"At times I have had darshan of Shridi Sai Baba in my meditation, and also Swami Sivananda has spoken to me while in meditation. He will come to me and answer my questions."

Ans : In my childhood I was already interested in the spiritual life. My parents were very spiritual; they had satsang, went to bhajans and kirtans and also to ashrams in our place. My siblings were also religiously inclined. As part of a family routine we all had religious observations and worships; it was compulsory in our household. Before going to school we also did our prayers. All this eventually caused me to be interested in being a sannyas. My nature is to be very interested in satsang with swamis-I saw so many monks in my early life. No worldly influences had much control over me; the spiritual life felt like it was working on my like a magnetic power.

I studied engineering, and then got a job in India and later in the Gulf States as a mechanical and construction engineer. During that time my spiritual interest also continued without interruption. I went to mosques and churches as well as temples, because God is the same in all places. Even in my work and living circumstances, worldly influences did not pull me out. I also visited the Sivananda Ashram during this time. My parents wanted me to marry, but I avoided it so many times! I had searched all over India for the proper ashram. Bt 1980, my sister was married and with time my attachment to my home and family lessened. I eventually left my home without saying goodbye and came to Sivananda Ashram. Only later did Swami Chidananda send me home to comfort my mother. After 1985 I came to the Ashram to settle permanently. I chose this Ashram because it is free-no attachment to anything-with no caste consciousness, with a great opportunity for service and satsang. Swami Sivananda's call went all to everyone! In other ashrams they only study, but don't serve anybody. I enjoyed serving and the choice was very easy for me to come to this particular Ashram. It is the best place for Self-realisation. In terms of my adjustment to this new place, it was not so hard. I had already worked in places with colder weather, so this was not so much of a change. The different food also was not at all difficult to accustom myself to. In the same way, although Hindi is not my native language, I had learned Hindi along the way so I could speak to the people here.

Even in childhood I was interested in sannyas-everything to do with it was attractive to me. In 1991 Swami Chidananda agreed to give me sannyas. This changed everything-I am another man since then. God-realisation is more possible in these robes, as one changes in the eyes of others, and one is treated with more respect. I find that I feel quite content; I don't have a desire for this thing or that thing, and I also don't need to go here and there.

As regards my sadhana, I do japa with the beads, I do puja in my room, study (Bhagavatam, Gita, Vishnusahasranam, Lalita Sahasranam, Swamiji's books), and I also do meditation in the early morning on OM. After a few minutes I get good concentration meditation. At times I have had darshan of Shridi Sai Baba in my meditation, and also Swami Sivananda has spoken to me while in meditation. He will come to me and answer my questions. I had the idea to go out of the Ashram on my own, but he told me to see my work as meditation and remain here. I'm able to do internal japa while working. If any negativity comes, one can just do japa practice and the unhelpful thoughts will go.