PUTTAPARTHI: Godman Sathya Sai Baba, whose message of universal love and brotherhood attracted millions of followers across the globe, was on Wednesday, April 27th, interred at the very spot where he used to meet and address his disciples for years.
The mortal remains of the 85-year-old spiritual leader, whose clout spread far and wide among both the commoners and the high and mighty, were buried after the last rites were performed by his nephew, RJ Ratnakar, in accordance with Vedic customs following full police honours.
Watched by a galaxy of political personalities, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Chief Ministers N Kiran Kumar Reddy and BS Yeddyurappa; governors ESL Narasimhan and Shivraj V Patil; BJP leaders LK Advani, M Venkiah Naidu, and Bandaru Dattatreya; former AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu; and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, and hundreds of his followers, Sai Baba’s body was buried amidst chanting of “Sai” mantras.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi pay their last respects
Once the last rites were performed by Vedic pandits, red curtains were drawn, at around 9:45 am, and the process was started for laying the body in a pit created at the spot in Sai Kulwant where the spiritual leader used to make his preachings for his followers for a number of years. That process lasted for about 25 minutes.
The spot where he was buried is now expected to become an eternal memorial for Sai Baba, who at the age of 14 announced himself as a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba. He made his mark initially with miracles, but later founded institutions of excellence in education and medical facilities, besides undertaking development work and philanthropy.
Sai Baba died on Sunday morning, April 24th, after fighting for nearly a month illness caused by multi-organ failure.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, political leaders from various parties, chief ministers and personalities from various fields, including cricket and films, had visited Puttaparthi in the last two days to pay their homage.
An estimated five lakh people from various parts of the country and abroad had filed past the body to have a final glimpse of their spiritual guru.
After 40 minutes, the curtains were removed for the people to have a glimpse of the ‘samadhi’ where the body was laid to rest in line with the practice adopted for Hindu spirital leaders. Normally, Hindus cremate the bodies of their departed loved ones.
Devotees wail as they watch the funeral of Satya Sai Baba on a big screen placed outside in Puttaparthi
Earlier, a little before 9:00 am, the glass casket in which Sai Baba’s body was lying in state from Sunday night was removed, and the body was wrapped in national tri-colour for a brief while.
Men of the Andhra Pradesh Armed Police sounded the last post and fired 21 shots in the air as a mark of respect.
Then the tri colour was removed and verses from Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Sikh, Judaism and Buddhist scriptures were read out by leaders from these sects. Later, they joined in sprinkling the sacred ash at the samadhi spot as ‘mangal aarti’ was performed.
With Sai Baba’s body draped in his favourite saffron robe, the last rites were performed by Ratnakar, who wept inconsolably while priests recited Vedic chants.
Ratnakar is a member of the powerful Sathya Sai Central Trust, estimated to be in possession of wealth to the tune of Rs.40,000 crore, and he is believed to be a contender in the race to head the trust.
Water from sacred rivers from all over the country was sprinkled on Sai Baba’s body, along with cow urine. Cow, honey, ghee and silk were given as gifts to priests.
The mortal remains of the 85-year-old spiritual leader, whose clout spread far and wide among both the commoners and the high and mighty, were buried after the last rites were performed by his nephew, RJ Ratnakar, in accordance with Vedic customs following full police honours.
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