Agencies/Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh


Volunteers close the gates to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Science at Puttaparthi where the spiritual leader is undergoing treatment
Crowds of anxious devotees of Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s most famous gurus who is on life-support in hospital, gathered in his hometown yesterday to offer prayers for his recovery.
The 85-year-old Hindu spiritual leader with a following of millions across the world is in a critical state suffering from multiple problems including a heart condition, lung congestion and kidney failure.
“Baba is a frail person and he is suffering from multiple organ failure,” doctor A N Safaya, director of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, told reporters at a press conference.
“We pray to Baba to heal himself and come out of this difficult situation,” he said, adding that 27 doctors were attending to him in the institute.
Doctor Ravi Raju said that the “next few days were critical,” adding that there had been a positive response to treatment but that his condition “is still a matter of concern.”
Well-wishers have converged on Puttaparthi, his hometown, from nearby areas and abroad, many of them sleeping out in the open on pavements because of a lack of hotel rooms.
Local shops, hotels and businesses have been shut for the past three days as a mark of respect.
Clusters of devotees could be seen praying for his recovery and singing hymns praising him.
“He has himself declared that he would be alive till his 96th year. And he can’t go wrong,” 43-year-old Putta Rangaiah, a volunteer for one of Sai Baba’s organisations, said.
The hospital staff says the spiritual leader’s health was just a test of belief for his followers and that they were confident the bad phase will pass.
“We are not worried. There was no special prayer service because we know this is just a test of belief for his followers,” Rakesh Joshi, administrative officer of the hospital said.
“People have been coming and meditating on their own. We have a bhajan session every Sunday and last Sunday we had a lot of people. But we have not organised anything special,” he said.
“You also have to understand that when god is in human form, he has to follow the process of the human body. Do you know of any individual who has never fallen ill?” Joshi asked.
Even as a meditation session was underway yesterday afternoon, the guard at the gate said: “Nothing has changed since we came to know that Sathya Sai Baba was not well. People are coming in like usual.”
Viewed as a living god by his followers, Sai Baba is credited with many supernatural powers, including an ability to conjure objects out of thin air, remember past lives and cure terminal diseases.
He counts former prime ministers and presidents, top businessmen and Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar among his followers, which are thought to number tens of millions in more than 100 countries.
Sathya Sai Baba claims to be the reincarnation of a former holy man, Sai Baba of Shirdi, who died in 1918.
His organisation funds health and education projects in India, including a string of hospitals.
His charitable work has won him widespread acclaim and respectability.
Followers have converged outside the hospital from well beyond India.
“People tell us that he will definitely come out of this difficult phase in a few days and give darshan (appear) to his devotees,” Claudia, a 37-year-old visitor from Italy, said.
Sai Baba was hospitalised more than a week ago after complaining of giddiness.
Police have been deployed in force around Puttaparthi, a small town in Andhra Pradesh about 150km from Bangalore, amid fears of public disorder.
The area around the hospital, where at least a dozen television channels have set up camp, has been cordoned off to the public.
Murali, a manager of a local hotel, said that tension over recent days could have been avoided if there had been clarity in statements over his health.
“One day, they say the Baba’s condition is critical and then say his condition is improving,” he complained.