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'''Sathya Sai Baba''' (1926-), born Sathyanarayana,<ref name=Edwards2001>{{citation
'''Sathya Sai Baba''' (1926-2011) was a controversial [[South India|South Indian]] [[guru]], [[religion|religious]] leader, and [[orator]], often described as a holy man<ref name=IHE>{{citation
| title = A Brief Guide to Beliefs, Ideas, Theologies, Mysteries, and Movements
| title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism
| author =Linda Edwards
| volume = Volume 2 |editor =  James G. Lochtefeld |year = 2002 | ISBN=0-8239-2287-1}}, p. 583</ref> and [[miracle]] worker.<ref name = Kasturi1961-Ch1>{{cite book  
| year = 2001 | ISBN 0-664-22259-5}}</ref><ref name=Lewis2002>{{citation
  | author = Kasturi, Narayana  
| title = The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions
  | title = Sathyam Sivam Sundaram (Vol. 1)  
| edition = Second Edition
  | publisher = Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
| editor = James R. Lewis| year = 2002 | ISBN=1-57392-88-7}}</ref> with the family name of Ratnakaram and membership in  the Raju caste <ref name = Haraldsson>{{citation
| author = Haraldsson, Erlendur
| title = Miracles are my visiting cards - An investigative inquiry on Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian mystic with the gift of foresight believed to perform modern miracles
| edition = 1997 revised and updated edition published by Sai Towers
| ISBN=81-86822-32-1
}}</ref>He is a controversial [[South India|South Indian]] [[guru]], [[religion|religious]] leader, and [[orator]], often described as a "godman".<ref>The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol two N-Z, James G. Lochtefeld, Ph.D., 2002, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, Hindu religious figure of the type known a [[avatar]], godman (pg 583)</ref> and a [[miracle]] worker.<ref name="kasturi1">{{cite book  
  | author = Narayana Kasturi
  | title = [[Sathyam Sivam Sundaram]] (Vol. 1)  
  | publisher = [[Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust]]
  | isbn = 81-7208-127-8
  | isbn = 81-7208-127-8
  | url = http://laluni.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsundaram/s1003.html }}</ref>
  | url = }}</ref>
<ref name =NagelMentalist>{{citation
Sai Baba presents his teachings as uniting different religions, which is often the case in neo-Hindu movements, but they are deeply and authentically Hindu. He differs from most other gurus by his unambiguous and explicit claims of personal divinity: he claims to be a full [[avatar]] of the Hindu deities [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]], with the aim of restoring [[dharma]].
 
In India he is not unique; there are several other holy men who have gained merely local fame. <ref name=BabbSaintly>{{citation
| author = Babb, Lawrence A.
| contribution = Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play
| title = Saints and Virtues
| editor = J. S. Hawley
| publisher = California University Press| year= 1987}}, p. 169</ref> Moreover, his followers in India have tended to be middle- or upper-class and this has contributed to his fame. Like other "godmen", as holy men are sometimes called in India, his appeal comes from his charisma, his claims of miracles and paranormal capabilities, and not so much from his [[parampara]], though he has a lineage of sorts through his claim to be a reincarnation of the fakir [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] (1857?-1918), who had both Muslim as well as Hindu traits and whose name he took.<ref>Babb, ''Saintly'', p. 171-172</ref> <ref>Lochtefeld, James G. Ph.D. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'' Vol. I ISBN 0-8239-3179-X, entry "Godman" New York Rosen 2002 </ref>
 
The [[Sathya Sai Organization]] (SSO) says it has 1,200 Centers in 114 countries.<ref>[http://www.sathyasai.org/organize/content.htm Sathya Sai Org: Numbers to Sai Centers and Names of Countries]</ref> The number of adherents is estimated sometimes as around 6 million, and followers claim "50 to 100 million".<ref name=NagelParadox>{{citation
  | author = Nagel, Alexandra  
  | author = Nagel, Alexandra  
  | title = Een mysterieuze ontmoeting... :Sai Baba en mentalist Wolf Messing''
  | contribution = The Sai Paradox contradictions of and surrounding Sathya Sai Baba
  | journal = Tijdschrift voor Parapsychologie 368
  | title = Religious movements in the Netherlands, 'Cults/Sects'
  | volume 72 | issue 4 | date = December 2005}}</ref>  
  | year = 1994
<ref name =IT2000-12-04>{{citation
  | publisher = Free University of Amsterdam
| journal = [[India Today]]
  | ISBN=90-5383-341-2 }}</ref>
| title = A God Accused
 
| date = December 04, 2000
==Kasturi's biography==
  | url = http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover5.shtml#shadow
Virtually all existing accounts of Sathya Sai Baba's life are based on the writings of the late secretary  of Sai Baba, professor Narayana Kasturi.  <ref>{{citation
  | accessdate =17 February 2007}}</ref><ref name=Woodhead>{{cite book | last = Woodhead | first = Linda | coauthors = Paul Fletcher | title = [[Religion in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformation]] | publisher = [[Routledge]] | date = | pages = | month = | isbn = 0-415-21784-9}}</ref><ref name=Lochtefeld>{{cite book | last = Lochtefeld | first = James G. | coauthors = | title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism
  | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20031003134741/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2000/10/28/tlbaba28.xml
|volume = 1 | publisher = Rosen  | date = 2002 | isbn = 0-8239-3179-X
  | title = Divine downfall
| contribution =  "[[Godman (Hindu ascetic)|Godman]]"}}</ref>
| date = October 28, 2000 
<ref name=Hummel>{{citation
| journal = Daily Telegraph
| author = Hummel, Reinhart
| accessdate = 2009-02-28}}</ref>Kasturi wrote a biography, which Babb described as "hagiographic", depicting the life of Sai Baba not as a development of the person but as revelations about himself. <ref>Babb, Lawrence A. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society, chapter Sathya Sai Baba’s miracles, published by Waveland press 2000 (original publisher is by Oxford University Press 1987) ISBN 577661532, page 160</ref><ref>Babb, Lawrence A. “Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play”, in Saints and Virtues, John Stratton Hawley (ed.), Berkeley, CA: California University Press, 1987:168-186</ref>. Details have been removed  from the biography and the childhood is modeled after the life of Krishna. <ref>Babb, Lawrence A. “Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play”, in Saints and Virtues, John Stratton Hawley (ed.), Berkeley, CA: California University Press, 1987,pages 168-186. See in particular page 173</ref>
| title = German article published in Materialdienst der EZW, 47 Jahrgang, [[1 February]] [[1984]]
| translator = Linda W. Duddy
| url = http://www.dci.dk/?artikel=572 }}</ref>Sathya Sai Baba presents his teachings as universal, as is often the case in neo-Hindu movements, though they are deeply and authentically Hindu. He differs from most other gurus by his unambiguous and explicit claims of personal divinity, to be more precise, he claims to be a full avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu deities Shiva and Shakti with the aim of restoring dharma (righteousness). As a type, he is however not unique: there are many godmen who are far less famous and successful than he. In addition, his followers in India tend to come from the middle class and higher class and this added to his fame. Like other godmen his appeal comes from his charisma, his claims of miracles and paranormal capabilities and not so much from his parampara (guru lineage), though he has a lineage of sorts through his claim to a be a reincarnation of the popular fakir [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] (1857?-1918) whose name he took. The popular and much revered Shirdi Sai Baba had both Muslim as well as Hindu traits and followers.  


According to the [[Sathya Sai Organization]], there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 130 countries world-wide.<ref>[http://www.sathyasai.org/organize/content.htm Sathya Sai Org: Numbers to Sai Centers and Names of Countries]</ref> The number of Sathya Sai Baba adherents is estimated sometimes as around 6 million, and followers cite "50 to 100 million".<ref>*Nagel, Alexandra "De Sai Paradox: Tegenstrijdigheden van en rondom Sathya Sai Baba"/"The Sai Paradox contradictions of and surrounding Sathya Sai Baba" from the magazine "Religieuze Bewegingen in Nederland, 'Sekten' "/"Religious movements in the Netherlands, 'Cults/Sects' ", 1994, nr. 29. published by the Free University Amsterdam press, (1994) ISBN 90-5383-341-2 reports the following estimates: Beyerstein (1992:3) [skeptic]:  6 million; Riti & Theodore (1993:31): 30 million; Sluizer (1993:19): 70 million; Van Dijk (1993:30)  "between 50 and 100 million."; [http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_581.html#3510 Adherents] cites [[George Chryssides|Chryssides, George]]. ''Exploring New Religions''. London, U.K.: Cassells (1999) with 10 million<br>*{{cite news  | last = Brown | first = Mick | title = Divine Downfall | pages = | publisher = [[Daily Telegraph]] | date = [[2000-10-28]] | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2000/10/28/tlbaba28.xml | accessdate = 2007-03-12}}"The guru Sai Baba has left India only once, yet his devotees across the world are estimated at up to 50 million."<br>*{{cite book | last = Edwards | first = Linda | coauthors = | title = [[A Brief Guide to Beliefs, Ideas, Theologies, Mysteries, and Movements]] | publisher = | date = 2001 | pages = | month = | isbn = 0-664-22259-5}}(venerated by hundreds of millions in India and abroad)</ref>
The Hollywood screenwriter, Arnold Schulman, tried to verify some stories from Katuri's writings. He came to the conclusion that "for any episode of Baba's childhood, there are countless contrasting versions and, at this point, the author discovered that it was no longer possible to separate the facts from the legend.”<ref>Schulman, Arnold (1971). Baba. Viking Press. pp. 122–124. ISBN 0-670-14343-X.  </ref>


==Life==
==Life==
Sathya Sai Baba was born Sathyanarayana Raju to Peddavenkappa Raju and Easwaramma, a poor [[agrarian]] family in the remote village of [[Puttaparthi]], located in [[Anantapur|Anantapur district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. His official biography, which was written by his secretary, the late Narayana Kasturi, says "Sai Baba was born 'of immaculate conception' [''sic''; Kasturi probably meant "parthenogenesis" or "virgin birth"] in the southern Indian village of Puttaparthi in 1926."<ref name=TT2000-10-28>{{citation
Sathya Sai Baba was born to a poor farming family in the remote village of [[Puttaparthi]], located in [[Anantapur|Anantapur district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. His birth name was Sathyanarayana Raju,<ref name=Edwards2001>{{cite book | last = Edwards | first = Linda | coauthors = | title = A Brief Guide to Beliefs, Ideas, Theologies, Mysteries, and Movements |date = 2001 | isbn = 0-664-22259-5}}</ref> with the family name of Ratnakaram and membership in the Raju caste.<ref name = Haraldsson>{{citation
| author = Brown, Mick
| author = Haraldsson, Erlendur
| title = Divine Downfall | journal = The Telegraph]
| title = Miracles are my visiting cards - An investigative inquiry on Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian mystic with the gift of foresight believed to perform modern miracles
| date = October 28, 2000
| edition = 1997 revised and updated edition published by Sai Towers
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2000/10/28/tlbaba28.xml }}</ref> It was said that instruments played on their own accord in his household when he was born. <ref> Chennai Online, ''"Sri Sathya Sai Baba: A living Legend"'' by Ramakrishnan R, [http://www.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Articles/epicstory26.asp ]</ref>  
| ISBN=81-86822-32-1 }}
</ref>


Kasturi wrote in a book about Sathya Sai Baba's mother that she found out she was pregnant after dreaming of the [[Hindu]] god Sathyanarayana and after a huge sphere of blue light rolled towards her, merged into her and made her faint.<ref>Narayana Kasturi, ''Easwaramma - The Chosen Mother of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba''. Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publication Trust, ISBN 81-7208-066-2</ref>Kasturi wrote in his biography that a cobra was found in the bedclothes of the baby shortly after Sathya Sai Baba was born.<ref>Kent, page 37<br>"The birth was symbolically marked by a cobra in the bedclothes [..]"</ref>
===Events surrounding birth===
<blockquote>Indeed the village which bears the name, "Anthill Prosperity" gave the child an appropriate welcome! A snake was there in the lying-in room! The women did not notice it for long; but, when the baby, laid on a bed of clothes, was being moved up and down in a peculiar way by something underneath, they watched with bated breath and when at last they searched, they found a cobra below the bed! The snake was acting the role of Sesha to the Seshasayi! <ref name=KasturiCh3>{{citation
Kasturi wrote that "Sai Baba was born 'of immaculate conception' [''sic''; Kasturi probably meant "parthenogenesis" or "virgin birth"]"<ref name="divinedownfall">{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Mick | title = Divine Downfall | pages = | publisher = Daily Telegraph | date =2000-10-28 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2000/10/28/tlbaba28.xml | accessdate = 2007-03-12}}
  | Kasturi, Narayana
</ref>
| title = Sathyam Sivam Sundaram'' Vol. 1
| url = http://laluni.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsundaram/s1003.html
| contribution = Chapter 3 Balagopala}}</ref></blockquote> Some of his followers identify Sai Baba as the Lord of Serpents, Sheshiasa.<ref name=Lewis2002 />


The [[Hollywood]] screenwriter [[Arnold Schulman]] wrote in his 1971 book that Kasturi's story was denied by Sathya Sai Baba's sister: "the cobra was not found under the blanket, but several hours after Baba was born a cobra was seen outside the house." One of Baba's two sisters, however, who claims to have been present at his birth, says that the cobra was not found under the blanket, but several hours after Baba was born a cobra was seen outside the house, a sight not uncommon in the village.<ref name=Schulman>{{citation
Some of his followers identify Sai Baba as the Lord of Serpents, Sheshiasa. Kasturi wrote in a book about Sai Baba's mother that she found out she was pregnant after dreaming of the [[Hindu]] god [[Sathyanarayana]] and after a huge sphere of blue light rolled towards her, merged into her and made her faint.<ref>Narayana Kasturi, ''Easwaramma - The Chosen Mother of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba''. Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publication Trust, ISBN 81-7208-066-2</ref> He is associated with the cobra, which is a powerful symbol in the culture.  
| author = Schulman, Arnold
| title = Baba | year = 1971 |  ISBN 0-670-14343-X.}}</ref> Schulman further stated that "for any episode of Baba's childhood, there are countless contrasting versions and, at this point, the author discovered that it was no longer possible to separate the facts from the legend".


