"A CRITICAL SITE ABOUT SAI BABA"
General issues:
what is this about?
The first thing that is useful to know, for those who don't know him,
is:
WHO IS SAI BABA ?
Sathya Sai Baba (his real name is Sathya Narayana Raju) was born in the remote village
of Puttaparthi, in south-central India, on November 23, 1926. His conceivement would
have been "immaculate", that is to say by direct divine intervention on the
mother, Ishvaramma; his birth would have been underlined by various supernatural
phenomenons.
His official biography, compiled by
N. Kasturi, tells that
already when baby he would have exhibited the signs of his "ultramundane"
origin: at school he would have materialized out of nothing fruits, sweets, pencils, etc.
for his little friends, and he would have teached and advised his teachers about various
subjects (namely the spiritual ones), which he would have not been able to learn
"normally". At the age of 13/14, after a kind of "crisis" (which made
his relatives thinking about some mental disease or demonical possession, that he was
subjected to cruel treatments), he left the family proclaiming to be Sai Baba,
reincarnation of a previous Sai Baba (Shirdi Sai Baba, a muslim saint who lived at
Shirdi, another little village); stating to have a precise mission, and that his devotees
were waiting for him. Many years later, he will add that he will leave volountarily his
body at the age of 96, and he will reincarnate 8 years later in the third and last
manifestation, Prema Sai Baba, in a village of Kerala.
On the left: Shirdi Sai Baba, the fakir
of which Sathya Sai Baba claims to be the reincarnation. On the right: how it would have
to appear Prema Sai Baba, the third and last incarnation of the Sai Avatar. The aspect is that general of a young indian ascetist,
and it won't be hard to find in Kerala, within some years, some little boy resembling
Prema Sai... and make him grow in the convintion of being Prema Sai Baba. Or at least
persuading of this the devotees of Sathya Sai Baba.
Regarding this point, it's important to
underline this: about Sathya Sai Baba being the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, there
is mention only in Sathya Sai Baba's official and devotional literature. The devotees
of the old Shirdi Baba neither worship the present Sathya Sai Baba nor they consider him
as a reincarnation of their own master; and in the Shirdi's devotional literature, or in
the web sites devoted to him, there's no trace of his "promise" to reincarnate 8
years after his own death, and Sathya is not considered. These anecdotes are solely
reported by Sathya Sai Baba, by his official biographies, and by the authors of devotional
books devoted to him. It is a totally unverifiable story, since there are no more living
witnesses, and Sai Baba knows it well; here's what he was saying already in 1976:
"Q: Did Shirdi Baba actually claim that he would be born
eight years after his death in 1918?
Baba: Yes, he did. This has been recorded by Kaka Dikshit as well
as a number of other devotees who were with Shirdi Baba.
Q: What makes you so sure that you are Shirdi Baba incarnate?
Baba: The knowledge of my own authentic experience, of course.
Since no one who knew Shirdi Baba is alive today, there is no evidence except my own
knowledge and experience. The very fact that I announced that I am Shirdi Baba 40 years
ago, when I was only 10 and when nobody in this part of the South had known or even heard
of Shirdi Baba, proves this fact."
(from the 1976 "Blitz Interview")
Kaka Dikshit really was a devotee of Shirdi
Baba, but the anecdote regarding him doesn't have a comparison in Shirdi Sai Baba's
"official" faith and biographies and so, as however innocently Sathya tells us,
we have to "trust him on the word"... of course! Anyway, Sathya was 14
and not 10 when he announced to be Shirdi reincarnate, and about this fact and the
statement that nobody had known about it before, take a look at this
page, which is based on elements taken from the book "Baba"
by Arnold Schulman.
But now let's go on.
It's interesting to note how the stories about Sai Baba's youth presents a strong
parallelism with the ones about the youth of Jesus: the immaculate conceivement, the birth
with supernatural signs, the teaching to his own masters (just like Jesus in the temple),
the age of the declaration of his own divinity or mission (Jesus at the age of 12, Sai
Baba at the age of 13/14)... considering that Sai Baba has great influence over the
Western and Christian people, this all seem to be indicating a real "divine"
birth... or the deification of an otherwise normal birth! It is not possible to gather
some sure and objective informations: the parents and the biographer died a long time ago,
and none of his relatives or fellow citizens would be doubtful about him, for at least two
good reasons:
1) some more, some less, they live thanks to the tremendous economic stimulation that
Sai Baba's presence has given to their village, thanks to the incoming of foreign money.
