Sai Baba EXPOSED!

20 October 2006

Sai Baba's School Records - A New Light

One | Two | Three | Four

For some years a simmering controversy on the subject of Sathya Sai Baba's true date of birth has continued to send ripples through the bearings of the whole Sai scandal. Before I proceed to relate my own findings and reflections on the same, I'll attempt to offer the readers a refresher regarding the background of this subject.

This issue was first broached by Hari Sampath in an article for ExBaba.Com, wherein the book 'Love Is My Form' (published 2000, henceforth referred to as 'LIMF') was used as a major source for this claim. To wit, a photostat in LIMF of Sai Baba's school records at Bukkapatnam (a town near his home village of Puttaparthi) was scanned and produced that appeared to evidence the following points:

  • Sai Baba (real name Sathyanarayana Raju) was born on October 4 1929.
  • According to Indian matriculation levels, Raju was in the 8th Standard at the time.
  • Raju was a student of the school on and around July 5 1941 as the date of the record itself is evidence of this, having been dated as such.
  • Mention is made of an exam scheduled for April 6 1942.

Raju is listed under Entry No. 466:

(Click to enlarge)

Why these facts are important is because, for one thing, since 1950 Raju's birthday has been celebrated on the date of November 23, 1926. Raju is also supposed to have declared his divinity in May 1940 and even went further as to leave home and become a 'full-time' avatar later that year (October 20, 1940). Clearly the dating of these events are contradicted by his school records. Although Sampath made it very clear in later addendums that he was personally convinced that the twin events of the declaration of divinity and the assumption of avatarhood were both false and never happened as real historical events, he stated that he brought all these facts to light in order to highlight the inconsistencies that exist between official administrative documents and the legend.

Following Sampath's arguments, one may ask of the significance of Novermber 23, 1926 and why that date was selected for birthday celebrations? The easy answer is Sri Aurobindo, who, on November 24, 1926, declared the following:

"November 24, 1926, was the descent of Krishna into the physical. A power infallible shall lead the thought. In earthly hearts kindle the Immortal's Fire, even the multitude shall hear the voice."

Unsurprisingly, Sai devotees have seized on this as proof of Sai Baba's divinity and identity with God (Krishna) with no exception, given their belief that Aurobindo was referring to the Baba who was supposedly born on the previous day (Nov. 23). The main problem with this idea is that the followers of Aurobindo widely believe that he was referring to the descent of "Krishna consciousness" into himself, being that he had been in a meditative trance for a long while and had emerged out of said trance on November 24 to inform his followers of his revelation. As an interesting aside, Aurobindo largely retired from public interactions from that date onwards and preferred to spend long periods of time in seclusion while communicating with his followers via letters. Incorrigible Sai devotees seize on that too, presenting it as an example of Aurobindo's taking of voluntary retirement after handing the reins over to "God incarnate"!

Be that as it may, the Aurobindo theory is the most likely explanation for the selection of November 23 1926 as the official birthday of Sathyanarayana Raju. Contemporaneous saints such as Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and others were very famous in those days, so it is not unlikely that Raju & Co. had heard of Aurobindo and his cryptic pronouncement. What happened next appears to be a sordid example of gross misrepresentationa and a hijacking of a saint's inheritance by way of deliberate deception and wilful concoctions in order to support an "avatarhood" house of cards.

Of course, this theory along with it's supporting evidence cannot be expected to appeal to all. One vociferous critic, Gerald 'Joe' Moreno, had much to say in rebuttal although this is not to affirm said rebuttals as correct or worthy of response. For a start, Moreno made a big hue and cry over the status and price of LIMF, affirming that the text was a private venture that was not approved or authenticated by the Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Given that LIMF is a monumental research work that involved extensive interviewing of Sathya Sai Baba's surviving relatives, friends and classmates over a period of seven years, it is inevitable that new facts would turn up as they have done, and that this in itself does not invalidate the work itself. Complaining about the price of the work ($149.95 hardback, $55.11 paperback) was particularly laughable, especially Moreno's contention that it was "undeniable that the prime motive to make this volume series was money". As a point of interest, a former devotee has been kind enough to donate his copy of LIMF to me for free and I can personally testify to the sheer bulk of the book! It is indeed a work of extraordinary size, and I have trouble holding it in my arms to read it without any form of support.

Bearing this in mind, I think that the expensive price is entirely reasonable when considering the bulkiness of the volume. In the next part of this series, I'll address more of Moreno's shallow criticisms and explain how - in the light of new evidence - they will now be untenable.

One | Two | Three | Four




Copyright © Sai Baba EXPOSED! 2005-2007. Discuss this post!

