Sathya Sai Baba (born Ratnakaram Sathyanarayana Raju; 23 November 1926 – 24 April 2011)[1] was an Indian guru and philanthropist.[2][3] At the age of 14, he claimed that he was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba,[4][5] and left his home to accept his devotees.[6][7]
Sai Baba's believers credited him with miracles such as materialisations of vibhuti (holy ash) and other small objects (rings, necklaces and watches),[8] spontaneous and miraculous healings, resurrections, clairvoyance, bilocation and he was purportedly omnipotent and omniscient.[9] His devotees believe these to be signs of his divinity, while other individuals have concluded that his acts were based on sleight of hand or had other explanations that were fake and not supernatural.[10][11][12]
In 1972, Sathya Sai Baba founded the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.[13] Its goal was "to enable its members to undertake service activities as a means to spiritual advancement".[14] Through this organisation, Sathya Sai Baba established a network of free general [15] and super speciality hospitals,[16][17] free medical clinics,[18] drinking water projects,[19] schools, universities,[20]ashrams, auditoriums, and education technology.[21][22][23][24]
^Palmer, Norris W. "Baba's World". In: Forsthoefel, Thomas A. (2005). Humes, Cynthia Ann (ed.). Gurus in America. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. ISBN0791465748.
^"SSSCT - Home". www.srisathyasai.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
^Cite error: The named reference srisaiorg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).