Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar broke down while paying his last respects to spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba here Monday.
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 Accompanied by wife Anjali and friend V. Chamundeshwarnath, Sachin sat beside the body of Sathya Sai Baba at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam, and prayed for him.Sachin, an ardent devotee of Baba, was seen wiping his tears from a handkerchief handed over by his wife. He also spoke to an official of Sathya Sai Central Trust sitting beside him. Sachin, who turned 38 Sunday, did not celebrate his birthday due to Baba's death. The batsman, who led Mumbai Indians to a victory in Sunday's Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad, rushed to Puttaparthi after a night halt in Hyderabad. Sachin had visited Puttaparthi in the past and sought blessings of Baba, who died Sunday after a prolonged illness at the age of 85. | ||||||
| AP govt to scrutinise Trust affairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a five-member committee headed by Finance Secretary L V Subramanyam to scrutinise the affairs of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, the umbrella organisation of world-wide operations of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The IAS officer, a product of Sathya Sai educational institutions is yet to commence his work in view of the happenings at Puttaparthi but had held two rounds of discussions with the officials of the trust and also some of its key members. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has issued strict instructions to both IAS and IPS officials to ensure that there is no succession battle in the Sathya Sai Central Trust and the government should do everything to provide a stable administration, ensuring a smooth functioning of all projects."We are not interested in buying any more headaches or takeovers, but we should not allow such institutions to become playgrounds of vested interests" the chief minister is said to have told his cabinet colleagues Geeta Reddy and Raghuveera Reddy who have been camping there since Sai Baba was shifted to hospital in Puttaparthi. The all-powerful Sathya Sai Central Trust was registered with the endowments commissioner in Anantapur on September 2, 1972 but ever since the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act came into being, the Trust is under the direct purview of the Union Home ministry and exempted by a special legislation by the Centre from filing any annual reports to the state government. "The Sathya Sai trust is not answerable to either the state government or the endowment department since 1980 onwards. So we have no documents relating to the Sathya Sai Trust," says K V Ramanachary, principal secretary, endowments. It was during the Congress regime that the request of the Trust to be governed by the Union Home ministry was conceded. According to Trust sources, it had filed its report for 2009 about three months back. As per the submissions, the Trust received Rs 95 crore as foreign contribution in 2003-04, Rs 47.7 crore in 1996-97, Rs 42.9 crore in 1997-98, Rs 39.8 crore in 1998-99 and Rs 50.2 crore in 1999-2000. In 2001-02, the Trust received Rs 88.18 crore as foreign contributions. Besides, it is also exempted from declaring all donations even by cheque or DD from Indian donors. "The Trust enjoys 100 per cent I-T exemption"said a Trust official. Apart from the Central trust the empire of the godman is spread across the country and also several nations. There are several trusts floated by Saibaba to carry out various philanthropic activities. The trust is headed by the Baba as chairman and K Chakravarti (retd IAS and son of C Rajagopalachari) as secretary. The Trust allegedly has assets worth Rs 40,000 crore (Rs.5 lakh crore is unofficial estimate) in several states and countries which were being compiled for presentation to the government. "Nobody dared to raise these issues when Sai Baba was hale and healthy, but now everybody wants to know if something is missing, " lamented Parama Shiva, a veteran ashram worker. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/156368/ap-govt-scrutinise-trust-affairs.html Who will inherit Sai's Rs 40k cr empire? April 25, 2011 7:43:52 PM Pioneer News Service | Hyderabad An official and sketchy estimate puts at Rs 40,000 crore the value of the assets left behind by Sathya Sai Baba, undoubtedly the most influential god-man India has scene in the recent decades. Apart from leaving an unbridgeable void and confusion among millions of his devotees, on who will be his spiritual successor, people are also perplexed on who will take care of the massive network of institutions and organisations set up by Baba since he proclaimed his mystical position more than six decades ago. Even as Baba was lying in the intensive care unit for the past four weeks, his abode Puttaparthy was agog with rumours of siphoning of funds and a behind-the-scene tussle on who would succeed Baba. However Dr Anil Kumar, a close confidante of Baba and a translator of his speeches, ruled out the possibility of any hanky panky or siphoning of funds. "There is no question of any funds here. Every transaction takes place through a cheque. There is no system of collection of contribution through Hundi. Every penny is accounted for", he said. As far as his spiritual seat is concerned, Baba had predicted in 1960s itself that his successor will be one Prema Sai, who will be born in Gunaparthy village of Mandya district in Karnataka, a prediction he repeated many a time. However, all eyes were focussed on the Sathya Sai Central Trust and the immediate question uppermost in the minds of his devotees and followers was who will take Baba's place as head of this all powerful body. As Baba was not married and had no children, the attention is now focussed on his nephew RJ Ratnakar, son of Baba's younger brother Janaki Ram. He is the only member of Baba's family to be included in the SSCT. He was brought in only last year, in place of his father who died five years ago. However, insiders say Baba always discouraged any of his relatives trying to treat the assets and organisation of the trust as a family concern. After Baba, the second most powerful figure in the trust is K Chakravarthy, the secretary of the trust and a former IAS officer who quit the service to serve under Baba. The other members of the central trust include influential people like former Chief Justice of India PN Bhagwati, industrialists V Srinivasan of TVS group and Indul Lal Shah, former chief vigilance commissioner SV Giri, three foreigners Michael Goldstein, John Hislop and Isaac Tigrett Burton. The latter reportedly contributed about Rs 300 crore to Sri Sathya Sai Superspecialty Hospital. While all the affairs of Sai Baba's institutions and organisations will be run by this central trust, there was speculation that a tussle was on between Ratnakar and one Satyajit, personal caretaker of Baba to become the head of the trust. Whoever becomes the head will have the cheque issuing power jointly with another member of the trust. http://www.dailypioneer.com/334183/Who-will-inherit-Sai%E2%80%99s-Rs-40k-cr-empire.html Government may acquire Satya Sai Baba's Rs 40K crore propertyPosted on: 08 Apr 2011, 03:16 PM ShareThis
 Artists create a sculpture of Satya Sai Baba   
Bangalore: As there is no successor to Rs 40, 000 crore assets of the Satya Sai Central Trust in Puttaparthi, run by spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba, the government is said to take possession of his property. Earlier too, Satya Sai Baba had expressed his willingness to hand over the property to the government. The main source of income of the trust is donations. A five-member official committee of the Andhra Pradesh government is present in Puttaparthi. Speculation is rife that the committee is studying the possibilities of taking possession of the property by the AP government. Sri Satya Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital on March 28 and reports of his condition being stable keep pouring in for many days. However, followers of the spiritual leader are not happy. According to them, the doctor's report is beyond their understanding as it is disseminated in medical parlance. The followers have asked for his health report in simple and easy language. The doctors are releasing bulletins from time to time about the health of Satya Sai Baba. However, a bulletin, on Wednesday, had stated that there was improvement in the leader's health but he was still kept on ventilator and dialysis. JPN/Bureau
Tags: Satya Sai Central Trust, Satya Sai Trust in Puttaparthi, Sri Satya Sai Baba, Andhra Pradesh government, Satya Sai Baba hospitalised, Satya Sai Baba lung and chest infection
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http://post.jagran.com/government-may-acquire-satya-sai-babas-rs-40k-crore-property-1302242103Scramble for dead Indian guru's $12-billion empire BY GETHIN CHAMBERLAIN, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH APRIL 25, 2011 An Indian devotee of Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba holds up a portrait as he waits to pay his respects to the spiritual leader who died Sunday.Photograph by: Dibyangshu Sarkar, AFP, Getty Images, The Daily TelegraphA scramble has broken out for control of the $12-billion empire of an Indian guru with a worldwide following who died Sunday. Sathya Sai Baba's devotees included actress Goldie Hawn, the Duchess of York and Isaac Tigrett, the founder of the Hard Rock Cafe chain. Pratibha Patil, India's president, and Manmohan Singh, the prime minister, attended his last birthday celebrations. Sai Baba had built his empire on the myth that he was the reincarnation of an Indian saint of the same name. He had prophesied his own death at the age of 96. He was said to have died aged 84. As his health deteriorated in recent months, politicians discussed whether the state should seize his fortune. His nephew, R.J. Ratnakar, and Satyajit, a devotee, who cared for him, are among those reported to be jostling for control over the Sathya Sai organization. Court documents allege that Sai Baba owned many cars, including Mercedes limousines and a Jaguar, and that the roof of his temple was lined with gold. Sai Baba was India's most famous, and most controversial, swami or holy man, and one of the most enigmatic and remarkable religious figures of the last century. To his followers, he was a living god; a claim he did nothing to disavow. He would frequently liken himself to such figures as Christ, Krishna and the Buddha. From humble beginnings, his following grew until by the end of the 20th century it was estimated to number more than three million people around the world.