The Australian journalist [Howard Murphet]] wrote in his 1971 book that Sathya Sai Baba attended the Higher Elementary School at a nearby village, called Bukkapatnam during his 8th year.<ref name=Murphet>{{citation
He attended the Higher Elementary School at a nearby village during his 8th year,<ref name=Murphet>{{citation
  | author = Murphet, Howard
  | author = Murphet, Howard
  | title = Man of Miracles
  | title = Man of Miracles
  | year = 1977
  | year = 1977
  | publisher = Weiser Books | ISBN=0877283354}}</ref> He had special talents for drama, music, poetry and acting, wrote songs for the village opera at the age of eight. After that Sai Baba joined the high school at [[Uravakonda]], according to Kasturi's biography. [[Narayana Kasturi|Kasturi]] further wrote in his biography that on March 8, 1940, in [[Uravakonda]] around evening, Sathya Sai Baba started behaving as if a black scorpion had stung his foot. Uravakonda means "serpent-hill" and the place was known for serpents and scorpions. However, nobody found the scorpion, according to Kasturi. One night, Kasturi continues, after this strange event Sai Baba entered a state similar to [[coma]], which his devotees call the state of "leaving his body". Kasturi further wrote that after he got out of this state he started behaving in a way that worried his parents - he didn't want to eat, he would often keep silent for a long time, recited ancient [[shlokas]] or elaborated on holy Hindu scriptures. In 1940 he proclaimed himself to be a [[reincarnation]] of the [[fakir]] and saint [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] (circa 1838-1918) and subsequently took the fakir's name.
| url http://vahini.org/downloads/murphet-manofmiracles.html
<blockquote>In 1940, at the age of fourteen, he proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of the celebrated Sai Baba of Shirdi-a saint who became famous in the late  nineteenth and early  twentieth centuries.<ref name=BabbAQ1983>{{citation
  | publisher = Weiser Books | ISBN=0877283354}}</ref> and was known both for compassion and creativity. After that Sai Baba joined the high school at Uravakonda.
===Mysticism and reincarnation===
[[Narayana Kasturi|Kasturi]] further wrote in his biography that on March 8, 1940, around evening, Sai Baba started behaving as if a black scorpion had stung his foot. However, nobody found the scorpion, according to Kasturi. One night, Kasturi continues, after this strange event Sai Baba entered a state similar to [[coma]], which his devotees call the state of "leaving his body". Kasturi further wrote that after he got out of this state he started behaving in a way that worried his parents - he didn't want to eat, he would often keep silent for a long time, recited [[shlokas]]. According to Kasturi, on October 20 1940, in his 14th year Sai Baba threw away his books, and announced that he was leaving. His words were "My devotees are calling me. I have my work." He then spent the next three days mostly under a tree in the garden of an excise inspector and many people gathered around him, Kasturi continues. He taught them Hindu devotional songs ([[bhajans]]). Sai Baba is listed in the 1942 school record of Bukkapatnam.<ref>Padmanaban, R. ''Love is my form, Vol. 1, The Advent'' (1926-1950), Bangalore: Sai Towers Publishing, 2000: pages 68, 132-133, 147.</ref>
===Reincarnation===
Different accounts present his, and other statements, about his being a [[reincarnation]] of an earlier holy man or of a deity, and how he will reincarnate after this life.  These accounts involve the mystic and fakir [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] (circa 1838-1918), whose name he took; the deities  Shiva and Shakti; and a future reincarnation, after his death at the age of 96,<ref>Babb, ''Saintly'', p. 173</ref> to be a young man named ''Prema Sai Baba''.
 
In 1940 he proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of [[Shirdi Sai Baba].<ref name=BabbAQ1983>{{citation
  | author = Babb, Lawrence
  | author = Babb, Lawrence
  | title = Sathya Sai Baba's Magic
  | title = Sathya Sai Baba's Magic
  | journal = Anthropological Quarterly = year = 1983}}</ref>
  | journal = Anthropological Quarterly |year = 1983}}</ref> In a subsequent discourse in 1963, he claimed to be a reincarnation of [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]],<ref name=Discourse1963-07-06>{{ citation
</blockquote>
| title = Discourse
According to Kasturi, on October 20 1940, in his 14th year Sai Baba threw away his books, and announced that he was leaving. His words were "My devotees are calling me. I have my work." He then spent the next three days mostly under a tree in the garden of an excise inspector and many people gathered around him, Kasturi continues. He taught them Hindu devotional songs, called [[bhajans]]. Sathya Sai Baba is listed in the 1942 school record of Bukkapatnam.<ref>Padmanaban, R. ''Love is my form, Vol. 1, The Advent'' (1926-1950), Bangalore: Sai Towers Publishing, 2000: pages 68, 132-133, 147. </ref>In 1944 a [[mandir]] for followers of Sathya Sai Baba was built near the village which is now called the "old mandir".<ref>Bowen, David  (1988) The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices. Leeds: University Press. page 341</ref><ref> Howard Murphet - Man of Miracles, first published in 1971, Published in  June 1977 by Weiser Books ISBN 0877283354 (Chapter V), [http://vahini.org/downloads/murphet-manofmiracles.html#birthandchildhood ] </ref>The construction of, [[Prashanthi Nilayam]], the current ashram was started in 1948. <ref>Bowen, David (1988) The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices. Leeds: University Press. page 342</ref>
  | author =Sathya Sai Baba  
 
  | date = 6 July, 1963
[[Howard Murphet]] writes in his 1971 book that the young Sathya was a vegetarian and was known for his aversion to animal cruelty and compassion for the poor, disabled and elderly.<ref>[[Howard Murphet|Murphet, Howard]] ''Sai Baba Man of Miracles'', originally published in 1971, published in June 1977 by Weiser books ISBN 0877283354 </ref> According to Kasturi and to Sathya Sai Baba himself, the young Sathya composed [[bhajans]] spontaneously (even as young as 8 years of age) and was talented in drama, dance, music and poetry.
  | url = http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1963/d630706.htm}}</ref> but clarified that [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] was an incarnation of Shiva and that his future reincarnation ''Prema Sai Baba'' would be a reincarnation of Shakti and repeated this claim in 1976.<ref>Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to R.K. Karanjia of Blitz News Magazine in September of 1976, [http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm ] (retrieved 20 Feb. 2007)</ref> In contrast, Kasturi's biography said that  Sathya Sai Baba had said Shirdi Sai Baba was Shakti (i.e., rather than Shiva) incarnated and that Prema Sai Baba was to be an incarnation of Shiva.<ref name=Kasturi_1973>{{citation
 
In a discourse in 1963 he claimed to be a reincarnation of [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]].<ref>[http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1963/d630706.htm ] ''Shiva Shakthi'', Gurupournima Day, [[6 July]] [[1963]], (Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks III 5, 19.)</ref> In the same discourse Sathya Sai Baba said that [[Shirdi Sai Baba]] was an incarnation of Shiva and that his future reincarnation ''Prema Sai Baba'' would be a reincarnation of Shakti and repeated this claim in [[1976]].<ref>Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to R.K. Karanjia of Blitz News Magazine in September of 1976, [http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm ] (retrieved 20 Feb. 2007) <br>"Finally, Prema Sai, the third Avathar will promote the evangel news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. That will be the final wisdom which will enable every man and woman to go to God. The three Avathars carry the triple message of work, worship and wisdom."</ref> In contrast, Kasturi’s biography or hagiography of Sathya Sai Baba stated that Shirdi Sai Baba was Shakti incarnated and that Prema Sai Baba was to be an incarnation of Shiva.<ref name="Kasturi_1973" /> The biography further states that Prema Sai Baba will be born in [[Mysore state]]: <blockquote>He said, "I have been keeping back from you all these years one secret about Me; the time has come when I can reveal it to you. This is a sacred day. I am Siva-Sakthi," He declared, "born in the gothra of Bharadwaja, according to a boon won by that sage from Siva and Sakthi. Sakthi Herself was born in the gothra of that sage as Sai Baba of Shirdi; Siva and Sakthi have incarnated as Myself in his gothra now; Siva alone will incarnate as the third Sai (Prema Sai Baba) in the same gothra in Mysore State."<ref name="Kasturi_1973">{{citation
  | author = Kasturi, Narayana
  | author = Kasturi, Narayana
  | title =Sathyam Sivam Sundaram - Part II: The Life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
  | title =Sathyam Sivam Sundaram - Part II: The Life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
  | year= 1973Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, ISBN 81-7208-127-8
  | year= 1973
| pages = 88-89  </ref></blockquote>   
| publisher = Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust | ISBN=81-7208-127-8}}, pp. 88-89  </ref> The biography further states that Prema Sai Baba will be born in [[Mysore state]]:
<blockquote>He said, "I have been keeping back from you all these years one secret about Me; the time has come when I can reveal it to you. This is a sacred day. I am Siva-Sakthi," He declared, "born in the gothra of Bharadwaja, according to a boon won by that sage from Siva and Sakthi. Sakthi Herself was born in the gothra of that sage as Sai Baba of Shirdi; Siva and Sakthi have incarnated as Myself in his gothra now; Siva alone will incarnate as the third Sai (Prema Sai Baba) in the same gothra in Mysore State."<ref name=Kasturi_1973 />
</blockquote>   


According to Donald Taylor, in a 1987 article, titled "Charismatic authority in the Sathya Sai Baba movement”, Sathya Sai Baba's 1963 declaration that he would be reincarnated as [[Prema Sai Baba]] was Sathya Sai Baba's strategy to defuse the problem about his succession and thus continue to have all the authority in his hand.<ref>Taylor, Donald "[[Charismatic authority]] in the Sathya Sai Baba movement" in Richard Burghart (ed.), ''Hinduism in Great Britain'', (1987) London/New York: Tavistock Publications, pp. 130-131.</ref>Sathya Sai Baba has predicted that he will die at the age of 96 in the body of a young man. <ref>Babb, Lawrence A. "Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play", in "Saints and Virtues", J. S. Hawley (ed.), Berkeley, CA: California University Press, 1987, page 173.</ref>
According to Donald Taylor, in a 1987 article, titled "Charismatic authority in the Sathya Sai Baba movement”, Sai Baba's 1963 declaration that he would be reincarnated as Prema Sai Baba was Sai Baba's strategy to defuse the problem about his succession and thus continue to have all the authority in his hand.<ref>Taylor, Donald "Charismatic authority in the Sathya Sai Baba movement" in Richard Burghart (ed.), ''Hinduism in Great Britain'', (1987) London/New York: Tavistock Publications, pp. 130-131.</ref>
===First organzations===
In 1944 a [[mandir]] for followers of Sai Baba was built near the village which is now called the "old mandir".<ref name=Bowen>{{citation
| author = Bowen, David
| year = 1988
| title = The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices
| publisher = University Press}}, p. 341</ref><ref name=Murphet />
The construction of [[Prashanthi Nilayam]], the current ashram, was started in 1948.


In 1958 [[Sanathana Sarathi (magazine)|Sanathana Sarathi]], the official magazine for the followers of Sathya Sai Baba, was first published. <ref>Bowen, David  (1988) The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices. Leeds: University Press. page 342</ref>In the late 1960s he attracted Western spiritual seekers and became increasingly popular. [[As of 2007]], he left India only once for a visit to [[North East Africa]] in 1968.<ref>Bowen, David  (1988) The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices. Leeds: University Press. page 343</ref><ref>Kasturi, Narayana, ''"Sathyam, Shivam, Sundaram"'', ISBN 1-57836-077-3</ref>
In 1958 [[Sanathana Sarathi (magazine)|Sanathana Sarathi]], the official magazine for the followers of Sai Baba, was first published. <ref>Bowen, p. 342</ref>In the late 1960s he attracted Western spiritual seekers and became increasingly popular. As of 2007, he had been outside India only once, for a visit to [[North East Africa]] in 1968.<ref>Bowen, p. 343</ref><ref>Kasturi, Narayana, ''"Sathyam, Shivam, Sundaram"'', ISBN 1-57836-077-3</ref>


==Beliefs and practices==
==Beliefs and practices==
:''Main article: [[Sathya Sai Baba movement]]''
===Ashrams and mandirs===
[[Puttaparthi]], where Sai Baba was born and still lives, remains a small town of 9,000 in [[Andhra Pradesh]], but now has an extensive university complex and SSO tourist attactions. <ref>The Star, ''"Enlightening experience in India"'', by M. Krishnamoorthy [http://web.archive.org/web/20050412101614/http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/4/2/features/9982154&sec=features ]</ref> Puttaparthi contains his main [[ashram]], called ''[[Prashanthi Nilayam]]'' (abode of highest peace) at Puttaparthi. In the summer Baba leaves for his other ashram, ''Brindavan'', in Kadugodi,  a town on the outskirts of [[Bangalore]]. Occasionally, he visits his Sai Shruti ashram in [[Kodaikanal]].<ref>The ashrams of Sathya Sai Baba. Referenced from the official Sathya Sai Organization website, [http://www.sathyasai.org/ashrams/content.html ]</ref>


===Ashrams and mandirs===
High ranking Indian politicians, like Indian President Dr. [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]]<ref>The Hindu, ''"A 5-point recipe for happiness"'', by Our Staff Reporter, November 24 2006 [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/24/stories/2006112405400400.htm ]</ref> and [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.<ref>The Hindu, ''"Warm welcome to PM at Puttaparthi"'', by Our Staff Reporter, February 12 2004 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/12/stories/2004021203690600.htm ]</ref> On Sai Baba's 80th birthday celebrations it was reported that well over a million people attended, as well as 13,000 delegates from India and 180 countries abroad.<ref>Deccan Herald: ''"Sathya Sai's birthday celebrations on"'' by Terry Kennedy, November 23 2005, [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov232005/national1724520051122.asp ]</ref>
[[Puttaparthi]], where Sathya Sai Baba was born and still lives, was originally a small village where one can now find an extensive [[University]] complex,  ''Chaitanya Jyoti'' (a World-Religions Museum that has won several international awards for design<ref>The Star, ''"Enlightening experience in India"'', by M. Krishnamoorthy [http://web.archive.org/web/20050412101614/http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/4/2/features/9982154&sec=features ]</ref>), a spiritual museum, a [[Planetarium]], a railway station, a hill-view stadium, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and more.<ref>Places to see at Puttaparthi. Referenced from official Sathya Sai Organization website, [http://www.sathyasai.org/ashrams/prasanthi/outsideinterest.html ]</ref> High ranking Indian politicians, like the current President Dr. [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] and [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] (Former Prime minister) have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.<ref>The Hindu, ''"A 5-point recipe for happiness"'', by Our Staff Reporter, November 24 2006 [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/24/stories/2006112405400400.htm ]</ref><ref>The Hindu, ''"Warm welcome to PM at Puttaparthi"'', by Our Staff Reporter, February 12 2004 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/12/stories/2004021203690600.htm ]</ref> On Sathya Sai Baba's 80th birthday celebrations it was reported that well over a million people attended, as well as 13,000 delegates from India and 180 countries abroad.<ref>Deccan Herald: ''"Sathya Sai's birthday celebrations on"'' by Terry Kennedy, November 23 2005, [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov232005/national1724520051122.asp ]</ref>


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 Baba leaves for his other ashram called ''Brindavan'' in Kadugodi, [[Whitefield, India|Whitefield]], a town on the outskirts of [[Bangalore]]. Occasionally, he visits his Sai Shruti ashram in [[Kodaikanal]].<ref>The ashrams of Sathya Sai Baba. Referenced from the official Sathya Sai Organization website, [http://www.sathyasai.org/ashrams/content.html ]</ref>  
Sai Baba established three primary [[mandir]]s in India. The first center, established in [[Mumbai]], is referred to as either "Dharmakshetra" or "Sathyam". The second center, established in [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], is referred to as "Shivam". The third center, established in [[Chennai]], is referred to as "Sundaram".<ref>Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram Mandirs On Official radiosai.org website [http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAR06/coverstory_sundaram.htm ]</ref>


Sathya Sai Baba established three primary [[Hindu temple|mandirs]] in India. The first center, established in [[Mumbai]], is referred to as either "Dharmakshetra" or "Sathyam". The second center, established in [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], is referred to as "Shivam". The third center, established in [[Chennai]], is referred to as "Sundaram".<ref>Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram Mandirs On Official radiosai.org website [http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAR06/coverstory_sundaram.htm ]</ref>
The daily program at Sai Baba's ashrams usually begins with the chanting of om and a morning prayer. This is followed by [[Veda Parayan]], [[nagasankirtan]] and twice daily [[bhajan]]s and [[darshan]]. Particularly significant are the ''darshans'' during October (the Dasara holidays and November (the month of Sai Baba's birth).  


