Sri Sathya Sai Baba
| Sathya Sai Baba | |
|---|---|
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| Religion | Hinduism |
| Founder of | Sathya Sai Organization |
| Philosophy | Sathya Sai Baba movement |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Born | Sathya Narayana Raju 23 November 1926 Puttaparthi, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 24 April 2011 (aged 84) Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India |
Sathya Sai Baba (born Sathya Narayana Raju; 23 November 1926 – 24 April 2011) was an Indian guru and philanthropist. He claimed to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Sai Baba's materialisations of vibhuti (holy ash) and other small objects such as rings, necklaces, and watches, along with reports of miraculous healings, resurrections, clairvoyance, bilocation, and alleged omnipotence and omniscience, were a source of both fame and controversy. His devotees considered them signs of his divinity, while sceptics viewed them as simple conjuring tricks. He further faced accusations over the years of sexual abuse and fraud, which he rejected as smear campaigns.
The Sathya Sai Organisation, founded by Sai Baba "to enable its members to undertake service activities as a means to spiritual advancement", has over 1,200 Sathya Sai Centres (branches) in 126 countries. Through this organisation, Sai Baba established a network of free hospitals, clinics, drinking water projects, auditoriums, ashrams and schools.
Almost everything known about Sai Baba's early life stems from the hagiography that grew around him, narratives that hold special meaning to his devotees and are considered by them to be evidence of his divine nature. According to these sources, Sathya Narayana Raju was born to Meesaraganda Eashwaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaram in the village of Puttaparthi, to a Raju family, in what was the Madras Presidency of British India. His birth, which his mother Eashwaramma asserted was by miraculous conception, was also said to be heralded by miracles.
Sai Baba's siblings included elder brother Ratnakaram Sesham Raju (1921–1984), sisters Venakamma (1923–1993) and Parvathamma (1928–1998), and younger brother Janakirammiah (1930–2003).
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