Let's read this passage, published in 1972 but resulting from even older testimonies:
"At
Puttaparthi, […] people is different for an extremely important
reason. The 20th century has come at its gates. Prosperity has returned, not under the
form of livestock, but thanks to Sathya Sai Baba. […] For Puttaparthi's people, Sai
Baba has become, however, a prosperous industry and, while at the eyes of a middle-class
american there are no visible signs of wealth, if you ask any villager, he will answer
you, with uncovered envy, that his own neighbour is growing rich."
(taken and
translated from Arnold Schulman's "Baba",
1972)
2) in India, especially for the simplest and poorest layers of people, the persons like
Sai Baba are "divine", without neither doubt nor criticism; this is inherent
their popular culture.
Anyway, in the above mentioned Schulman's book it's possible to draw some interesting
hint and information. Click here to go to the related page, and
read an extract from that book.
From the beginning of his mission, the number of devotees has constantly grown; first
between the indian people, then also between people from the West and all the continents.
Thus Sai Baba built up his ashram, Prashanti Nilayam
(that is to say "abode of the supreme peace"), which in the years (and thanks to
the donations of the most wealthy devotees) has become a modern, well equipped autonomous
village, for the indian standards). Moreover, with the purpose of fulfilling his mission,
Sai Baba founded an organization carrying his own name, that by now is spread all around
the world. In brief, Sai Baba claims to have this task: the human kind actually is in a
dark age (called Kali Yuga), where the evil has
overwhelmed the good, the materialism has crushed the spirituality, etc; he has
"come" to restore the supremacy of spirituality and Dharma,
that means right living and right action; doing so, he will raise the consciousness of the
human kind, and he will take it back on the right path. To learn more, you can visit the site of Sai Baba organization.
The work and the word of Sai Baba are spread all over the world through various means:
books, periodical magazines, audiovisuals, Internet. The practical aspect of his mission
lies, in India, in programs of aid to the poor villages, in schools of many order and
grade, in a modern hospital where treatements are free, and other. In the West, on the
other hand, there are no activities or initiatives of public interest promoted by Sai
Baba, in spite of the "universality" of his mission.
The teaching he proposes, by one side, is sincretistic, and tends to derive materials
and concepts from the existing religions, and to unify them: very emphasized is the fact
that he doesn't want to create any new religion, and that anyone could remain into his
own. By the other side, one of Sai Baba's maxims says: "it's a good thing to be
born inside a religion, but it's no good to stay there", so pointing out the
intention of shaking the old religious convinctions. Moreover, he states that he doesn't
want and doesn't expect adoration for his person. His public speaking activity is
tireless: the discourses are his primary source of teaching.
The other aspect of his doctrine is utterly indian and hindu: he speaks with the
language of Vedas, of Vedanta
(the Upanishad), of Bhagavad Gita, of indian mythology.
His metaphores, his religious chants (or bhajans, another basic
ingredient of his discipline), his tales and speeches are drawn with plenty from these
traditional sources. In particular, his teaching belongs to the philosophical school that
goes under the name of Advaita Vedanta, or "school of
the non-dualism". So it's necessary that following Sai Baba, it could happen to give
up old spiritual-religious habits, but on the other hand it could also happen to acquire
some new other habit, strongly hindu (there's absolutely nothing bad in this), quite
traditional and not innovative at all.
Well, why to concern ourselves with this matter? The reason is because about Sai Baba
are made (by himself and by his devotees) allegations of absolute importance, but also
carrying a big burden:
He would be nothing less than GOD himself
as Sai Baba states in this passage, quoted from the discourse of 17 May 1968, also
called "the revelation" (in this speech Sai Baba "reveals" explicitely
to the world for the first time both his "divine nature" and his
"mission"):
"[…] In truth, you cannot understand the nature of My
Reality either today, or even after a thousand years of steady austerity or ardent inquiry
even if all mankind joins in that effort. But, in a short time, you will become cognizant
of the Bliss showered by the Divine Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred
body and this sacred Name. Your good fortune which will provide you this chance is greater
than what was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even personalities
embodying facets of Divine Glory!
