Sathya Sai Baba - The Truth

Alaya Rahm - testimony and lawsuit concerning Sathya Sai Baba

2011-11-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

Alaya Rahm's Lawsuit vs Sathya Sai Society of America

Joint Statement by the International JuST Group and the Rahm family

Date: July 16, 2006

At considerable personal sacrifice to himself and family, Alaya Rahm, 27, filed a civil lawsuit against California leaders of the Sathya Sai Society of America, who include the world chairman of Sathya Sai Baba’s organization, Dr Michael Goldstein. The case was heard by Judge John M. Watson of the Superior Court, County of Orange, California, on April 28th, 2006.

Substantive evidence was about to be called in court to support Alaya Rahm’s case, for which the Judge had allotted five weeks. However, his attorney, William Brelsford Esq., seeing formidable legal obstacles set by the defendants, and also working against a statute of limitations deadline, advised Alaya Rahm to self-dismiss the case. Along with other difficulties encountered, his attorney has explained, June 29th, 2006, to Alaya Rahm and his family:

“We were successful at the demurrer stage in establishing that a duty would be owed by the Society in the event they sponsored and/or endorsed the trips that Alaya went on when he was abused by Sai Baba. As it turns out, the Society is not the "hub" of all of Sai Baba's corporate activities. Rather, the Society, pursuant to declarations under penalty of perjury, confirmed they are a bookstore...nothing more. Accordingly, we do not have the necessary factual requirements to establish liability on the Society/Book center.”

No court found Alaya's allegations to be false. Simply, the suit could not continue on a technicality, and the claims of sexual abuse stand irrefutably true, just as before. The Sathya Sai Organization could take legal cover behind its bookstore. This is a very different situation to that being depicted in the systematic disinformation being spread throughout the Sai movement; for example, by those connected with its official international broadcast wing Radio Sai.

Among others ready to testify to the court was the former Mrs Diane Payne - USA. Hislop mentioned her in the letters he wanted kept secret that describe her having written to him alleging Sai Baba’s sexual abuse of her then teenage son in the 1970’s. Her child was then a student at Sai Baba’s College at Whitefield, near Bangalore. Again because important depositions were not able to be heard in court, Mark Roche, who formerly had long-term close ties with the most important leaders of the Sai Organization in the USA, was unable to testify. He appeared in the BBC television documentary ‘The Secret Swami’ (2004): In his BBC interview, Mr Roche spoke of Sai Baba’s forcing oral sex on him in 1976 when Roche was very young. He was also prepared to state under oath that he had told Sai Baba’s foremost overseas leader, Dr John Hislop, well before 1980, that Sai Baba had sexually abused him. These incidents occurred when Dr Hislop was the head of the Sai Organization in the USA. The Rahm family has stated:

"In the Hislop letters, the director Michael Goldstein was one of those called to consider the Payne sexual abuse matter. When our family met with Michael Goldstein in North-west Arkansas in September 1999 to confide in him the story of Alaya's abuse by Sai Baba, Michael Goldstein told us that he had never heard anything like this before. That was over twenty years after the Hislop letters, which we now know prove he was lying."

The Sathya Sai Organization has set itself up to avoid legal accountability and full public scrutiny. There is no legal entity in the United States against which a lawsuit demanding responsibility of Goldstein and other key directors of the Sathya Sai Society of America can be brought. The Organization’s leaders will not truly investigate or let the lower echelon leadership and the rank-and-file members know the nature and seriousness of the accusations against Sai Baba. These go well beyond sexual abuse of young males and include complicity in gigantic and wrongful deployment of funds garnered worldwide, and a cover-up of several killings in Sai Baba’s bedroom in June 6, 1993. The leaders will not even answer letters from complainants who have held high office in the Sai Organization, which have often been returned unopened. Such unaccountability and authoritarian secrecy is the Sai Organization leadership’s rigidly enforced rule. In the case Alaya Rahm brought against them, the directors presented a witness - Lewis Kreydick, a US citizen and staunch Sai devotee who often lives near Sai Baba. Kreydick is so obviously prejudiced in favor of Sai Baba that his mostly conjectural ‘testimony’ was without probity. For example, it could easily be contested by expert psychologists who can readily explain why an abuse survivor can produce the sort of smiles that Kreydick describes of Alaya after the period in which he (Alaya) spoke of Sai Baba’s sexually abusing him many times. Moreover, his parents have stated:

“Sai Baba also threatened Alaya repeatedly that if he ever told anyone what Swami was doing, Sai Baba would use his powers to cause an accident to Alaya and would also never talk to his parents again. Naturally, if Alaya couldn't tell his parents, why would he mention anything to Kreydick, who Sai Baba himself once removed from the Rahms’ visiting group? Sai Baba told us that Kreydick was spreading stories about our family and that we should not associate with him any longer. Sai Baba later banned Kreydick from the Ashram."

Compelling evidence could have been brought that Alaya’s case was but one of many cases of sexual abuse against citizens of the USA and other countries where Sai Baba is described as using threats and bribes. A number of sexual abuse professionals whom JuST has consulted have told us that emotional bribery and blackmail are common stratagems in the repertoire of sexual abusers. Such duress would be frightening enough for an adult, but what of mere boys in their teens!? What of those many who have been raised from birth as Sai devotees?

Because of the legalistic stumbling blocks, compelling testimony could not be presented. For example, evidence of:

· dereliction of duty of care by leaders of the Sathya Sai Organization

· from other families and individuals who allege sexual abuse by Sathya Sai Baba

What is more, hostile ploys in court by the Society’s lawyers and Lewis Kreydick to cast Alaya and Marisa Rahm (his mother) in a false, negative light have, most unjustly, remained undefended because of the sudden termination of the case.