The daily program at Sathya Sai Baba's ashrams usually begins with the chanting of om and a morning [[prayer]]. This is followed by Veda Parayan (chanting of the [[Vedas]]), nagasankirtan (morning devotional songs) and twice daily [[bhajan]]s and [[darshan]](a vision of Sai Baba).<ref name=Lewis2002 /> Particularly significant are the darshans during October (the Dasara holidays and November (the month of Sai Baba's birth).<ref name=Lewis2002 /> During ''darshan'' Sathya Sai Baba walks among his followers and may interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute [[vibhuti]] (sacred ash) or call groups or individuals for interviews. Interviews are chosen solely by the guru's discretion. Followers consider it a great privilege to get an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family will be invited for a private interview. People who receive such interviews may be startled by the [[materialization]]s and the disclosures that Sathya Sai Baba as a [[clairvoyance|clairvoyant]] reveals of their own lives.<ref>[[Reinhart Hummel|Hummel, Reinhart|]] ''Guru, Miracle Worker, Religious Founder: Sathya Sai Baba'' article in Update IX 3, Sept. 1985, originally published in German in Materialdienst der EZW, 47 Jahrgang, 1 February 1984 (retrieved 20 Feb. 2007) <br>"If the visitor finally managed to meet him, he would be startled not only with materializations but also with disclosures of his own life that Sai Baba, as clairvoyant, reveals"</ref>Sathya Sai Baba claims that his darshan has spiritual benefits, which is a common belief among [[Hindu]]s regarding saints and gurus.
During ''darshan'' Sathya Sai Baba walks among his followers and may interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute [[vibhuti]] or call groups or individuals for interviews. Interviews are chosen solely by the guru's discretion. Followers consider it a great privilege to get an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family will be invited for a private interview. People who receive such interviews may be startled by the [[materialization]]s and the disclosures that Sai Baba as a [[clairvoyance|clairvoyant]] reveals of their own lives.<ref name= Hummel>{{citation
| author = Reinhart Hummel
| title = Guru, Miracle Worker, Religious Founder: Sathya Sai Baba
| journal = Materialdienst der EZW, 47 Jahrgang, 1 February 1984  
| accessdate =  20 Feb. 2007}}</ref>


===Reported Miracles===
===Reported miracles===
In some books, magazines, filmed interviews and articles, Sathya Sai Baba's followers report incredible [[miracle]]s and [[faith healer|healings]] of various kinds that they attribute to him.<ref name=Babb1986>{{citation
Sai Baba's followers report [[miracle]]s and [[faith healer|healings]] of various kinds that they attribute to him.<ref name=Babb1986>{{citation
  | title = Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition
  | title = Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition
  | author = Lawrence A. Babb
  | author = Lawrence A. Babb
  | year = 1986
  | year = 1986
  | ISBN=1-57766-153-2}}</ref> Sathya Sai Baba is said to sometimes take on the illnesses of devotees on himself.<ref>Sathya Sai Baba ''[[Shiva]] [[Shakthi]], on ''[[guru poornima|Gurupournima]]'' Day, 6 July 1963, in Sathya Sai Speaks III 5, 19.)  [http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1963/d630706.htm ]</ref>  Daily, he is observed to allegedly manifest [[vibuthi]] (holy ash), and sometimes food and small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches. "For example, he materializes vibuthi constantly..." that he often passes to a worshiper.<ref name=NagelParadox>{{citation
  | ISBN=1-57766-153-2}}</ref> Sai Baba is said to sometimes take on the illnesses of devotees on himself.<ref>Sathya Sai Baba ''[[Shiva]] [[Shakthi]], on ''[[guru poornima|Gurupournima]]'' Day, 6 July 1963, in Sathya Sai Speaks III 5, 19.)  [http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1963/d630706.htm ]</ref>  "For example, he materializes [[vibuthi]] constantly..." that he often passes to a worshiper.<ref name=NagelParadox/> The [[anthropology|anthropologist]] Lawrence Babb wrote that this transaction connects Sai Baba to a worshiper and that the worshiper benefits from the perceived virtues of the gift.<ref>Babb, "Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play", page 178</ref>  
| author = Nagel, Alexandra
| contribution =  "De Sai Paradox: Tegenstrijdigheden van en rondom Sathya Sai Baba"/"The Sai Paradox contradictions of and surrounding Sathya Sai Baba"
| title = "Religieuze Bewegingen in Nederland, 'Sekten' "/"Religious movements in the Netherlands, 'Cults/Sects' "
| year = 1994
| publisher = Free University of Amsterdam
| ISBN=90-5383-341-2 }}</ref> The [[anthropology|anthropologist]] Lawrence Babb wrote that this transaction connects Sathya Sai Baba to a worshiper and that the worshiper benefits from the perceived virtues of the gift.<ref>Babb, Lawrence A. "Sathya Sai Baba’s Saintly Play", in "Saints and Virtues", J. S. Hawley (ed.), Berkeley, CA: California University Press, 1987, page 178.</ref>  


In devotees' houses all around the world, there are claims from observers, journalists and devotees that [[vibuthi]], [[kumkum]], [[turmeric]] powder, holy water, [[siva]] [[lingam]]s, 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.<ref>Nair, Yogas, "Raisins, ash raise eyebrows", The Post [[April 19]] [[2006]], [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/raisins-ashes.html ]</ref><ref>Brown Mick, The Spiritual Tourist, Ch: The Miracle In North London, pp. 29-30, 1998 ISBN 1-58234-034-X </ref><ref>[[March 17]] [[2004]] in the newspaper ''Post'' South Africa [http://www.thepost.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=154&fArticleId=375687 ]</ref><ref>"House of Miracles", Sunday [[24 March]] [[2002]], Durban news, ''Sunday Times'' [http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/03/24/news/durban/ndbn01.asp ]</ref><ref>India Express, ''"Sai Baba in a DDA flat?"'' by Rekha Bakshi, [http://www.indiaexpress.com/faith/festivals/20000306-0.html ]</ref><ref>Kent, Alexandra ''Divinity and Diversity: a Hindu revitalization movement in Malaysia'', Copenhagen Nias Press, first published in 2005, ISBN 8791114403, page 125</ref>  
The retired [[Iceland]]ic psychology professor [[Erlendur Haraldsson]] wrote that, although he did not get Sai Baba's permission to study him under controlled circumstances, he investigated and documented the guru's alleged miracles and manifestations through first-hand interviews with devotees and ex-devotees.  Some of the reported miracles attributed to 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, healings, 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. Haraldsson wrote that the largest allegedly materialized object that he saw was a [[mangalsutra]] necklace, 32 inches long, 16 inches long on each side.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit'', pp. 43</ref>  


The retired [[Iceland]]ic 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. 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, healings, 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.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit'', pp. ??</ref>
Sai Baba has explained the phenomenon of manifestation as being an act of divine creation, but refused to have his [[materialization (parapsychology)|materializations]] investigated under experimental conditions. In April 1976, Dr. H. Narasimhaiah, a [[physics|physicist]], [[rationalism|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 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. Sai Baba ignored the challenge as he felt the approach was improper and said about the Narasimhaiah committee that:
 
<blockquote>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 [...]<ref name="blitz">{{citation
These devotees and ex-devotees also claimed that they witnessed Sathya Sai Baba materialize many substances from his hand.<ref>such as vibuthi, lost objects, statues, photographs, Indian pastries (both hot and cold), food (hot, cold, solid and fluid), out of season fruits, new banknotes, pendants, necklaces, watches and rings</ref> Haraldsson wrote that the largest allegedly materialized object that he saw was a [[mangalsutra]] necklace, 32 inches long, 16 inches long on each side.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit'', pp. 43</ref> 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.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit.'', pp 231, 239-241</ref>
| title = Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to R.K. Karanjia of ''Blitz News Magazine''  
| year =  September 1976
| url = http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm}}</ref></blockquote>


Sathya Sai Baba has explained the phenomenon of manifestation as being an act of divine creation, but refused to have his [[materialization (parapsychology)|materializations]] investigated under experimental conditions.  In April 1976, Dr. [[H. Narasimhaiah]], a [[physics|physicist]], [[rationalism|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.<ref> Haraldson, ''op. cit'', pp 204-205</ref> Sathya Sai Baba said that he ignored Narasimhaiah's challenge because he felt his approach was improper.<ref name="blitz"/> Sathya Sai Baba further said about the Narasimhaiah committee that:<blockquote>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 [...]<ref name="blitz"/></blockquote>
According to Erlendur Haraldsson, the formal challenge from the committee came to a dead end because the negative attitude of the committee was obvious. Narasimhaiah stated that he considered the fact that Sai Baba ignored his letters as an indication that his miracles are fraudulent. As a result of this episode, a public debate raged for several months in Indian newspapers.<ref>Haraldsson pp. 206-209</ref> Narasimhaiah's committee was dissolved in August of 1977.


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.<ref>Haraldsson, pp 209</ref> As a result of this episode, a public debate raged for several months in Indian newspapers.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit.'', pp. 206</ref> Narasimhaiah's committee was dissolved in August of 1977.
According to a 1994 article written by Alexandra Nagel, Dale Beyerstein negated supernatural stories about Sathya Sai Baba.<ref name=NagelParadox /> In the 1995 TV documentary ''"Guru Busters"'', by [[Channel 4 (U.K.)]], Sai Baba was accused of faking his materializations and a videotape was supplied alleging fraud. The same videotape was mentioned in the Deccan Chronicle, on November 23, 1992, on a front page headline ''"DD Tape Unveils Baba Magic"''. Erlendur Haraldsson stated that he and his associates analyzed the videotape shown in the ''"Guru Busters"'' documentary and mentioned by the Deccan Chronicle. Haraldsson stated that the videotape's quality and resolution left much to be desired and limited the inferences that could be drawn from it.  
 
According to a 1994 article written by Alexandra Nagel, a critic of Baba, the 1992 work of the Canadian skeptic, Dale Beyerstein convincingly negated supernatural stories of all kinds circulating about Sathya Sai Baba.<ref name="saiparadox">{{citation
| author = Nagel, Alexandra
| title = De Sai Paradox: Tegenstrijdigheden van en rondom Sathya Sai Baba"/"The Sai Paradox contradictions of and surrounding Sathya Sai Baba" from the magazine "Religieuze Bewegingen in Nederland, 'Sekten' "/"Religious movements in the Netherlands, 'Cults/Sects' ", 1994, nr. 29. published by the Free University Amsterdam press, (1994) ISBN 90-5383-341-2</ref> In the 1995 TV documentary ''"Guru Busters"'', by UK's [[Channel 4]], Sathya Sai Baba was accused of faking his materializations and a videotape was supplied alleging fraud. The same videotape was mentioned in the Deccan Chronicle, on [[November 23]] [[1992]], on a front page headline ''"DD Tape Unveils Baba Magic"''. Erlendur Haraldsson stated that he and his associates carried out a careful analysis of the videotape shown in the ''"Guru Busters"'' documentary and mentioned by the Deccan Chronicle. Haraldsson stated that the videotape's quality and resolution left much to be desired and limited the inferences that could be drawn from it.  


Haraldsson claimed that Dr. Wiseman took the video to a company that specialized in corporate fraud, and which possessed some of the world's best equipment designed to enhance poor quality videotapes. After the videotape was enhanced using a threefold process, the resulting tape contained no firm evidence of fraud. The same company analyzed several still frames from the videotape, enhanced and enlarged them and the images still did not reveal any further information.<ref>Haraldsson, ''op. cit.'', pp. 295-301</ref> The ''"Guru Busters"'' documentary also reported that Sathya Sai Baba's followers include some of India's intellectual elite, including [[T.N. Seshan]] and that professors from national research institutions who are experts in engineering, aeronautics and geology gather to worship a man they believe has supernatural powers.
Haraldsson claimed that Dr. Wiseman took the video to a company that specialized in corporate fraud, and which possessed some of the world's best equipment designed to enhance poor quality videotapes. After the videotape was enhanced using a threefold process, the resulting tape contained no firm evidence of fraud. <ref>Haraldsson', pp. 295-301</ref> The ''"Guru Busters"'' documentary also reported that Sai Baba's followers include some of India's intellectual elite, including [[T.N. Seshan]] and that experts in engineering, aeronautics and geology gather to worship a man they believe has supernatural powers.


The magazine [[India Today]] published, in December [2000, a cover story about the Baba and the allegations of fake miracles quoting the magician [[P. C. Sorcar, Jr.]] who considered the Baba a fraud.<ref name=IT2000-12-04>{{citation
The magazine [[India Today]] published, in December 2000, a cover story about the Baba and the allegations of fake miracles quoting the magician [[P. C. Sorcar, Jr.]] who considered the Baba a fraud.<ref name=IT2000-12-04>{{citation
  | journal = India Today
  | journal = India Today
  | title = A God Accused
  | title = A God Accused
Line 128: Line 130:
  | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20010129110700/www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover4.shtml }}</ref>  
  | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20010129110700/www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover4.shtml }}</ref>  


[[Basava Premanand]], a skeptic and amateur magician, asserted that he has been investigating Sathya Sai Baba since 1968 and believes the guru to be a cheater and [[charlatan]]. Premanand sued Sathya Sai Baba in 1986 for violation of the [[Gold Control Act]] for Sathya Sai Baba's [[materialization]]s of gold objects.  The case was dismissed, but Premanand appealed on the ground that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.
[[Basava Premanand]], a skeptic and amateur magician, asserted that he has been investigating Sai Baba since 1968 and believes the guru to be a cheater and [[charlatan]]. In 1986, Premanand was arrested by the police for marching to Puttaparthi with 500 volunteers for a well-publicised confrontation with Sai Baba. Later that year, he took Sai Baba to court for violating the Gold Control Act by producing gold necklaces out of thin air without the permission of a Gold Control Administrator. When his case was dismissed, Mr Premanand appealed on the grounds that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.<ref name=BBC2004-02-24>{{cite web
 
In 1986, Premanand was arrested by the police for marching to Puttaparthi with 500 volunteers for a well-publicised confrontation with Sai Baba. Later that year, he took Sai Baba to court for violating the Gold Control Act by producing gold necklaces out of thin air without the permission of a Gold Control Administrator. When his case was dismissed, Mr Premanand appealed on the grounds that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.<ref name=BBC2004-02-24>{{cite web
   | last =Datta
   | last =Datta
   | first =Tanya
   | first =Tanya
Line 139: Line 139:
   | accessdate =24 February 2007  }}</ref>
   | accessdate =24 February 2007  }}</ref>


Premanand also displayed, in the 2004 [[BBC]] documentary ''Secret Swami'', that he could duplicate some of the same acts that Sathya Sai Baba presents as miracles; such as materializations by [[sleight of hand]] and the production of a [[lingam]] from his mouth. The BBC documentary reported that even some of Sathya Sai Baba's critics believe that he has genuine paranormal powers.<ref name="secretswami"/>
Premanand also displayed, in the 2004 [[BBC]] documentary ''Secret Swami'', that he could duplicate some of the same acts that Sai Baba presents as miracles; such as materializations by [[sleight of hand]] and the production of a [[lingam]] from his mouth. The BBC documentary reported that even some of Sai Baba's critics believe that he has genuine paranormal powers.<ref name="secretswami">Secret Swami BBC TV documentary, June 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/programmes/this_world/transcripts/secret_swami17_06_04.txt Transcript ]</ref>


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.<ref>Brown, Mick ''The Spiritual Tourist'' 1998 Bloomsbury publishing ISBN 1-58234-034-X Chapter ''In the House of God'' pp. 73 - 74</ref> His opinion was based on the letters from attending doctors, provided in the [[Indian Skeptic]] magazine.<ref name=Hislop1985>{{citation
The British journalist Mick Brown discussed in his 1998 book that Sai Baba's claim of resurrecting the American Walter Cowan in 1971 was probably untrue.<ref>Brown, Mick ''The Spiritual Tourist'' 1998 Bloomsbury publishing ISBN 1-58234-034-X Chapter ''In the House of God'' pp. 73 - 74</ref> His opinion was based on the letters from attending doctors, provided in the [[Indian Skeptic]] magazine.<ref name=Hislop1985>{{citation
  | author = Hislop, John S.  
  | author = Hislop, John S.  
  | title = My Baba and I
  | title = My Baba and I
Line 147: Line 147:
  | publisher = Birth Day Publishing Company
  | publisher = Birth Day Publishing Company
  | ISBN= 0-960-0958-8-8 | url = http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Devotees_Experiences/Resurrection_WalterCowan.htm  
  | ISBN= 0-960-0958-8-8 | url = http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Devotees_Experiences/Resurrection_WalterCowan.htm  
  | contribution =  The Resurrection of Walter Cowan}}, pp28-31</ref> Kasturi said "He brought Walter Cowan back from the region beyond death because, as he said, "he has not completed the work he has to do."<ref name = Kasturi1961-Ch1>{{citation
  | contribution =  The Resurrection of Walter Cowan}}, pp28-31</ref> Kasturi said "He brought Walter Cowan back from the region beyond death because, as he said, "he has not completed the work he has to do."<ref name = Kasturi1961-Ch1/>
|author = Narayna Kasturi
| title = Sathyam Sivam Sundaram
| volume = Volume I
| year = 1961
| contribution = Moves in His Game 
| publisher = Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust
| ISBN=81-7208-127-8
| url = http://laluni.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsundaram/s1054.html}} </ref>
 
