At home, this person is called God in human form. The legacy of Sathya Sai Baba cannot be overestimated, and the number of active followers is growing every year.

Sathya Sai Baba: biography, wikipedia about the sage

The exact date of birth of Sathya Narayana Raju, whom the world knows as Sathya Sai Baba, is unknown. According to Wikipedia, he was born in the late autumn of 1926 in South India, in the village of Puttaparthi. Satya’s parents belonged to the Bhatraju caste, they were musicians and made a living by singing religious ballads. In total, the Raju family had five children, and, like his brothers and sisters, Satya inherited a love of music and theater from his parents.

In the first years of his life, Satya was no different from his peers, he was hardworking and obedient. In March 1940, the young man almost lost his life from a scorpion sting, he spent several days in a coma, and soon after he came to, he announced to his family that he was the reincarnation of one of the most revered saints, Sai Baba of Shirdi. Relatives were amazed at Satya’s suddenly revealed abilities, he materialized sweets and flowers, and stories began to spread throughout India about his miraculous performances, during which people received healing.

For several years the guru traveled extensively in the company of his followers and in 1948 founded Prasanthi Nilayam in his native village, his first ashram, which took two years to build. After another four years in Puttaparthi, the guru opened a hospital for the poor. After completing a temple tour that reportedly lasted from 1957 to 1962, Satya suffered four heart attacks and a stroke and became partially paralyzed. According to the researchers of the life and heritage of the Teacher, in 1963 in the monastery “Prashanti Nilayam” he healed himself in front of thousands of people praying for his health. In the same year, he announced his divine origin and belonging to the gotra of Bharadvaja, one of the most beloved and revered Vedic sages.

In June 1963, the guru was attacked. Several armed men burst into the Prasanthi Nilayam monastery, where Sathya Sai Baba was at that moment. The guru was not injured in this, he opposed the initiation of a criminal case, explaining this as a “purely internal matter.” Later, British journalists conducted an independent investigation, which showed that the reports of the police contained many contradictions. Journalists suggested that the attackers were torn to pieces by the crowd, and the police fired shots at already dead bodies.

Between 1968 and 1980 Master opened several ashrams in Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad, he traveled widely and gave lectures. In 1985, the opening of the Planetarium took place in his homeland, in Puttaparthi, which became an event not only for the inhabitants of Andhra Pradesh, but for the whole of India. In 1995, he started a project to provide water to the residents of the Anantapur district, and in 2000 he completed the construction of a large hospital for the poor in Bangalore.

Sathya Sai Baba: books and mantras

Wisdom and love, these two words convey the essence of Sri’s teachings. It is known that he did not set out his teaching in a separate book, but in each of his works he sought to reflect the need for spiritual rebirth and the importance of a conscious striving for a life of love. Master’s books have been translated into many languages ​​and can be purchased in print or read on the official website. In addition to books, the legacy of the guru includes invaluable lectures, verses and mantras performed by him, for example, the well-known Gayatri and 108 Names of God, which can be listened to online. Also on the official website of Sathya Sai Baba, everyone can read quotes, find photos and videos of the Teacher and learn interesting facts about his biography.

Sathya Sai Baba: personal life

Personal life is traditionally understood as the presence of a partner, spouse or wife. It is known that Sathya Baba himself was not officially married, and nothing is known about his cordial affections. The information that appears from time to time in the media about his intimate relationships and forced sexual contacts, as well as the accusation of creating a sect, has no evidence and is regarded by followers as an attempt to denigrate the name of the Teacher. Indeed, despite the fact that former students accused Sai Baba of forced sex, no official investigation was opened.

Sathya Sai Baba: final years and death

Called a Saint during his lifetime, Sai Baba declared that he was destined to be born again 8 years after his death. The teacher believed that he would die at the age of 96, but he died at the age of 84. However, followers and students claim that their guru was referring to lunar years, not solar years.

In 2003, the Saint injured his hip joint and was forced to move around in a wheelchair. He began to appear less often in front of his admirers, but continued to study with students and work on books. In March 2011, Shri was rushed to the hospital due to breathing problems and died a month later on 24 April.

More than half a million people attended the Saint’s farewell, Sai Baba’s funeral took place on April 27, 2011, and many political and religious figures attended the mourning ceremony, accompanied by state honors.