Return To Main Page

9 Comments:

  • just do not have a narrow idea over an avatar.jesus christ is also not recognised when he was alive (by body).our great sampath puts all worth less arguments.its not only sri aurobindo who put forth his prophesy.u must know about agasthya nadi,brugu nadi,palani granthamulu,mohd. prophet prophesy etc.....do not use over over intelligence .just do not try to build stories on small mistakes commited by administrative authorities of state in school records.critics will perish in dust..but truth is 4 ever.........

    By Blogger Unknown, at 21 October, 2007 02:30  

  • I know that sathya sai is embodiment of love by my experience.....watever others tell......i dont care....my experience is my teacher......sathya sai is god for me....

    By Blogger Unknown, at 08 February, 2008 10:46  

  • That's fair enough I suppose. Good luck on your spiritual journey, may the divine light shine on you.

    By Blogger Swami Saiexposedananda, at 08 February, 2008 18:30  

  • My sincere appreciation to Hari Sampath for his investigations. Even I used to wonder who was that person Aurobindo was refering to, after seeing the video clip in YouTube (Sathya Sai Baba tricks) where he clearly takes a chain from underneath a medallion from his attendent's hand and then waves his hand as if he did a miracle(1992 doordharshan clip).

    These devotees of SaiBaba should see this Video clipping. It proves conclusively that he is nothing but a magician.

    I would also like to know one thing. I recently saw in one devotee's house vibhuti, kumkum and turmeric. Is there any special water that is being used for cleaning these pictures ( that produce ash) or any Sathya Sai agent who might be attending regular bhajans and doing this mischief.? Any information on this?

    I think this video clip should reach whole lot of people(especially devotees of this magician). They may not be visiting this forum as it talks bad about their beloved Swami.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 22 April, 2008 13:07  

  • The video in YouTube where Sai Baba takes a chain from his attendent shows beyond doubt that he is doing magic. See Sai Baba Magic Trick posted by Roberte .

    For those who have got their problems solved in life by praying to Sai Baba , I, as a believer in God, would like to tell you my own opinion about this:-

    When you earnestly pray God, with your mind entirely engrossed in your prayer to God for the problem you are facing, the Universal Spirit ( or God) answers your prayer in his own ways. This is not only my opinion. It has been said by so many people through out various generations.

    In the case of Sai Baba devotees too, this has happened. It is not because of SaiBaba but because of their sincerity in their prayer and faith, that the universal spirit or cosmic energy has answered their prayer.

    Luckily for Sai baba they would think that Sai Baba had helped them.

    It is their deep faith alone that has done it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 22 April, 2008 14:47  

  • it is fake bcoz sai baba died on october 15 1918.so how can he be a student in 1941.fake school records
    you can view it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Baba_of_Shirdi

    By Blogger skeletor, at 21 May, 2012 16:29  

  • it is fake bcoz sai baba died on october 15,1918.so how can he be a student in 1940.it is FAKE!

    By Blogger skeletor, at 21 May, 2012 16:35  

  • what can you achieve by exposing the unadulterated,unvarnished Truth that bhagvan personified for 85 years.


    1. You show me one magician who could attract people from 135 countries.

    2. You show me one monk or sanyasi or swmaiji who had the tenacity to declare to the world in full throated voice
    " I am god , I am the same Rama come again, I am the same krishna come in the form of sai Baba ".

    3. You show me one CEO or a manager or an entrepreneur who could build such a vast empire covering various domains in span of just 85 years

    4. you show me one me one doctor or tantric or a mantric who could heal incurable diseases in a trice.

    5. You show me one brave man who could scold the misters in the public gathering .

    6. You show me one individual who can LOVE you even after you expose him (there is nothing to expose).

    All the above qualities are embedded in a single body which the almighty chose to as instrument for the betterment of the world.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 09 June, 2012 08:11  

  • SAI BABA'S REAL NAME IS " SAI TANURAM" . HE WAS FROM NAWABSHAH (SINDH). ONCE SAI BABA AND HIS BROTHER WERE PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK.IN COURSE OF PLAYING ONLY HE LOST HIS WAY AND HE CAME TO GUJARAT THROUGH RANN OF KACHH AND THEN HE FURTHER MOVED TO MAHARASHTRA. IF YOU DUN BELIEVE MY EMAIL IS (mohit.janyani@yahoo.in) request me a book .I will send it to you...you would have to believe..and tha author of book is (sant hirdaram sahib ji [ great grand son of sai baba ]

    By Anonymous MOHIT, at 28 June, 2012 15:20  

Post a Comment

<< Home