Since I move about with you, eat like you, and talk with you, you
are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance of common humanity. Be warned
against this mistake. I am also deluding you by My singing with you, talking with you, and
engaging Myself in activities with you. But, any moment, My Divinity may be revealed to
you; you have to be ready, prepared for that moment. Since Divinity is enveloped by
humanness you must endeavor to overcome the Maya (Delusion) that hides it from your
eyes[…]"
Here you can find the complete discourse.
And in this passage, quoted from the discourse "Who is Sai?", 9 June
1974:
"[…] The optical sense cannot visualize the truth. It gives only false and
fogged information. For example, there are many who observe my actions and start declaring
that my nature is such and such. They are unable to gauge the sanctity, the majesty, and
the eternal reality that is me. The power of Sai is limitless; It manifests for ever. All
forms of 'power' are resident in this Sai palm.[…]"
or in this another one, taken from the famous "Blitz Interview" given in 1976
(reading the complete interview, one can note how much detachement and impartiality the
reporter used in analizing Sai Baba, especially when he thinks that Sai Baba has
"defeated" his detractors with, in truth, generic and/or dogmatic statements, or
even of clear incompetence):
"[…]Yes, I incarnate from age to age, time to time, to save dharma from
anti-dharma. Whenever strife, discord and disharmony overwhelm the world, God incarnates
in human form to show mankind the way to love, harmony and peace.[…] There is no need
for me to command invisible spirits since my own divine will materializes the objects. I
am everything, everywhere, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent; and so whatever I will,
instantly happens.[…]"
Again, here you can find the complete interview
. Sai Baba has stated in an eqaully explicit way his own alleged divinity, in
the opening of a 1985 speech:
"The
attributes and qualities which were assumed When, to save Prahlada, the Supreme Person
came;
The
attributes and qualities which were assumed When, to save the elephant, the Lotus-eyed
came;
The
attributes and qualities which were assumed When, to save the poor Kuchela, the Lord of Veda
came;
The
attributes and qualities which were assumed When, to save the boy, Dhruva, He came from
Heaven;
Now,
with all the attributes, all the qualities has come, He whom the gods adore, the Refuge of
the Rejected
The
Lord of all the worlds, the Lord of Infinite Glory As all Existence, as all Knowledge and
All Bliss in one Form embodied
As
Puttaparthi Sathya Sai, the Over-lord of all that Is. "
(from
the opening of the speech of November 23, 1985)
Finally, Sai Baba has recently (october 1999) further on confirmed
the concept:
"[Sai Baba has just finished telling a little story from his
own childhood]. The reason for which I am telling you all this, is to make you able to
understand the nature of My equanimity, of My Love, of My Divinity and My affection
(cheers). Despite that, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR YOU, TO UNDERSTAND NOT EVEN A MILLESIMAL OF
MY OWN DIVINITY. My Love is boundless and whatever word you may use to describe it, it
fails."
(from a speech of 18 october 1999, personal translation)
(A brief thought: one of the Sai Baba's preferred sayings is "my life is my
message"; on the oher hand, he asks his devotees for the maximum humbleness, a
quality that he considers supremely auspicios for the entire human kind. From his words,
however, it doesn't appears so much humbleness…)
More specifically, he defines himself as an Avatar, that is to say a divine
incarnation; moreover, he would be a Purnavatar, or an incarnation of God with all his
complete powers. In this aspect he defines himself to be superior to Jesus, Muhammad,
Buddha, etc.; in one discourse, for instance, Sai Baba said that Jesus in reality was not
even an Avatar, but just a man who became aware of his own divinity; in another passage
(we'll see it ahead) he states to be the one who sent Christ into the world.
