A Divine Connection in Medicine – Dr. Sarat Chandra Pingali's Encounter with Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A Reunion after 24 Years, Rekindled by Sai's Grace

Life, in its mysterious wisdom, sometimes binds us with invisible threads that span decades—threads woven by the Divine Hand. Recently, I had the blessing of reconnecting with Dr. Sarat Chandra Pingali, an accomplished oncology surgeon based in Bangalore, and two years my junior from medical school.

He reached out to me after reading my blog post: “Sathya Sai Baba’s Interview to Doctors Group.” To my utter surprise, he was part of that very group that had the fortune of receiving darshan (divine sight), sparshan (divine touch), and sambhashan (divine discourse) from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

After 24 long years, we spoke again—this time, not just as medical professionals, but as spiritual siblings, reflecting on divine guidance, life’s purpose, and the privilege of serving both science and spirituality. What Dr. Sarat shared stirred my soul and reaffirmed how truly fortunate I was to have been a student in Swami's care and a recipient of His divine love.

A Soul-Stirring First Encounter with the Avatar

Dr. Sarat shared that his first visit to Puttaparthi occurred when he was still a young, unsure medical student. During the group interview, Swami looked him straight in the eyes, smiled knowingly, and asked:

"What are you studying?"

Before he could respond, Baba remarked:

“You didn’t get good marks last year. Study well.”

Though stunned into a near trance by the sheer energy of the moment, the deeper meaning of those words surfaced later. A year before this interview, Dr. Sarat had earnestly prayed at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Visakhapatnam, saying:

“Baba, if You are truly God, please ensure I pass this exam.”

And now, another form of Baba—Sathya Sai—had gently reminded him:

“I heard your prayer. I acted upon it.”

This moment unveiled a profound spiritual truth:

“Forms may differ, but the Tattwa—the Divine Essence—is One.”

This was not just reassurance; it was initiation into spiritual maturity. That moment anchored Dr. Sarat’s inner journey—a journey that would continue to unfold through dreams, intuitions, and divine interventions.

The Power of Darshan, Sparshan, Sambhashan

Swami’s physical presence catalyzed something beyond intellectual belief—it awakened direct spiritual experience.

• Darshan opened the inner eye.

• Sparshan recharged the physical and subtle bodies.

• Sambhashan ignited clarity and conviction.

  
  

Dr. Sarat described it as a moment of transmission, where His look pierced every doubt, and the words—though few—dislodged years of uncertainty.

This directly echoes a key verse from the Gita:

“Wherever you place your trust, there lies the gateway to the Infinite.”

That gateway had opened in Sarat’s life—leading not just to surgical excellence, but to a life attuned to divine promptings.

Dreams that Guide, Seva that Heals

In the years that followed, Swami didn’t remain a distant figure. He continued to appear in dreams, especially during critical junctures of Dr. Sarat’s life—sometimes guiding, sometimes affirming, and always protecting.

After completing his super-specialization in surgical oncology, he moved to Bangalore but faced uncertainty in his career. In that delicate window, he received an opportunity to serve at Swami’s Super-Speciality Hospital.

He was torn—caught between practical hesitations and his love for Baba. But eventually, love won. He surrendered to seva.

At the hospital, he performed two significant surgeries:

• A thyroidectomy

• A hemicolectomy

  
  

These weren’t merely procedures—they were offerings. Each incision, each suture, each sterile step taken in the operating theater became an act of devotion, a tribute to the One who had set his life on course.

Divine Echoes: Mirrored Moments in Bangalore

After his service at Puttaparthi, Dr. Sarat returned to Bangalore. Within days, he was offered a position at a reputed hospital.

What followed gave me goosebumps: The first two surgeries he performed at his new hospital were again—a thyroidectomy and a hemicolectomy.

Coincidence?

Or Divine Confirmation?

To me, this was Swami’s silent, powerful message:

“Every act of seva offered to Me with love, I return with grace multiplied.”

It reminded me of the truth that every genuine offering is received. Not always with visible fanfare—but through synchronicities, signs, and soul-deep affirmations.

As our scriptures mention:

“Seva offered to God never goes unnoticed. The hands that serve in His name are blessed with strength, precision, and protection.”

A Message to All Healers – Walk in Faith, Serve in Love

Dr. Sarat’s story isn’t just a tale of spiritual transformation—it is a call to every medical professional: to remember that healing begins within.

In our busy, science-driven lives, we may forget the invisible presence walking beside us. But His message echoes through time:

“Why fear, when He is here?”

“You take one step toward Him, and He will take ten steps toward you.”

“Love All. Serve All.”

In our most anxious nights and decision-heavy days, let this be our mantra.

References & Inspirations

• Personal communication with Dr. Sarat Chandra Pingali (May 2025)

• “Sathya Sai Baba’s Interview to Doctors Group” – MysticDoc Blog

• Sai Satcharitra – Chapters 13, 25, 32