Kaliyuga Avatar

The Afro-haired baba, known as much for his ‘divine powers’ as for his charitable work and his list of rich and powerful devotees, leaves behind millions grief-stricken. But believers see a ray of hope in another of his predictions – about his next avatar. He was born in 1926 in a village called Puttaparti (Gollapalli) in Andhra Pradesh. At the age of 14 he declared that he was a reincarnation of Shridi Sai Baba by magically fishing out goodies from his bag like sweets, pens, watches, chains etc. Such a proclamation was done on October 20, 1940. It is an unusually amazing event that R.Satyanarayana Raju of Gollapalli became India’s most popular godman as Satya Sai Baba. He has even declared that he would die at the age of 96 and be born again as Prem Sai in Mandya District of Karnataka in the near future.

Satya Sai Baba undertook several social welfare projects such as General Hospital at Puttaparthi (1954) and College for girls at Anantapur (1968) initially. A charitable trust called Sri Satya Sai Central Trust was created in 1972 which has undertaken welfare projects like General Hospital (1976), Boys' College at Puttaparti (1978), Sri Sathya Sai University (1981), Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (1991), Anantapur Drinking water projects (1995), Medak & Mahabubnagar drinking water projects (2001), Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Bangalore (2001), Chennai Water Project (2002), East & West Godavari Water Projects (2007), Construction of Sathya Sai University Campus (2009). Such welfare activities of the Baba really speak volumes of his vision and mission in this Avatar unlike many other Mutt heads and the so-called Hindu Gurus and spiritual leaders in India.

There seems to be a tug of war going on right now after the demise of Baba as to who should lead the Central Trust hereafter. The competitors are: one close relative called Ratnakar, a close aide and attendant called Satyajit, retired Chief Justice of India, Sri Bagavati, two former IAS Officers, one CMD of TVS Motor Company and one former VC of Satya Sai University. Since the Baba had not made a will or never intended to establish a family hierarchy and the assets of the trust were mostly donated by the public, Ratnakar cannot be made a successor to the Baba. Similarly the aide and the attendent cannot claim as the successor to Baba. Hence the question of succession can be decided only after a long debate and by a lottery among the members of the existing trust after weighing their merits and demerits. Alternatively if there is no consensus among the members, the State Government of A.P. can take over the trust and run on the lines of T.T.D in Tirumala.

Look at the list of high and mighty followers in India and abroad who lined up the other day to pay their last respects to the departed noble soul. It is the unfailing and rewarding faith that attracts multitudes of human beings towards a godman like Satya Sai Baba as in the case of the original Creator who is worshipped by the humanity in several names and rituals. All magicians can't take over the role or become the avatar of some great souls. Sri Satya Sai Baba is likely to be worshipped like a God or the avatar of Shirdi Sai Baba. Let the faith grow scientifically.