But many are the sensational allegations made by Sai Baba, by his devotees and
biographers:
he is a world personality, whose everybody talks
about, of international stature and esteemed by all the nations; he is master of truth and
master of the world; he is the divine incarnation of this age, for all people belonging to
any nation and religion
he has superior knowledges to everybody, in any branch of the human knowledge, also and
mostly in the sacred scriptures (his interpretation are considered EXACT tout court);
scientists and experts of any discipline, all over the world, ask for his advice
he is the fulfillment of many prophecies, which would have announced his
"coming"
he is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, in that he is God (and this alone contains
all the following)
he cures the sick, and resuscitated the dead
he multiplied the food, and changed the water in gasoline
he advises the devotees, solves their problems and sufferings, and he charges himself
with these problems; he grants them, at his discretion, what they desire. He also
performs long-distance rescues, showing bilocation powers; see below
he is clairvoyant, knowing past, present and future of anybody; he answers the questions
before the asking; during the darshans, he takes from the people, at his discretion, some
letters, of which he already knows the content (some of these letters are refused, and
this is brought as en evidence of this fact): he also helps faraway people who ask him for
help through these letters
he is endowed with bilocation and telepahtic powers, enters the dreams of anybody at his
own will, that is to say: if you dream of him, it's because he wants so (it's his
statement), and not because of your unconscious
he has power and control over the natural forces, the natural elements and the laws that
rule over them
he materializes by his will any kind of material object, by a simple hand gesture (in
particular cases he does it in other ways)
and much more…
Well, keeping apart the good things that Sai Baba and his organization do on the
practical level (you will find very wide descriptions, sometimes apologetical, of this
aspect, in the various links at which I refer you), the basic
consequence of what said above is this: if I accept Sai Baba as master, and his
allegations and his phenomenons as genuine, I must also accept his divinity, and the
consequential autorithy. The result (noticed by direct experience) is an almost total
dependence on what he says (or doesn't say); on what he does (or does not); on the way he
interprets or explains some facts, opinions, sacred scriptures, etc. He is God, and
the devotee literally "pends on his lips": no matter if he contradicts
himself, or if he goes against the good sense and the acquired and undisputable
knowledges (we'll see ahead what Sai Baba says a propos of this point).
A further consequence of this all is the giving up one's own judgement capability,
stated by Baba as faulty since it is human. Two possible objections, however quite right,
may be raised a propos of this point by the supporters of Sai Baba:
- HE ENCOURAGES TO ANALYZE THE GURU BEFORE CHOOSING HIM AS SUCH: but, if the choice must be made on the basis of biased and
non-objective elements, of excitements and stories that often mingle with fables, what
value may have such an analysis? Would you buy a car just on the basis of the positive
tests? Or would you like to know also about the negative aspects before buying it? The
reply may now be: "still better! You must test it before the purchase! (that's to
say: you must go to Sai Baba to
experience him!)". But how can be put to the test someone in his own house,
surrounded by his security and by people that believe him to be God? How can be put to
test someone that REFUSES the trial?
- HE ENCOURAGES, AS A RULE, IN THE SPIRITUAL RESEARCH, WHAT HE CALLS "INVESTIGATION" OR "ENQUIRY": thus it seems that there is space for a
personal and critical analysis.
Really, it is a "guided analysis", meaning that
the guidelines of the "Sai-thinking" are never in discussion. He traces a path, and you can practise your analysis skills only inside this path. Going back to the car paragon: would you accept to analyze the car to buy
only on the basis of elements
given to you by the vendor? Or
would you also ask to somoeone other?
On this aspect it is interesting to read part of a correspondence, coming from the
"Indian Skeptic",
between B. Premanand and Erlendur Haraldsson,
author of the famous book "Modern Miracles"; in this letter, Premanand answers
Haraldsson on some points, drawing the answers from Haraldsson's book itself:
Indian Skeptic Volume 1, Number 7 - Cover
Sai Baba: "Come! See! Examine! Experience! Believe! Be
Saved!" From "SANATHANA SARATHI"
HARALDSSON - B.PREMANAND Controversy: on MODERN
MIRACLES - REPLY TO HARALDSSON - SATYA SAI BABA IS A FRAUD!
[…] You will agree
with me that you have not cared to reply any of my questions put forward by me in the
disguise of NO TIME!
[…] Though I share a deep interest in the question whether SSB's phenomena is
or not of paranormal origin, I defer from your reasoning that if not all, whether some of
SSB's phenomena may be of paranormal origin. Based on the declaration of N.Kasturi in Sanathana Sarathi Vol.2 No.2 March 1959 that
every article dealing with the experience of devotees passes through the hand of Sathya
Sai Baba and even the tiniest chaff of untruth is winnowed out in the process, (Read page
17 of the book "Sai Baba and his Message", edited by Dr. S.P.Ruhela and Dr.
Duane Robinson which proclaims as follows:
NOTHING IS DONE THERE OR IN OTHER PLACES WHERE
ORGANISATIONS FUNCTION IN HIS NAME, WITHOUT HIS EXPRESS PERMISSION AND BLESSINGS)
all the paranormal phenomena of SSB published in
Sanathana Sarathi should either be of paranormal origin or they should be tricks or
deceptions.
