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==Biography==
==Biography==
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{{More|Bibliography of Sathya Sai Baba}}
{{More|Bibliography of Sathya Sai Baba}}
'''Sathyanarayana Raju''' was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju (with the family name of "Ratnakaram")<ref>Haraldsson, Erlendur, Miracles are my visiting cards - An investigative inquiry on Sathya Sai Baba, (1997 revised and updated edition published by Sai Towers, Prasanthi Nilayam, India) ISBN 81-86822-32-1 page 55:</ref> in the remote village of [[Puttaparthi]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India.<ref>http://www.saicanada.org/docs/common/Who%20Is%20Sai%20Baba.pdf</ref> His mother Eswaramma, an ardent devotee of the deity 'SathyaNarayana', performed Sathyanarayana Vratam every full moon day before his birth and hence he was given the name Sathyanarayana ("Sathya" is Sanskrit for Truth and "Narayana" is a name for Vishnu).<ref name="chennaionline.com">http://archives.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Articles/epicstory26.asp</ref><ref name="murphetman"/><ref name="wonderm">http://www.vahini.org/sss/i/wonderm.html</ref>
'''Sathyanarayana Raju''' was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju (with the family name of "Ratnakaram")<ref>Haraldsson, Erlendur, Miracles are my visiting cards - An investigative inquiry on Sathya Sai Baba, (1997 revised and updated edition published by Sai Towers, Prasanthi Nilayam, India) ISBN 81-86822-32-1 page 55:</ref> in the remote village of [[Puttaparthi]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India.<ref>http://www.saicanada.org/docs/common/Who%20Is%20Sai%20Baba.pdf</ref> His mother Eswaramma, an ardent devotee of the deity 'SathyaNarayana', performed Sathyanarayana Vratam every full moon day before his birth and hence he was given the name Sathyanarayana ("Sathya" is Sanskrit for Truth and "Narayana" is a name for Vishnu).<ref name="chennaionline.com">http://archives.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Articles/epicstory26.asp</ref><ref name="murphetman"/><ref name="wonderm">http://www.vahini.org/sss/i/wonderm.html</ref>

Revision as of 02:43, 30 December 2009

Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba in the 1990s

Sathya Sai Baba (pronounced /sæt jæ saɪ bæ bæ/) (Telugu: సత్య సాయిబాబా), (born Sathyanarayana Raju on 23 November 1926 [1]) is a South Indian guru, religious figure, and educator. He is described by his devotees as an avatar, godman [2], spiritual teacher, and miracle worker.[1][3][4] He has said that he is the reincarnation of the fakir and saint, Sai Baba of Shirdi,[5] often recounting extensive and detailed accounts of the fakir's life.[5][6][7] He is also a singer, writer and poet.[8]

The Sathya Sai Organization reports that there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries worldwide.[9][10] The number of active Sathya Sai Baba adherents was estimated in 1999 to be around 6 million, although followers cite anywhere from 50 to 100 million.[11]

Biography

Further information: Bibliography of Sathya Sai Baba

Sathyanarayana Raju was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju (with the family name of "Ratnakaram")[12] in the remote village of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India.[13] His mother Eswaramma, an ardent devotee of the deity 'SathyaNarayana', performed Sathyanarayana Vratam every full moon day before his birth and hence he was given the name Sathyanarayana ("Sathya" is Sanskrit for Truth and "Narayana" is a name for Vishnu).[14][15][16] Narayana Kasturi, in his biography of Sathya Sai Baba narrated that when Sathyanarayana Raju was born, musical instruments in the household started playing music on their own.[17][18] Eswaramma also described about a paranormal experience of being engulfed in blue light and Sathyanarayana being born of immaculate conception.[19][20]

As per Kasturi’s biography, Sathya Narayana Raju was totally averse to non-vegetarian food. He kept away from places where pigs, sheep, cattle, or fowl were killed or tortured, or where fish were trapped or caught. At the tender years of three and four he used to cry and make his sisters serve food to beggars. He was pet of the entire village of Puttaparthi.[17] He was precocious child learning by himself and quicker than other children.[18] His playmates called him, 'Guru' and he was called Brahmajnani, a "Realized Soul", by the neighbors, as he comforted friends in distress.[21] He was an avid composer of poems, songs and plays. He was even writing songs for the village opera at the age of eight.[15] There were numerous stories of plays, poems, dances and songs he wrote as a child.[22].

