23. Lethal Poison of Unknown Nature - Life Saved with Medical Attention

The team of doctors including ayurveda specialist and toxicologists diagnosed His Divine Holiness with ingested lethal poison of unknown nature given orally. The unknown poison seemed to be a mixed concoction of harmful chemicals. It had medium but severe exposure into the body with a risk to heart, GI (GastroIntestinal) tract and nervous system functioning.

The next day devotees who had gathered for His Birth Star celebration were eagerly expecting Him for a public discourse. The disciples managed to pacify the devotees by engaging them in different temple rituals, ceremonies and cultural programs.

His Divine Holiness endures 48 hours of trauma

Meanwhile, in the next 24 hours, a series of life-saving medical treatments continued to excrete out the toxins from the body. Intravenous fluids were given to retain body fluids. He had vomited four times in first four hours. Shortly the medicines and detoxification started working and vomiting stopped. However His body continued to sweat profusely for a full day. His Divine Holiness was kept under constant medical observation for the next 48 hours after which He came out of danger.

Source of poison confirmed

During such functions His Divine Holiness sits for long duration attending to people individually, without having any meal. It was the same on that day too. It was beyond any doubt that the juice offered to His Divine Holiness was a lethal poison. His Divine Holiness had taken only a sip of that poisonous juice. Had even half a glass of that poison been consumed, or had the diagnosis and treatment been delayed or wrongly done, death would have been inevitable in the traumatic 48 hours that He had endured.

His close disciples were shocked to hear about the poisoning, and were completely broken when they realized that 'someone was wanting to kill their beloved Guru'. Immense pain and terror entered their innocent lives. They could not reconcile that a planned conspiracy to kill their beloved Guru was executed so easily.

A written complaint was given to the police.

His personal physician, Dr. Sri Nithya Pranananda recollects, "It was the most shocking incident in my life. I could not bear to see him gasping for breath, vomiting and unable to even stand straight without support. He was in severe pain with his body poisoned and fighting for his life. The only thing I could think of was - why would anyone want to kill Swamiji? He is the person who has been healing people and giving life to people. I am devastated and pained even now when I recollect the battling hours we spent in trying to save His life….."