[…] Another strong
fact which leads to question SSB's paranormal origin is SSB's unwillingness to undergo
experimental tests under controlled conditions. Please see the picture of SSB with the
caption:
"Come! See! Examine! Experience! Believe! Be Saved!
in Sanathana Sarathi Vol.13 No.6, July 1970.
Now answer me: "Does SSB allow anyone to examine
him? Did he allow you to examine him? I am giving the answers from your own book
"Modern Miracles":
Page 10 (Dr. Karlis Osis): "Neither Haraldsson
nor I were able to persuade Baba to participate in experiments. Nothing would have
clinched the matter so well as, say, a week or two in the best parapsychological
laboratories in the world, and that we offered."
Page 15 (Haraldsson): "The first visit led to
another a year later. This time we were equipped for laboratory experiments. We had long
discussions on the importance of science and research: but the swami's
final words were that his powers were not for display."
IF IT WAS NOT FOR DISPLAY WHY THE CAPTION MENTIONED
ABOVE?
Page 31: "We had two further interviews with Sai
Baba and continued to insist on experiments. He promised to give us a day for experiments
in Bangalore, where he would be going in a few days. This would take place in the presence
of Dr. S.Bhagavantam, a distinguished Indian Nuclear
Scientist and former head of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore."
Page 32: "After a few days in Puttaparthi we
went to Bangalore as we were running out of time. Dr. Bhagavantam did not return from his
trip on the date Sai Baba had indicated. We managed to send a message to the swami through
a close devotee and were told that our experimental session had to be cancelled as Dr.
Bhagavantam would not be returning in time for us. That was a real disappointment. We
could understand that Sai Baba wanted to have an Indian Scientist present. But was this a
real excuse or a polite Indian way of saying no?"
The answer to the question of yours is given by you
yourself on page 41:
"Dr. Bhagavantam advised us not to pester Baba
further with requests for experiments, since that might spoil our relationship with
him." !
Page 49: "Sai Baba rejected our request that he
participate in experiments where we could have imposed rigorous controls and made
instrumental observations. Hence a decisive test of the paranormality of his phenomena was
not possible."
What do these prove? On one side he is inviting
non-believers to come and examine him and on the other rejecting the request to examine
him. Answer me whether he is a big fraud?
More over on page 45 you write that "unfortunately
we were unable to tape record our interviews. I think it was on the first interview on
this trip that I brought with me a bag with a tape recorder and a camera. Baba told me not
to take it into the interview room. 'This is not a market place'. "
(From "Indian Skeptic" vol. 1 n. 7)
It seems to me, to end this part, that this is an important question: Sai Baba does a
lot of valuable practical things (in India), but the truth is that he HAS POWER on a great
number of people, and they DEPEND ON HIM. This is confirmed by the words of Sai Baba
himself, words which are in antithesis with the two points above mentioned:
"Trust in
My wisdom: I do not make mistakes. Love My uncertainty! For it is not a mistake. It is My
Intent and Will. Remember, nothing happens without My Will. Be still. Do not want to
understand; do not ask to understand. Relinquish understanding. Relinquish the imperative
that demands understanding."
(from "Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram")
You will admit that is difficult to make an objective analysis of a guru who requires
this kind of attitude and faith. Moreover, many of his devotees are people who have public
powers and offices in India, and also someone abroad; and also business men, billionaires,
etc.: therefore in some way he has influence also on the ranks of the public and financial
power.
One of the most important steps approaching Sai Baba, is the travel to India, to his
ashram Prashanti Nilayam, where one would "experiment" the genuine
divinity of the master and, as said by the most part of his devotees, a whole series of
experiences that changes the life of whom goes there. In the next page therefore we'll see
this aspect, and I will tell my personal experience with Sai Baba.
Go to the Next
page, go back to the Opening
page, or choose another page:
Summary
General issues: what is this
about?
The travel to Sai Baba, and my personal
experience
Specific issues # 1
Specific issues # 2
Specific issues # 3
Specific issues # 4
Conclusions
Bibliography
Glossary of terms
Related links (pro and con !!!)
Appendixes:
The "Golden Age" of Sai
"Loose" quotations
Sai Baba - the "Bad Side"
Links to the thematic pages