Sathya Sai Baba dies at 85
Godman Sathya Sai Baba (a cult like figure who attracted millions of followers, including the influential) across the globe died today after battling serious illness for nearly a month.
86-year-old Baba (whose clout ran far and wide but had more than his own share of controversies) died at 7:40 AM following multi-organ failure at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences founded by him in this backward Anantapur district town in Andhra Pradesh, the place from where he ran his spiritual empire.
“Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left His earthly body on April 24 at 7:40 AM due to cardio-respiratory failure” – Director A N Safaya, Director of the Institute, said.
“Baba’s body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant Hall for two days – Monday and Tuesday. Arrangements will be made for darshan after 6:00 pm today at the Hall” – he said.
Baba will be buried at the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam on Wednesday in line with the practice adopted for spiritual leaders in India, contrary to the Hindu custom of cremating bodies.
State Major Industries Minister J Geetha Reddy said the members of Baba’s family and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust have decided that his burial will take place on Wednesday morning. The exact time will be announced later.
Born as Sathyanarayana Raju in a humble backward caste family in 1926, Baba emerged as one of the most popular godmen in India in modern times. Initially he attracted attention through acts like producing articles like sacred ash and “lingam” which his detractors claimed was a sleight of hand, but later he came to be known for his founding institutions of learning and philanthropy.
- Sathya Sai Baba.
Spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba passed away this morning at a hospital in Puttaparthi; he was 84-years-old. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the passing away of Sai Baba in a statement.
Here’s the statement by the Prime Minister -
“I learnt of the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai Baba with deep and profound sadness. Sri Satya Sathya Sai Baba was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice.
His teachings were rooted in the universal ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a preacher of the highest human values was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared himself to the people through various institutions, with headquarters at Prashanthi Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian values, education and public health.
He believed that it is the duty of every person to ensure that all people have access to the basic requirements for sustenance of life. Sathya Sai Baba was an inspiration to people of all faiths.
The passing away of Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an irreparable loss to all and the nation deeply mourns his passing away. I express my sincere condolences to the millions of his followers, disciples and well wishers.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani joined millions of people in offering their condolences on the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Manmohan Singh described the Sai Baba as a ‘spiritual leader and an iconic figure who inspired millions’.
Advani said that Sai Baba guided him in several ways and called him a great soul.
“Since times immemorial in India leadership of society in spiritual field has commanded greatest respect. Even in modern India when people think in terms of ideals one thinks of sages like Mahatma and others. In modern India there would be few who would have phenomenal following that Sathya Sai Baba had. I first came in contact with him during Emergency in Bangalore. I have been meeting him frequently and the meetings have been inspirational for me. It was guiding. I last met him in Puttaparthi few months back. The nation has been plunged in darkness. I offer homage to this great soul. I would like to go for the last rites” – said Advani.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweeted – I pay my tributes to Pujya Satya Sai Baba on his Nirvana.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J Jayalalithaa said that Sathya Sai Baba’s passing away is a huge loss to the mankind.
Former Union home minister and Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil said Baba was a great soul.
“What he did is very important for helping the people who were suffering from disease and to educate them” – Patil said.
Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders, breathed his last at a hospital funded by his organisation in his home town of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. He was 85.