Puttaparthi, Anantapur: With Sathya Sai Baba’s health condition worsening by the hour, speculation is rife that the Sai Trust may chose to declare that the spiritual leader has entered “Sajeeva Samadhi”.
The 86-year-old godman, who is said to have millions of followers worldwide, has been battling for life since March 28.
A large number of his devotees have gathered outside Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, where he is undergoing treatment by a panel of specialists. However, the chances of his survival seem dim as he is suffering from multiple complications after most of his vital organs stopped responding.
“Sajeeva Samadhi” is the practice of burying enlightened souls while they are still alive. The report about his Samadhi gains credence as members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust held a meeting today to discuss the Trust's affairs in the wake of the Baba's deteriorating health.
Importantly, the speculation about the way forward for Sathya Sai Baba comes in midst of reports of a rift between Ratnakar, son of Baba’s brother and a Trust member, and the other members of the managing committee.
Importantly, the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Devotees Association has also come out expressing its concern over Satya Sai Baba's deteriorating health and the medical treatment being administered to him.
Dhananjay, the president of the association, was quoted as saying, "On realising that he had suffered a cardiac arrest, why wasn't Baba rushed to the hospital immediately? We have written to several authorities and agencies but have not received any clarification."
"Despite the media publishing several incriminating evidence against people close to Baba, why are the government agencies providing them with armed protection instead of carrying out an investigation?" he said.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has clamped prohibitory orders in this town and deployed additional forces to tackle untoward incident, if any.
First Published: Friday, April 22, 2011, 00:08