Mick Brown also related his experiences with manifestations of vibuthi, from Sathya Sai Baba's pictures in houses in London, and felt that these miraculous manifestations were not fraudulent or the result of trickery.<ref name=Brown>{{citation
| author = Brown,Mick
| title = The Spiritual Tourist<ref name=Babb1986 />
| year = 1998 | ISBN=1-58234-034-X
| contribution = The Miracle In North London}} pp. 29-30 </ref>  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."<ref>Brown, p. 73</ref>


===Teachings===
===Teachings===
Sathya Sai Baba is a prolific orator about religious topics in his native language,[[Telugu language|Telugu]], and he is regarded by some as an excellent speaker.<ref name=Babb1986 />
Sai Baba is a prolific orator about religious topics in his native language,[[Telugu language|Telugu]], and he is regarded by some as an excellent speaker.<ref name=Babb1986 />
<blockquote>Sathya Sai Baba is, among other things, a teacher. He is a frequent giver of discourses, now compiled in several volumes. He usually speaks in Telugu, and before a Hindi-speaking audience an interpreter is required. One of his most characteristic rhetorical devices is the ad hoc (and often false) etymology. For example, he has stated that Hindu means `one who is nonviolent' by the combination of hinsa (violence) and dur (distant)." </blockquote>  
<blockquote>
He asserted that he is an [[avatar]] of God in whom all names and forms ascribed by man to God are manifest.<ref name=Revelation>{{citation
Sathya Sai Baba is, among other things, a teacher. He is a frequent giver of discourses. He usually speaks in Telugu, and before a Hindi-speaking audience an interpreter is required. One of his most characteristic rhetorical devices is the ''ad hoc'' etymology, such as saying that Hindu means 'one who is nonviolent' from the combination of "hinsa" (violence) and "dur" (distant).  
</blockquote>  
He claims to be an [[avatar]] of God in whom all names and forms ascribed by man to God are manifest,<ref name=Revelation>{{citation
  | contribution = The Revelation
  | contribution = The Revelation
  | date = 17 May 1968  
  | date = 17 May 1968  
  | url = http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1968/d680517.htm  
  | url = http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1968/d680517.htm  
  | title = Sathya Sai Speaks VI''}}, pp. 210-213,</ref> He also says that everybody else is God and that the difference is that he is aware of this and others have yet to realize it.<ref name="blitz">{{citation
  | title = Sathya Sai Speaks VI''}}, pp. 210-213,</ref> and claims that he is [[omniscience|omniscient]], [[omnipotence|omnipotent]], [[omnipresence|omnipresent]], and able to create matter from mere thought.
| title = Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to R.K. Karanjia of ''Blitz News Magazine''
<blockquote>The answer to that question has been answered by Sai Baba himself: »I am the omnipresent, almighty, and omniscient."<ref name=Hummel /></blockquote>
| year =  September 1976
In an interview with Blitz News Magazine he explains that everybody is God but the difference is that he is aware of this and others have yet to realize it.  He also stresses that desires bring mental pain (depression, anger, jealousy) and so everyone should be free from desires.<ref name="blitz"/>
| url = http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm}}</ref>


He further claims that he is [[omniscience|omniscient]], [[omnipotence|omnipotent]], [[omnipresence|omnipresent]], and able to create matter from mere thought.<ref name="blitz"/><blockquote>The answer to that question has been answered by Sai Baba himself: »I am the omnipresent, almighty, and omniscient."<ref name=Hummel>{{citation
Sai Baba preaches love and the unity of all world religions and asserts that people who follow him do not need to give up their original religion. His followers view his teachings as [[syncretism|syncretic]] (uniting all religions), but one scholar has said that his message remains fundamentally Hindu. He writes that Sai Baba has come to restore [[faith]] in, and encourage the practice of the teachings in the [[Vedas]] (Vedasamrakshana). His writings, such as the book ''Ramakatha Rasavahini'' teach the literal interpretation of [[Hindu mythology]] and advocate the practice of Hindu [[Dharma]] (Sthapana).
| author = Hummel, Reinhart
| title = Guru, Miracle Worker, Religious Founder: Sathya Sai Baba''  
| volume = Update IX 3
| date = Sept. 1985
| comment =  originally published in German in Materialdienst der EZW, 47 Jahrgang, 1 February 1984}} </ref></blockquote> He also stresses he and humans should always be free from desires and states that desires bring mental pain (depression, anger, jealousy etc).<ref name="blitz">Interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to R.K. Karanjia of Blitz News Magazine in September of 1976 [http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm ]</ref>


Sathya Sai Baba preaches love and the unity of all [[world religions]] and asserts that people who follow him do not need to give up their original religion. His followers view his teachings as [[syncretism|syncretic]] (uniting all religions), but one scholar has said that his message remains fundamentally Hindu. He writes that Sathya Sai Baba has come to restore [[faith]] in, and encourage the practice of the teachings in the [[Vedas]] (Vedasamrakshana). Several books and discourses by him, such as the book ''Ramakatha Rasavahini'' teach the literal interpretation of [[Hindu mythology]] and advocate the practice of Hindu [[Dharma]] (Sthapana).<ref name=Lewis2002 />
Apart from teaching the unity and equality of all the religions Sai Baba places particular emphasis on the role of women (especially mothers) in society. He also said that the level of a nation depends on their respect for women.<ref>''The Hindu,'' "Day of introspection at Puttaparthi" by Chitra Mahesh, January 4, 2002, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/01/04/stories/2002010401251000.htm ].</ref>


Apart from teaching the unity and equality of all the religions Sathya Sai Baba places particular emphasis on the role of women (especially mothers) in society. He has stated that mothers build society. That is why he teaches respect for parents, especially for the mother. He also said that the level of a nation depends on their respect for women.<ref>''The Hindu,'' "Day of introspection at Puttaparthi" by Chitra Mahesh, January 4, 2002, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/01/04/stories/2002010401251000.htm ].</ref>
Across the globe local Sai Baba groups assemble to sing ''[[bhajan]]s'' on which names of the traditional Hindu deities as well as saints and prophets of other religions occasionally replaced by Baba's name, study Sai Baba's teachings, do collective community service, and teach ''Education in Human Values'' (Sai ''[[Sunday School]]''). Baba's movement is not [[missionary]]<ref name=Knott>{{citation
| author = Knott, Kim
| title = Handbook of Living Religions
| citation = South Asian Religions in Britain: principal Sectarian movements in Britain and their primary characteristics
| editor = John R. Hinnels
| year = 1997
| ISBN 0-14-051480-5
| edition = Second edition}}, page 766, Table 22.1</ref>  Baba discouraged publicity for him in a public discourse in 1968.<ref name=Discourse1968-11-23>{{ citation
| title = Discourse
| author =Sathya Sai Baba
| date = November 23, 1968
| url = http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1968/d681123.htm}}</ref>  


Across the globe local Sathya Sai Baba groups assemble to sing ''[[bhajan]]s'' (Hindu devotional songs), study Sathya Sai Baba's teachings, do collective community service (called ''seva''), and teach ''Education in Human Values'' (Sai ''[[Sunday School]]''). Baba's movement is not [[missionary]]<ref>Knott, Kim Dr. ''South Asian Religions in Britain'' page 766, Table 22.1 ''Principal Sectarian movements in Britain and their primary characteristics'' in the ''Handbook of Living Religions'' edited by John R. Hinnels (1997), second edition, ISBN 0-14-051480-5</ref> and Baba discouraged publicity for him in a public discourse in 1968.<ref> Public discourse by Sathya Sai Baba on [[November 23]] [[1968]] (also published in Samuel Sandweiss 1972 book ''Sai Baba: The Holy man and the psychiatrist'' Part II ''Coming Home'') [http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1968/d681123.htm  on the website of the Sathya Sai organization]</ref> Bhajans are sung at nearly every meeting with the names of the traditional Hindu deities as well as saints and prophets of other religions occasionally replaced by Baba's name.
Based on Sai Baba's teachings, his organization advocates the five basic human values. These values are ''[[satya|sathya]]'', ''[[dharma]]'', ''[[ahimsa]]'', ''[[prema]]'' <ref name=Scotland>The Baker Pocket Guide to New Religions, by Nigel Scotland , 2006,  
ISBN 0-8010-6620-4</ref> and ''[[shantih]]'' .


Based on Sathya Sai Baba's teachings, his organization advocates the five basic human values. These values are ''[[satya|sathya]]'' (truth), ''[[dharma]]'' (right conduct, living in accord with natural law), ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence), ''[[prema]]'' (love for God and all his creatures)<ref>The Baker Pocket Guide to New Religions, by Nigel Scotland , 2006,
ISBN  0-8010-6620-4</ref> and ''[[shantih]]'' (peace).


Other primary teachings are:<ref name=Babb1986 />
Other primary teachings are:<ref name=Babb1986 />
Line 196: Line 188:
* Putting a ceiling (limit) on one's desires Sadhana (Spiritual discipline).
* Putting a ceiling (limit) on one's desires Sadhana (Spiritual discipline).
* Celibacy after age of fifty.
* Celibacy after age of fifty.
* Everything that has been created is [[Maya (Hinduism)|maya]] (illusion), only God is real.
* Everything that has been created is [[Maya (Hinduism)|maya]], only God is real.
* Every creature and object is God in form, though most do not experience this as their reality.
* Every creature and object is God in form, though most do not experience this as their reality.
* [[Vegetarianism]]<ref>The Baker Pocket Guide to New Religions, by Nigel Scotland , 2006,
* [[Vegetarianism]]<ref name=Scotland/>, moderate and sattvik diet.
ISBN  0-8010-6620-4</ref>, moderate and sattvik diet.
* Abstinence from drinking [[alcohol]], smoking [[cigarette]]s and taking [[recreational drug]]s.
* Abstinence from drinking [[alcohol]], smoking [[cigarettes]] and taking [[drug]]s.
* Detachment from the material world.
* Detachment from the material world.
*Meditation, preferably at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M.
*Meditation, preferably at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M.; there are four techniques, repetition of the name of God, visualizing the form of God, sitting in silence and [[jyoti]].
* [[Meditation]] (dhyan) Baba teaches four techniques, repetition of the name of God, visualizing the form of God, sitting in silence and ''jyoti'' (Flame/Light meditation).
* Inclusive acceptance of all religions as paths to realizing the One (God).
* Inclusive acceptance of all religions as paths to realizing the One (God).
* Importance of [[bhakti]] (devotion) to God
* Importance of [[bhakti]] (devotion) to God
* Developing virtues (prashanti) and eschewing vices of character.
* Developing [[prashanti]] and eschewing vices of character.
* [[Japa]] and other [[sadhana]] (spiritual exercise) to foster devotion.
* [[Japa]] and other [[sadhana]] to foster devotion.
* Reverence for parents, teachers and elders.
* Reverence for parents, teachers and elders.
* Sense control
* Sense control
* Highly committed devotees use the phrase sai ram as a salutation.
* Highly committed devotees use the phrase ''sai ram'' as a salutation.
* Women should strive to realize stri-dharma, the inherent virtues of womanhood.
* Women should strive to realize [[stri-dharma]], the inherent virtues of womanhood.


Sathya Sai Baba's teachings are said to be realized by observing the following four principles{{Fact|date=February 2007}}:
Sai Baba's teachings are said to be realized by observing the following four principles:
*There is only one Caste, the Caste of Humanity;
*There is only one Caste, the Caste of Humanity;
*There is only one Religion, the Religion of Love;
*There is only one Religion, the Religion of Love;
Line 220: Line 210:


==Organizations==
==Organizations==
SSO operates a number of free educational institutions, charitable organizations and service projects that are spread over 10,000 centers in 166 countries around the world.<ref name="babatrust">Times Of India, ''"Sathya Sai Baba Trust to set up second superspecialty hospital at Bangalore"'', May 29 2000</ref>


Sathya Sai Baba is the figurehead to a number of free educational institutions, charitable organizations and service projects that are spread over 10,000 centers in 166 countries around the world.<ref name="babatrust">Times Of India, ''"Sathya Sai Baba Trust to set up second superspecialty hospital at Bangalore"'', May 29 2000</ref>
===Education===
 
The [[Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning]] in Prashanti Nilayam received the highest accreditation  from the independnet [[National Assessment and Accreditation Council]].<ref>Draft Report of the Peer Team on Institutional Accreditation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) Vidyagiri, Prashanthi Nilayam – 515 134 (A.P) Visit Dates: December 2 – 4, 2002 [http://www.naac-india.com/Reports/SRI%20SATHYA%20SAI.doc : DOC File].</ref> There is also an Institute of Music and a woman's college, the Institute of Higher Learning in Anantapur.
The [[Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning]] in Prashanti 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).<ref>The Hindu: City colleges cheer NAAC rating, June 8 2006, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/06/08/stories/2006060801700100.htm ].</ref>
<ref>Draft Report of the Peer Team on Institutional Accreditation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) Vidyagiri, Prashanthi Nilayam – 515 134 (A.P) Visit Dates: December 2 – 4, 2002 [http://www.naac-india.com/Reports/SRI%20SATHYA%20SAI.doc : DOC File].</ref> Besides this institute, there is also an Institute of Music and an Institute of Higher Learning in Anantapur, which is a women's college.<ref>Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, from an Official Sathya Sai site, [http://www.sssihl.edu.in/Campus_Ananthapur.htm ]</ref>
 
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi (also known as the Super Specialty Hospital) is a 220 bed facility providing advanced surgical and medical care free of cost to the public. It is situated 6 kilometers from the guru's ashram and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister [[Narasimha Rao]] on November 22 1991 and was designed by the Prince of Wales's architectural adviser, Keith Critchlow<ref>The Hindu: Healing with Love and Compassion, November 23 2005, [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300270300.htm ]</ref> The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in [[Bangalore]] is a 333 bed facility with advanced operation theatres, ICUs and CCUs meant to benefit the poor.<ref>Deccan Harald: ''"Where service comes first "'' by Aruna Chandaraju, January 17 2006 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan172006/spectrum106442006117.asp ]</ref> The hospital was inaugurated on January 19 2001 by the then Prime Minister [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]].<ref>The Hindu: Vajpayee hits out at high cost of medicare by A. Jayaram, January 20, 2001 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/01/20/stories/0220000b.htm ]</ref> Other eminent participants were [[Abdul Kalam]], Michael Nobel (son of [[Alfred Nobel]]), [[Noah Samara]] and [[Anji Reddy]].<ref>Times Of India, ''"Sai hospital to host health meet on Saturday"'', January 14 2002[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=900126016 ]</ref> The hospital has served 250,000 patients, free of cost, from January 2001 to April 2004.<ref>The Times Of India: Super-Specialty hospital touches 2.5 lakh cases by Manu Rao, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=646815 ]</ref>


The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital was opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, in 1977 by Sathya Sai Baba to provide free care to poor local villagers. Since that time, the general hospital has grown to a 35,000 sq ft building that provides complex surgeries, food and medicines free of cost. The hospital has, since its inception, treated over 2 million cases.<ref>''"Sai Baba hospital: A refuge to millions"'', May 1 2001, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/39970476.cms ]</ref>
His education program, called "Educare," seeks to found schools in all countries with the explicit goal to educate children in the five human values and spirituality. All the local ''Sai Samithis'' (Sathya Sai Baba groups) are part of the SSO. The chairman of the organization is Michael Goldstein of the U.S. The logo of the Sathya Sai organization is a stylized lotus flower with the text of the five human values, highly influenced by not only [[Hinduism]] but also [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]], in its petals. This text version has replaced the old logo with the symbols of the 5 or 6 [[world religion]]s in the petals. It claims schools have been founded in 33 countries world-wide.<ref>Sai Educare Website, authorized by the Sathya Sai Organization, [http://www.saieducare.org/html/index.asp ]</ref> The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust is the official publisher of the ''Sathya Sai Organization''. On November 23 2001, the digital radio network "[[Sai Global Harmony|Radio Sai Global Harmony]]" was launched through the World Space Organization, USA. <ref>The Hindu, ''"Saibaba Gospel Goes On Air"'', November 24 2001, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/11/24/stories/0424201f.htm ]</ref>