Sathya Sai Baba: Hindu Guru Dead at 84An Indian devotee offers prayers before portraits of Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba at Shivam temple in Hyderabad, India,April 24, 2011. Sai Baba, died Sunday morning in a hospital. Mahesh Kumar A./AP Photo Sathya Sai Baba, ...  Sai Baba, spiritual guru to millions, dies at 85The Guardian - 19 hours ago Many refused to accept that the guru was dead. "Sai has not gone anywhere. Wait 48 hours. He will be back," Vandana Bhalla, a 38-year-old housewife in the Indian capital's middle-class Ashok Vihar neighbourhood told the Guardian. Among Sai Baba's ... Indian Guru Satya Sai Baba DiesSlate Magazine (blog) - Apr 24, 2011 Hundreds of thousands of followers are expected to pay their respects and police have set up barriers to hold mourners back from the hospital. In its statement, the hospital avoided using the word "dead," noting that "Sai Baba is no more with us ... Scramble for dead Indian guru's $12-billion empireAn Indian devotee of Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba holds up a portrait as he waits to pay his respects to the spiritual leader who died Sunday. A scramble has broken out for control of the ...  Sathya Sai Baba, considered a living god by millions of Hindus, dies at 84(Mustafa Quraishi, Associated Press / April 10, 2010) By Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times SathyaSai Baba, a Hindu holy man who was considered a living god by millions of followers around the world, died Sunday of multiple organ failure in a hospital ... Swami Sathya Sai Baba Dies: Hindu Holy Man Successor SoughtSadly, Sathya Sai Baba passed away at 86 Sunday morning. When the news hit the media waves that the holy many was dead, many people stood in awe, wondering how their spiritual leader could be gone. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was touched by the ... S'pore devotees mourn Sai Baba's deathSome followers said they were shocked about Sai Baba's death and were weeping during prayers. Others said they went to the center to offer prayers and remember how Sai Baba has transformed their lives. The prayers, which are sung in Buddhist, Sanskrit, ... Bollywood, designers mourn Sathya Sai Baba's deathHindustan Times - 3 hours ago Bollywood stars, filmmakers and designers joined thousands of devotees in India and abroad in expressing grief at the death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba on Sunday, who died after a prolonged illness in Andhra Pradesh's Puttaparthi town at the ... Sathya Sai Baba dead at 84Westmoreland County Times - Apr 24, 2011 Hindu sect leader Sathya Sai Baba died Sunday morning at Puttaparthi after dealing with numerous illnesses. According to medical reports he died of cardio-respiratory failure. Sathya Sai Baba, who claimed to be God, born as Sathyanarayana Raju on ... Indian guru Sai Baba dies after long illnessThe body of Sathya Sai Baba is displayed in a transparent casket as devotees, including Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (2nd R), seen wiping his tears, pay their last respects. (DIBYANGSHU SARKAR - AFP/Getty Images) Mon, ... Millions mourn Sathya Sai Baba's deathDaily News & Analysis - 6 hours ago The news of the death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba has brought a pall of gloom around Brindavanam, the Sai Baba ashram at Whitefield, on the outskirts of Bangalore city. Hundreds of locals joined the devotees in mourning the death of Baba as ... <b>Sathya Sai Baba is dead</b>Business Standard - Apr 24, 2011 PTI / Puttuparthi April 24, 2011, 13:17 IST Spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba died on April 24 after a prolonged illness at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, the institute's Director AN Safaya said in a bulletin. ...  Over 6 Million People Mourn Sri Sathya Sai Baba's DeathEverything PR - Apr 24, 2011 Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a cultural icon in his home country, and seen as the incarnation of God by his devotees in India and abroad, has been fighting death in a hospital in his hometown of Puttaparti for more than a month. He passed away when the Western ... Sai Baba's death leaves a voidMalaysia Star - 14 hours ago But the incarnation was reportedly to take place in 2023, with Sai Baba saying he would die at the age of 96 in 2022. Now that Baba has died prematurely at 85, nobody knows when the next spiritual leader will arrive. Baba was reported to be the rebirth ...  Thousands of devotees gather in India for glimpse of dead Hindu guruMonsters and Critics.com - 1 hour ago Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most famous spiritual leaders with thousands of followers both in the country and abroad, died aged 85 after a prolonged illness. EPA/JAGADEESH NV The 85-year-old Sai Baba died Sunday after a prolonged illness. ...  Indian spiritual leader Sai Baba dies at 85Xinhua - 16 hours ago PUTTAPARTHI, India, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most popular and influential spiritual leaders, died Sunday at age of 85 at a hospital in his home town of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. Sathya Sai Baba's body will be kept at ... Sathya Sai Baba death: Who will succeed him as chairman of Sai Trust?Economic Times - 17 hours ago CHENNAI: The late Sri Sathya Sai Baba was God to millions of his followers. He was also the holder of a more mundane title - chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust . The Trust, formed in 1972, is immensely important in the scheme of things at ... Sathya Sai Baba death: Thousands throng Prashanthi NilayamEconomic Times - 17 hours ago PUTTAPARTHI: Thousands of devotees thronged the Prashanthi Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi to pay homage to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the godman who breathed his last in the wee hours of Sunday. By evening, the crowds swelled as Sai Baba's mortal remains were ... Sai Baba devotees mourn deathTimes Now - 7 hours ago Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away on Sunday (April 24) morning due to a cardio-respiratory failure in Puttaparthi, mourned the sad demise of the spiritual guru. Baba, who was 86, breathed his last at 7.40 am at the Sri Sathya Sai ...  Sathya Sai Baba's death triggers fight for his £5.5 billion empireTelegraph.co.uk - 22 hours ago Sai Baba had built his empire on the myth that he was the reincarnation of an earlier – and much loved – Indian saint of the same name. In doing so, he had prophesied his own death at the age of 96 – and his reincarnation eight years later. ... Outpouring of grief as Indian spiritual guru Sai Baba diesIndian religious guru Satya Sai Baba after the inauguration of The Sai International Centre in New Delhi. Picture: AFP Source: AFP INDIA'S most famous spiritual guru, Sai Baba, died in his home town of Puttaparthi yesterday, prompting a national ... City mourns death of Sathya Sai BabaTimes of India - 12 hours ago KOLKATA: As news of the death of Sathya Sai Baba spread on Sunday, the city plunged into mourning. Special prayers were organised by devotees and vibhuti was distributed among people. Bhajans played in Sai Baba temples and hundreds held prayer sessions ... Dalai Lama condoles Indian guru Sai Baba's deathAn Indian devotee offers prayers before portraits of Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba at Shivam temple in Hyderabad, India,April 24, 2011. Sai Baba, died Sunday morning in a hospital. (AP Photo) Dharamsala,April 25: Tibetan spiritual ... Devotees shocked after hearing death newsHUBLI: Hubli is home to many devotees and followers of Sathya Sai Baba. And the news of their guru's demise has left them in a state of shock. Many of them left for Puttaparthi to catch a glimpse of Baba. Some of them shared with `The Times of India' ... Sonia Gandhi mourns Sathya Sai Baba's deathDaily News & Analysis - Apr 24, 2011 "His death has caused a big vacuum. At this sad hour, I express my deep condolences to his followers," Gandhi said. The 86-year-old Sai Baba died this morning in Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh following multi-organ failure. Dalai Lama tweets condolences on Sai Baba's deathMangalorean.com - 2 hours ago "I am saddenned by