Kasturi stated that his teacher Sri V.C. Kondappa, recalled how he would gather boys around him and 'took' out things from empty bag. The empty bag often produced "delectable sweets, pencils, pieces of rubber, toys, flowers and fruits."[22] When he was ten years of age, Sathya formed in Puttaparthi a Pandhari Bhajan Group, or a group of carollers, for the presentation of songs of love and devotion to God."[22]

Sathyam, as Sathya Sai Baba refers to himself during those times, attended the local school in Puttaparthi until third standard. "After advancing to the fourth standard, it became necessary to go to the school in Bukkapatnam since the school in Puttaparthi did not offer studies beyond the third."[23] From the age of eight, Satynanarayana Raju attended the higher elementary school in Bukkapatnam.[15] Upon his grandfather Kondama Raju request he lived with him for some time helping him with household duties and chores (cooking, cleaning etc.) ...[23] In class, he said the morning prayers, and also taught the local children and villagers how to read and write.[23]

On 8 March 1940, Sathya was stung by a "big black scorpion."[24] "He fell as though unconscious and became stiff. He did not speak and his breathing became faint."[24] He was given medical attention and by the next morning the doctor said that he "was out of danger."[24]
Within the next few days there was a noticeable change in Sathya's behavior.[24] Concerned, his brother "wrote his parents that Sathya was not answering anyone who spoke to him and that it was a Herculean task to make him accept food. He told them Sathya was spending his time mostly in silence, sometimes bursting into song and poetry, sometimes reciting long Sanskrit verses, sometimes expounding the philosophic wisdom of ancient India."[24] Doctors believed it to be hysteria, but "the symptoms of laughing and weeping, eloquence and silence continued."[24]
Within the week, they came and brought Sathya home to Puttaparthi.[25] "The parents were disheartened", says Kasturi, "and watched his behavior with increasing fear."[24] They brought him to many priests, 'doctors' and exorcists.[24] "Since the first reaction to an illness in any village is usually to fear that it is the result of some ... spirit's taking hold of the patient",[24] many severe treatments were performed to force the 'spirits' out.[25][24] Sai Baba says, "I submitted Myself to all this torture without demur."[25] During one anguishing visit to one of the 'doctors', says Sai Baba, "Venkamma (his sister) could not bear the sight of this torture. Quietly, she called the cartman and in the darkness of night, she took Me back home to Puttaparthi."[25]

Kasturi describes soon after, Sathya was to be taken to another "clever "doctor"".[24] About half an hour into the journey, "Sathya said emphatically, "I do not want to go anywhere; let us go back." Upon saying this, the bullocks came to a halt and could not be persuaded to budge! The struggle went on for over an hour. Finally their faces were turned home-ward."[24]

In 1940, at the age of fourteen, he proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi-a saint who became famous in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Sai is a Persian word which means "Saint", and Baba is a Hindi term of endearment for father. Since that time, many had come to challenge his claim to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.[14]Arnold Schulman in his book "Baba" said, "there is no record of the number of people who went away unimpressed but dozens of doubters have documented how they were convinced."[26] Family members and neighbors however were not convinced. They approached the young Sathya and said, "If you are Sai Baba, give us some proof." "Give me those jasmine flowers," said young Sathya. After receiving them, he threw them on the floor. The flowers, according to those present, "arranged themselves as the letters Sai Baba in Telugu."[25][24][26]

In October 1940,[27] Sathya accompanied Sehsa and his wife to Hampi. Sathyam was told to look after the couple's luggage while they went to the Siva temple. "(He) sat down there with the luggage while the brother and his wife entered the temple to have the darshan of Virupaksha (Siva). Inside, they did not see the Virupaksha idol but Sathya! Then Seshama Raju said, "Look, Sathya is here! Who is taking care of the luggage?" He came out running and saw Sathya there! He ran back inside and saw Sathya there also."[23] A municipal chairman also witnessed the phenomenon and presented Sathyam with "a collar pin made of gold."[23] With the insistence of his sister-in-law, Sathyam reluctantly accepted the pin. After returning to Kamalapuram, Sathyam was to begin school again. In a May 2000 discourse, Sathya Sai Baba describes what happened then, "He (Sathyam) left the house and went about ten feet when the collar pin fell (and) could not be found ... The collar pin symbolised worldly attachment, and when it was lost, it was also symbolic of the end of the 'Raju phase' and attachments implied by it."[23]