The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust runs several general hospitals, two super specialty hospitals, dispensaries, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries and conducts medical camps in rural and slum areas in India.<ref name="babatrust">Times Of India, ''"Sathya Sai Baba Trust to set up second superspecialty hospital at Bangalore"'', May 29 2000</ref>It was in the year 2000-2001 the largest recipient of foreign donations. The Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is the largest recipient of foreign contributions."<ref name=rediff2003-08-16>{{citation
===Health care===
The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust runs several general hospitals, two super-specialty hospitals, dispensaries, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries and conducts medical camps in rural and slum areas in India.<ref name="babatrust">Times Of India, ''"Sathya Sai Baba Trust to set up second superspecialty hospital at Bangalore"'', May 29 2000</ref>It was in the year 2000-2001 the largest recipient of foreign donations. The Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is the largest recipient of foreign contributions."<ref name=rediff2003-08-16>{{citation
  | title = Sathya Sai Trust gets most foreign donations'
  | title = Sathya Sai Trust gets most foreign donations'
  | date = August 16, 2003  
  | date = August 16, 2003  
  | url = http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/16donations.htm | accessdate=    12 Feb. 2007}}</ref>The Trust has also funded several major drinking water projects. The first drinking water project, completed in 1996, supplies water to 1.2 million people in 730-800 villages in the drought-prone [[Anantapur]] district in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>The Week: Showers of Grace by Hiramalini Seshadri, May 26 2002 [http://web.archive.org/web/20020607142233/http://www.the-week.com/22may26/events12.htm ].</ref><ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Water projects: CM all praise for Satya Sai Trust by Our Staff Reporter, [[February 13]], [[2004]],
  | url = http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/16donations.htm | accessdate=    12 Feb. 2007}}</ref>
[http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021301330500.htm ]</ref> The second drinking water project, completed in 2004, supplies water to [[Chennai]] through a rebuilt waterway named "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal".<ref>The Hindu: Chennai benefits from Sai Baba's initiative by Our Special Correspondent, December 1 2004, [http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/01/stories/2004120113280300.htm ]</ref><ref>The Hindu: Project Water by Hiramalini Seshadri, June 25 2003, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/25/stories/2003062500110300.htm ]</ref> The [[Chennai]] water drinking project was praised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi said that although he is an [[atheism|atheist]], he differentiated between good spiritual leaders like Sathya Sai Baba and fake godmen.<ref>Chennai Online: MK hails Sai Baba's service to mankind, January 21 2007, [http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B62204700-0492-49CE-8AA8-E79FDC799715%7D&CATEGORYNAME=CHN ]</ref><ref>IBN: Karunanidhi shares dais with Sai Baba, January 21 2007, [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/karunanidhi-shares-dais-with-sai-baba/31747-3.html ]</ref> The third drinking water project, expected to be completed in April 2006, would supply water from the [[Godavari River]] to half a million people living in five hundred villages in East and West [[Godavari]] Districts.<ref>The Hindu, Water, the Elixir of life, November 2005 [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300260200.htm ].</ref> 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.<ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Water projects: CM all praise for Satya Sai Trust by Our Staff Reporter, [[February 13]], [[2004]],
[http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021301330500.htm ]</ref> In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust revealed that it would undertake another drinking water project in [[Latur]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Saibaba Trust to undertake drinking water project in Latur, [[January 17]], [[2007]],
[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200701171340.htm ]</ref>


His education program, called Educare, seeks to found schools in all countries with the explicit goal to educate children in the five human values and spirituality. It claims schools have been founded in 33 countries world-wide.<ref>Sai Educare Website, authorized by the Sathya Sai Organization, [http://www.saieducare.org/html/index.asp ].</ref>
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi is a 220 bed facility providing advanced surgical and medical care free of cost to the public. It is situated 6 kilometers from the guru's ashram and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister [[Narasimha Rao]] on November 22 1991 and was designed by the Prince of Wales's architectural adviser, Keith Critchlow<ref>The Hindu: Healing with Love and Compassion, November 23 2005, [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300270300.htm ]</ref>  


All the local ''Sai Samithis'' (Sathya Sai Baba groups) are part of a hierarchical structure called the [[Sathya Sai Organization]]. The chairman of the organization is Michael Goldstein of the U.S. The logo of the Sathya Sai organization is a stylized lotus flower with the text of the five human values, highly influenced by not only [[Hinduism]] but also [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]], in its petals. This text version has replaced the old logo with the symbols of the 5 or 6 [[world religion]]s in the petals.
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in [[Bangalore]] is a 333 bed facility  meant to benefit the poor.<ref>Deccan Harald: ''"Where service comes first "'' by Aruna Chandaraju, January 17 2006 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan172006/spectrum106442006117.asp ]</ref> The hospital was inaugurated on January 19 2001 by the then Prime Minister [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]].<ref>The Hindu: Vajpayee hits out at high cost of medicare by A. Jayaram, January 20, 2001 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/01/20/stories/0220000b.htm ]</ref>  The hospital has served 250,000 patients, free of cost, from January 2001 to April 2004.<ref>{{cite news  | last = B.S. Manu Rao | title = Super-Specialty hospital touches 2.5 lakh cases | pages = | publisher = The Times Of India | date =2004-04-09 | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=646815| accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref>


The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust is the official publisher of the ''Sathya Sai Organization''. It publishes the international monthly magazine called [[Sanathana Sarathi]] in English and Telugu. According to their website, they shelve over a thousand books and provide Sai-related literature in 40 languages. The book trust also supplies CDs, DVDs and audio tapes. In various nations, similar publication trusts are maintained in their own native language.
The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital was opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, in 1977 by Sai Baba to provide free care to poor local villagers. Since that time, the general hospital has grown to a 35,000 sq ft building that provides complex surgeries, food and medicines free of cost. The hospital has, since its inception, treated over 2 million cases.<ref>''"Sai Baba hospital: A refuge to millions"'', May 1 2001, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/39970476.cms ]</ref>
 
===Water supply===
On November 23 2001, the digital radio network "[[Sai Global Harmony|Radio Sai Global Harmony]]" was launched through the World Space Organization, USA. Dr. Michael Nobel (son of [[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.<ref>The Hindu, ''"Saibaba Gospel Goes On Air"'', November 24 2001, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/11/24/stories/0424201f.htm ]</ref>
The Trust has also funded several major drinking water projects.
* 1.2 million people in 730-800 villages in the drought-prone [[Anantapur]] district in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Water projects: CM all praise for Satya Sai Trust by Our Staff Reporter, February 13, 2004,
[http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021301330500.htm ]</ref>
*Water to [[Chennai]]<ref>The Hindu: Chennai benefits from Sai Baba's initiative by Our Special Correspondent, December 1 2004, [http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/01/stories/2004120113280300.htm ]</ref> The [[Chennai]] water drinking project was praised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi said that although he is an [[atheism|atheist]], he differentiated between good spiritual leaders like Sathya Sai Baba and fake "godmen".<ref>Chennai Online: MK hails Sai Baba's service to mankind, January 21 2007, [http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B62204700-0492-49CE-8AA8-E79FDC799715%7D&CATEGORYNAME=CHN ]</ref>
* third drinking water project, expected to be completed in April 2006, channeling the [[Godavari River]] to half a million people living in five hundred villages in East and West [[Godavari]] Districts.<ref>The Hindu, Water, the Elixir of life, November 2005 [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300260200.htm ].</ref>
*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.<ref name="cmpraise"/>
*In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust revealed that it would undertake another drinking water project in [[Latur]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="cmpraise2">The Hindu: Saibaba Trust to undertake drinking water project in Latur, [[January 17]], 2007,  
[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200701171340.htm ]</ref>


In January 2007 the Baba was warmly received in Chennai Nehru stadium in an event organised by the Chennai Citizens Conclave for thanking him 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. The notable news about this event was that Sai Baba was sharing the same dias with Karunanidhi (Chief Minister of Chennai) who is a very well known atheist and disbeliever in Hindu gurus / godman. This was covered in all newspapers. <ref name= “Chennai Visit”> Felicitation for Water Project, Indian Express:[ http://www.indianexpress.com/story/21444.html ]</ref> <ref name=“Felicitation Chennai"> Chennai Visit in January 2007:[ http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20070121/36546.htm
In January 2007 the Baba was recognized in Chennai Nehru stadium in an event organised by the Chennai Citizens Conclave to thank him for the water project which brought water from the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh to Chennai city. Four chief ministers attended the function. At this event, Sai Baba shared a dais  with Karunanidhi (Chief Minister of Chennai) who is a very well known atheist. <ref name= “Chennai Visit”> Felicitation for Water Project, Indian Express:[ http://www.indianexpress.com/story/21444.html ]</ref>
]</ref>


==Criticism and replies==
==Criticism and replies==
The debates about Sai Baba were fueled by a document published in 2000 called ''"The Findings"'', written by David and Faye Bailey, former followers who together wrote three books on Sai Baba.<ref name=Bailey>
:Bailey, David, A Journey To Love, 1996 ISBN 81-86822-04-6
:Bailey, David, A Journey To Love Book 2: Love and Marriage, 1988 ISBN 81-86822-60-7<br>
:Bailey, Faye, Another Journey To Love: Experiences with Sathya Sai Baba, 1998 ISBN 81-86822-40-2"
</ref>
In 'The Findings' they described their disillusionment with the guru; allegations of fakery, claims that Sai Baba does not heal sick people and allegations of financial irregularities with charity projects, such as the Super Specialty Hospital and water project.<ref name="divinedownfall"/> According to an article in Salon.com, a great part of 'The Findings' contains testimonies of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.<ref name="untouchable">{{cite news  | last = Goldberg | first = Michelle | title = Untouchable? | pages = | publisher = Salon | date =2001-7-25 | url = http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/07/25/baba/index.html | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref>


The debates about Sathya Sai Baba were fueled by a document published in 2000 called ''"The Findings"'',<ref name="untouchable">[[Michelle Goldberg|Goldberg, Michelle]] ''Untouchable'' 25 July 2001 in [[salon.com]]  </ref>
written by David and Faye Bailey (former followers who together wrote three books on Sathya Sai Baba <ref>"Bailey, David, A Journey To Love, 1996 ISBN 81-86822-04-6<br>
Bailey, David, A Journey To Love Book 2: Love and Marriage, 1988 ISBN 81-86822-60-7<br>
Bailey, Faye, Another Journey To Love: Experiences with Sathya Sai Baba, 1998 ISBN 81-86822-40-2"</ref>), in which they described their disillusionment with the guru.<ref name="divinedownfall"/> According to an article in [[Salon.com]], in the year 2001, a great part of the Findings contains testimonies of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.<ref name="untouchable"/> The Findings contain allegations of fakery, claims that Sai Baba does not heal sick people and allegations of financial irregularities with charity projects, such as the Super Specialty Hospital and water project.<ref name="divinedownfall"/> David Bailey previously wrote, in his two books about Sathya Sai Baba, that he personally witnessed manifestations, healings, miracles and was saved from a car accident by Sathya Sai Baba.<ref>David Bailey: ''A Journey to Love''</ref>
===Intruder incident===
===Intruder incident===
On June 6, 1993, four people who were armed with knives were killed after they had intruded in Sai Baba's bedroom. The intruders had killed two aides of Sai Baba. The incident was widely published in the Indian press. Sathya Sai Baba claimed in his 1993 [[Guru Poornima]] discourse on [[July 3]] that jealousy among his followers was behind the incident, without giving a detailed explanation of the events.<ref>Guru Purnima Discourse, [[July 3]] [[1993]], Keep Truth as Your Aim: [http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/d930703.html ]</ref> The former Secretary of the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh, [[V.P.B. Nair]] who came from of a police background expressed in the BBC documentary his opinion that the four assailants in 1993 had unnecessarily and illegally been shot by the police. There are other opinions from the eye witnesses who were present in the Mandir premises on that night that police did the right thing to protect the life of several others, as the four people were armed and had already stabbed two people to death.  
On June 6, 1993, four intruders armed with knives entered Sai Baba's bedroom and killed two of his aides, before themselves being killed. The incident was widely reported in the Indian press. Sai Baba claimed in his 1993 [[Guru Poornima]] discourse on July 3 that jealousy among his followers was behind the incident, without giving a detailed explanation of the events.<ref>Guru Purnima Discourse, July 3, 1993, Keep Truth as Your Aim: [http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/d930703.html ]</ref> The former Secretary of the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh, [[V.P.B. Nair]] who came from of a police background expressed in the BBC documentary his opinion that the four assailants in 1993 had unnecessarily and illegally been shot by the police. There are other opinions from eye witnesses present in the Mandir premises that night that the police did the right thing to protect the life of several others, since the four people were armed and had already stabbed two people to death.  
===Sexual allegations===
===Sexual allegations===
The [[Daily Telegraph]] stated that Sathya Sai Baba rubbed oil on the genitals of a young male devotee.<ref name="divinedownfall"/> The testimonies of sexual abuse of young men were shown in TV documentaries, including ''"Seduced by Sai Baba"'' by Denmark's national television, and documentary film ''"Secret Swami"'' by BBC. The TV documentary "''Seduced By Sai Baba''", produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcaster [[Danmarks Radio|Danish radio]] aired in [[Denmark]], [[Australia]] and [[Norway]].  
The Daily Telegraph stated that Sai Baba rubbed oil on the genitals of a young male devotee.<ref name="divinedownfall"/> The testimonies of sexual abuse of young men were shown in TV documentaries, including ''"Seduced by Sai Baba"'' by Denmark's national television, and documentary film ''"Secret Swami"'' by BBC. The TV documentary "''Seduced By Sai Baba''", produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcaster Danish radio aired in [[Denmark]], [[Australia]] and [[Norway]].  