the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I offer my condolences and prayers to all his followers, devotees and admirers," the Dalai Lama tweeted. Sathya Sai Baba died early Sunday at age 85 at a hospital in Puttaparthi after a ... Grieving devotees believe Baba will come back'Times of India - 17 hours ago CHENNAI: Hundreds of devotees across the city plunged into grief on Sunday morning on hearing about the demise of Sathya Sai Baba. At Sundaram, an ashram for Sai Baba on Greenways Road, many were in disbelief. "News channels are lying. Baba is not dead ... Sai Baba's death leaves question mark on Rs 40000 crore empireHindustan Times - Apr 24, 2011 The death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba has left a question mark on the future of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT), estimated to have assets worth Rs 40000 crore ($9 billion). As Baba, who was chairperson of the trust, left no successor ... Indian Guru Sai Baba DiesIndia (NEWSTABULOUS) – Indian spiritual guru and educator, Sathya Sai Baba, died Sunday in a hospital in India at the age of 86. According to the media, Sai Baba was taken to his hometown hospital in Puttaparti a month ago. He was suffering from organ ... Indian Guru Sri Satya Sai Baba DiesShortNews.com - 5 hours ago Indian spiritual leader Sri Satya Sai Baba died on Sunday at the age of 85. Doctors announced his death after respiratory failure. However, they actually didn´t say he died, but he "left his earthly body" and is "no more physically with us". ... Gold removed on the sly from Sai Baba's ashram?IBNLive.com - 2 hours ago Bangalore: While speculations are rife over the circumstances that led to Sathya Sai Baba's death, reports have been coming in about the alleged unlawful shifting of truckloads of gold from Puttaparthi to an unknown location on Sunday. The assets of ... Sai Baba's death leaves question mark on Rs 40000 crore empireHindustan Times - Apr 24, 2011 The death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba has left a question mark on the future of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT), estimated to have assets worth Rs 40000 crore ($9 billion). As Baba, who was chairperson of the trust, left no successor ...  Govt steps in to monitor Sai Baba assets, projectsApril 24: Sai Baba's death has raised the question who will now manage his umbrella trust that oversaw his philanthropic operations worldwide and is said to have assets between Rs 40000 crore and Rs 1.5 lakh crore. ... 'Successor of Sai Baba unlikely soon, trust will take work forward'HYDERABAD: Sathya Sai Baba's death has left a huge question mark on the future of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which is said to control assets whose worth could range anywhere from Rs 40000 crore to over Rs 1 lakh crore. ... Lessons from succession planning failures of godmen and executivesHindustan Times - 20 hours ago Sri Sathya Sai Baba may have been an avatar, a god, a social worker, a healer, an educator and a whole lot of inspiration to millions of devotees in 178 countries — prime ministers, presidents, judges, bureaucrats, cricketers and millions of lay people ... After Baba, who will run Rs 40000 cr Sai Trust?Rediff - Apr 23, 2011 The trust will have its work cut out as it would have to manage the health facilities, educational institutions apart from a host of assets which spread over nearly 100 countries. Sai Baba has over 6 million devotees ranging from various classes ... Aide, nephew lead race for Sai Baba trustHindustan Times - Apr 23, 2011 Photographs of the Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba are displayed on electric poles outside his...... Even as spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, 86, died on Sunday, a fresh round of intense speculation began over his potential successor. ...  Sathya Sai Baba: The 21st Century Godmanindiablooms - Apr 24, 2011 Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), Apr 24 (IBNS): Millions of people in India and abroad woke up to shock on Sunday morning as news of the demise of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, a man hailed as the living reincarnation of god himself, trickled in. ... Government not to interfere in working of Sai Baba trust: Andhra CMTimes of India - Apr 24, 2011 "The trust will run as it is," Reddy said at a press conference at Puttaparthi hours after Baba passed away. Speculation in recent days have been that the government would take over the trust after Sai Baba's death. Reddy's statement came amid reports ... Send comments | Email to friend | Print this pageCity Journal.in - 17 hours ago SATHYA SAI BABA, revered by millions of followers in India and abroad, has become history. His death, though expected since he was in the hospital since March 28, plunged his countless followers across the world into gloom.Sai Baba, whose real name ... What will happen after Sathya Sai Baba?Microfinance Monitor - Apr 22, 2011 While demands for share in the trust have already begun making rounds, here is a critical evaluation of possible five scenarios that may emerge after Sathya Sai Baba: * Scenario One: The government will take over control of the entire trust assets and ...  Sai Baba passes awaySome have pointed to his wealth, whose estimates range between Rs 40000 crore and Rs 1.5 lakh crore, and questions are now bound to arise over the management of his huge assets. However, it is undeniable that Sai Baba was a philanthropist who provided ...  Sathya Sai Baba's demise to test the will of many achievers around the globeThe Satya Sai Central Trust manages all the service activities and is likely to continue its hold over the Rs 40000 crore worth assets left behind by Sathya Sai Baba. He died on Sunday morning at 6.25 am in Puttaparthi after nearly 28 days in hospital ...  AP govt to scrutinise Trust affairsDeccan Herald - 18 hours ago There are several trusts floated by Saibaba to carry out various philanthropic activities. The trust is headed by the Baba as chairman and K Chakravarti (retd IAS and son of C Rajagopalachari) as secretary. The Trust allegedly has assets worth Rs 40000 ... Sathya Sai Baba's Rs 40000 crore trust to continue its work: Andhra Pradesh CMEconomic Times - Apr 24, 2011 Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday said Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust will continue its work despite the death of its founder and chairman Sathya Sai Baba . "The trust is in order. ...  What was the big secret?Barely a few hours after the demise of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a volunteer at the Prashanti Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi suspected foul play in the spiritual guru's death. Devotees throng the Sai Kulwant Hall of Prashanti Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi ... Sathya Sai Baba diesBusiness Standard - 19 hours ago Since then, he had attracted millions of followers, including the influential, from across the globe. Sathya Sai Babafounded the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust in 1972. It is managing an estimated Rs 40000 crore worth of assets, including free schools, ... Sathya Sai Baba passes away, millions in griefiNewsOne - 20 hours ago Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which runs several hospitals, educational institutions, drinking water projects and undertake other charitable works in India and abroad, is estimated to have movable and immovable assets of Rs.40000 crore. ... A service-minded spiritual leaderExpress Buzz - 19 hours ago In a country where the ideas of rebirth of the soul and divine incarnation are deeply ingrained in the people's faith, it might be trite to say that the void caused by the death of Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi would be difficult to fill. ... Sathya Sai Baba still critical, tension grips PuttaparthiBut the government and the members of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Central Trust (SSSCT), which oversees Rs 40000 crore worth assets in Puttaparthi and around the world, however, were not convinced that the Baba would recover. They held a meeting on Friday ...  