There are many examples to prove that God exists. The only way to realise His existence is by submitting to Him. A sincere absolute surrender would bring Him to you. Once we submit to the Supreme Lord, He will impart us with knowledge to realise Him, says Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj
Pilot Nikson was flying his plane to locate the defence facilities of the German army during World War I. He was accompanied by his four colleagues all from the air force. They entered German airspace and hid their plane in the clouds to avoid detection. Nikson as pilot wanted a clear view of the defence sites. He took the risk of lowering his plane. Suddenly a jolt shook him. His plane was hit. The German army was firing at their plane, which suddenly was in flames.
Nikson wrote in his biography: “I was a firm non-believer in God. I observed that my burning plane was losing height rapidly and would soon crash. There was no chance of survival. I murmured, ‘If there is any God, save me.’ I went blank after that. I do not know what happened after that. I regained consciousness after a long time. When I recovered a bit, I was told that I remained unconscious for almost 2 months. When I inquired about my colleagues, I was told that somehow the burning plane re-entered the French border and fell with a loud thud. Nothing remained in the place. All were dead. Your pulse was quite slow but running. You were hence taken to the Army hospital in Paris and doctors worked very hard to save you. When all were discussing in detail about the crash, I began to re-collect all the minute details of events. Then I recalled how I had murmured, ‘If there is any God, save me’. A shiver ran in my spine and from that day, I had firm faith in God and His existence.”
He continues to write, “After I was discharged, I began going to church and began inquiring about God from various fathers (priests). I thought that since I know that God exists then I should find Him and talk to Him. I was not satisfied with the answers I got and eventually began reading many holy books. I was still not satisfied. My desire to meet God increased day by day. After all, He saved me that other day and I should meet my saviour. I was advised to visit India to learn further about God. I was informed that sages of ancient India had researched deeply into this topic. I resigned from the Royal Air Force, and came to India to research on God.”
The same pilot Nikson came to India. His complete name was Ronald Nikson and he became known as Professor Nikson in the Lucknow University. He was acquainted with Dr Gyanendra Nath Chakravarty (Vice-Chancellor) as they had met in England earlier and became good friends. Dr Gyanendra appointed Professor Nikson in the English department of Lucknow University.
Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that “I help those, who look for me, sincerely.” Wife of Dr. Chakravarty, Manika Devi was a devotee of Sri Krishna. She taught and explained various Indian scriptures, namely Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Vedanta and Srimad Bhagavatam and eventually initiated him and re-named Ronald Nikson as Sri Krishna-prema. He established a centre at Mirtola (about 10 km from Almora in the state of Uttar Pardesh) under the name, ‘Uttar Vrindavan’. It is said that he realised the Supreme Lord here and used to talk to the Lord. Thus the Lord fulfilled his desire.
The essence of this story is that Pilot Nikson had concluded that he was a firm non-believer in God but he developed firm faith in God with that single incident. This means that God exists. There are many examples to prove that God exists. The only way to realise His existence is by submitting to Him. A sincere absolute surrender would bring Him to you.
For example, to receive some education, we have to submit to a professor or a teacher. Submission means you are accepting that the said professor is more learned than you in that sphere of education, and thus he will impart you with that education once you submit to him. Similarly, once we submit to the Supreme Lord, He will impart us with knowledge to realise Him.
Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj was President-Acharya of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math from 1979 till he left his physical body on April 21, 2017 at the age of 92. For more than six decades, he preached the philosophy of universal unity, travelling the globe to spread his message of transcendental divine love, interacting with theologians of all faiths.
Lovely read. Such stories inspire you. I am a firm believer in God. He helps when it is needed most.
Yes, there is a power that reveals itself if you are aware. It is like trying to find things that you have misplaced. When you make an effort of trying to remember, you start making connections and eventually will remember where had you misplaced your lost item. An effort has to be made from our side . That supreme power is eternal and always there .
Faith paves the way in journey to God. Interesting to note that after his quest in West was not adequately addressed there, he was told to come here.