Dr. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, as a young man, had always wanted to be
a pilot: hence, he applied to join the Indian Air Force. The selection board, however,
did not shortlist the future president of India. Dejected young Kalam wended his way to
Rishikesh, where he met Swami Sivananda of Divine Life society. Kalam recounts this
momentous rendezvous with the renown saint, who has changed and is changing many lives
in this universe, in his celebrated autobiography, "Wings of Fire" (pg. 19):
a pilot: hence, he applied to join the Indian Air Force. The selection board, however,
did not shortlist the future president of India. Dejected young Kalam wended his way to
Rishikesh, where he met Swami Sivananda of Divine Life society. Kalam recounts this
momentous rendezvous with the renown saint, who has changed and is changing many lives
in this universe, in his celebrated autobiography, "Wings of Fire" (pg. 19):
"I bathed in the Ganga and revelled in the purity of its water. Then I walked to the
Sivananda Ashram situated a little way up the hill. I could feel intense vibrations
when I entered. I saw a large number of sadhus seated all around in a state of trance.
I had read that sadhuswere psychic people–people who know things intuitively and, in
my dejected mood, I sought answers to the doubts that troubled me.
Sivananda Ashram situated a little way up the hill. I could feel intense vibrations
when I entered. I saw a large number of sadhus seated all around in a state of trance.
I had read that sadhuswere psychic people–people who know things intuitively and, in
my dejected mood, I sought answers to the doubts that troubled me.
"I met Swami Sivananda–a man who looked like a Buddha, wearing a snow white
dhoti and wooden slippers. He had an olive complexion and black, piercing eyes. I was
struck by his irresistible, almost child-like smile and gracious manner. I introduced
myself to Swamiji. My Muslim name aroused no reaction in him. Before I could speak
any further, he inquired about the source of my sorrow. He offered no explanation
of how he knew that I was sad and I did not ask.
dhoti and wooden slippers. He had an olive complexion and black, piercing eyes. I was
struck by his irresistible, almost child-like smile and gracious manner. I introduced
myself to Swamiji. My Muslim name aroused no reaction in him. Before I could speak
any further, he inquired about the source of my sorrow. He offered no explanation
of how he knew that I was sad and I did not ask.
"I told him about my unsuccessful attempt to join the Indian Air Force and my long
cherished desire to fly. He smiled, washing away all my anxiety almost instantly.
Then he said in a feeble, but very deep voice:
cherished desire to fly. He smiled, washing away all my anxiety almost instantly.
Then he said in a feeble, but very deep voice:
'Desire, when it stems from the heart and spirit, when it is pure and intense,
possesses awesome electromagnetic energy. This energy is released into
the ether each night, as the mind falls into the sleep state. Each morning it
returns to the conscious state reinforced with the cosmic currents. That
which has been imaged will surely and certainly be manifested. You can
rely, young man, upon this ageless promise as surely as you can rely
upon the eternally unbroken promise of sunrise… and of Spring.'
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear–How true! Here was the teacher
to show the way to a student who had nearly gone astray! “Accept your destiny
and go ahead with your life. You are not destined to become an Air Force pilot.
What you are destined to become is not revealed now but it is predetermined.
Forget this failure, as it was essential to lead you to your destined path. Search,
instead, for the true purpose of your existence. Become one with yourself,
my son! Surrender yourself to the wish of God,” Swamiji said.
possesses awesome electromagnetic energy. This energy is released into
the ether each night, as the mind falls into the sleep state. Each morning it
returns to the conscious state reinforced with the cosmic currents. That
which has been imaged will surely and certainly be manifested. You can
rely, young man, upon this ageless promise as surely as you can rely
upon the eternally unbroken promise of sunrise… and of Spring.'
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear–How true! Here was the teacher
to show the way to a student who had nearly gone astray! “Accept your destiny
and go ahead with your life. You are not destined to become an Air Force pilot.
What you are destined to become is not revealed now but it is predetermined.
Forget this failure, as it was essential to lead you to your destined path. Search,
instead, for the true purpose of your existence. Become one with yourself,
my son! Surrender yourself to the wish of God,” Swamiji said.
Source: http://gyanvairagya.blogspot.com/2015/08/abdul-kalam-meets-swami-sivananda.html
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