The secret world of Sathya Sai Baba's Rs 40000 cr empireIndia Today - Apr 21, 2011 But the SSSCT is tightlipped when it comes to the fabulous wealth of the Sathya Sai Baba network, estimated to add up to over a staggering Rs 40000 crore, including movable and immovable assets in India, besides those in 165 other countries. ... Thousands pay homage to Sai BabaIBNLive.com - 54 minutes ago The chants "Jai Sai Ram" rent the air as the devotees conducted bhajans inside the sprawling hall where Babaused to grant audience to devotees when he was alive. Thousands of people, including quite a number of followers from abroad, waited patiently ... Scramble for dead Indian guru's $12-billion empireAn Indian devotee of Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba holds up a portrait as he waits to pay his respects to the spiritual leader who died Sunday. A scramble has broken out for control of the ...  British media lavishes praise on Sai BabaIndian Express - 1 hour ago The body of Sri Sathya Sai Baba being kept for public viewing at his Ashram in Puttaparthi. British media today described Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away in Andhra Pradesh's Puttaparthi on Sunday, as one of the most enigmatic and remarkable religious ... Baba's vibhuti healed Gavaskar's injuryNDTV.com - 2 hours ago Mumbai: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was one of the many famous personalities, who experienced the healing powers of Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away on Sunday. Gavaskar, who is an ardent devotee of Sai Baba and celebrated his 60th birthday at ...  Darshan of Sai Baba to stop at 6 pm on TuesdayThe Hindu - 2 hours ago PTI Puttaparthi: Devotees paying their last respect to the Body of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh on Monday. Photo: PTI Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Babacan have darshan of the mortal remains of the spiritual guru and ... Grieving devotees throng Puttaparthi to pay last respects to Sai BabaIndian Express - 2 hours ago Puttaparthi: Lakhs of devotees from home and abroad on Monday poured into this town to have a last glimpse of Sathya Sai Baba whose body has been kept in a hall here even as police tightened security for crowd control. With grief writ large on their ... S'pore devotees mourn Sai Baba's deathSINGAPORE: Singapore devotees of Sai Baba are mourning the death of the Indian spiritual guru in the second day of prayers and devotional songs at the Sri Sathya Sai Center on Moulmein Road. ...  Sathya Sai Baba: Hindu Guru Dead at 84An Indian devotee offers prayers before portraits of Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba at Shivam temple in Hyderabad, India,April 24, 2011. Sai Baba, died Sunday morning in a hospital. Mahesh Kumar A./AP Photo Sathya Sai Baba, ... Sathya Sai BabaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 
Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Telugu: సత్య సాయిబాబా) born as Sathyanarayana Raju (23 November 1926[4] – 24 April 2011)[5] was an Indian guru, spiritual figure and educator.[6] In 2011, he was listed by the Watkins Review as one of the 100 most spiritually influential people in the world.[7][8] He was described by his devotees as an avatar, godman,[9] spiritual teacher and miracle worker.[4][10][11][12][13] The apparent materialising of vibhuti (holy ash) and other small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches by Baba has been a source of both fame and controversy – skeptics consider these simple conjuring tricks while devotees consider them evidence of divinity.[14] Sathya Sai Baba claimed to be the reincarnation of the spiritual guru, Sai Baba of Shirdi, whose teachings were an eclectic blend of Hindu and Muslim beliefs.[15] Sathya Sai Baba and his organisations support a variety of free educational institutions, hospitals, and other charitable works in India and abroad. The number of active Sathya Sai Baba adherents was estimated in 1999 to be around 6 million, although followers' estimations are far higher.[16] Since there are no formal ties of membership, the actual figure may never be known.[15] The Sathya Sai Organisation reports that there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries worldwide.[17][18] In India itself, Sai Baba draws followers from predominantly upper-middle-class, urban sections of society who have the "most wealth, education and exposure to Western ideas."[19] He was a cultural icon in India and drew an audience with presidents and prime ministers from India and beyond who have become his devotees; in 2002, he claimed to have followers in 178 countries.[20][21]
LifeAlmost everything known about his life stems from the hagiography that grew around him, the presentation of narratives that hold special meaning to his devotees and are considered evidence of his divine nature.[15][19][22] Early life and proclamation Sathyanarayana Raju was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaram[23] in the village of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India.[15][24] His birth, which his mother Eswaramma asserted was by miraculous conception, was also said to be heralded by miracles.[6][15][25] As a child, he was described as "unusually intelligent" and charitable.[15] He was exceptionally talented in drama, music, dance and writing, and was an avid composer of poems and plays.[26] He was said to be capable of materialising objects such as food and sweets out of thin air.[27][28] On 8 March 1940, while living with his elder brother Seshama Raju in Uravakonda, Sathya was apparently stung by a scorpion.[27][28] He lost consciousness for several hours.[26] Within the next few days there was a noticeable change in Sathya's behavior.[28] There were "symptoms of laughing and weeping, eloquence and silence."[28][29] "He began to sing Sanskrit verses, a language of which he had no prior knowledge."[6] Doctors believed his behavior to be hysteria.[6][28]His parents brought Sathya home to Puttaparthi.[30] Concerned, they took him to many priests, "doctors" and exorcists.[28][29] On 23 May 1940, Sathya called household members and reputedly materialised prasad and flowers for his family members.[31] His father became furious at seeing this, thinking his son wasbewitched. He took a stick and asked him who he was. To this Sathya announced calmly and firmly "I am Sai Baba", a reference to Sai Baba of Shirdi.[6][26] He proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi—a saint who became famous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Maharashtra and had died eight years before Sathya was born.[6][30][32] Later that year, Sathya Sai Baba declared that he had no worldly relationship with anyone[15] and, around this time, devotees began to gather to him.[15] In 1940, he began to travel to Madras and elsewhere in South India and soon had a large regional following.[15] Later activities and establishmentsIn 1944, a mandir (temple) for Sathya Sai Baba's devotees was built near the village. It is now referred to as the old mandir.[33][34] The construction of Prashanthi Nilayam, the current ashram, began in 1948 and was completed in 1950.[15][34] In 1957 Sathya Sai Baba went on a North Indian temple tour.[24] In 1954, Sathya Sai Baba established a small free General Hospital in the village of Puttaparthi.[35] In 1963, Sathya Sai Baba suffered a stroke and four severe heart attacks.[36] It is believed by some that he healed himself of these, and on recovering announced that he would be reborn as Prema Sai Baba in the state of Karnataka.[15] He stated, "I am Siva-Sakthi, born in thegothra (lineage) 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 Mandya district of Karnataka State."[15][37] It has been claimed that Sai Baba would be born again eight years after his death at the age of 96.[38]  On 29 June 1968, Sathya Sai Baba made his first and only trip overseas, to Uganda.[36][39] During a discourse in Nairobi, 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."[40] In 1968, he established Dharmakshetra or Sathyam Mandir in Mumbai.[41] In 1973, he established Shivam Mandir in Hyderabad.[41] On 19 January 1981, in Chennai he inaugurated the Sundaram Mandir.[41] In March 1995 he started the water project to provide drinking water to 1.2 million people in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region in Anantapur.[42] In 2001 Sathya Sai Baba established another free Super Speciality hospital in Bangalore to benefit the poor.[35] In April 1999 he inaugurated the Ananda Nilayam Mandir in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. 1993 assassination attemptOn 6 June 1993, four youths who were devotees and resided in the ashram, broke into Satya Sai Baba's quarters in Puttaparthi armed with knives. Sathya Sai Baba managed to escape and raised an alarm. In the scuffle, two of Satya Sai Baba's attendants, his chauffeur and cook, were killed, and the four assailants shot dead by the police. He was never investigated by the Indian authorities.[43] Illness and death
