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Once a silent, withdrawn boy trapped inside his own world, Narasimha has now blossomed like a flower in the nurturing edifice of Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam. His journey has been one of profound transformation and faith.
But this wasn’t always the case. In his early years, Narasimha was diagnosed with a lifelong impaired brain condition that left him disconnected from reality. And so for years a heavy pall of silence hung over the household of Narasimha’s family.
“When he was diagnosed at two years old, it felt like our world came crashing down,” recalled Narasimha’s father solemnly. “The doctors gave us little hope that he would ever lead a normal life.”
“It was utterly devastating,” Narasimha’s father recalled, his eyes clouding over with the painful memories. “One moment he was this joyful, babbling toddler, and the next, it was like someone had blown out his inner light.”
Narasimha retreated into a world inaccessible to those around him. He would sit for hours, unresponsive to his parents’ desperate pleas or his little sister’s attempts at play. Even the simplest tasks like eating or getting dressed became an uphill battle.
“We consulted many doctors but nothing could help him,” his mother said, anguish etched upon her weary face. “The medical experts warned that fluid buildup in his brain could permanently impair his development.”
As Narasimha grew, he wouldn’t respond to anything he was told; he would remain silent and would be by himself most of the time. At six years of age, when he was admitted to school, he failed to grasp anything that was taught and couldn’t learn how to read and write. He wouldn’t even interact with any of the other children and would sit idle by the classroom door. At times, he would get aggressive and the other children, as a result, would keep themselves away from him.
His younger sister had to take care of him both in school and after school while their parents worked hard to make ends meet. Narasimha grew more and more dependent on his mother and sister, even for basic day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing and wearing clothes. His comprehension was challenged and more often than not, he would do the complete opposite of what was asked of him or do nothing at all.
Despite the looming darkness, a flicker of hope refused to extinguish within Narasimha’s parents. When they got an opportunity to work for Sri Sathya Sai Premaarpitham Foundation, they took it with great faith and surrendered to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
“We had exhausted all other options. We weren’t even praying for Narasimha anymore. We had accepted him as he was,” his father admitted. “But something deep within urged us to take up the work at the Foundation, and move to the ashram with our family. “
The Ashram’s Ambience
From the moment they stepped through the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam’s gates, an ineffable sense of peace embraced the family. Here, Narasimha was not seen as a lost cause but as a cherished soul worthy of patience and devotion.
Initially, he remained cocooned in his isolated state, his vacant eyes reflecting no awareness of his new surroundings. But the residents and volunteers enveloped him in a sanctuary of unconditional acceptance.
Weeks melded into months, and slowly, infinitesimally, Narasimha began to stir from his self-imposed exile.
A Blossoming Transformation
The acts of service happening around Narasimha seemed to awaken something dormant within. He began observing and interacting with volunteers, tentatively at first, but soon with growing confidence.
The Sri Sathya Sai Prema Dayini breakfast initiative became his gateway to the world. Narasimha immersed himself in the tasks, his deft hands loading and unloading supplies, his feet falling into step beside the other volunteers. For the first time in years, his parents witnessed their son’s eyes aglow with purpose.
“It was like rediscovering a part of him we thought was lost forever,” his mother shared, her voice thick with emotion. “Each day, we peeled away another layer of the shell encasing our beautiful boy.”
As the months rolled on, Narasimha’s transformation gathered momentum. His movements became surer, his communication slightly more articulate. He blossomed into a selfless helper, tenderly guiding the schoolchildren through the food lines and ensuring every plate was filled with care.
“I can’t keep up with him now!” His sister laughed, her eyes sparkling with pure joy. “He’s always one step ahead, looking for ways to serve.”
His parents looked on with reverence, their son’s once-dimmed spirit now burning with an incandescent radiance. Where doctors had foreseen a life of limitations, the ashram’s nurturing embrace had birthed a brave new reality.
“Words fall short in describing our gratitude,” Narasimha’s father said humbly. “This sacred place has not just returned our son to us; it has unveiled the divine spark that resided within him all along.”
“He is now an inspiration to all of us. No matter what, he is the first one to line for all service activities. He wishes all volunteers a happy Sairam and sometimes even sings Bhajans with us. And we all have been a witness to his transformation in the last year”, shared one of the volunteers.
Like a magnificent lotus emerging from murky depths, Narasimha now stands resplendent in his true essence. The journey from darkness to light had been long, but the colors of his spirit shone more vibrantly than ever before. His transformation – an eternal reminder that miracles do bloom when watered by unconditional love and faith.