File:SAI 1.jpg
Sathya Sai Baba

Declaring that he had no worldly relationship with anyone, Sathya Sai Baba "ran to the house of one Anjaneyulu. In front of his house there was a small rock. Sathya Sai Baba went and sat on that stone."[23] Sathya Sai Baba recalls his brother "Seshama Raju came there and forced me to return home. I said I would not."[28] For three days, Sathya Sai Baba stayed with Anjaneyulu.[23] "Anjaneyulu gave Sathya Narayana the name Sai Baba, and in due course the name remained."[23]
On being informed of the events by Seshama, his parents came to Uravakonda. His mother, Eswaramma pleaded with him to return with them but he refused.[24][28] He did, however, eventually agree to return to Puttaparthi.[28]

"Sathyanarayana Raju was hereafter commonly known either as Bala Sai (Boy Sai) or Sathya Sai Baba, an appellation which he himself accepted."[29] Slowly devotees began to gather around Sathya Sai Baba. On Thursday bhajans were sung, and soon it became everyday.[29] From this time, Narayana Kasturi relates, "a shed was put up which was enlarged as the months passed. A tent also was rigged up, and some devotees who came from Bangalore and Anantapur pitched their own tents."[29] "Because Sai Baba insisted on feeding all who came to see him; huge dining halls became necessary."[29] "Subbamma looked after the comforts of the pilgrims for some years until the building now called the "Old Mandir" (or Old Temple) was built."[29]

In 1944, a mandir (temple) for Sathya Sai Baba's devotees was built near the village. It is now referred to as the old mandir.[15][30] The construction of Prashanthi Nilayam, the current ashram, was started in 1948.[30] "Prasanthi Nilayam was inaugurated on the twenty-third of November, 1950, the twenty-fourth birthday of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It took about two years to build."[31] Today, Puttaparthi has undergone enormous change. It has been transformed from a small village to a world pilgrimage center. Sathya Sai Baba's efforts have resulted in a deemed university with three campuses and two "super specialty" hospitals that cater to the needs of the poor free of charge.[32]

Around this time, there were two attempts on Sathya Sai Baba's life. Sathya Sai Baba talks about it in a 2003 discourse. "Those who were opposed to Subbamma on caste grounds decided to get rid of Swami (Sathya Sai Baba) by poison. I was very fond of vadas (Indian delicacy) in those days. So, these people made some vadas and mixed some virulent poison in some of them ... I visited this house and picked up the specific vadas that had been poisoned and ate them[25]" "without hesitation. My body at once turned blue."[33] "Another attempt of this kind was when some of them set fire to my improvised house. The house had a thatched roof. Some miscreants set fire to the house ... Suddenly, there was a cloudburst which poured down just above the house and put out the fire. There was however, not a drop of rain anywhere else."[25] "The roof was fully burnt and only the walls were standing. They peeped over the wall and found Me sleeping peacefully. I was totally unharmed."[33]

In 1960, Sathya Sai Baba said that he would be in this mortal human form for another 59 years.[34]
In 1963, Sathya Sai Baba suffered a stroke and four severe heart attacks.[35] On 29 June he suddenly fell unconscious. Upon gaining some coherency, he refused any proposed medical assistance and over the next five days suffered four severe heart attacks. At the end of the five days, his left side was paralyzed, and the sight of his left eye and his speech were also badly affected.[35] He indicated that he had taken on the illness of a devotee who was to have suffered a stroke and the accompanying heart attacks and that the disease for the devotee would have been dire. Two days later, his left side was still paralyzed and his speech was a feeble, scarcely intelligible mumble.[35] Guru Poornima celebrations had started and assisted by several disciples, he practically had to be carried to the dais. After a few minutes, he gestured for some water. He drank some (with assistance) and then sprinkled a few drops onto his paralyzed left hand and leg. With both hands he began to stroke his left leg.[36] "In a second Swamiji's leg, eye, and all his left side became normal,"[35] and for the next hour he delivered a discourse for Guru Poornima. It was during this discourse that he brought to light his future incarnation as Prema Sai Baba.[36] That night he ate his normal meal, and the following days saw him back in his usual vigorous, hearty health.[35]

During the Guru Poornima discourse, Sathya Sai Baba made statements declaring himself a reincarnation of Shiva and Shakti.[37] He also claimed that Sai Baba of Shirdi was an incarnation of Shiva and that his future reincarnation, Prema Sai Baba, would be a reincarnation of Shakti. He publicly repeated the claim that he is the second of three incarnations in 1976.[38] Baba's biography states that Prema Sai Baba will be born in Mysore State.[39] He said, "I am Siva-Sakthi, born in the gothra of Bharadwaja, according to a boon won by that sage from Siva and Sakthi. Siva was born in the gothra of that sage as Sai Baba of Shirdi; Siva and Sakthi have incarnated as Myself in his gothra now; Sakthi alone will incarnate as the third Sai (Prema Sai Baba) in the same gothra in Mysore State."