Sathya Sai Baba said he would be healthy until age ninety-six and then die.[44] After 2005 Sathya Sai Baba used a wheelchair and his failing health forced him to make fewer public appearances. In 2006 he suffered a fractured hip when a student standing on an iron stool slipped and both the boy and stool fell on Sathya Sai Baba. After that, he gave darshan from a car or his porte chair.[45][46] Sathya Sai Baba was admitted to a hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparthi on 28 March 2011 following respiration-related problems.[47][48]After nearly a month of hospitalisation, during which his condition progressively deteriorated, he died on 24 April at 7:40 IST.[49] His funeral is scheduled to be held on 27 April.[50] Many of his devotees, some of whom had held vigil outside the hospital for many days, gathered around the hospital causing law and order concerns. More police were expected to be deployed for his funeral. His body is to lie in state for two days.[51] Karnataka declared 25 and 26 April as days of mourning and Andhra Pradesh declared 25, 26 and 27 April as days of mourning.[50] The government of Karnataka is also organising chartered buses to Puttaparthi.[52] Many of his devotees also payed tribute at a temple.[53] Political reactions were swift with many offering their condolences, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh[54][55][50] and the Dalai Lama.[56] Others who reacted to his death included Sachin Tendulkar,[57] who canceled his birthday celebrations,[58] although he did play anIPL cricket match in Hyderabad on the day[59] though he refrained from referring to Baba's death.[60] The Hindu newspaper reported that Sri Sathya Sai Baba's propagation of spiritualism and preaching of Hindu philosophy never came in the way of his commitment to secular beliefs. [61] Beliefs and practices of devotees Main article: Sathya Sai Baba movement Sathya Sai Baba said that his followers do not need to give up their original religion,[62] saying "my objective is the establishment of sanatana dharma, which believes in one God as propitiated by the founders of all religions. So none [sic] has to give up his religion or deity."[63] Internationally, Sathya Sai Baba devotees gather daily, or weekly on Sundays or Thursdays or both, to sing group devotional songs,[64]prayer,[65] spiritual meditation, service to the community (Seva),[66] and to participate in "Education in Human Values" (SSEHV)[65] known as "Bal Vikas" (Blossoming of the Child), that can also be described as Sai Sunday School. A primary aspect of Baba's teachings is the spiritual benefit of darshan for his students. At that time, Sai Baba might interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute vibhuti (sacred ash) or call groups or individuals for interviews. Devotees considered it a great privilege to have an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family was invited for a private interview.[citation needed] There is no published formal doctrine or set of rules for the Sai Baba movement.[26] Ashrams and mandirs Main article: Prasanthi Nilayam Puttaparthi, where Sathya Sai Baba was born and lived, was originally a small remote South Indian village in Andhra Pradesh. Now there is an extensive university complex, a speciality hospital, Chaitanya Jyoti (a world-religions museum that has won several international awards for design[67]), a Planetarium, a railway station, a hill-view stadium, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and more.[68] High ranking Indian politicians, like the former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Andhra Pradesh former Chief Minister Konijeti Rosaiah and Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.[69][70] 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.[71] Sathya Sai Baba resided much of the time in his main ashram called Prashanthi Nilayam (Abode of Highest Peace) at Puttaparthi. In the hot summer he used to leave for his other ashram, called Brindavan, in Kadugodi, Whitefield, a town on the outskirts of Bangalore. Occasionally he visited his Sai Shruti ashram in Kodaikanal.[72] 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".[41] Institutions, organisations and projectsSathya Sai Baba supported a variety of free educational institutions, hospitals, and other charitable works in over 166 countries.[73] The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (now changed to Sri Sathya Sai University) 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).[74][75] Sri Sathya Sai University for which Baba is the Chancellor, has three campuses, one at Puttaparthi for men,[76] one atWhitefield, Bangalore for men[77] and one at Anantapur for women.[78] His charity supports an institute for Indian classical music called the Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music. Baba's educational institutions aim to impart character education along with excellence in academics with emphasis on human values and ethics.[79] Sathya Sai Baba chaired the Muddenahalli-Sathya Sai Loka Seva School and Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust Educational Institutions inMuddenahalli-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 (0.81 km2) to serve the destitute population. Baba said that the campus will be modeled after Puttaparthi and will infuse spirituality with academics.[80][81]  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 Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on 22 November 1991.[35] The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Bangalore is a 333 bed hospital meant to benefit the poor.[82] The hospital was inaugurated on 19 January 2001 by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.[83][84] The hospital has provided free medical care to over 250,000 patients.[85] 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.[86] 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.[73] 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.[42][87] The second drinking water project, completed in 2004, supplies water to Chennai through a rebuilt waterway named "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal".[88][89] Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi praised the Chennai water project and Sai Baba's involvement.[90][91] Other completed water projects include the Medak District Project benefiting 450,000 people in 179 villages and theMahbubnagar District Project benefitting 350,000 people in 141 villages.[42] In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust said it would start a drinking water project in Latur, Maharashtra.[92] In 2008, 2 million people in the state of Orissa were affected by floods. As a relief measure, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, has built 699 houses as a part of their first phase in 16 villages by March 2009.[93] 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, the United Kingdom and Peru.[94][95] 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."[96] 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.[97] The Sathya Sai School scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the Institute's overall rating for academic performance.[97][98][99] 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 Sathya Sai Baba in addressing the problem of providing safe drinking water to the rural masses.[100] On 23 November 2001, the digital radio network Radio Sai Global Harmony was launched through the World Space Organization, United States. 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.[101] 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.