Miracles, Controversy & Charity: Life & Legacy of Sathya Sai Baba
On the occasion of his birth anniversary, The Quint takes a look at the life and legacy of Sathya Sai Baba.
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(This article was originally published on 23 November 2017. It has been reposted from The Quint’s archives to mark the birth anniversary of Sathya Sai Baba.)
At the time of his death in 2011, Sathya Sai Baba had at least 5 crore followers, including famous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar, as well as actors like Aishwarya Rai. While his claims that he could conjure gold chains and watches out of thin air earned him staunch critics, crores of devotees remain faithful to Sai Baba because of his spiritual and philanthropic work.
Years after Sathya Sai Baba’s death, the schools, hospitals, and drinking water projects started by him continue to serve people across the country. The money and gold donated by his devotees has been used by a charitable trust to provide services like subsidised education and healthcare for the underprivileged.
The Quint takes a look at the life and legacy of the one of prominent spiritual leaders of India.
Who Was Sai Baba?
Sathya Sai Baba’s birthname was Sathya Narayana Raju. He was born in 1926 in Puttaparthi, which was part of the erstwhile Madras Presidency and now part of Andhra Pradesh. According to the accounts of his devotees, in 1940, at the age of 14, he survived a scorpion bite. Following which, Raju announced himself a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.
His popularity grew over the years, and in 1944, the first ‘Mandir’ in his name was built in his hometown. Over the years, several other temples and other establishments were built for him across the country.
As part of philanthropical works, he started Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in the 1960s. Sai Baba founded many schools and colleges, hospitals, and other charitable institutions in India and abroad through this trust.
What Were the Controversies Around Him?
Sathya Sai Baba, who was famous for his materialisation (as claimed by devotees) of gold chains and watches from thin air, was challenged by several rationalists during his time. In 1976, Hosur Narasimha, a rationalist, challenged Baba to perform one of his miracles in a controlled environment, but the request was denied.
Ten years later, another rationalist filed a case against him under sections of Gold Control Act, as Baba had claimed to have materialised a gold ring during one of his public appearances. However, the case was dismissed in court.
There were also allegations of sexual abuse levelled against Baba. A documentary by a Danish Television contained an interview of Alaya Rahm, former devotee of the cult, who alleged sexual harassment by Baba in 2002. In another documentary by BBC, apart from Rahm’s testimony, another inmate of the ashram, Mark Roche, alleged abuse by Sai Baba. However, no official complaints were filed.
How Did he Die & What Followed?
Sathya Sai Baba died because of respiration problems on 24 April 2011 in Puttaparthi. His remains were laid to rest with State honours.
Years after his death, on 17 June 2011, officials from the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust opened his private residence to the government. Ninety eight kg of gold ornaments, with an approximate value of Rs 21 crore, 307 kg of silver ornaments with an approximate value of Rs 1.6 crore, and Rs 11.6 crore in cash were found in his room.
These funds with other contributions from the devotees were handed over to a charitable trust to continue his philanthropical work.
On 2 September 2012, the will of Sai Baba, written in 1967, was made public. The will categorically said that his family or relatives had no right over the gifts given by his devotees and all assets of his Ashram and temples will go to a trust set up for charitable purposes.
How Are His Followers Continuing his Legacy?
While his life as a spiritual leader was perceived with huge fanfare and criticism, his philanthropical work had earned praises from all quarters, including the government of India. Government released a postage stamp and a postal cover in recognition of his services to society.
Prominent among them are the two super-speciality hospitals set up by him in Puttaparthi and Bengaluru’s Whitefield. The hospital at Puttaparthi offers free treatment in cardiology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, urology and gastroenterology, whereas the Bengaluru hospital focuses on affordable neurological care.
According to the trust’s reports, Rs 100 crore was spent on modernisation and expansion of super-speciality hospitals, including an R&D centre for doctoral and post-doctoral research at Sri Sathya Sai University, which is in the final stages.
The reports also add that research for creating a low-cost MRI and other essential healthcare facilities are underway at these hospitals. A MoU has been signed between Tata Trust and the Sai Baba Trust for the same.
Will He 'Reincarnate'?
His devotees believe that Sai Baba would reincarnate again. They say that during interactions he had professed that he could be born again as Prem Sai in a village in Karnataka.
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