Al Rahm, a father of one of the young men who claimed to have been sexually abused by Sathya Sai Baba, said in 2004 that he had spoken with the Dr. Michael Goldstein, the highest leader in the USA about the alleged sexual abuse.<ref name="secretswami">Secret Swami BBC TV documentary, June 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/programmes/this_world/transcripts/secret_swami17_06_04.txt Transcript ]</ref> According to Rahm, Dr. Goldstein responded by saying that he hated the idea of having wasted 25 years of his life and that he accepted Sri Sathya Sai Baba's statement ''"Swami is pure"'' as the truth.<ref name="secretswami">Secret Swami BBC TV documentary, June 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/programmes/this_world/transcripts/secret_swami17_06_04.txt Transcript ]</ref> Dr. Goldstein further stated that he did not support an investigation of the sexual abuse allegations, although he felt that Sathya Sai Baba was not above the law. He said that it was against his ''"heart and conscience"'' to believe the allegations because he had personally observed Baba interact with students very frequently, in very informal circumstances, and he had never seen anything inappropriate, ominous or anything indicative of fear or apprehension.<ref name="secretswami">Secret Swami BBC TV documentary, June 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/programmes/this_world/transcripts/secret_swami17_06_04.txt Transcript ]</ref> [[Isaac Tigrett]], a prominent follower and co-founder of the [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Café]], stated in the BBC documentary that his admiration for the Baba will not change even if the charges of [[pedophilia]] and [[murder]] were proved beyond all doubt.<ref name="secretswami"/> In this same documentary, [[Khushwant Singh]] stated that Sathya Sai Baba's popularity could not be ascribed to any type of publicity campaign. Singh compared Sathya Sai Baba to [[Mahatma Gandhi]], in that Gandhi never had any publicity but became nationally known through word of mouth<ref name="secretswami" /> According to the BBC reporter Tanya Datta, a lot of sexual abuse victims have undergone a genital oiling by Sathya Sai Baba that they believe is part of Hinduism. Singh reacted to this by saying that this genital oiling is not part of Indian tradition.<ref name="secretswami" />
Al Rahm, a father of one of the young men who claimed to have been sexually abused by Sai Baba, said in 2004 that he had spoken with the Dr. Michael Goldstein, the highest leader in the USA about the alleged sexual abuse.<ref name="secretswami"/> According to Rahm, Dr. Goldstein responded by saying that he hated the idea of having wasted 25 years of his life and that he accepted Sri Sai Baba's statement ''"Swami is pure"'' as the truth. Dr. Goldstein further stated that he did not support an investigation of the sexual abuse allegations, although he felt that Sai Baba was not above the law. He said that it was against his ''"heart and conscience"'' to believe the allegations because he had personally observed Baba interact with students very frequently, in very informal circumstances, and he had never seen anything inappropriate, ominous or anything indicative of fear or apprehension. [[Isaac Tigrett]], a prominent follower and co-founder of the [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Café]], stated in the BBC documentary that his admiration for the Baba will not change even if the charges of [[pedophilia]] and [[murder]] were proved beyond all doubt. In this same documentary, [[Khushwant Singh]] stated that Sai Baba's popularity could not be ascribed to any type of publicity campaign. Singh compared Sai Baba to [[Mahatma Gandhi]], in that Gandhi never had any publicity but became nationally known through word of mouth. According to the BBC reporter Tanya Datta, many sexual abuse victims have undergone a genital oiling by Sai Baba that they believe to be part of Hinduism. Singh reacted to this by saying that this genital oiling is not part of Indian tradition.


According to [[Michelle Goldberg]] of [[Salon.com]] the fact that the Baba has high ranking Indian politicians as his supporters and the charity works done by the various organizations associated with the Baba help to explain why he has not been brought into a court of law in India. The Indian consulate website states that crime victims must file charges with the police. In an article that was published in the ''India Today'' magazine in December 2000, it was stated that no complaints had been filed against Sathya Sai Baba by any alleged victim, in India. The magazine stated they are in possession of an [[affidavit]] signed by Jens Sethi (an ex-devotee) and reported that he filed a complaint with the police in [[Munich]].<ref>[[India Today]], ''"A God Accused"'', December 04, 2000 [http://web.archive.org/web/20010129110700/www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover4.shtml ]</ref><ref name="untouchable"/>
According to Michelle Goldberg of Salon.com the fact that the Baba has high ranking Indian politicians as his supporters and the charity works done by the various organizations associated with the Baba help to explain why he has not been brought into a court of law in India. The Indian consulate website states that crime victims must file charges with the police. In an article that was published in the ''India Today'' magazine in December 2000, it was stated that no complaints had been filed against Sai Baba by any alleged victim, in India. The magazine stated they are in possession of an [[affidavit]] signed by Jens Sethi (an ex-devotee) and reported that he filed a complaint with the police in [[Munich]].<ref name=IT2000-12-04 /><ref name="untouchable"/>


Sathya Sai Baba did not give a detailed public rebuttal to the accusations of sexual abuse. In his Christmas 2000 discourse Sai Baba said that people disseminate false negative stories about him because they have been bribed. <blockquote>"BANGALORE: Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Monday lashed out at his detractors in a rare display of anger while delivering a discourse on the occasion of Christmas at Brindavana, Whitefield ashram here. [...]
Sai Baba did not give a detailed public rebuttal to the accusations of sexual abuse. In his Christmas 2000 discourse Sai Baba said that people disseminate false negative stories about him because they have been bribed.<ref name=SaiBaba2000-12-25>{{citation
In an obvious reference to some of what has been written against him in the recent days, Baba said that many have been bought and they speak against him for the money they have received to do so.<ref name=ToI2000-12-26>{{citation
| author = Rao, Manu B.S.
| title = Sai Baba lashes out at detractors
|journal = Times of India| date = 26 December 2000}} </ref> <ref name=SSB2000-12-25>{{citation
  | title = Discourse
  | title = Discourse
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | date = December 25, 2000
  | date = December 25, 2000
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-23.pdf}}</ref></blockquote><ref name="untouchable"/>   
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-23.pdf}}</ref>  
<blockquote>"Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Monday lashed out at his detractors in a rare display of anger while delivering a discourse on the occasion of Christmas at Brindavana, Whitefield ashram here. [...]
In an reference to some of what has been written against him in the recent days, Baba said that many have been bought and they speak against him for the money they have received to do so.<ref name=ToI2000-12-26>{{citation
| author = Rao, Manu B.S.
| title = Sai Baba lashes out at detractors
|journal = Times of India| date = 26 December 2000}} </ref></blockquote>   


Koert van der Velde, a reporter for Dutch newspaper ''[[Trouw]]'', claimed in a critical article that Sathya Sai Baba forbade people to look at the internet.<ref>Velde, Koert van der "The Downfall of a guru, Sai Baba" [[6 September]] [[2000]] in the Dutch tabloid newspaper [[Trouw]]</ref> In the years 1999<ref name=SSB1999-10-15>{{citation
Koert van der Velde, a reporter for Dutch newspaper ''[[Trouw]]'', claimed in a critical article that Sai Baba forbade people to look at the internet.<ref>Velde, Koert van der "The Downfall of a guru, Sai Baba" 6 September 2000 in the Dutch tabloid newspaper [[Trouw]]</ref> In the years 1999<ref name=Discourse1999-10-15>{{citation
  | title = Discourse
  | title = Discourse
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | date = October 15, 1999
  | date = October 15, 1999
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p2-08.pdf}}</ref> and 2000 Sri Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly belittled the internet and discouraged its use.<ref name=SSB2000-09-26>{{citation
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p2-08.pdf}}</ref> and 2000 Sri Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly belittled the [[Internet]] and discouraged its use.<ref name=Discourse2000-09-26>{{citation
  | title = Discourse
  | title = Discourse
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | author = Sathya Sai Baba  
  | date = September 25, 2000
  | date = September 25, 2000
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-`7.pdf}}</ref>
  | url = http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf}}</ref>
 
[[The Guardian]] and [[Daily News & Analysis|DNA]] stated that, although Sathya Sai Baba has not been charged over old allegations of sexual abuse, a travel warning was issued by the US State Department about reports of "unconfirmed inappropriate sexual behavior by a prominent local religious leader", which officials later confirmed was a reference to Sai Baba.<ref>Paul Lewis, [[The Guardian]], ''The Indian living god, the paedophilia claims and the [[Duke of Edinburgh award]]s', November 4 2006, page 3, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,1939405,00.html ] '</ref><ref>Ginnie Mahajan/Brajesh Kumar, DNA World, ''A holy furore rages in Britain'', [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1062221 ]</ref> The Guardian further expressed concerns over a contingent of 200 youths travelling to the Baba's ashram in order to gain their [[Duke of Edinburgh Award]]s.
 
According to The Telegraph, Glen Meloy (an ex-devotee) organized a campaign that concentrated on "e-bombing" allegations against Sathya Sai Baba to various agencies and officials. The Telegraph stated that the most conspicuous success of Meloy's campaign came when, in September 2000, [[UNESCO]] withdrew its participation in an educational conference at [[Puttaparthi]], expressing "deep concern" about the allegations of sexual abuse. The Telegraph also stated that despite all the allegations made against Sathya Sai Baba over the years, he has never been charged with any crime, sexual or otherwise.<ref name="divinedownfall"/>


===Suicides===
[[The Guardian]] and [[Daily News & Analysis|DNA]] stated that, although Sai Baba has not been charged over old allegations of sexual abuse, a travel warning was issued by the US State Department about reports of "unconfirmed inappropriate sexual behavior by a prominent local religious leader", which officials later confirmed was a reference to Sai Baba.<ref>Paul Lewis, [[The Guardian]], ''The Indian living god, the paedophilia claims and the [[Duke of Edinburgh award]]s', November 4 2006, page 3, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,1939405,00.html ] '</ref><ref>Ginnie Mahajan/Brajesh Kumar, DNA World, ''A holy furore rages in Britain'', [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1062221 ]</ref> The Guardian further expressed concerns over a contingent of 200 youths travelling to the Baba's ashram in order to gain their [[Duke of Edinburgh Award]]s.
[[The Times]] further reported in August 2001 that three men had died after placing hope in Sathya Sai Baba.<ref>Kennedy, Dominic [[The Times]] (England), [[27 August]] [[2001]] ”Suicide, sex and the guru” [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/times-article3.html ]</ref> According to the Times articles, Michael Pender, an HIV infected man who overdosed on drugs more than once, complained to a friend that he had been repeatedly sexually molested by the guru. Pender apparently committed suicide in a hostel for the homeless in North London. Aran Edwards, a British national, was described as ''"quite an ill person, mentally unstable and needed orthodox help"'', by David Bailey. Edwards was encouraged to write letters to the guru to help solve his ''"psychological problems"''. Edwards had never traveled to see the guru firsthand. David Bailey said that he eventually told Edwards, ''"Wake up. He doesn't even read these letters."'' Edwards was so distraught about the situation, he decided to commit suicide. Edwards was found hanging from a staircase in his home in Cardiff, London. Andrew Richardson, another British national, hurled himself off a bank building in Bangalore, India. Two letters were found on his body in which he said he was in a deep depression. He expressed a desire to see Sai Baba and Mother Teresa.<ref>Dominic Kennedy, The Times British News, ''I sought peace and couldn't find it''
[http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/times-article2.html ] & 'Three die after putting faith in guru' [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/times-article1.html ]</ref>  


According to The Telegraph, Glen Meloy (an ex-devotee) organized a campaign that concentrated on "e-bombing" allegations against Sai Baba to various agencies and officials. The Telegraph stated that the most conspicuous success of Meloy's campaign came when, in September 2000, [[UNESCO]] withdrew its participation in an educational conference at Puttaparthi, expressing "deep concern" about the allegations of sexual abuse. The Telegraph also stated that he has never been charged with any crime, sexual or otherwise.<ref name="divinedownfall"/>


===Suicide===
[[The Times]] further reported in August 2001 that three men had died after placing hope in Sai Baba.<ref>Kennedy, Dominic [[The Times]] (England), 27 August 2001 ”Suicide, sex and the guru” [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/times-article3.html ]</ref> According to the Times articles, Michael Pender, an HIV infected man who overdosed on drugs more than once, complained to a friend that he had been repeatedly sexually molested by the guru. Pender apparently committed suicide in a hostel for the homeless in North London.


===Responses to Criticism===
===Responses to criticism===
In an official letter released to the general public, in December 2001, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|A.B. Vajpayee]] (then [[Prime Minister of India]]), P.N. Bhagawati (Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Ranganath Mishra (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 V. Patil (Member of Parliament, India; Formerly of the Lok Sabha & Union Minister) all signed a letter that called the allegations against Sathya Sai Baba ''"wild, reckless and concocted allegations made by certain vested interests"'' and that they ''"unequivocally condemned"'' the allegations as ''"baseless and malicious"''.<ref>Sri Sathya Sai Baba - A Living Legend - An Embodiment Of Love For All Mankind, Letter from A.B. Vajpayee (the then Prime Minister of India), [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/prime-minister-of-india.html ]</ref>  
In an official letter released to the general public, in December 2001, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|A.B. Vajpayee]] (then [[Prime Minister of India]]), P.N. Bhagawati (Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Ranganath Mishra (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 V. Patil (Member of Parliament, India; Formerly of the Lok Sabha & Union Minister) all signed a letter that called the allegations against Sai Baba ''"wild, reckless and concocted allegations made by certain vested interests"'' and that they ''"unequivocally condemned"'' the allegations as ''"baseless and malicious"''.<ref>Sri Sathya Sai Baba - A Living Legend - An Embodiment Of Love For All Mankind, Letter from A.B. Vajpayee (the then Prime Minister of India), [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/prime-minister-of-india.html ]</ref>  


[[Bill Aitken (traveller)|Bill Aitken]] (a Sai Devotee, described in his own words in an article in [[The Week]] as an expert in comparative religion and author of the book ''"Sri Sathya Sai Baba: A life"'') stated that Sathya Sai Baba's reputation has only increased despite negative stories being published against the Guru, by rationalists, critics and skeptics, for at least a generation. Aitken contended that critics are so distemperate in their dislike that their vituperation comes across as near comical. Aitken also expressed the opinion that the BBC is ultimately governed by the Anglican establishment and does not criticize public icons like the Queen, who happens to be the head of the Anglican church. Aitken felt that the Church of England can have no objection to programs that weaken perceived threats, such as the Sai Movement. Aitken also expressed the opinion that the more detractors rail against Sathya Sai Baba, it seems even greater numbers of people flock to see him.<ref>Aitken, Bill, Miracle of Welfare ([[November 27]] [[2005]]) [http://www.the-week.com/25nov27/currentevents_article10.htm ]</ref>
[[Bill Aitken (traveller)|Bill Aitken]] (a Sai Devotee, who describes himself in [[The Week]] as an expert in comparative religion and author of the book ''"Sri Sathya Sai Baba: A life"'') stated that Sathya Sai Baba's reputation has only increased despite negative stories being published against the guru, by rationalists, critics and skeptics, for at least a generation. Aitken contended that critics are so distemperate in their dislike that their vituperation comes across as near comical.Aitken felt that the Church of England can have no objection to programs that weaken perceived threats, such as the Sai Movement. He suggested that the more detractors rail against Sai Baba, the more flock to see him.<ref>{{citation
| author = Aitken, Bill
| title = Miracle of Welfare  
| date = November 27, 2005
| url = http://www.the-week.com/25nov27/currentevents_article10.htm }}</ref>


In an interview with an ''Asian Voice'' correspondent, Mr Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that he believed the allegations in the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary were completely without facts, baseless and have never been proved. Mr Bhagani also stated that when devotees are selected by Baba for a private interview, there is always someone else present in the room, and this is especially the case when women and children meet him.<ref name="payalnair">New Allegations Of Abuse Against Sai Baba by Payal Nair, Asian Voice, [[June 26]] [[2004]]: [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/asian-voice.html ]</ref> Navin Patel, a biochemistry student at the Sathya Sai Arts College in Bangalore during the 1970s, told ''Asian Voice'' that he visited Baba's ashram many times and studied at Baba's college long enough to know the allegations are untrue. Patel claimed the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary was very misleading and was based on only two westerners who had their own monetary agendas. Patel expressed the opinion that western journalists were bashing Baba collectively.<ref name="payalnair"/>
In an interview with an ''Asian Voice'' correspondent, Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that he believed the allegations in the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary were completely baseless and have never been proved. Mr Bhagani also stated that when devotees are selected by Baba for a private interview, there is always someone else present in the room, and this is especially the case when women and children meet him.<ref name="payalnair">New Allegations Of Abuse Against Sai Baba by Payal Nair, Asian Voice, June 26, 2004: [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/asian-voice.html ]</ref> Navin Patel, a biochemistry student at the Sathya Sai Arts College in Bangalore during the 1970s, told ''Asian Voice'' that he visited Baba's ashram many times and studied at Baba's college long enough to know the allegations are untrue. Patel claimed the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary was very misleading and was based on only two Westerners who had their own monetary agendas, and that Western journalists were bashing Baba collectively.<ref name="payalnair"/>