[102][103]  Reputation for miracles and clairvoyanceDevotees say they have observed Sathya Sai Baba manifesting vibuti (holy ash), and sometimes food and "small objects" such as rings, necklaces and watches.[104] In some books, magazines, filmed interviews and articles, Sathya Sai Baba's followers report miracles of various kinds that they attribute to him.[105] The first ever record of Baba's miracles by a foreigner was made by Howard Murphet in his book, Sai Baba – Man Of Miracles.[106] Devotees have said that objects have appeared spontaneously in connection with pictures and altars of Sathya Sai Baba.[107][108] Sathya Sai Baba's devotees believe that he relieves his devotees by transferring their pain to himself.[109] Internationally, devotees report that vibuti, kumkum, turmeric powder, holy water, Shiva lingas, 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.[107][108][110][111][112][113] The retired Icelandic psychology professor Erlendur Haraldsson wrote that he did not get Sathya Sai Baba's permission to study him under controlled circumstances, but that he investigated the guru's alleged miracles and manifestations through interviews with devotees and ex-devotees.[114] Some of the reported miracles 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 while wearing it, multiplying food, healing acute and chronic diseases, appearing in visions and 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.[115] Haraldsson wrote that the largest allegedly materialized object that he saw was a mangalsutra necklace, 32 inches long, 16 inches long on each side.[116] Haraldsson wrote that some miracles attributed to Sathya Sai Baba resemble the ones described in theNew Testament, but that although healings certainly figure in Sai Baba's reputation, his impression is that healings do not play as prominent a role in Sathya Sai Baba's activities as in those of Jesus.[117] Sathya Sai Baba has explained the phenomenon of manifestation as being an act of divine creation, but refused to have his materializationsinvestigated 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."[118] In April 1976, 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". Narasimhaiah wrote Sathya Sai Baba three letters that were widely publicized, in which he publicly challenged Baba to perform his miracles under controlled conditions.[119] Sathya Sai Baba said that he ignored Narasimhaiah's challenge because he felt his approach was improper.[120] 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 ..."[120] Narasimhaiah's committee was dissolved in August 1977. According to Erlendur Haraldsson, the formal challenge from the committee came to a dead end because of the negative attitude of the committee, and perhaps because of all the fanfare surrounding it. Narasimhaiah held the fact that Sathya Sai Baba ignored his letters to be one of several indications that his miracles are fraudulent.[121] As a result of this episode, a public debate raged for several months in Indian newspapers.[122] Indian rationalist Basava Premanand stated, in a BBC documentary, that he had been investigating Sathya Sai Baba since 1968 and that, in his opinion, Sai Baba has faked materialisations. He sued Sai Baba in 1986 for violations of the Gold Control Act, citing Sathya Sai Baba's purported "materializations" of gold objects. When the case was dismissed, Premanand unsuccessfully appealed on the ground that claimed spiritual power is not a defense recognized in law.[123] A 1995 TV documentary Guru Busters, produced by filmmaker Robert Eagle for UK's Channel 4, Sathya Sai Baba was accused of faking his materializations.[124] The clip from the film was mentioned in the Deccan Chronicle, on 23 November 1992, on a front page headline "DD Tape Unveils Baba Magic".[125] However, Erlendur Haraldsson, a professor of psychology, in his book Modern Miracles stated that, on investigating the DD video, researchers did not find evidence of fake materialisation as claimed by Deccan chronicle. Wiseman took the video to a company which investigates corporate fraud. In spite of improving the graininess of the low quality video with enhanced filters and running it through advanced image processing systems, the DD video did not provide firm evidence of sleight of hand.[126] In 1998, British journalist Mick Brown stated in his book The Spiritual Tourist that Sathya Sai Baba's claim of "resurrecting" the American devotee Walter Cowan in 1971 was probably untrue.[127] His opinion was based on letters from the attending doctors presented in the magazine Indian Skeptic, published by Basava Premanand, a skeptic and amateur magician.[127][128] 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.[107] 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."[127] In December 2000, the magazine India Today published a cover story about Sai Baba with allegations of fakery made by the magician P. C. Sorcar, Jr.[129] Documentaries produced by the BBC and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, analyzing videos of the supposed miracles, suggested that they can be explained as sleight of hand.[130][131] In his book Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb wrote; "Whover he is, he is certainly more than the mere parlour magician many of his critics claim that he is."[15] 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 (Avatar), 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."[118] Criticism and controversyThe Vancouver Sun in 2001 reported that Sathya Sai Baba told his adherents not to browse the Internet due to allegations rapidly circulating on various Internet websites and in a few newspapers.[132] In a 2000 public discourse, Sathya Sai Baba said, "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."[133] In 2004, in the UK and internationally, the BBC aired a documentary titled The Secret Swami, in its series 'The World Uncovered'.[134] One central theme of the BBC documentary was Alaya Rahm's sexual abuse allegations against Sathya Sai Baba.[130] 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.[130] 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.[135] Another documentary, Seduced By Sai Baba, carried interviews of abuse allegations. It was produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcast company, Danmarks Radio (DR). During an interview with Asian Voice magazine Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that the allegations in theSecret Swami documentary were baseless. Bhagani said that devotees never meet Sai Baba alone.[135] Responses to criticismIn an article for The Pioneer on March 31, 2009, Sandhya Jain states that neither Sathya Sai Baba, nor any organizations associated with him, have been charged or convicted with sexual abuse or any other crime in a court of law. Alaya Rahm filed a lawsuit against the Sathya Sai Baba Society in the Superior Court of California on January 6, 2005, but withdrew his lawsuit on April 7, 2006 after indications that his challenge lacked merit. The case was dismissed 'with prejudice', meaning it cannot be filed for the same claims again. The Pioneer also noted that no offers of monetary settlement were paid to Alaya Rahm.[136] Devotee Bill Aitken 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 said that the more detractors rail against Sathya Sai Baba, the more new devotees went to see him.[137] In the article Divine Downfall, published in the Daily Telegraph, 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 all great religious teachers had to face criticism during their lives. 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.[138] In an official letter made public in December 2001, Atal Bihari 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 on 26 December 2000 said that Sathya Sai Baba "lashed out at his detractors in a rare display of anger" while referring to criticism published in a magazine. The Times quoted him as saying, "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. In those days there was one Judas, but 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 publicly responded to the allegations on 25 December 2000: "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] References