Sathya Sai Baba has made the claim that the three Sai Baba's have come and will come invested with the totality of cosmic power to save dharma (righteousness) from anti-dharma. In a 1976 interview with Blitz Magazine, Sathya Sai Baba was asked by Sri R.K. Karanjia (Senior Editor of Blitz Magazine), why he had incarnated. Sathya Sai Baba responded, "Because that is the only way to incarnate the God within man.; Therefore, in My present Avathar, I have come armed with the fullness of the power of formless God to correct mankind, raise human consciousness and put people back on the right path of truth, righteousness, peace and love to divinity."[40].

On 29 June 1968, Sathya Sai Baba made his first, and only, trip overseas.[35][41] Landing in Kenya, his party proceeded by car to Kampala, the capital city of neighbouring Uganda. Narayana Kasturi writes, "Baba told us, "I have no need to see places (sight seeing). I am everywhere, always! You may drive around. I have my work, work for which I have come.""[41] "During His stay He addressed gatherings of lions and rotarians, doctors, businessmen, members and workers of service organizations,"[41] as well as governemnt ministers and officials.[41] During a discourse in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa) Sathya Sai Baba stated, "I have come to light the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added luster. I have not come on behalf of any exclusive religion. I have not come on a mission of publicity for a sect or creed or cause, nor have I come to collect followers for a doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or devotees into my fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this unitary faith, this spiritual principle, this path of Love, this virtue of Love, this duty of Love, this obligation of Love."[42]
On July 14th, 1968, Sathya Sai Baba departed Kampala via East African Airways for Nairobi and then unto Bombay (Mumbai), India.[41]

On August 20th, 1988, Sathya Sai Baba slipped in his bathroom. Of the incident, he says,"On Saturday morning I slipped on a piece of soap in the bathroom and fell on my back. The injury I sustained was a natural consequence of the fall ..."[43] X-rays showed he had fractured his hip bone. Six days later he gave a discourse and addressed the subject.[43]
On 4 June 2003,[44] Sathya Sai Baba suffered another fall and broke his hip and femur. In a discourse a month later, he says "You are all aware of the fact that Swami fractured His hip, and it was in three pieces. The ball in the hip was in two pieces. The pain was so excruciating that it cannot be described in words. It was impossible to move this way or that way. It pierced the body as if it were an electric shock. But I was unaffected by it ... I was all smiles when I was being taken to hospital."[45] "He was given anesthetic during the operation but it didn't put Him to sleep; and He was talking to the surgeon all the way through"[46] After the surgery, he was able to walk within a span of three days.[45]

In 2006, a third accident occurred. Sathya Sai Baba relates, "Once it so happened that a student was trying to tie buntings on a door while standing on an iron stool. As he saw Me coming, he felt nervous and fell from the stool. Both the stool and the boy fell on Me and My hip bone was fractured."[47][48] He gives darshan now from a car or his Porte Chair.[49]

Since 2005, Sathya Sai Baba has used a wheelchair, and his failing health has forced him to make fewer public appearances.[50]

Sathya Sai Baba himself says,"I am beyond the reach of the most intensive enquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have recognized my love and experienced that love can assert that they have glimpsed my reality. Do not attempt to know me through the external eyes."[51]

Beliefs and practices of devotees

Main article: Sathya Sai Baba movement
Further information: Bibliography of Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba has said that his followers do not need to give up their original religion,[52] saying "My objective is the establishment of sanathana dharma, which believes in one God as propitiated by the founders of all religions. So none has to give up his religion or deity.[53] Around the world, Sathya Sai Baba devotees gather daily or weekly on Sundays (and/or Thursdays) for group devotional singing (bhajans),[54] prayer,[55] spiritual meditation, service to the community (Seva),[56] and to participate in "Education in Human Values" (SSEHV)[55] (Sai Sunday School). Seva (selfless service) activities, being "at the heart of Sathya Sai Baba's teachings,"[55] strives to take an active role to serve the needs of the community.[57]