The secretary of the Puttaparthi ashram, K. Chakravarthi, refused to comment on the accusations. Anil Kumar, Sathya Sai Baba's principal translator, believes that the controversy is part of Baba's divine plan and said that every great religious teacher has had to face criticism in his/her lifetime. Kumar said that allegations have been leveled at Sai Baba since childhood, but with every criticism Baba becomes more and more triumphant.<ref name="divinedownfall"/>
The secretary of the Puttaparthi ashram, K. Chakravarthi, refused to comment on the accusations. Anil Kumar, Sai Baba's principal translator, believes that the controversy is part of Baba's divine plan and said that every great religious teacher has had to face criticism in his/her lifetime. Kumar said that allegations have been leveled at Sai Baba since childhood, but with every criticism he becomes more and more triumphant.<ref name="divinedownfall"/>


Thorbjørn Meyer, in a letter to the DR, called the allegations undocumented and untrue. In the ''Seduced'' documentary, Peter Pruzan stated that he believed Sathya Sai Baba is not a pedophile nor does he perform conjuring tricks. Pruzan claimed that he personally experienced Sathya Sai Baba's ''"wholly extraordinary powers"'' both in Baba's presence as well as in Denmark.<ref>"Seduced" TV documentary produced by [[Danish Radio]] broadcasted on [[January 30]] [[2002]] at 8:05 pm. [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/seduced.html transcript ]</ref>
Thorbjørn Meyer, in a letter to the DR, called the allegations undocumented and untrue. In the ''Seduced'' documentary, Peter Pruzan stated that he believed Sai Baba is not a pedophile nor does he perform conjuring tricks. Pruzan claimed that he personally experienced Sai Baba's ''"wholly extraordinary powers"'' both in Baba's presence as well as in Denmark.<ref>"Seduced" TV documentary produced by [[Danish Radio]] broadcasted on January 30, 2002 at 8:05 pm. [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/seduced.html transcript ]</ref>


===Political row===
===Political row===
In January 2007, the Baba found himself embroiled in a political row after his remarks opposing the proposed partition of [[Andhra Pradesh]] as a "great sin", claiming that there was no demand from the people to bifurcate the state into [[Telangana]] and Andhra states.<ref name="httelangana">{{cite web | work=hindustantimes.com | title=Telangana activists upset with Sai Baba | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1908397,000900020004.htm | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The comments caused an outcry among pro-Telangana activists who angrily voiced their protests in street marches and attacks on the Sivam building, the Baba's temple in [[Hyderabad%2C_Andhra_Pradesh|Hyderabad]], which was staffed by a few followers. Shouting anti-Sai Baba slogans, the protestors pulled down a large picture of the holy man and trampled on it before taking it outside and setting it on fire. An effigy of the Baba was also reported to have been burnt, and twenty protestors were arrested following several police complaints.
In January 2007, the Baba found himself embroiled in a political row after his remarks opposing the proposed partition of [[Andhra Pradesh]] as a "great sin", claiming that there was no demand from the people to bifurcate the state into [[Telangana]] and Andhra states.<ref name="httelangana">{{cite web | work=hindustantimes.com | title=Telangana activists upset with Sai Baba | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1908397,000900020004.htm | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The comments caused an outcry among pro-Telangana activists who angrily voiced their protests in street marches and attacks on the Sivam building, the Baba's temple in [[Hyderabad%2C_Andhra_Pradesh|Hyderabad]], which was staffed by only  a few followers. Shouting anti-Sai Baba slogans, the protestors pulled down a large picture of the holy man and trampled on it before taking it outside and setting it on fire. An effigy of the Baba was also reported to have been burnt, and twenty protestors were arrested following several police complaints.


A number of political figures criticised the Baba including K. Chandrasekhar Rao, leader of the [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] and former Union Minister, who suggested that the Baba should restrict himself to religious functions and not involve himself in politics. His organization responded by calling a '[[Bandh|bandh]]' in which shops and business establishments were shut down to protest against the remarks of the Telangana leaders, and effigies of the critics were set alight.<ref>{{cite web | work=gulf-times.com | title=Spiritual guru criticised for opposing statehood for Telangana region | url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=128913&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22 | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref>  K. Kesava Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, maintained that the Baba's comments had been "misinterpreted" and that the remark was not political. [[Digvijay Singh]], [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] secretary-general, disagreed with suggestions that Chief Minister [[Y._S._Rajasekhara_Reddy|Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] could have instigated the Baba to make his statement, and confirmed that his party approved plans for the creation of a separate Telangana state. "With due respect to Sai Baba we can say that the work for setting up the second state reorganisation commission will go on," he said.<ref>{{cite web | work=timesofindia.com | title=Cong ignores Sai Baba's remarks | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Cong_ignores_Sai_Babas_remarks/articleshow/1437539.cms | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
A number of political figures criticised the Baba including K. Chandrasekhar Rao, leader of the [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] and former Union Minister, who suggested that the Baba should restrict himself to religious functions and not involve himself in politics. His organization responded by calling a '[[Bandh|bandh]]' in which shops and business establishments were shut down to protest against the remarks of the Telangana leaders, and effigies of the critics were set alight.<ref>{{cite web | work=gulf-times.com | title=Spiritual guru criticised for opposing statehood for Telangana region | url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=128913&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22 | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref>  K. Kesava Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, maintained that the Baba's comments had been "misinterpreted" and that the remark was not political. [[Digvijay Singh]], [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] secretary-general, disagreed with suggestions that Chief Minister [[Y._S._Rajasekhara_Reddy|Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] could have instigated the Baba to make his statement, and confirmed that his party approved plans for the creation of a separate Telangana state. "With due respect to Sai Baba we can say that the work for setting up the second state reorganisation commission will go on," he said.<ref>{{cite web | work=timesofindia.com | title=Cong ignores Sai Baba's remarks | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Cong_ignores_Sai_Babas_remarks/articleshow/1437539.cms | accessdate=19 Feb | accessyear=2007}}</ref>


==Sathya Sai Baba in popular culture==
==References==
Sathya Sai Baba's name is mentioned on a popular fragrance brand made by [[Shrinivas Sugandhalaya]] Co. The Satya Sai Baba [[Nag Champa]] fragrance has been used in [[agarbatti]] incense, soap, oils, candles, sachets and perfumes.
{{reflist|2}}[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]
 
 
 
==References and footnotes==
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[[CZ:Religion Workgroup]]
[[CZ:Topic Informant Workgroup]]

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Sathya Sai Baba (1926-2011) was a controversial South Indian guru, religious leader, and orator, often described as a holy man[1] and miracle worker.[2] Sai Baba presents his teachings as uniting different religions, which is often the case in neo-Hindu movements, but they are deeply and authentically Hindu. He differs from most other gurus by his unambiguous and explicit claims of personal divinity: he claims to be a full avatar of the Hindu deities Shiva and Shakti, with the aim of restoring dharma.

In India he is not unique; there are several other holy men who have gained merely local fame. [3] Moreover, his followers in India have tended to be middle- or upper-class and this has contributed to his fame. Like other "godmen", as holy men are sometimes called in India, his appeal comes from his charisma, his claims of miracles and paranormal capabilities, and not so much from his parampara, though he has a lineage of sorts through his claim to be a reincarnation of the fakir Shirdi Sai Baba (1857?-1918), who had both Muslim as well as Hindu traits and whose name he took.[4] [5]

The Sathya Sai Organization (SSO) says it has 1,200 Centers in 114 countries.[6] The number of adherents is estimated sometimes as around 6 million, and followers claim "50 to 100 million".[7]

Kasturi's biography

Virtually all existing accounts of Sathya Sai Baba's life are based on the writings of the late secretary of Sai Baba, professor Narayana Kasturi. [8]Kasturi wrote a biography, which Babb described as "hagiographic", depicting the life of Sai Baba not as a development of the person but as revelations about himself. [9][10]. Details have been removed from the biography and the childhood is modeled after the life of Krishna. [11]

The Hollywood screenwriter, Arnold Schulman, tried to verify some stories from Katuri's writings. He came to the conclusion that "for any episode of Baba's childhood, there are countless contrasting versions and, at this point, the author discovered that it was no longer possible to separate the facts from the legend.”[12]

Life

Sathya Sai Baba was born to a poor farming family in the remote village of Puttaparthi, located in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. His birth name was Sathyanarayana Raju,[13] with the family name of Ratnakaram and membership in the Raju caste.[14]

Events surrounding birth

Kasturi wrote that "Sai Baba was born 'of immaculate conception' [sic; Kasturi probably meant "parthenogenesis" or "virgin birth"]"[15]

Some of his followers identify Sai Baba as the Lord of Serpents, Sheshiasa. Kasturi wrote in a book about Sai Baba's mother that she found out she was pregnant after dreaming of the Hindu god Sathyanarayana and after a huge sphere of blue light rolled towards her, merged into her and made her faint.[16] He is associated with the cobra, which is a powerful symbol in the culture.

He attended the Higher Elementary School at a nearby village during his 8th year,[17] and was known both for compassion and creativity. After that Sai Baba joined the high school at Uravakonda.

Mysticism and reincarnation

Kasturi further wrote in his biography that on March 8, 1940, around evening, Sai Baba started behaving as if a black scorpion had stung his foot. However, nobody found the scorpion, according to Kasturi. One night, Kasturi continues, after this strange event Sai Baba entered a state similar to coma, which his devotees call the state of "leaving his body". Kasturi further wrote that after he got out of this state he started behaving in a way that worried his parents - he didn't want to eat, he would often keep silent for a long time, recited shlokas. According to Kasturi, on October 20 1940, in his 14th year Sai Baba threw away his books, and announced that he was leaving. His words were "My devotees are calling me. I have my work." He then spent the next three days mostly under a tree in the garden of an excise inspector and many people gathered around him, Kasturi continues. He taught them Hindu devotional songs (bhajans). Sai Baba is listed in the 1942 school record of Bukkapatnam.[18]

Reincarnation

Different accounts present his, and other statements, about his being a reincarnation of an earlier holy man or of a deity, and how he will reincarnate after this life. These accounts involve the mystic and fakir Shirdi Sai Baba (circa 1838-1918), whose name he took; the deities Shiva and Shakti; and a future reincarnation, after his death at the age of 96,[19] to be a young man named Prema Sai Baba.

In 1940 he proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of [[Shirdi Sai Baba].[20] In a subsequent discourse in 1963, he claimed to be a reincarnation of Shiva and Shakti,[21] but clarified that Shirdi Sai Baba was an incarnation of Shiva and that his future reincarnation Prema Sai Baba would be a reincarnation of Shakti and repeated this claim in 1976.[22] In contrast, Kasturi's biography said that Sathya Sai Baba had said Shirdi Sai Baba was Shakti (i.e., rather than Shiva) incarnated and that Prema Sai Baba was to be an incarnation of Shiva.[23] The biography further states that Prema Sai Baba will be born in Mysore state:

He said, "I have been keeping back from you all these years one secret about Me; the time has come when I can reveal it to you. This is a sacred day. I am Siva-Sakthi," He declared, "born in the gothra of Bharadwaja, according to a boon won by that sage from Siva and Sakthi. Sakthi Herself was born in the gothra of that sage as Sai Baba of Shirdi; Siva and Sakthi have incarnated as Myself in his gothra now; Siva alone will incarnate as the third Sai (Prema Sai Baba) in the same gothra in Mysore State."[23]

According to Donald Taylor, in a 1987 article, titled "Charismatic authority in the Sathya Sai Baba movement”, Sai Baba's 1963 declaration that he would be reincarnated as Prema Sai Baba was Sai Baba's strategy to defuse the problem about his succession and thus continue to have all the authority in his hand.[24]

First organzations

In 1944 a mandir for followers of Sai Baba was built near the village which is now called the "old mandir".[25][17] The construction of Prashanthi Nilayam, the current ashram, was started in 1948.

In 1958 Sanathana Sarathi, the official magazine for the followers of Sai Baba, was first published. [26]In the late 1960s he attracted Western spiritual seekers and became increasingly popular. As of 2007, he had been outside India only once, for a visit to North East Africa in 1968.[27][28]

Beliefs and practices

Ashrams and mandirs

Puttaparthi, where Sai Baba was born and still lives, remains a small town of 9,000 in Andhra Pradesh, but now has an extensive university complex and SSO tourist attactions. [29] Puttaparthi contains his main ashram, called Prashanthi Nilayam (abode of highest peace) at Puttaparthi. In the summer Baba leaves for his other ashram, Brindavan, in Kadugodi, a town on the outskirts of Bangalore. Occasionally, he visits his Sai Shruti ashram in Kodaikanal.[30]

High ranking Indian politicians, like Indian President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam[31] and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.[32] On Sai Baba's 80th birthday celebrations it was reported that well over a million people attended, as well as 13,000 delegates from India and 180 countries abroad.[33]

Sai Baba established three primary mandirs in India. The first center, established in Mumbai, is referred to as either "Dharmakshetra" or "Sathyam". The second center, established in Hyderabad, is referred to as "Shivam". The third center, established in Chennai, is referred to as "Sundaram".[34]

The daily program at Sai Baba's ashrams usually begins with the chanting of om and a morning prayer. This is followed by Veda Parayan, nagasankirtan and twice daily bhajans and darshan. Particularly significant are the darshans during October (the Dasara holidays and November (the month of Sai Baba's birth).

During darshan Sathya Sai Baba walks among his followers and may interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute vibhuti or call groups or individuals for interviews. Interviews are chosen solely by the guru's discretion. Followers consider it a great privilege to get an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family will be invited for a private interview. People who receive such interviews may be startled by the materializations and the disclosures that Sai Baba as a clairvoyant reveals of their own lives.[35]

Reported miracles

Sai Baba's followers report miracles and healings of various kinds that they attribute to him.[36] Sai Baba is said to sometimes take on the illnesses of devotees on himself.[37] "For example, he materializes vibuthi constantly..." that he often passes to a worshiper.[7] The anthropologist Lawrence Babb wrote that this transaction connects Sai Baba to a worshiper and that the worshiper benefits from the perceived virtues of the gift.[38]

The retired Icelandic psychology professor Erlendur Haraldsson wrote that, although he did not get Sai Baba's permission to study him under controlled circumstances, he investigated and documented the guru's alleged miracles and manifestations through first-hand interviews with devotees and ex-devotees. Some of the reported miracles attributed to 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, healings, 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. Haraldsson wrote that the largest allegedly materialized object that he saw was a mangalsutra necklace, 32 inches long, 16 inches long on each side.[39]

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 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 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. Sai Baba ignored the challenge as he felt the approach was improper and said about the Narasimhaiah committee that:

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. Narasimhaiah stated that he considered the fact that Sai Baba ignored his letters as an indication that his miracles are fraudulent. As a result of this episode, a public debate raged for several months in Indian newspapers.[41] Narasimhaiah's committee was dissolved in August of 1977.

According to a 1994 article written by Alexandra Nagel, Dale Beyerstein negated supernatural stories about Sathya Sai Baba.[7] In the 1995 TV documentary "Guru Busters", by Channel 4 (U.K.), Sai Baba was accused of faking his materializations and a videotape was supplied alleging fraud. The same videotape was mentioned in the Deccan Chronicle, on November 23, 1992, on a front page headline "DD Tape Unveils Baba Magic". Erlendur Haraldsson stated that he and his associates analyzed the videotape shown in the "Guru Busters" documentary and mentioned by the Deccan Chronicle. Haraldsson stated that the videotape's quality and resolution left much to be desired and limited the inferences that could be drawn from it.

Haraldsson claimed that Dr. Wiseman took the video to a company that specialized in corporate fraud, and which possessed some of the world's best equipment designed to enhance poor quality videotapes. After the videotape was enhanced using a threefold process, the resulting tape contained no firm evidence of fraud. [42] The "Guru Busters" documentary also reported that Sai Baba's followers include some of India's intellectual elite, including T.N. Seshan and that experts in engineering, aeronautics and geology gather to worship a man they believe has supernatural powers.

