and my family and gave me vibhuti. From there I visited other awe-inspiring shrines.
I finally took rest and meditated on the steps of the Golden Lotus tank, an open roofed courtyard surrounding a tranquil lotus pond. Quite unexpectedly, a garland of hamsa-white garbed young men descended on the steps in front of me. I noticed a picture of Swami shimmering in between them. “OM SAI RAM!” I gushed, thrilled to the core. “Sai Ram!” they responded in unison, “We are Swami's students returning from Kodaikanal.” We exchanged a few pleasantries; then, of course, I had to take their photograph. They were so extraordinarily beautiful. Holy halos radiated from their magnificent and noble brows. Baba's Bangarus! Dedicated and united in His mission of Love, Peace, Truth, Dharma, Unity and Global transformation. Sai Avatar has said: “The dust of my students feet will trans- form the world.”
In the slide show presented here this privileged group of students from the Sri Sathya Sai University was granted the divine opportunity to stay with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during His trip to Kodaikanal in 2009.
They visited the Meenakshi Temple after leaving Kodaikanal. In this surprise leela photo, Swami allowed us to meet on the sacred steps of that revered sanctuary.
After receiving their permission, I photographed the group of very blessed Souls.
MADURAI
During my conversation with Professor Bhaskar, he encouraged me to visit the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. And so boarding a public bus for Madurai, I bid goodbye to the exhilarating beauty of Kodaikanal. O the sweet leelas of the Lord!
Madurai, the “City of Temples,” is about three hours from Kodaikanal. The Meenakshi Temple is a resplendent testament to the glorious stories and leelas of God. As I entered this ancient and venerated temple, I could sense a tremendous fount of Cosmic energy suffusing the atmosphere.
Intricately carved, sculpted architecture and artwork depicting Vedic lore, culture and philosophy sanctified and exalted every square inch of the temple. I felt the hand of Sai leading me through the myriad sacred portals. First, to the Shiva temple, where the priest noticing my rudraksha mala, inquired about it. “Gayatri,” I responded. He chanted some prayers for myself and my family and gave me vibhuti. From there I visited other awe-inspiring shrines.
I finally took rest and meditated on the steps of the Golden Lotus tank, an open roofed courtyard surrounding a tranquil lotus pond. Quite unexpectedly, a garland of hamsa-white garbed young men descended on the steps in front of me. I noticed a picture of Swami shimmering in between them. “OM SAI RAM!” I gushed, thrilled to the core. “Sai Ram!” they responded in unison, “We are Swami's students returning from Kodaikanal.” We exchanged a few pleasantries; then, of course, I had to take their photograph. They were so extraordinarily beautiful. Holy halos radiated from their magnificent and noble brows. Baba's Bangarus! Dedicated and united in His mission of Love, Peace, Truth, Dharma, Unity and Global transformation. Sai Avatar has said: “The dust of my students feet will trans- form the world.”
In the slide show presented here this privileged group of students from the Sri Sathya Sai University was granted the divine opportunity to stay with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during His trip to Kodaikanal in 2009.
They visited the Meenakshi Temple after leaving Kodaikanal. In this surprise leela photo, Swami allowed us to meet on the sacred steps of that revered sanctuary.
After receiving their permission, I photographed the group of very blessed Souls.