Ashrams and mandirs

Main article: Prasanthi Nilayam

Puttaparthi, where Sathya Sai Baba was born and still lives, was originally a small remote South Indian village in Andhra Pradesh. Now one can find an extensive University complex, a Super Specialty Hospital, Chaitanya Jyoti (a World-Religions Museum that has won several international awards for design[58]), a Planetarium, a railway station, a hill-view stadium, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and more.[59] High ranking Indian politicians, like the former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Konijeti Rosaiah and Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.[60][61] On Sathya Sai Baba's 80th birthday celebration, it was reported that well over a million people attended, including 13,000 delegates from India and 180 other countries.[62]

File:Prashanti1.jpg
Prashanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh

Sathya Sai Baba resides much of the time in his main ashram called Prashanthi Nilayam (Abode of Highest Peace) at Puttaparthi. In the hot summer, he leaves for his other ashram, called Brindavan, in Kadugodi, Whitefield, a town on the outskirts of Bangalore. Occasionally he visits his Sai Shruti ashram in Kodaikanal.[63]

Sathya Sai Baba established three primary mandirs (Spiritual centres) in India. The first mandir, founded in Mumbai in 1968, is referred to as either "Dharmakshetra" or "Sathyam". The second centre, established in Hyderabad in 1973, is referred to as "Shivam". The third centre, inaugurated on 19 January 1981, in Chennai, is referred to as "Sundaram".[64]

During darshan Sathya Sai Baba walks among his devotees and may interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute vibhuti (sacred ash) or call groups or individuals for interviews. Devotees consider it a great privilege to have an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family will be invited for a private interview. Sathya Sai Baba claims that his darshan has spiritual benefits.

Institutions, organizations and projects

Sathya Sai Baba supports a variety of free educational institutions, hospitals, and other charitable works in over 166 countries.[65] The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in Prashanthi Nilayam is the only college in India to have received an "A++" rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission).[66][67] His charity supports the Institute of Music and the Institute of Higher Learning in Anantapur, which is a women's college.[68]

Sathya Sai Baba chairs the Muddenahalli-Sathya Sai Loka Seva School and Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust Educational Institutions in Muddenahalli-Kanivenarayanapura regions. In addition, a Sathya Sai Baba University and Medical School as well as a world class Hospital and Research Institute are being constructed on over 200 acres to serve the destitute population. Baba has said that the campus will be modeled after Puttaparthi and will infuse spirituality with academics.[69][70]

Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospital, Whitefield (suburb of Bangalore), Karnataka, India

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi is a 220 bed facility that provides free surgical and medical care and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on 22 November 1991.[71] The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Bangalore is a 333 bed hospital meant to benefit the poor.[72] The hospital was inaugurated on 19 January 2001 by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.[73][74] The hospital has provided free medical care to over 250,000 patients.[75]

The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital was opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, in 1977 and provides complex surgeries, food and medicines free of cost. The hospital has treated over 2 million patients.[76]

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust runs several general hospitals, two specialty hospitals, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries and conducts medical camps in rural and slum areas in India.[65] The Trust has also funded several major drinking water projects. One project completed in 1996 supplies water to 1.2 million people in about 750 villages in the drought-prone Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.[77][78] The second drinking water project, completed in 2004, supplies water to Chennai through a rebuilt waterway named "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal".[79][80] Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi praised the Chennai water project and Sai Baba's involvement.[81][82] Other completed water projects include the Medak District Project benefiting 450,000 people in 179 villages and the Mahbubnagar District Project benefitting 350,000 people in 141 villages.[78] In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust said it would start a drinking water project in Latur, Maharashtra.[78]

Sathya Sai Baba's Educare program seeks to found schools throughout the world with the goal of educating children in the five human values. According to the Sai Educare site, schools have been founded in 33 countries, including Australia, Mexico, UK and Peru.[83][84] The Times of Zambia states, "The positive influence of Sathya Sai is unprecedented in the annals of education in Zambia. Sai Baba's education ideals as embodied in his human values-based approach in education are an eye opener to educationists in Zambia."[85]

In Canada, the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian research and educational organization, ranked the Sathya Sai School of Canada as one of the top 37 elementary schools in Ontario.[86] The Sathya Sai School scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the Institute's overall rating for academic performance.[86][87][88]

On 23 November 1999, the Department of Posts, Government of India, released a postage stamp and a postal cover in recognition of the service rendered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in addressing the problem of providing safe drinking water to the rural masses.[89]

