Sai Baba's guiding principle:

Service to man is service to God

By Thulasi MUTHTHULINGAM

A week has passed since the passing of one of the most revered and well-known spiritual gurus of the world, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. On Wednesday, his body was laid to rest with State honours in his native town, in the Sai Kulwant Hall from where he used to give discourses and darshan to devotees for decades.

As per Hindu custom for spiritual leaders, he was buried and not cremated. His body lay in state for two days for followers to pay their respects. Nevertheless, the influx of grief stricken devotees to the town of Puttaparthi was so great that the ashram administrators found themselves having to cordon off the area for viewing and allowing only select participants in.

Sonia Gandhi and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh paying their last respects.

The funeral on Wednesday, could be attended only by ashram service personnel and family members of the Swami, along with certain VVIPs.

Last respects

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and the President of the Indian National Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi flew to Puttaparthi to pay their respects. So did many other heads of state and former heads of state in the Indian federal government. Prominent cricketers, Bollywood stars and well-known industrialists also went to Prashanthi Nilayam (Abode of Eternal Peace - the Baba's Ashram) to pay their last respects. Amongst them were Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Arjuna Ranatunga.

The Swami who had been confined to a wheelchair for some years had suddenly taken ill on March 28, with respiratory problems and was admitted to the super speciality hospital that he had built to give specialist medical services to the poor. Initial bulletins given daily by the hospital director reported that he was in a stable condition but his condition deteriorated and he died of multi organ failure on Sunday, April 24, at 7.40 am.

His death, even though after a protracted length of time in hospital, took many followers by surprise. Sai Baba himself had predicted his death at age 96 in the year 2022. In the intervening time in hospital, many Sai Centres the world over had carried out prayers, chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, and singing of Bajans to invoke blessings for his good health.

He has millions of followers across the globe. The official Sathya Sai International website lists 12,000 Sai centres spanning 126 countries. In Sri Lanka itself there are centres all across the island. According to the Secretary, Central Council of the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, L. Prabhakaran, there are 500,000 active Sai Baba followers in Sri Lanka. Many prominent personalities, including politicians, artistes, sportsmen and industrialists are included in this figure.

According to Prabhakaran, Sai Baba's presence began to be felt in this country nearly four decades ago and has steadily grown since then. "Bajans were the basics with which the fellowship of Sai Baba began in Sri Lanka. With time, almost all teachings of the Bhagwan, have been taken up here.

Service to God

All our activities are based on Swami's tenet, "Service to man is service to God." We carry out regular service activities of Narayana Seva (feeding the poor), looking after the sick and expressing words of solace to the segments of the population, which needs such comfort. The centres not only carry out such routine service projects but also rise to the occasion where humanitarian assistance is needed, such as sudden calamities like the tsunami or floods.

"Bhagwan also propagated human values in education, which we strive to carry out through various programs. Even though Swami has left his physical body, the organisation will take the mantle of Bhagwan Baba's teachings forward.

Bhagwan has only left his physical body but he is still with humanity, not only in Sri Lanka, but in the world at large."

Born Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926, Sai Baba announced himself as the reincarnation of the saint of Shirdi, Shirdi Sai Baba in his 14th year in the year 1940. He almost immediately drew followers first nationally and then internationally, until his small, red robed, curly haired figure became a global icon. Puttaparthi, a small unknown hamlet, that was accessible only by bullock cart and foot through rough terrain nearly sixty years ago, became a well-known township in India with its own airport, solely due to his presence.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paying his last respects.

Revered both as a spiritual leader and philanthropist, he built hospitals, schools and universities along with undertaking a project given up by the government of India; giving access to water to people in drought ridden regions. Some 1.2 million people in India benefit from his drinking water project. They had to walk miles with pots on their head before. His charitable trust is estimated to be worth $ nine billion.

President Mahinda Rakapaksha in his condolence message said:

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Shri Sathya Sai Baba, the great spiritual leader of our time, and share the grief of the millions of his devotees in Sri Lanka and abroad.

The blessings he brought to his devotees in Sri Lanka will be remembered with gratitude.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba took the message of patience, peace and goodwill to his followers and gave spiritual leadership that sought to make people lead an ethical, moral and purposeful life.

His message

His inspiration moved people in his own country and abroad to seek spiritualism and observe the tenets of religion, irrespective of the faith that one followed; with a message to ensure coexistence among those who followed different religions, always avoiding criticism or condemnation of any faith.

His belief in human values led Shri Sathya Sai Baba to launch and complete great institutions for education and public health. He had a concern to ensure that all people had access to the basic needs for human sustenance. This is shown in his compassion extended to the sick and weak, and the relief he brought to those who suffer in his homeland and abroad.

The enlightening message of spiritualism of Shri Sathya Sai Baba, transcended race. religion, community and national barriers, and was accepted by millions in Sri Lanka, largely due to the Influence of Buddhism and Hinduism that provide the core values of our culture, and the traditions of a multi-religious society.

While the world has now lost a great spiritual leader, whose words and actions kindled a flame of abiding love among his devotees; his inspiration shall remain among his followers worldwide, as a strong influence to strengthen humane values in all societies, and help in spreading the message of love and compassion that he brought to all his teachings and work.

May he attain the Eternal Bliss of Moksha!