My spiritual perceptor’

Sri Venkateswaran of our satsang talks about how the Lord led him to Sri Sri Swamiji —

‘It was a sunny day when I visited Yogiramsuratkumar Ashram of Tiruvannamalai two years ago. Yogi was the one of the greatest spiritual Gurus of the 20th century and left his mortal coil in 2002.
Standing before Yogi’s deity, I assiduously prayed to Him to show me a spiritual preceptor (Guru) who can persecute my iniquitous choler and transform me completely than of providing palliative and transitory comfort.
Soon after few days, Yogi appeared in my dream and assured to show me such a luminary. Subsequently I visited Sheshadri Swamigal temple in Chennai. I sat before the deity and closed my eyes, with my usual prayer. There came the inner voice assuring me that a great personality will guide me soon.
After few days (this was about 15 months back), I read about Sri Sri Guruji while reading a book. My intuition said that He is that very person.
My first darshan of Sri Sri Guruji, along with my family members, happened on 20th December 2005. It was about 4:30 pm and we had gone to the Ashram. I prostrated to Sri Guruji and as I looked up to see His face, I could see that it looked like a fully blossomed flower with the ultimate bliss which would make anyone long for His darshan forever. HE was so affable and enquired about my profession and the purpose of my visit. I expressed my intention of finding the spiritual preceptor to purify me. With compassion and grace, He immediately initiated me with a holy hymn.
It was 8’o clock – time to return home. I prostrated before Him and sought His permission. He beamed with a note of approval. As I walked a few steps away from Him, I noticed Him giving a tulsi mala to a devotee as a gift. Out of ignorance, at one fell swoop, I also secretly yearned to get one from Him. What a wonder struck! He called me by name (please behold that was my first visit) and a gifted me a tulsi mala.
Thus He proved that He was already seated in my heart to transform me!’