Sathya Sai Baba Indian guru Date of Birth: 23.11.1926 Country: India

1. Biography of Sathya Sai Baba
2. Establishment of Prashanthi Nilayam
3. Charitable Initiatives and Controversies
4. Assassination Attempt and Philanthropic Contributions
5. Passing and Legacy

Biography of Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba, born as Sathyanarayana Raju in 1926 in Puttaparthi, India, was an Indian guru. He was the fourth son of a poor but devout family. Even as a child, he was known to be extremely curious and talented in music, drama, art, dance, and writing poetry and stories. There were also stories about him as a child being able to materialize various objects from thin air, such as fruits, sweets, and medicine. At the age of 14, Sathyanarayana declared himself as the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a Muslim saint who had died eight years before Sathyanarayana's birth. With this proclamation, he left his family and started his mission, which he believed was centered on righteousness, love, non-violence, and peace.

Establishment of Prashanthi Nilayam

Sathya Sai Baba traveled extensively in Madras, studying sacred Indian scriptures and enlightening people. In 1950, after careful preparations, he founded the ashram Prashanthi Nilayam, which translates to "Abode of the Highest Peace." Traditionally, an ashram was a retreat for hermits and sages in ancient India, usually located in mountains or forests. In modern India, an ashram is more like a small town with its own infrastructure, where people come for spiritual enlightenment, meditation, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Sathya Sai Baba soon became renowned for his supernatural abilities, including miraculous healing, telepathy, clairvoyance, and the materialization of objects. He was eventually recognized as an Avatar, the embodiment of the Divine Principle, and he referred to himself as the All-Powerful, All-Pervasive, and All-Knowing.

Charitable Initiatives and Controversies

Sathya Sai Baba had a large number of followers and disciples who believed in his teachings and considered him to be perfect and the only true path to God. He initiated several philanthropic and spiritual projects, including hospitals and educational institutions, which gained popularity in India and later expanded worldwide. However, there were also criticisms and controversies surrounding him and his organization. Some accused him of fraud, using tricks and manipulations, and even sexual coercion. In 2004, the BBC aired a documentary called "The Secret Swami," which featured former followers accusing Sai Baba of misconduct. In 2005, American devotee Alaya Rahm filed a lawsuit against the Sai Baba organization, but the case was later withdrawn, and the trial never took place. Despite the controversies, Sathya Sai Baba and his organization continued to have a massive following, with estimates suggesting the existence of over 1,000 centers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Assassination Attempt and Philanthropic Contributions

In June 1993, an assassination attempt was made on Sathya Sai Baba at his ashram in Prashanthi Nilayam. While he was unharmed, his driver and cook were killed during the attack. Four attackers were also killed by police forces. The investigation into this incident left many questions unanswered. Among the projects initiated by Sathya Sai Baba was a women's college in Anantapur, which later merged with other colleges to become Sri Sathya Sai University. He also constructed four hospitals and implemented various projects to provide clean drinking water to drought-prone areas.

Passing and Legacy

Sathya Sai Baba passed away on April 24, 2011, due to heart failure after several weeks of illness, in a hospital in Puttaparthi. He left behind several ashrams, with three main ones located in India.