On 23 November 2001, the digital radio network "Radio Sai Global Harmony" was launched through the World Space Organization, USA. Dr. Michael Oleinikof Nobel (distant relative to Alfred Nobel and one of the patrons for the radio network) said that the radio network would spread Sathya Sai Baba's message of global harmony and peace.[90]

The Sathya Sai School of Canada began the Walk for Values in 2003.[91][92] The Walk for Values is an annual walk to raise awareness for the five human values: Love, Peace, Truth, Non-Violence and Right-Conduct[93] No money is solicited,[94] "instead, people are asked to pledge to try to live up to one or more of the human values in their lives."[95] Some have said, "It is a human movement forward, a call to attention, a walk to adopt a value for life."[96] The 2009 Walk for Values took place in various Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary[97]), New Zealand[95], Malaysia[95], Australia (Sydney, Adelaide, Perth[98]) and the United States (New York City, Seattle, Dallas[99]). Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper commended all those who walked "for their commitment to making a difference in the world."[100]

In January 2007, an event was held in Chennai Nehru stadium organised by the Chennai Citizens Conclave to thank Sathya Sai Baba for the 200 crore water project which brought water from the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh to Chennai city. Four chief ministers attended the function.[101][102]

Claims of materialization and other miracles

Sathya Sai Baba is observed to manifest vibuthi (holy ash), and sometimes food and small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches.[103] In some books, magazines, filmed interviews and articles, Sathya Sai Baba's followers report miracles of various kinds that they attribute to him.[104] Claims have been made by devotees that objects have appeared spontaneously in connection with pictures and altars of Sathya Sai Baba.[105][106] Sathya Sai Baba's devotees believe that he relieves his devotees by transferring their pain to himself.[107]

In devotees' houses in various parts of the world, there are claims from observers and devotees that vibuthi, kumkum, turmeric powder, holy water, Shiva lingams, statues of deities (brass and gold), sugar candy, fruits, herbs, amrita (a fragrant, nectar-like honey), gems, colored string, writings in ash and various other substances spontaneously manifest and materialize on the walls, furniture, pictures and altars of Sathya Sai Baba.[105][106][108][109][110][111]

The retired Icelandic psychology professor Erlendur Haraldsson wrote that he did not get Sathya Sai Baba's permission to study him under controlled circumstances. Nevertheless, he wrote, he investigated and documented the guru's alleged miracles and manifestations through first-hand interviews with devotees and ex-devotees.[112] Haraldsson's research yielded many extraordinary testimonies of reported miracles. Some of the reported miracles attributed to Sathya Sai Baba included levitation (both indoors and outdoors), bilocation, physical disappearances, changing granite into sugar candy, changing water into another drink, changing water into gasoline, producing objects on demand, changing the color of his gown into a different color while wearing it, multiplying food, healing of acute and chronic diseases, visions, dreams, making different fruits appear on any tree hanging from actual stems, controlling the weather, physically transforming into various deities and physically emitting brilliant light.[113] Haraldsson wrote that the largest allegedly materialized object that he saw was a mangalsutra necklace, 32 inches long, 16 inches long on each side.[114] Haraldsson wrote that some miracles attributed to Sathya Sai Baba resemble the ones described in the New Testament, but also with some differences. According to Haraldsson, although healings certainly figure into Sai Baba's reputation, his impression is that healings do not play a prominent role in Sathya Sai Baba's activities as in those of Jesus.[115]

Sathya Sai Baba has explained the phenomenon of manifestation as being an act of divine creation, but refused to have his materializations investigated under experimental conditions. In a 1974 discourse, he stated, "The optical sense cannot visualize the truth. It gives only false and fogged information. For example, there are many who observe my actions and start declaring that my nature is such and such."[51]

In April 1976, Dr. H. Narasimhaiah, a physicist, rationalist and then vice chancellor of Bangalore University, founded and chaired a committee "to rationally and scientifically investigate miracles and other verifiable superstitions". Haraldsson stated that Narasimhaiah wrote Sathya Sai Baba a polite letter and two subsequent letters that were widely publicized in which he publicly challenged Baba to perform his miracles under controlled conditions.[116] Sathya Sai Baba said that he ignored Narasimhaiah's challenge because he felt his approach was improper.[40] Sathya Sai Baba further said about the Narasimhaiah committee, "Science must confine its inquiry only to things belonging to the human senses, while spiritualism transcends the senses. If you want to understand the nature of spiritual power you can do so only through the path of spirituality and not science. What science has been able to unravel is merely a fraction of the cosmic phenomena ..." [40] According to Erlendur Haraldsson, the formal challenge from the committee came to a dead end because the negative attitude of the committee was obvious and perhaps because of all the fanfare involved. Narasimhaiah stated that he considered the fact that Sathya Sai Baba ignored his letters as one among several indications that his miracles are fraudulent.[117] As a result of this episode, a public debate raged for several months in Indian newspapers.[118] Narasimhaiah's committee was dissolved in August 1977.

