My family has been practicing ayurvedic medicine for over four generations. My uncle, P Narayana Vaidyar, a physician from my family line, was a devotee of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore, Karnataka State. In 1970, my uncle and group of ten devotees was the organizing committee, who welcomed Sri Swamiji on His inaugural trip of Kerala. As I was in his practice, I also accompanied him. None in the committee knew how to welcome Sri Swamiji, so we organized a little reception for Him.
We bought a garland from a person on the street and presented it to Him; He took the garland and placed in on a chair. That garland given to Sri Swamiji, somehow vanished before our eyes and in its place, a beautiful Tulasi garland appeared, which He gave to my uncle. At that moment we had the experience of Sri Swamiji’s power. Sri Swamiji spent that Sivarathri night with us. There were about twenty-five devotees. We sang bhajans throughout the entire night. The next morning Sri Swamiji had Bhiksha and He left our town. My uncle used to be a devotee of Sri Sathya Baba before and since Sri Swamiji left that day He became devoted to Him.
 Kerala has a smaller population than Andhra Pradesh and so the numbers of devotees were smaller, but the ones that are here would do anything for Sri Swamiji. As time went by, the number of devotees grew and a devotee, Sivan Pillai, donated some lands to Sri Swamiji, on the banks of the Periyar River, where the Cochin Ashrama was established. A majestic Ashrama, it houses an Ayurvedic Clinic amongst its buildings.
In my association with Sri Swamiji I have acquired a special capacity and profound capabilities in my profession, as an Ayurvedic doctor. On one of His visit to Girinagar, Sri Swamiji stayed at Rama Swami’s house and I was invited there. He called me, and in front of all present and said to me that He was not feeling well and He wanted some medicine. Later when He returned from a house visit I gave Him the medicine. This was the first time I did this and since then whenever He visits He asks me for medication. Then He tells the devotees that I am a good Ayurvedic doctor whom He has given special powers.
This proved correct, for sometimes when I give medicine to patients they would say that their ailments would completely disappear. I gave all the credit to Him for it is Him healing these patients through me. Upon the instructions from Sri Swamiji I performed many poojas to Lord Dhanvantari, the Lord of Health, in the Mysore Ashrama. After the poojas, the prasadam was distributed to devotees.
From the blessings of Sri Swamiji, I work at the P.N.V.M. Hospital and Research Center as an Ayurvedic Physician and my son owns and operates an Ayurvedic pharmacy.  Through His grace, we have been conducting physical and vision medical camps for about four hundred patients’ monthly, and dispensing medicine free of charge. I am now eighty years old and not moving around as before but I go to His ashram and conduct these medical camps.
From the inspiration of Sri Swamiji I prepared some Ayurvedic Medicine, which is new and cannot be found anywhere else. I have given this medicine to patients, free of charge and their various ailments were brought under control, weight-loss, blood pressure and diabetes. Sri Swamiji is healing His children through our works. The amazing thing about this is that I give the medicine, free of charge, and I always have sufficient money to live. The money comes from donations from patients or other strange ways.  Sri Swamiji even takes care of the financial aspects of me and my family.
Some time ago I visited the Mysore Ashrama and I was sitting in the hall waiting for Sri Swamiji to perform the Poornahuti. When He arrived instead of going to the Homa Kunda He looked at me and said. “Come here, Vaidyar!” I went to Him and He gave me this raksha to wear on my neck and said, “You must wear this because your life is in danger.” Since I put that raksha on I feel like I can do anything, where before I used to feel weak and did not want to do anything. Now I am keeping well, feeling healthy and have no fear of anything.
Later, when Sri Swamiji visited the Cochin Ashrama, I was doing Pada Pooja to Him and I told Him that I have nothing to tell or ask of Him for; He knows everything. He said that He is here and He is there. Sri Swamiji knew of the danger in my life and gave me protection without me even knowing. He has extended my life and all I want to do is serve Him. By His blessings I have the strength to work and I am now translating a book into another language.
Once when Sri Swamiji visited Cochin He was attending an inauguration function and He sent someone to get me at my office. He honored me in public saying that I was an old devotee. Then recently I visited Sri Swamiji and attended the music concert which He was conducting. He called me up on the stage and was honoring me with praises. I remained with Him and Sri Datta Vijaya Ananda Swami for more than two hours. We were photographed together. Sri Swamiji was displaying His special affection He has for me. I strongly believe that Sri Swamiji is taking care of me and my family. We are in His heart and He is in ours. I believe Him when He told me, “I am with you why should you fear.” At times when I get into distressed situations, I go to sleep and Sri Swamiji would come into my dreams and perform poojas for me and the next day the situation will be much better.
Sri Swamiji cannot be explained. He has to be experienced. I used to read books, sing bhajans etc but I did not get that spiritual connection with Sri Swamiji. I began sitting quietly in the early hours of the morning and think of Him. By His grace a spiritual connection was made. As time went by I didn’t have to sit and think of Him to make a connection anymore, I keep Him in my thoughts each moment of my life and so when I think, He thinks, I work, He works. Who am I?  Who is He?  We are one! Jaya Guru Datta