The magazine India Today published, in December 2000, a cover story about the Baba and the allegations of fake miracles quoting the magician P. C. Sorcar, Jr. who considered the Baba a fraud.[43]

Basava Premanand, a skeptic and amateur magician, asserted that he has been investigating Sai Baba since 1968 and believes the guru to be a cheater and charlatan. In 1986, Premanand was arrested by the police for marching to Puttaparthi with 500 volunteers for a well-publicised confrontation with Sai Baba. Later that year, he took Sai Baba to court for violating the Gold Control Act by producing gold necklaces out of thin air without the permission of a Gold Control Administrator. When his case was dismissed, Mr Premanand appealed on the grounds that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.[44]

Premanand also displayed, in the 2004 BBC documentary Secret Swami, that he could duplicate some of the same acts that Sai Baba presents as miracles; such as materializations by sleight of hand and the production of a lingam from his mouth. The BBC documentary reported that even some of Sai Baba's critics believe that he has genuine paranormal powers.[45]

The British journalist Mick Brown discussed in his 1998 book that Sai Baba's claim of resurrecting the American Walter Cowan in 1971 was probably untrue.[46] His opinion was based on the letters from attending doctors, provided in the Indian Skeptic magazine.[47] Kasturi said "He brought Walter Cowan back from the region beyond death because, as he said, "he has not completed the work he has to do."[2]

Teachings

Sai Baba is a prolific orator about religious topics in his native language,Telugu, and he is regarded by some as an excellent speaker.[36]

Sathya Sai Baba is, among other things, a teacher. He is a frequent giver of discourses. He usually speaks in Telugu, and before a Hindi-speaking audience an interpreter is required. One of his most characteristic rhetorical devices is the ad hoc etymology, such as saying that Hindu means 'one who is nonviolent' from the combination of "hinsa" (violence) and "dur" (distant).

He claims to be an avatar of God in whom all names and forms ascribed by man to God are manifest,[48] and claims that he is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and able to create matter from mere thought.

The answer to that question has been answered by Sai Baba himself: »I am the omnipresent, almighty, and omniscient."[35]

In an interview with Blitz News Magazine he explains that everybody is God but the difference is that he is aware of this and others have yet to realize it. He also stresses that desires bring mental pain (depression, anger, jealousy) and so everyone should be free from desires.[40]

Sai Baba preaches love and the unity of all world religions and asserts that people who follow him do not need to give up their original religion. His followers view his teachings as syncretic (uniting all religions), but one scholar has said that his message remains fundamentally Hindu. He writes that Sai Baba has come to restore faith in, and encourage the practice of the teachings in the Vedas (Vedasamrakshana). His writings, such as the book Ramakatha Rasavahini teach the literal interpretation of Hindu mythology and advocate the practice of Hindu Dharma (Sthapana).

Apart from teaching the unity and equality of all the religions Sai Baba places particular emphasis on the role of women (especially mothers) in society. He also said that the level of a nation depends on their respect for women.[49]

Across the globe local Sai Baba groups assemble to sing bhajans on which names of the traditional Hindu deities as well as saints and prophets of other religions occasionally replaced by Baba's name, study Sai Baba's teachings, do collective community service, and teach Education in Human Values (Sai Sunday School). Baba's movement is not missionary[50] Baba discouraged publicity for him in a public discourse in 1968.[51]

Based on Sai Baba's teachings, his organization advocates the five basic human values. These values are sathya, dharma, ahimsa, prema [52] and shantih .


Other primary teachings are:[36]

  • Service and charity (seva) to others.
  • Love for all creatures and objects.
  • Putting a ceiling (limit) on one's desires Sadhana (Spiritual discipline).
  • Celibacy after age of fifty.
  • Everything that has been created is maya, only God is real.
  • Every creature and object is God in form, though most do not experience this as their reality.
  • Vegetarianism[52], moderate and sattvik diet.
  • Abstinence from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and taking recreational drugs.
  • Detachment from the material world.
  • Meditation, preferably at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M.; there are four techniques, repetition of the name of God, visualizing the form of God, sitting in silence and jyoti.
  • Inclusive acceptance of all religions as paths to realizing the One (God).
  • Importance of bhakti (devotion) to God
  • Developing prashanti and eschewing vices of character.
  • Japa and other sadhana to foster devotion.
  • Reverence for parents, teachers and elders.
  • Sense control
  • Highly committed devotees use the phrase sai ram as a salutation.
  • Women should strive to realize stri-dharma, the inherent virtues of womanhood.

Sai Baba's teachings are said to be realized by observing the following four principles:

  • There is only one Caste, the Caste of Humanity;
  • There is only one Religion, the Religion of Love;
  • There is only one Language, the Language of the Heart;
  • There is only One God and He is Omnipresent

Organizations

SSO operates a number of free educational institutions, charitable organizations and service projects that are spread over 10,000 centers in 166 countries around the world.[53]

Education

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in Prashanti Nilayam received the highest accreditation from the independnet National Assessment and Accreditation Council.[54] There is also an Institute of Music and a woman's college, the Institute of Higher Learning in Anantapur.

His education program, called "Educare," seeks to found schools in all countries with the explicit goal to educate children in the five human values and spirituality. All the local Sai Samithis (Sathya Sai Baba groups) are part of the SSO. The chairman of the organization is Michael Goldstein of the U.S. The logo of the Sathya Sai organization is a stylized lotus flower with the text of the five human values, highly influenced by not only Hinduism but also Jainism and Buddhism, in its petals. This text version has replaced the old logo with the symbols of the 5 or 6 world religions in the petals. It claims schools have been founded in 33 countries world-wide.[55] The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust is the official publisher of the Sathya Sai Organization. On November 23 2001, the digital radio network "Radio Sai Global Harmony" was launched through the World Space Organization, USA. [56]

Health care

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust runs several general hospitals, two super-specialty hospitals, dispensaries, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries and conducts medical camps in rural and slum areas in India.[53]It was in the year 2000-2001 the largest recipient of foreign donations. The Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is the largest recipient of foreign contributions."[57]

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi is a 220 bed facility providing advanced surgical and medical care free of cost to the public. It is situated 6 kilometers from the guru's ashram and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on November 22 1991 and was designed by the Prince of Wales's architectural adviser, Keith Critchlow[58]

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Bangalore is a 333 bed facility meant to benefit the poor.[59] The hospital was inaugurated on January 19 2001 by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.[60] The hospital has served 250,000 patients, free of cost, from January 2001 to April 2004.[61]

The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital was opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, in 1977 by Sai Baba to provide free care to poor local villagers. Since that time, the general hospital has grown to a 35,000 sq ft building that provides complex surgeries, food and medicines free of cost. The hospital has, since its inception, treated over 2 million cases.[62]

Water supply

The Trust has also funded several major drinking water projects.

  • 1.2 million people in 730-800 villages in the drought-prone Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.[63]
  • Water to Chennai[64] The Chennai water drinking project was praised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi said that although he is an atheist, he differentiated between good spiritual leaders like Sathya Sai Baba and fake "godmen".[65]
  • third drinking water project, expected to be completed in April 2006, channeling the Godavari River to half a million people living in five hundred villages in East and West Godavari Districts.[66]
  • 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.[63]
  • In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust revealed that it would undertake another drinking water project in Latur, Maharashtra.[67]

In January 2007 the Baba was recognized in Chennai Nehru stadium in an event organised by the Chennai Citizens Conclave to thank him for the water project which brought water from the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh to Chennai city. Four chief ministers attended the function. At this event, Sai Baba shared a dais with Karunanidhi (Chief Minister of Chennai) who is a very well known atheist. [68]

Criticism and replies

The debates about Sai Baba were fueled by a document published in 2000 called "The Findings", written by David and Faye Bailey, former followers who together wrote three books on Sai Baba.[69] In 'The Findings' they described their disillusionment with the guru; allegations of fakery, claims that Sai Baba does not heal sick people and allegations of financial irregularities with charity projects, such as the Super Specialty Hospital and water project.[15] According to an article in Salon.com, a great part of 'The Findings' contains testimonies of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.[70]

Intruder incident

On June 6, 1993, four intruders armed with knives entered Sai Baba's bedroom and killed two of his aides, before themselves being killed. The incident was widely reported in the Indian press. Sai Baba claimed in his 1993 Guru Poornima discourse on July 3 that jealousy among his followers was behind the incident, without giving a detailed explanation of the events.[71] The former Secretary of the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh, V.P.B. Nair who came from of a police background expressed in the BBC documentary his opinion that the four assailants in 1993 had unnecessarily and illegally been shot by the police. There are other opinions from eye witnesses present in the Mandir premises that night that the police did the right thing to protect the life of several others, since the four people were armed and had already stabbed two people to death.

Sexual allegations

The Daily Telegraph stated that Sai Baba rubbed oil on the genitals of a young male devotee.[15] The testimonies of sexual abuse of young men were shown in TV documentaries, including "Seduced by Sai Baba" by Denmark's national television, and documentary film "Secret Swami" by BBC. The TV documentary "Seduced By Sai Baba", produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcaster Danish radio aired in Denmark, Australia and Norway.

Al Rahm, a father of one of the young men who claimed to have been sexually abused by Sai Baba, said in 2004 that he had spoken with the Dr. Michael Goldstein, the highest leader in the USA about the alleged sexual abuse.[45] According to Rahm, Dr. Goldstein responded by saying that he hated the idea of having wasted 25 years of his life and that he accepted Sri Sai Baba's statement "Swami is pure" as the truth. Dr. Goldstein further stated that he did not support an investigation of the sexual abuse allegations, although he felt that Sai Baba was not above the law. He said that it was against his "heart and conscience" to believe the allegations because he had personally observed Baba interact with students very frequently, in very informal circumstances, and he had never seen anything inappropriate, ominous or anything indicative of fear or apprehension. Isaac Tigrett, a prominent follower and co-founder of the Hard Rock Café, stated in the BBC documentary that his admiration for the Baba will not change even if the charges of pedophilia and murder were proved beyond all doubt. In this same documentary, Khushwant Singh stated that Sai Baba's popularity could not be ascribed to any type of publicity campaign. Singh compared Sai Baba to Mahatma Gandhi, in that Gandhi never had any publicity but became nationally known through word of mouth. According to the BBC reporter Tanya Datta, many sexual abuse victims have undergone a genital oiling by Sai Baba that they believe to be part of Hinduism. Singh reacted to this by saying that this genital oiling is not part of Indian tradition.

According to Michelle Goldberg of Salon.com the fact that the Baba has high ranking Indian politicians as his supporters and the charity works done by the various organizations associated with the Baba help to explain why he has not been brought into a court of law in India. The Indian consulate website states that crime victims must file charges with the police. In an article that was published in the India Today magazine in December 2000, it was stated that no complaints had been filed against Sai Baba by any alleged victim, in India. The magazine stated they are in possession of an affidavit signed by Jens Sethi (an ex-devotee) and reported that he filed a complaint with the police in Munich.[43][70]

Sai Baba did not give a detailed public rebuttal to the accusations of sexual abuse. In his Christmas 2000 discourse Sai Baba said that people disseminate false negative stories about him because they have been bribed.[72]

"Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Monday lashed out at his detractors in a rare display of anger while delivering a discourse on the occasion of Christmas at Brindavana, Whitefield ashram here. [...] In an reference to some of what has been written against him in the recent days, Baba said that many have been bought and they speak against him for the money they have received to do so.[73]

Koert van der Velde, a reporter for Dutch newspaper Trouw, claimed in a critical article that Sai Baba forbade people to look at the internet.[74] In the years 1999[75] and 2000 Sri Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly belittled the Internet and discouraged its use.[76]

The Guardian and DNA stated that, although Sai Baba has not been charged over old allegations of sexual abuse, a travel warning was issued by the US State Department about reports of "unconfirmed inappropriate sexual behavior by a prominent local religious leader", which officials later confirmed was a reference to Sai Baba.[77][78] The Guardian further expressed concerns over a contingent of 200 youths travelling to the Baba's ashram in order to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

According to The Telegraph, Glen Meloy (an ex-devotee) organized a campaign that concentrated on "e-bombing" allegations against Sai Baba to various agencies and officials. The Telegraph stated that the most conspicuous success of Meloy's campaign came when, in September 2000, UNESCO withdrew its participation in an educational conference at Puttaparthi, expressing "deep concern" about the allegations of sexual abuse. The Telegraph also stated that he has never been charged with any crime, sexual or otherwise.[15]

Suicide

The Times further reported in August 2001 that three men had died after placing hope in Sai Baba.[79] According to the Times articles, Michael Pender, an HIV infected man who overdosed on drugs more than once, complained to a friend that he had been repeatedly sexually molested by the guru. Pender apparently committed suicide in a hostel for the homeless in North London.

Responses to criticism

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 Mishra (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 V. Patil (Member of Parliament, India; Formerly of the Lok Sabha & Union Minister) all signed a letter that called the allegations against Sai Baba "wild, reckless and concocted allegations made by certain vested interests" and that they "unequivocally condemned" the allegations as "baseless and malicious".[80]

Bill Aitken (a Sai Devotee, who describes himself in The Week as an expert in comparative religion and author of the book "Sri Sathya Sai Baba: A life") stated that Sathya Sai Baba's reputation has only increased despite negative stories being published against the guru, by rationalists, critics and skeptics, for at least a generation. Aitken contended that critics are so distemperate in their dislike that their vituperation comes across as near comical.Aitken felt that the Church of England can have no objection to programs that weaken perceived threats, such as the Sai Movement. He suggested that the more detractors rail against Sai Baba, the more flock to see him.[81]

In an interview with an Asian Voice correspondent, Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that he believed the allegations in the Secret Swami BBC documentary were completely baseless and have never been proved. Mr Bhagani also stated that when devotees are selected by Baba for a private interview, there is always someone else present in the room, and this is especially the case when women and children meet him.[82] Navin Patel, a biochemistry student at the Sathya Sai Arts College in Bangalore during the 1970s, told Asian Voice that he visited Baba's ashram many times and studied at Baba's college long enough to know the allegations are untrue. Patel claimed the Secret Swami BBC documentary was very misleading and was based on only two Westerners who had their own monetary agendas, and that Western journalists were bashing Baba collectively.[82]

The secretary of the Puttaparthi ashram, K. Chakravarthi, refused to comment on the accusations. Anil Kumar, Sai Baba's principal translator, believes that the controversy is part of Baba's divine plan and said that every great religious teacher has had to face criticism in his/her lifetime. Kumar said that allegations have been leveled at Sai Baba since childhood, but with every criticism he becomes more and more triumphant.[15]

Thorbjørn Meyer, in a letter to the DR, called the allegations undocumented and untrue. In the Seduced documentary, Peter Pruzan stated that he believed Sai Baba is not a pedophile nor does he perform conjuring tricks. Pruzan claimed that he personally experienced Sai Baba's "wholly extraordinary powers" both in Baba's presence as well as in Denmark.[83]

Political row

In January 2007, the Baba found himself embroiled in a political row after his remarks opposing the proposed partition of Andhra Pradesh as a "great sin", claiming that there was no demand from the people to bifurcate the state into Telangana and Andhra states.[84] The comments caused an outcry among pro-Telangana activists who angrily voiced their protests in street marches and attacks on the Sivam building, the Baba's temple in Hyderabad, which was staffed by only a few followers. Shouting anti-Sai Baba slogans, the protestors pulled down a large picture of the holy man and trampled on it before taking it outside and setting it on fire. An effigy of the Baba was also reported to have been burnt, and twenty protestors were arrested following several police complaints.

A number of political figures criticised the Baba including K. Chandrasekhar Rao, leader of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and former Union Minister, who suggested that the Baba should restrict himself to religious functions and not involve himself in politics. His organization responded by calling a 'bandh' in which shops and business establishments were shut down to protest against the remarks of the Telangana leaders, and effigies of the critics were set alight.[85] K. Kesava Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, maintained that the Baba's comments had been "misinterpreted" and that the remark was not political. Digvijay Singh, Congress secretary-general, disagreed with suggestions that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy could have instigated the Baba to make his statement, and confirmed that his party approved plans for the creation of a separate Telangana state. "With due respect to Sai Baba we can say that the work for setting up the second state reorganisation commission will go on," he said.[86]

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