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Categories: 1926 births | 2011 deaths | Hindu gurus | Hindu saints | Hindu writers | Indian religious leaders | Indian spiritual writers | People claiming to have psychokinetic abilities | People considered avatars by their followers | People from Anantapur district | Sathya Sai Baba |Self-declared messiahs | Spiritual teachers | Supernatural healing Sai Baba of ShirdiFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sai Baba of Shirdi (c. 1835 – October 15, 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba (Marathi:शिर्डीचे श्री साईबाबा,Urdu: شردی سائیں بابا), was an Indian guru, yogi, and fakir who is regarded by hisHindu and Muslim devotees as a saint. Hindu devotees consider him an incarnation of LordDattatreya. Many devotees believe that he was a Satguru, an enlightened Sufi Pir (Urdu: پیر), or aQutub. He is a well-known figure in many parts of the world, but especially in India, where he is much revered. Sai baba's real name is unknown. The name "Sai" is given to him upon his arrival at Shirdi. There is no information available regarding his birth, place where he born. Sai baba never spoke about his past life. Sāī is of Sanskrit origin, meaning "Sakshat Eshwar" or the divine. The honorific "Baba" means "father; grandfather; old man; sir" in Indo-Aryan languages. Thus Sai Baba denotes "holy father" or "saintly father".[1] His parentage, birth details, and life before the age of sixteen are obscure, which has led to speculation about his origins. Sai Baba had no love for perishable things and his sole concern was self-realization. He remains a very popular saint,[2] and is worshipped by people around the world. He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and guru. Sai Baba's teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu nameDwarakamayi to the mosque he lived in,[3] practiced Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and was buried in a Hindu temple in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams, "Sabka Malik Ek " ("One God governs all"), is associated with Islam and Sufism. He always uttered "Allah Malik" ("God is King"). Though the debate over his Hindu or Muslim origins continues, many of his practices point more to his being a Muslim[citation needed]: believing in the unity of God, reciting Al-Fatiha and otherQur'anic readings at Muslim festival times,[4] listening to hamds and qawwali twice daily,[5]practicing Salah (Namaz), wearing clothing reminiscent of a Sufi fakir, eating meat, and abstaining from alcohol. A mosque still stands in Shirdi, a place in which he once lived and continued to visit regularly. According to Purdom, when Kulkarni Maharaj requested Upasni Maharaj to pay a visit to Sai Baba, Upasni replied 'Why should I go to a Muslim?'[6] Sai Baba is revered by several notable Hindu and Sufi religious leaders. Some of his disciples became famous as spiritual figures and saints, such as Upasni Maharaj, Saint Bidkar Maharaj, Saint Gangagir, Saint Jankidas Maharaj, and Sati Godavari Mataji.[7][8]
[edit]Early yearsHistorians and devotees agree that there is no reliable evidence for a particular birthplace or date of birth. Various communities have claimed that he belongs to them, but nothing has been substantiated. [9] many historians support this finding. It is known that he spent considerable periods with fakirs, and his attire resembled that of a Muslim fakir. Baba reportedly arrived at the village of Shirdi in the Ahmednagar district ofMaharashtra, British India, when he was about 16 years old. It is generally accepted that Sai Baba stayed in Shirdi for three years, disappeared for a year, and returned permanently around 1858, which suggests a birth year of 1838.[10] Sai Baba led an ascetic life, sitting motionless under a neem tree and meditating while sitting in an asana. The Shri Sai Satcharita recounts the reaction of the villagers:
His presence attracted the curiosity of the villagers, and he was regularly visited by the religiously inclined, including Mhalsapati, Appa Jogle and Kashinatha. Some considered him mad and threw stones at him.[12] Sai Baba left the village, and little is known about him after that. However, there are some indications that he met with many saints and fakirs, and worked as a weaver. He claimed to have fought with the army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.[13] [edit]Return to ShirdiIn 1858 Sai Baba returned to Shirdi. Around this time he adopted his famous style of dress consisting of a knee-length one-piece robe (kafni) and a cloth cap. Ramgir Bua, a devotee, testified that Sai Baba was dressed like an athlete and sported 'long hair flowing down to the end of his spine' when he arrived in Shirdi, and that he never had his head shaved. It was only after Baba forfeited a wrestling match with one Mohdin Tamboli that he took up the kafni and cloth cap, articles of typical Sufi clothing.[14] This attire contributed to Baba's identification as a Muslim fakir, and was a reason for initial indifference and hostility against him in a predominantly Hindu village.[15] According to B.V. Narasimhaswami, a posthumous follower who was widely praised as Sai Baba's "apostle", this attitude was prevalent up to 1954 even among some of his devotees in Shirdi.[16] For four to five years Baba lived under a neem tree, and often wandered for long periods in the jungle around Shirdi. His manner was said to be withdrawn and uncommunicative as he undertook long periods of meditation.[17] He was eventually persuaded to take up residence in an old and dilapidated mosque and lived a solitary life there, surviving by begging for alms, and receiving itinerant Hindu or Muslim visitors. In the mosque he maintained a sacred fire which is referred to as a dhuni, from which he gave sacred ashes ('Udhi') to his guests before they left. The ash was believed to have healing and apotropaic powers. He performed the function of a local hakim, and treated the sick by application of ashes. Sai Baba also delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, recommending the reading of sacred Hindu texts along with the Qur'an. He insisted on the indispensability of the unbroken remembrance of God's name (dhikr, japa), and often expressed himself in a cryptic manner with the use of parables, symbols and allegories.[18] Sai Baba participated in religious festivals and was also in the habit of preparing food for his visitors, which he distributed to them as prasad. Sai Baba's entertainment was dancing and singing religious songs. His behavior was sometimes uncouth and violent.[19][20] After 1910 Sai Baba's fame began to spread in Mumbai. Numerous people started visiting him, because they regarded him as a saint with the power of performing miracles, or even as an Avatar.[21] They built his first temple at Bhivpuri, Karjat.[22] [edit]Teachings and practices Sai Baba opposed all persecution based on religion or caste. He was an opponent of religious orthodoxy - Christian, Hindu and Muslim.[23] Although Sai Baba himself led the life of an ascetic, he advised his followers to lead an ordinary family life. Sai Baba encouraged his devotees to pray, chant God's name, and read holy scriptures. He told Muslims to study the Qur'an, and Hindus to study texts such as the Ramayana, Vishnu Sahasranam,Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Vasistha.[24] He advised his devotees and followers to lead a moral life, help others, love every living being without any discrimination, and develop two important features of character: faith (Shraddha) and patience (Saburi). He criticized atheism.[25] In his teachings, Sai Baba emphasized the importance of performing one's duties without attachment to earthly matters, and of being content regardless of the situation. Sai Baba interpreted the religious texts of both Islam and Hinduism. He explained the meaning of the Hindu scriptures in the spirit of Advaita Vedanta. His philosophy also had numerous elements of bhakti. The three main Hindu spiritual paths - Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga - influenced his teachings.[26] Sai Baba said that God penetrates every thing and every being. He emphasized the complete oneness of God which was very close to the Islamic tawhid and the Hindu doctrine of theUpanishads. Sai Baba said that the world is transient, and that only God and his gifts are eternal. He emphasized the importance of devotion to God - bhakti - and surrender to his will. He also talked about the need of faith and devotion to one's spiritual guru. He said that everyone was the soul and not the body. He advised his followers to develop a virtuous character, and taught them that all fate was determined by karma. Sai Baba left no written works. His teachings were typically short, pithy sayings rather than elaborate discourses. Sai Baba would ask his followers for money (dakshina), some of which he would give to the poor and other devotees the same day, and the rest was used to buy wood to maintain Dhuni. According to his followers, this was done to rid them of greed and material attachment. Sai Baba encouraged charity, and stressed the importance of sharing. He said: "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will certainly be pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog."[27] Other favorite sayings of his were: "Why do you fear when I am here", and "He has no beginning... He has no end."[28] Sai Baba made eleven assurances to his devotees: 