Sathya Sai Baba says of "miracles", "those who profess to have understood me, the scholars, the yogis, the pundits, the jnanis, all of them are aware only of the least important, the casual external manifestation of an infinitesimal part of that power, namely, the "miracles"! This has been the case in all ages. People may be very near (physically) to the Avathar, but they live out their lives unaware of their fortune; they exaggerate the role of miracles, which are as trivial, when compared to my glory and majesty, as a mosquito is in size and strength to the elephant upon which it squats. Therefore, when you speak about these 'miracles,' I laugh within myself out of pity that you allow yourself so easily to lose the precious awareness of my reality."[51]

Criticism and controversy

The British journalist Mick Brown discussed in his 1998 book that Sathya Sai Baba's claim of "resurrecting" the American Walter Cowan in 1971 was probably untrue.[119] His opinion was based on the letters from attending doctors, provided in the Indian Skeptic magazine (published by Premanand).[119][120] Mick Brown also related, in the same book, his experiences with manifestations of vibuthi, from Sathya Sai Baba's pictures in houses in London, which he felt were not fraudulent or the result of trickery.[105] Brown wrote with regards to Sathya Sai Baba's claims of omniscience, that "skeptics have produced documentation clearly showing discrepancies between Baba's reading of historical events and biblical prophecies and the established accounts."[119]

In 2000 UNESCO withdrew its co-sponsorship of an education conference in Puttaparthi, explaining that it was deeply concerned about the allegations that have been leveled at Sathya Sai Baba.[121]. However in 2006 it was reported that UNESCO withdrew its media advisory on Sai Baba from the archive website. In a statement sent to the Sathya Sai Organization, UNESCO stated," I do appreciate this concern and wish to inform you that following your personal intervention, the media advisory in question was immediately withdrawn from the archives of the UNESCO's website for education."[122]. The Guardian and DNA noted that a travel warning was issued by the US State Department based on allegations.[123]'[124]. The Daily Telegraph reported concerns over a contingent of 200 youths travelling to the Baba's ashram in order to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.[125] However, by 2009, the travel warning, which was issued in 2006, has since been removed from the consular page of India.[126]

The magazine India Today published in December 2000 a cover story about Baba and allegations of fake miracles by the magician P. C. Sorcar, Jr..[127] In BBC documentary Basava Premanand, a skeptic and amateur magician expressed his opinion that he thinks Baba is faking materialisation and has been investigating Sathya Sai Baba since 1968. He sued Sathya Sai Baba in 1986 for violation of the Gold Control Act for Sathya Sai Baba's purported "materializations" of gold objects. The case was dismissed, but Premanand unsuccessfully appealed on the ground that claimed spiritual power is not a defense recognized in law.[128]

The Vancouver Sun in 2001 reported that Sathya Sai Baba told his adherents not to sign on to the World Wide Web due to the rapid allegations circulating on various Internet sites and in a few newspapers.[129] Although the article does not offer any direct quotes as to what Sathya Sai Baba actually said, in a 2000 public discourse Sathya Sai Baba did say, "These teachings (the Vedas) are highly sacred. Today people are ready to believe all that they see on television and internet but do not repose their faith in the Vedic declarations. Internet is like a waste paper basket. Follow the 'innernet,' not the internet."[130]

The Salon.com's "Untouchable" article published in 25 July 2001 reported that after Conny Larsson, a Swedish film star alleged his abuse allegations the Sai Organization in Sweden along with a Sai-affiliated school was shut down. It also carried other allegations.[121][131]. The article stated that though controversies surround these ventures, even Sathya Sai Baba's critics admit that he has helped to ease the region's suffering. Illustrated Weekly of India stated that no one doubted the numerous philanthropic works conducted by the Sai organization regardless of the controversial divine status of Baba.[121].

