We are all grateful for the services rendered by the many children of AMMA in Jillellamudi and worldwide. Unfortunately, the COVID took some of the best away from us. The July issue of Viswajanani reminded me of the fact that we are fortunate to have known these divine people who lived among us as human beings while serving AMMA. We are ever grateful to those great departed souls. The article by Dr. S.V. Subba Rao annayya in the July issue inspired me to share my little story, one small pebble in the beach of AMMA’s service.
This incident happened on April 18th, 1972, morning at 10.50AM near the Kazipet bus stand. I was waiting for the bus to head back to Hyderabad. I was talking to my friends Mohan and Sridhar, keeping my right foot on the last step of the bus, my left foot on the ground, and holding the access bar of the bus with my right hand. The bus was supposed to leave at 10.00AM, and we had ten more minutes. Unexpectedly, without honking or giving any warning, the bus quickly gave a jerk and lounged forward. As a result of this sudden move, my left foot caught between the metal edge of the last step and a bump on the ground.
Ouch, I lost four toes in the left foot instantly. The metal plate of the last step pierced through my foot and my chappal. I jumped off the bus and pulled my left foot back. I still remember seeing a part of my chappal and the big toe and three more toes lying there away from my left foot. I was bleeding heavily, and no handkerchief could hold it back. The bus stopped as everyone yelled at the driver and ran in front of the bus to stop it. Immediately, I was taken to the Warangal General Hospital for emergency surgery by my two friends. First, the hospital doctors did the first aid to stop the bleeding right away. Then I was taken to the surgery ward to trim the exposed toes. I was under the influence of anesthesia for the rest of the day and did not feel any pain. My whole left foot was numb until the next morning. I believe, ifI am not mistaken, it is common for body parts to go numb after a significant accident like what I had and it is called stress-induced analgesia, I believe. I am not medically trained to comment, but that is my experience.
On April 19th afternoon, I slowly started feeling the sensation in my left foot without the toes. Unfortunately, along with the sensation also came pain. I was given some painkillers so that I may sleep that night. On April 20th, the pain gradually became unbearable. Pain killers were not helping anymore. Only so much I can cry, loudly or silently. My friend Mohan was with me singing my favorite Hindi (from the movie Amar Prem, etc.) and Telugu songs (he is a very good singer) and holding my hand so that I may forget the pain. I forgot to mention that I always carried AMMA Kumkum in my wallet, and I still do. It was so painful that even the breeze from the ceiling fan or natural breeze was hurting. When the pain became so unbearable beyond my ability to hold or the pain killer, I asked AMMA,
“AMMA, you took my toes. That is ok. Can you take this pain too?”
Thanks to AMMA’s blessing, I cried as much or as little as I could and slowly slipped into a sleep that evening. I was probably too exhausted to stay awake. The next day I was taken to Hyderabad for further treatment and skin grafting.
Let us fast forward to August 8th, 2021. Almost fifty years later (2022 is the 50th year), I can share with all of you that that is the last day I ever felt any pain in my left foot. I lived almost 50 years without ever experiencing any pain in my left foot. Do we need any more proof of AMMA’s blessings? I don’t need any – but others may. Most of us may have experienced this. Sometimes, we accidentally hit a post or the leg of a bed or a table, and the big toe really hurts. AMMA was and is always protecting my left foot as I begged her for she is always with me and protecting me.
Within four months of the accident, I started attending university classes pursuing my M.Sc. degree. I was traveling in a rickshaw to the university campus and walking with the aid of a cane. Two more months later. I started going back to my RSS shakhas (Saraswathi Shakha and Sankaracharya Shakha in Vidyanagar Area, Hyderabad)and started slowly doing yoga and Surya namaskars. Eventually, I was riding my bicycle to go to the shakha and never experienced any pain in my left foot – which has AMMA’s shield.
In May 1975, I left for the USA to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, even after three years of the surgery, my walking was not exactly right. Doctors told me that I might not walk properly as I am missing some toes, including the big toe. In the USA, I took up jogging to strengthen my left foot, and I ran about 10 miles (about 16kms) three times a week.
That is the height of my ignorance and stupidity. One more time, AMMA showed HER mercy on me. Sometimes, there was a little bleeding from jogging injuries in my left foot but NEVER an iota of pain. In other words,
I was troubling AMMA to take care of my foot while I was punishing it with my rigorous jogging schedule. I beg for AMMA’s forgiveness for my ignorance. My best speed was 9.34 miles an hour in a 10K marathon. May I have to say, AMMA was catching the brunt of my grueling jogging schedule, not my body. Doctors told me I couldn’t walk straight – but I ran 10 miles (16kms). Jaya ho matha
I traveled to 22 countries for my research and teaching. Yes, I did 108 pradakshinas for Hyma Akkayya in 2018 (interestingly, my friend Mohan was there with me again in Jillellamudi, counting the numbers), and I climbed up the seven hills of Tirumala three times since 1972. Still, I never felt any pain at any time in my left foot since it has AMMA’s shield on it.
I thank AMMA every day and every night for being with me forever. I believe AMMA is carrying the burden of my prayers, and SHE is the real cushion of my foot absorbing all the pain so that I don’t have to. How can I thank AMMA for this kindness which I do not deserve?
Yes, Dr. Subba Rao annayya is right when he said AMMA is the real doctor and medication is just her instrument.
AMMA – THE GUARDIAN
AMMA helps and protects us in many ways: some are known and some are – unknown. Yes, SHE doesn’t give all we ask, and SHE gives whatever SHE wants and whatever we need and deserve.
This incident happened on May 30th. 2018- after the Memorial Day weekend. We just celebrated the wedding of our second son, Sameek Arkesh named after our Arkapuri, with Chi. Sow. Aditi, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Harish and Pushpa garu of Bengaluru. Chi. Aditi was supposed to receive her visa in 6-8 months. Unfortunately, because of the closure of the US Embassy, she received her visa only ten days before the wedding. Fortunately, all went well. We celebrated the wedding in Columbus, OH, where we lived for over 10 years, and my nephew Vinay Cherulupally and his wife, Dr. Sunitha, also live in Columbus.
After the wedding, I traveled back to Denver, Colorado, where we live, with my wife Daya and my eldest sister Mrs. Satya Kumari. We landed around 1.00 AM in Denver, and we faced thunderstorms and hail. We had six large suitcases and three carry-on suitcases filled with wedding gifts and personal jewelry. My wife Daya put all her jewelry in one suitcase And did not lock it as it was a direct flight from went from Columbus to Denver. Since it was 1.00 AM, We rushed to get home, loading all our suitcases in my minivan.
The next morning, I went to work and Daya started emptying all the suitcases. She quickly jumped and started crying loudly. The carry-on suitcase with all the wedding jewelry was missing. She looked everywhere and had no luck. She called me at work. I drove home as fast as I could and we both went to the airport right away. We went to the Lost and Found counter at the airport. Fortunately, the carry-on suitcase had the Ohio State University logo on it. We recognized the suitcase immediately. We were relieved as the suitcase was found, but we had to do the necessary paperwork first. Daya was worried because the suitcase was unlocked and it had all the wedding jewelry in it. We quickly opened the suitcase. We were delighted to see AMMA’s photo sitting on top of the clothes and jewelry in the suitcase as we kept it in Columbus. Nothing was touched. We walked up to a safe place and checked everything. All things were in place, and all the wedding jewelry was untouched. AMMA’s photo was on the top and we believe SHE is the one protecting them.
We are ever grateful to AMMA for saving the incredible memories of the wedding and the jewelry of the bride and family. AMMA made her presence known one more time.
Jaya ho mata