Sri Sathya Sai Baba Turns 80

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It's Azad's Kashmir now-->When he began having strange experiences at the

young age of 14, family and neighbours thought he was possessed by demons. When

he said world leaders would one day seek his blessings, he was laughed at by

people in his village. Half a century later, the small village of Puttaparthi

is the spiritual abode of many leaders and millions of devotees from around the

globe. On November 23, Sri Sathya Sai Baba turns 80. And the village is

preparing for a huge celebration.

 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born Sathyanarayan Raju on November 23, 1926 in

Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. He was spiritually inclined from a young age,

announcing, at 13, that he was the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a

revered sage from Maharashtra who died in 1918. Charming people with his talk,

the number of followers slowly grew. Baba performed miracles that strengthened

their belief in his divine powers. The miracles included the bringing forth of

sugar candy, flowers, vibhuti (sacred ash) and other presents for devotees.

His followers say he heals the sick and even knows their deepest thoughts. He

says, "It is beyond you to know how or why I create things. the objects that I

create, I create them by my will, the same way I created the universe." He also

says he is a full avatar or 'incarnation' of God.

 

Spreading his messageOver the years, the number of his followers has

crossed millions. His organisation is spread over 137 countries. He has a large

following across the West, though he has not visited many of these countries.

The organisation has built a magnificent ashram called Prashanti Nilayam (abode

of great peace) in Puttaparthi where his devotees gather regularly to sing

bhajans (hymns) and many work towards helping the disadvantaged. At his ashram

Baba often meets his followers one on one, gives discourses and works on social

projects.

 

Winning heartsIf Baba's spiritual teaching has helped many find peace, his

developmental activities have changed a lot of lives too. The Sathya Sai

Central Trust translates Baba's vision into action. It has built an ultra-modern

300-bed hospital close to the university and ashram, as well as one in

Bangalore. Highly specialized operations, including open-heart surgery and

kidney transplants, are performed routinely, free. The organisation has also

built primary and secondary schools, and an accredited university with three

campuses. No fees are charged and admission is open to all, regardless of race,

religion or economic background. Most ambitious has been the Sathya Sai Water

Supply project, which provides drinking water to 1.4 lakh people in villages in

the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh, which was severely affected by years

of drought.

 

The man and the mysticMillions love Sai Baba and his social work has

benefited many, but his ways and means have also come under a lot of criticism.

Time and again, some people have tried proving that Baba's divinity is false and

his 'miracles' a sham. Scandals have also overshadowed the ashram. On June 6,

1993, four persons who tried to assassinate the holy man were killed by the

police, but not before they had killed two of Sai Baba's personal assistants.

There have also been numerous other allegations, including sexual misconduct

with teenage boys. Notwithstanding all this, over the years the Baba has become

a highly influential public figure in India and is often visited by government

officials and leaders. Prime ministers are counted among his personal followers.

Naturally, for millions he is the man who provided them succour and guided them

on the path of truth. Now, on his 80th birthday, his organization has undertaken

a number of welfare projects. The man in

saffron robes continues to be the messiah of millions.

 

Check Comprehensive directory of internet sites about Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thousands of links of internet sites about Sai Baba's Life, Work and Teachings

www.saibabalinks.org

 

BirthDay Special >

http://srisathyasaipublications.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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