Indian spiritual guru (Sai Baba) dies at 85

[Turborama]

Source: CNN International

By Harmeet Shah Singh, CNN
April 24, 2011 --

New Delhi, India -- Famed Indian spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba died Sunday of respiratory failure, his doctors said.

The orange-robed spiritual leader with a puff of dark hair is considered a living god by his followers in India and overseas.

His followers believe he has supernatural powers. However, critics have accused him of fraud and sexual abuse, allegations he has denied.

=snip=

"His teachings were rooted in the universal ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love and nonviolence," he (Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) said. "I express my sincere condolences to the millions of his followers, disciples and well wishers."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/india.spiritual.guru.death/index.html?hpt=T2

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Hindu Holy Man Sathya Sai Baba Dies
By AIJAZ RAHI Sunday, Apr. 24, 2011

(PUTTAPARTI, India) — Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba, worshipped as a god by millions of followers worldwide, died Sunday morning in a hospital near his southern Indian ashram. He was 86.

Sai Baba had spent nearly a month on breathing support and dialysis while struggling with multiple-organ failure after being admitted March 28 to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, near his ashram in Puttaparti village in Andhra Pradesh state.

Women selling marigold garlands broke down in tears outside the ashram when the news of his death was announced, and followers began trickling into the temple complex where the guru's body would lie in state Sunday night through Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to pay last respects. A funeral with state honors is planned Wednesday morning.

The saffron-robed Sathya Sai Baba had a huge following, with ashrams in over 126 countries and Indian devotees including high-placed politicians, movie stars, world-class athletes and industrialists. He was said to perform miracles, conjuring rings, watches and "vibhuti" — a sacred ash that his followers applied on their foreheads — from his overgrown and unkempt Afro-style hair.

Full article: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2067230,00.html

[a la izquierda]

1. Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya...

Om shanti

[the_chinuk]

2. Now to burn a stick of SaiBaba-brand Nag Champa incense in memory ... B-)

Yeah, this stuff really exists. Available at your local "world crafts" (that is, "head shop") boutique. long blue box with a red label.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Always look for the Union Label (and Guru)

[EmmettKelly]

3. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Marshall Applewhite

And on and on. They all succumb to being human.

Now if they roll back the stone on his tomb and find him gone, well maybe his followers can build a bigger scam like that other guy.

[Turbineguy]

6. There's concern

over the $9 billion he leaves behind.

[blondeatlast]

13. About a million of that is my ex-inlaws; and he refused my dear MIL

breast cancer treatment.

My ex is Indian and grew up in a Sai Baba school and still bears thick welts on his thighs from the beatings. He was delighted to hear of his death.

[TuxedoKat]

5. I saw him once...

a friend of mine is a devotee. We went to India together and went to his ashram in Puttaparthi. It was a very interesting experience -- when he walked out of his house over to where the followers were gathered to greet him, I had this immediate feeling of him being a very rare spiritual person. There was just a different aura about him that was good. I didn't know about these others stories about him, so I have no idea about their validity. I was never solicited for donations or anything either.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. Allow me to translate some comments at a Brazilian news site. Feel the love:

"ONE MORE SOUL THAT GOES TO HELL BECAUSE WITHOUT JESUS THERE IS NO SALVATION"

"99,9% of all religions are nothing but evil masquerading as good. The plan, when preaching 'love your neighbor', 'charity', 'respect to other religions', 'goodness', 'peace', 'fraternity', 'tolerance', is nothing but machinations of the Devil to get people away from God. Bottom line, they serve the Devil believing they serve God. Who invites them with open arms by mean of Jesus Christ, but they refuse, because they already have their 'religion'. The blind leading the blind."

"false prophet like many the Bible says will appear. Wasn't that the Beatles one?"

[industry_]

8. the guy was a two-bit sleight-of-hand artist, nothing more

plenty of his tricks have been caught on video. for example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yblhsr1O4IQ

[psychopomp]

9. He certainly conned people with those tricks

but to what end? Like capitalism's perceived raison d'etre, did his own selfishness do some good in the world? Were people who believed moved to do good despite the fact that their leader was a con man?

[cosmicone]

12. He built hospitals, schools and universities ...

didn't lead a life of luxury and left the trust to the devotees, not his heirs.

[Vehl]

14. I have to disagree

Being an Advaita Hindu, I take offense at the way such "godmen' tarnish the name of Hinduism...by reinforcing the age of myths of the snake charmer and the naked Fakir.

I have been given the same answer which you gave..that he builds schools and hospitals; by the followers of this person..however this missed a major point. The money was not his...his devotees. Hell...if someone is willing to give me loads of money, i would have no qualms spending a major portion(as saibana did) on schools and stuff. If it was his money..money he himself earned, then such actions would have some merit.

Ive seen Saibaba do sleight of hand tricks(most probably simple magician's tricks..or at most some siddhis) which means absolutly nothing when it comes to judging his character.

I hate to speak ill of a deceased person, but ave you seen the Golden Chariots and Thrones and whatnot he uses? What truly enlightened soul would descend to such profane display? While millions of people starve? Such actions are definitely not the one of a soul who has achieved enlightenment...nor would such a person allow the worship of his own self by his devotees...after all isnt everything in this universe Brahman? Instead of imparting knowledge to his devotees...the only visible result I see of his teachings are a deification of himself in the minds of his devotees. As an Advaita Hindu I find such people disgusting.

It's about time we Hindus learn to discriminate the pretentious miracle-workers from the true Yogis/sages. The former use their powers(be it sleight of hand or siddhi) to further mundane ends...something which Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras expressly warned against!




^^ Look at this image..and tell me if this person is worth the devotion he receives...I only see a repulsive display of worldly affections..not a renunciate!

[cosmicone]

18. I actually agree with all your points ... my response was

only directed at use of proceeds and I, in no way, condone such assorted commercial Babas, Rishis, Swamis etc. It also doesn't negate the fact that he was an unconvicted but widely accused pedophile wanted by the interpol so he couldn't leave India where he had protection from the politicians.

I consider all "people of faith" of every religion hypocritical sheep -- period.

[JI7]

10. i find people like him to be creepy

[Vehl]

15. They are. nt

[Poll_Blind]

20. There are a couple documentaries going over the child abuse he participated in.

Sometimes, multi-generational child sexual abuse with in the same family, if you can wrap your brain around how long a career of abuse that entails.

PB

[AlbertCat]

11. is considered a living god by his followers in India and overseas.

So.... now he's considered a dead living god?

I think I will burn some Nag Champa incense. It does smell divine.

[Vehl]

16. As a Hindu, Im glad that this charlatan is no more.

Even though I take no joy in the passing of another, I'm glad that the hold he had over guillible masses...and the travesty of his teachings have come to an end.

Read post #14 for why I disagree with the methods/teachings of this person

[cosmicone]

19. Sadly, he will now become a legend and many untrue

stories of his greatness will be propagated and visitors to his gravesite (remember, he is being buried and not cremated as a hindu should be) will provide a continuous stream of payments to this pseudo-religion.

[Lance_Boyle]

17. Hey, we've got to give him 3 days. Mythological precedent and all.

:eyes:

[Poll_Blind]

21. He is FRIZZEN!!!!

:rofl:

PB