Incidentally the name Silicon Valley is a misnomer. It is not a valley but stretches for miles and miles, with famous companies located on both sides of the Freeway 101 No wonder Bay Area is full of Indians, especially San Jose and the surrounding areas like Sunnyvale and Fremont.
We reached San Jose at the temple spot by 9.15 a.m. for Kakad Arati at 9.30 a.m. But the place did not appear like a temple .It was more like a residential apartment located in a residential area. And the place was closed.Sai tried contacting the contact person Meera Sai but her phone did not respond. We were really perplexed .I was a little upset firstly because the place did not appear like a temple and secondly we had brought Stephanie's ring to be blessed by Baba, in the temple .It was disappointing to say the least, after a one and a half hour drive.
We did not know as to what to do. Should we go and have breakfast somewhere close by or should we go to another Shirdi Sai Temple in Freemont which was slightly far away. At any rate, the Freemont temple timing was 11 o'clock. And the Saravana Bhavan restaurant (of Chennai fame) opening time was also 11 o'clock .In the meanwhile ,Sai tried to speak to the person who had given him this address but she was not answering. I was quite upset. And started concentrating on Swami. Seeing my closed eyes Sai asked me whether I was sleeping and I told him "No, concentrating on Swami".
I was not very happy at this obstacle as I considered it a bad omen as we had come with a specific purpose of getting Stephanie's ring blessed .We had spent almost 45 minutes debating, when we got a call from Meera Sai asking us to come . Although we were a little skeptical because we did not find a temple like structure, we went in nevertheless.
As we entered the Kalpatharu Sai Nilayam I saw the amazing life like statue of Shirdi Sai , exactly like Shirdi and behind him were large life size photographs of our beloved Swami .A chair had had been kept for Swami to sit and on the chair was Swami's robe. The atmosphere was electrifying. There was absolute silence. Sai Meera, a middle aged Divine lady who opened the door, herself silently beckoned us in. And as we stood in front of both the Swamis with my hairs standing, I broke down and wept. Tears come into my eyes even as I type these words. The experience was so thrilling, so full of Ananda, so full of Bliss that I cannot describe it in so many words. The experience was overwhelming. I sobbed like a child, unable to digest the Ananda, as Sai tried to comfort me ,for I never expected such Divine vibrations and was completely taken back.
The Kakad Arati song was on in the backgound.Meera Sai handed over the Arati to Latha. She continued to take the Arati and then handed over the same to Sai to continue as I kept crying. And in tears I continued to take the Arati ,overjoyed at the turn of events. And I knew that Swami had approved the entry of Stephanie into our family .Latha had already taken out the ring and kept it at the Lotus feet of Shirdi Sai when we had entered.
After the Arati was over, Meera Sai took the ring from Shirdi Sai's Lotus feet and lovingly touched it against Baba's hands and showed it in front of His eyes and handed over the ring to Latha and asked us "Engagement"?We said "Yes". "When?" she asked and we said "Tomorrow" .And I cried once again. She asked me in Hindi "Arre why are you crying?" And I said "Tears of happiness". Then she asked "where is the girl from?" We said "she is an American". "Devotee?" she asked. We said "No". Then she said "You mean not yet!"
Then we sat down and Meera Sai narrated as to how she had met with an accident and died, only to be brought back to life by Swami and renamed by Him as Meera Sai; how she was in Prasanthi Nilayam for several years before Swami asked her to go back to San Francisco; how Swami keeps visiting the Kalpatharu Nilayam; how this Nilayam is a wish fulfilling Nilayam; and how whatever is asked for by devotees is granted by Swami and hence the name Kalpatharu meaning wish fulfilling. She told us to be careful in asking Swami, as whatever we want He grants!
I knew that what I wanted would be granted by Swami; my son and Stephanie's happiness and the construction of a temple in San Francisco where both Shirdi and Sathya Sai can be worshipped by devotees. And the experience had confirmed this beyond any doubt. Meera Sai also talked about the Kakad Arati and as to how she saw my face on Shirdi Sai's face as she took the Kakad Arati which further gave me confirmation of Swami's presence and approval of my prayers. After spending almost one and half hours we left Kalpatharu Nilayam drenched in Swami and Meera Sai's love.
From there we went to another Shirdi Sai temple in Freemont. Here the idol of Shirdi Sai was smaller in size. We got the privilege of taking Arati here also. But after the moving experience which Swami gave us in Kalpatharu Nilayam here Swami gave us a calm and cool darshan .From there we went to Saravana Bhavan. Just like the Saravana Bhavan in Chennai. Food was very good. I had a Thali and Sai and Latha had some Uthappam etc.
The next day was the day of the Proposal (01 Jun).Sai wanted to keep the function a secret from Stephanie. So he went out in the morning and took her around .Anu, Harsha, Raja and Teja picked Latha and me from Mill valley and we all proceeded to the Italian restaurant near Tiburon, where Sai had organised the party. It was a small get together for Sai's friends and Stephanie's childhood friends. It was a very pleasant function. We had collected the cake from Safeway- the supermarket close to our home and we had also picked up some balloons and a bouquet for Stephanie.
On the cake was written "Will you marry me Steph ?".The cake was opened and Sai put the ring on her finger!!There was happiness and joy all around. Betty and Natalie, Stephanie's sister had also come.Sai's friends had brought two bottles of costly champagne as a celebration .Earlier we all had some excellent Italian food. The system here is very good. From a list of items Sai had decided two days in advance as to what he wanted for the function .This was printed and kept on each guest's seat and each one ordered what they wanted .No buffet style which we are used to, in India. Also if somebody ordered what was not in the menu they were supposed to pay for it!
Once the party was over Stephanie came alongwith us home . When she left she embraced Latha and said " Bye Mom". Next was my turn . She embraced me and said " Bye Dad." I also said "Bye my child".It was very sweet of her to say that .
Attended Bhajan in Brian's place located in Larkspur right on top of a hill .We had to find our way through winding roads and enchanting woods before we could locate it. His place is not very far away though .The Bhajan session was excellent as usual. We had some excellent sandwiches and cold cocoa in a restaurant "In-n-Out". The Mexican Burrito in "Taco Bel" a Fast food restaurant is also very good, something like subji and cooked rice rolled into Maida chapattis!
We informed all relatives from our first circle about Sai's engagement. The next step is marriage and we have started debating the pros and cons of having the marriage in SFO versus in India.
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