[edit]Worship and devoteesMain article: Shirdi Sai Baba movement The Shirdi Sai Baba movement began in the 19th century, while he was living in Shirdi. A local Khandoba priest - Mhalsapati Nagre - is believed to have been his first devotee. In the 19th century Sai Baba's followers were only a small group of Shirdi inhabitants and a few people from other parts of India. The movement started developing in the 20th century, with Sai Baba's message reaching the whole of India.[2]During his life, Hindus worshiped him with Hindu rituals and Muslims considered him to be a saint. In the last years of Sai Baba's life,Christians and Zoroastrians started joining the Shirdi Sai Baba movement.[2] Shirdi is among the major Hindu places of pilgrimage.[29] The first Sai Baba temple is situated at Bhivpuri, Karjat. The Sai Baba Mandir (Hindu temple) in Shirdi is visited by around twenty thousand pilgrims a day and during religious festivals this number can reach up to a hundred thousand.[30] Shirdi Sai Baba is especially revered and worshiped in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. The Shirdi Sai movement has spread to the Caribbean and to countries such as the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Shirdi Sai Baba movement is one of the main Hindu religious movements in English-speaking countries.[31] Sai Baba had many disciples and devotees:
[edit]Reported miraclesSai Baba's millions of disciples and devotees believe that he performed many miracles such as bilocation, levitation, mindreading,materialization, exorcisms, making the river Yamuna, entering a state of Samādhi at will,and lightning lamps with water, removing his limbs or intestines and sticking them back to his body (Khanda Yoga), curing the incurably sick, appearing beaten when another was beaten, appearing in the flesh after death, preventing a mosque from falling down on people, and helping his devotees in a miraculous way.[32] According to his followers he appeared to them in dreams after his death, and gave them advice. His devotees have documented many stories.[33] [edit]Historical sourcesBiographers of Sai Baba (e.g. Govindrao Raghunath Dabholkar, Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja, Smriti Srinivas, Antonio Rigopolous) have based their writing on primary sources. One such source is the Shirdi Diary by Ganesh Shrikrishna Khaparde, which describes every day of the author's stay at Shirdi. Speculation about the unknown episodes of Sai Baba's life are primarily based on his own words. The most important source about Sai's life is the Shri Sai Satcharita, written in Marathi in 1916 by Govindrao Raghunath Dabholkar, whom Sai Baba nicknamed Hemadpant. Consisting of 53 chapters, it describes Sai Baba's life, teachings, and miracles. The book compares Sai Baba's love to a mother's love: caring and loving, but reprimanding when needed. It describes Baba's lifestyle, his selfless attitude, and his love for his devotees. The book describes how one should surrender one's egoism at God's feet and trust one's guru. It explains how God is supreme and His devotees should trust Him and love Him. It teaches that God is omnipresent in all living things, so that everything on Earth must be treated with love and respect. Sri Sai Baba and His Teachings by Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja is an in-depth study of Sai Baba's life routine and activities. B.V. Narasimhaswamiji has written important books such as Sri Sai Baba's Charters and Sayings and Devotee's Experiences of Sai Baba. [edit]In various religions [edit]HinduismDuring Sai Baba's life, the Hindu saint Anandanath of Yewala declared Sai Baba a spiritual "diamond".[34] Another saint, Gangagir, called him a "jewel".[34] Sri Beedkar Maharaj greatly revered Sai Baba, and in 1873, when he met him he bestowed the title Jagad guru upon him.[35][36] Sai Baba was also greatly respected by Vasudevananda Saraswati (known as Tembye Swami).[37] He was also revered by a group of Shaivic yogis, to which he belonged, known as the Nath-Panchayat.[38] [edit]Other religionsIn Islam, Sai Baba mainly appears in Sufism as a Pir. Meher Baba declared Baba to be a Qutub-e-Irshad - the highest of the five Qutubs, a "Master of the Universe" in the spiritual hierarchy.[39] Sai Baba is also worshipped by prominent Zoroastrians such as Nanabhoy Palkhivala and Homi Bhabha, and has been cited as the Zoroastrians' most popular non-Zoroastrian religious figure.[40] Meher Baba met Sai Baba only once in his lifetime, during World War I, in December 1915. Meher Baba was still a youngster named Merwan Sheriar Irani when he met Sai Baba for a few minutes during one of Sai Baba's processions in Shirdi. This event is considered as the most significant in Meher Baba's life. Shri Sai Satcharita (Sai Baba's life story), makes no mention of Meher Baba. But inLord Meher, the life story of Meher Baba, there are innumerable references to Sai Baba.[41] Meher Baba credited his Avataric advent to Upasni, Sai Baba, and three other Perfect Masters – Hazrat Babajan, Hazrat Tajuddin Baba, andNarayan Maharaj. [edit]Notable discipleSai Baba left behind no spiritual heirs and appointed no disciples, and did not even provide formal initiation (diksha), despite requests. Some disciples of Sai Baba achieved fame as spiritual figures, such as Upasni Maharaj of Sakori. After Sai Baba took Mahasamadhi, his devotees offered the daily Aarti to Upasani Maharaj when he paid a visit to Shirdi, two times within 10 years.[41] [edit]In culture[edit]Sacred art and architectureIn India, its a common sight to find a Sai Baba temple in any city or town, in every large city or town there is at least one temple dedicated to Sai Baba.[2] There are even some in towns and cities outside India. In the mosque in Shirdi in which Sai Baba lived, there is a life-size portrait of him by Shama Rao Jaykar, an artist from Mumbai. Numerous monuments and statues depicting Sai Baba, which serve a religious function, have also been made. One of them, made of marble by a sculptor named Balaji Vasant Talim, is in the Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi where Sai Baba was buried.[42] In Sai Baba temples, his devotees play various kinds of devotional religious music, such as aarti.[43] [edit]StampIndian Postal Service released a Sai Baba commemorative stamp in May 2008.[44] On July 30, 2009, the New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah inaugurated what has been acclaimed as the largest solar steam system in the world, at the Shirdi shrine. The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust paid an estimated Rs.1.33 crore for the system, Rs.58.4 lakh of which was paid as a subsidy by the renewable energy ministry. It is said the system can cook 20,000 meals per day for pilgrims visiting the temple.[45][46][47] [edit]Film and televisionSai Baba has been the subject of several feature films in many languages produced by India's film industry.
[edit]DeathIn 1918, Sai Baba died (aged 83). He said that I will be back after 8 years (1926). Date Of Death : 15th October, 1918 [edit]See also
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