Documentaries produced by the BBC and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, analyzing videos of the supposed miracles, suggest that they can be explained as sleight of hand tricks.[131][132] In the 1995 TV documentary Guru Busters[133], produced by filmmaker Robert Eagle for UK's Channel 4, Sathya Sai Baba was accused of faking his materializations. A videotape[134] was provided which suggested that magician's tricks were being utilized. The same videotape was mentioned in the Deccan Chronicle, on 23 November 1992, on a front page headline "DD Tape Unveils Baba Magic".[135]

In 2004, the BBC aired the documentary entitled The Secret Swami in the United Kingdom and also on BBC World in its series 'The World Uncovered' [3]. One central theme of the BBC documentary was based on Alaya Rahm's sexual abuse allegations about Sathya Sai Baba.[131] The documentary interviewed him together with Mark Roche, who had devoted 25 years of his life since 1969 to the movement and alleged abuse by him.[131]. A spokesman for the BBC told Asian Voice that the documentary had gone to great lengths to be balanced and fair, and that the story was one of a crisis and ultimately a betrayal of faith.[136] Another documentary, Seduced By Sai Baba, carried interviews of abuse allegations. It was produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcast company, Denmarks Radio (DR).


Responses to criticism

Neither Sathya Sai Baba nor any organizations associated with him have been charged or convicted for sexual abuse or any other crime in a court of law.[137]

Alaya Rahm filed a lawsuit against the 'Sathya Sai Baba Society' in the Superior Court of California on January 6, 2005. On April 7, 2006 Alaya Rahm withdrew his lawsuit after indications that his challenge lacked merit. The case was dismissed 'with prejudice' meaning it cannot be filed for the same claims again.[137]. The Pioneer also noted that no offers of monetary settlement were paid to Alaya Rahm.[137]

During an interview with Asian Voice magazine Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that the allegations in the Secret Swami BBC documentary were baseless. Bhagani said that devotees never meet Baba alone.[136]

Devotee Bill Aitken (traveller) was quoted by The Week as saying that Sathya Sai Baba's reputation has not been harmed by the negative stories published about the guru. He opined that the more detractors rail against Sathya Sai Baba, the more new devotees went to see him.[138]

In the Divine Downfall published in the Daily Telegraph Professor Anil Kumar, the ex-Principal of the Sathya Sai educational Institute said that he believed that the controversy is part of Baba's divine plan and that every great religious teacher had to face criticism in his/her lifetime. Anil Kumar also said that allegations have been leveled at Sathya Sai Baba since childhood, but with every criticism he becomes more and more triumphant.[125]

In an official letter released to the general public in December 2001, A.B. Vajpayee (then Prime Minister of India), P.N. Bhagawati (Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Ranganath Misra (Chair Person, National Human Rights Commissioner of India and Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Najma Heptulla (President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; UNDP Distinguished Human Development Ambassador) and Shivraj Patil (Member of Parliament, India; Formerly of the Lok Sabha & Union Minister) all signed a letter which stated as follows "We are deeply pained and anguished by the wild, reckless and concocted allegations made by certain vested interests and people against Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. We would normally expect that responsible media would ascertain the true facts before printing such calumny - especially when the person is revered globally as an embodiment of love and selfless service to humanity. Since this professional ethic has not been observed by a section of the media, we have elected to go public with this signed statement."[139]

The Times Of India article, dated 26 December 2000, said that Sathya Sai Baba "lashed" out at his detractors referring to the criticism printed in a magazine, the newspaper quoted him saying as follows "Jesus Christ underwent many hardships and was put to the cross because of jealousy. Many around him could not bear the good work he did and the large number of followers he gathered. One of his disciples, Judas betrayed him". Further it says Baba said "Today there are thousands just as that Judas was tempted to betray Jesus, the Judases of today too are bought out to lie. Jealousy was the motive behind the allegations levelled at him".[140]

Sathya Sai Baba responded to the allegations against him in a public discourse on 25 December 2000. He states that "Some people out of their mean-mindedness are trying to tarnish the image of Sai Baba. I am not after name and fame. So, I do not lose anything by their false allegations. My glory will go on increasing day by day. It will never diminish even a bit if they were to publicize their false allegations in the whole world in bold letters. Some devotees seem to be perturbed over these false statements. They are not true devotees at all. Having known the mighty power of Sai, why should they be afraid of the 'cawing of crows'? One should not get carried away by all that is written on walls, said in political meetings or the vulgar tales carried by the print media." [141]

See also

References

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