Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba Biography

Sathya Sai Baba’s original name was Sathyanarayana Raju. He was an Indian spiritual figure and philanthropist. He was born on 23^rd November 1926. He is said to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba who died in 1918. Sathya Sai Baba enjoyed great popularity around the world. He had to face many controversies too that transformed him into a cultural icon.

His parents are Easwaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaram and he was born in the village of Puttaparthi in Madras Presidency of British India. He was unusually intelligent during his childhood days and also charitable. He was interested more in spiritual aspects of life and had great talent in devotional music, dance and drama. He was stung by a scorpion on 8^th March 1940 and lost his consciousness. After that his attitudes changed. On 23^rd May 1940, he revealed himself as Sai Baba and came out of all worldly relationships.

A mandir was built for him at Puttaparthi in 1944. The current ashram is called as Prashanthi Nilayam. He announced that he will be reborn as Prema Sai Baba in the state of Karnataka. He made his trips to Kenya and Uganda in 1968. In 1973, he established Shivam Mandir in Hyderabad and in 1981 Sundaram Mandir in Chennai.

The apparent materialising of vibhuti (holy ash) and other small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches by Baba has been a source of both fame and controversy – skeptics consider these simple conjuring tricks while devotees consider them as signs of divinity. 

There are over 1200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries. He had founded a number of schools, colleges, hospitals and other charitable institutions in India and abroad. In 2006 he suffered due to fractured hip. He was admitted to the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparthi on 28^th March 2011 as he was suffering from respiration related problems. He died on 24^th April, 2011 at an age of 84.  500,000 people including many important politicians and celebrities attended his funeral.

After the death of Sathya Sai Baba, his private room was opened and 98 kg of gold ornaments and 307 kg of silver ornaments are found together with other costly things and precious stones. He had to face many controversies during his lifetime though none of them were proved. 

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Updated: July 12, 2011