Sathya Sai Baba

Born as Sathyanaraya Raju on 23rd Nov.1926, Sathya Sai Baba attained heavenly abode at 7.40 a.m. today(24/4/2011). For nearly 50 years Baba held sway over millions and millions of people all over the world through his miracles, teachings and services.  Many considered him as God. An avatar of Shridi Sai Baba.  His ashram at Puttaparthi in AP and another at Whitefield in Karnataka became a hub of activity for lakhs of his devotees. For the ardent ones each act in their lives were His blessings. For the non believers he was a trickster.  Whenever he vomitted Siva Lingam on Mahasivarathri day or when he produced sacred ash from thin air sceptics like Dr. Kovoor challenged him to produce pumpkin from thin air.  Magicians like PC Sorcar also imitated him and produced sacred ash from thin air dispelling people's beliefs.  Despite all this even his critics would grudgingly admit to his signal service of  bringing drinking water to the parched 750 villages in Anantapur Dist. and to Chennai.  His services in the educational field through his schools and colleges and medical field through his Trust Hospitals cannot but be admired.  He had been a mysterious phenomenon thorughout his life span of 85 years. An enigma that cannot be explained.  Whether he was God or Godman or an ordinary mortal meticulously deified remains unanswered.

Whether his good services performed through his trust now worth Rs.35000 crores would continue even after his exit from mortal coils remains to be seen.  Already there is succession war going on between his close devotee Sathyajit and his relative Ratnakar each backed by a few politicians.  Days to come will see lot of back room fighting or even open bout between the two probable successors.

Whatever is the outcome as of now a phenomenon has ended and His memory will continue linger in different forms to different people.