Leading office-bearers who have attempted to expose the truth are always closed out of the Sathya Sai Organization. Therefore, lower echelon and rank-and-file members cannot deliberate on the facts. Sai Baba has lied about former devotees who now expose him, and his leaders know that. He has called them “Judases”, “demons", and has falsely and without giving a shred of evidence accused them of opposing him for money. When the Rahms took their story to Dr Goldstein, in September 1999, he was, they say, shocked and shaken, telling them, "Faith has got to be restored and words will not be enough." Promising to speak to Sai Baba, Goldstein asked the Rahms to keep the matter secret in the meantime. On his return, Goldstein said that Sai Baba replied, "Swami is pure" and "If you want to fight with people in the gutter, you also have to go into the gutter. Don't."

But the Rahms are not gutter people. Nor were they fighting. Goldstein and the leaders of the Sathya Sai Organization have breached the time-honored ethic in investigation of serious allegations that one does not rely, alone, on the word of an accused perpetrator. What indeed might a law case, allowed to run its course, reveal about this Organization?

It seems impossible to approach Sai Baba legally from abroad - not to mention the obstacles to bringing him to justice within India itself, where Supreme and High Court judges, government ministers and power brokers from many sections of Indian society are his devotees. Continuous efforts are made by the Sathya Sai Organization to cover up for its founder and to protect its own name. In regard to attempts to pursue Sathya Sai Baba by some means from outside India, William Brelsford (Alaya Rahm’s attorney) has explained:

“The lawsuit against Sai Baba (individually) was dropped because the judge indicated in the initial court appearance that he did not wish to see us pursue a case against an out- of-country defendant that is not a signatory to the Hague Treaty. Sai Baba lives in India. California does not have reciprocal jurisdiction rights against an out-of-country defendant and we cannot utilize California state subpoena powers against an out-of- country defendant not subject to the powers of the Hague Treaty without pursuing the Letters Rogatory process. That process takes several years to complete and there is no guarantee Sai Baba would even respond to service of a subpoena once a subpoena was served. Which complicates matters even more. And given Sai Baba's age, there is no guarantee he would even be alive at the time we finally could have perfected service of a complaint, let alone a deposition subpoena.”

Where they can, cults typically head off law cases on the basis of legal technicality. Sai Baba’s organization dares not face public examination. In countries in all the Sai Organization ‘regions’, its prominent leaders were instructed to ensure the Organization was not registered in a way that would render it legally or financially liable. One point which exemplifies this policy is seen in The Sathya Sai Organization Charter Section (E) CENTRES (6) Rules and Regulations: “The Centre/Group will not ordinarily be registered under the local law relating to registration of societies, if such registration is not mandatory.” (p.24).

In the late 1980s, overseas Sai Organizations and their Centers were instructed not to own or buy any property in the name of the Organization, but where necessary to let or borrow premises. The only properties and assets were to be in India, in the name of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, whose overall authority rests in Sai Baba himself!

The executives, research and legal staffs of major organizations have accepted the credibility of many witnesses from the USA and countries around the world (including those with sworn affidavits) who accuse Sathya Sai Baba of male sexual abuse over many years. These bodies include UNESCO (Paris), the US State Department, the BBC (“The Secret Swami”), AZUL TV (Argentina, “Zona de Investigación”), DR (Danish Broadcasting, “Seduced” - re-titled as “Seduced By Sai Baba” by Australia’s SBS - which, like DR, withstood Sai Organization threats to sue), and ABC Radio (Australia). Print media have likewise have accepted the credibility of former devotees and rejected Sai Organization attempts to kill the stories – e.g., India Today, The Times of London, The Daily Telegraph, Salon.com, and many other newspapers in Scandinavia, Europe, Canada, and Australia.

The Sathya Sai Organization – which, like Sai Baba, claims to uphold the truth - continually bluffs with its threats but quickly retreats when a corporation stands up to it, like the BBC, Danish broadcaster DR, Canada's CBC, Australia's SBS, India Today, and others. (Click here for example1 and example 2).

Those who know Alaya and his family are satisfied that they have told the truth. Indeed, the penalty for lying to a court in the USA, a legal system which Alaya Rahm was every bit prepared to face, is severe! The Society - or, to call things by their right name, the Sathya Sai Organization - did not and dares not face the challenge of a public examination of the case. Except, of course, in situations where it is forced into damage control.
Al Rahm says: “Alaya was seriously sexually abused by Sai Baba, who expected him to sustain a game of lies”.

Compelling accounts of individuals from many countries and investigative documentation by former devotees and some of the world’s leading media attest that Sai Baba has sexually molested boys and young men for over 30 years. Indeed, much of the international testimony, including sworn statements, could not be aired within obvious broadcast or print media limitations. Claims that these media are ‘sensationalistic’ are grossly untrue. These have been made by Sai Organization heads like Indulal Shah (formerly world head of the Organization), Dr. G. Venkataraman (Deputy Chairman of the ruling world body ‘The Prashanti Council’ chaired by Dr. Michael Goldstein and head of Radio Sai, the official international radio broadcaster) and other prominent Sai Baba apologists. As early as 1980, Dr John Hislop gathered Goldstein and the other directors to discuss the allegations by devotees. At that time as well, he accused an innocent mother and her abused teenage son of lying. Because of the technicality that closed the case, this is but one of the vital issues that it was not possible to air in court. Alaya Rahm’s attorney would have been able to demonstrate, under witness oath, that the Hislop letters - very damaging to the Sai Organization - are fully verifiable. Yet another strong witness standing by to verify these letters was Dr Timothy Conway, of Santa Barbara, USA, a former respected leader in the Sai Organization. It is a veracity which the Society’s directors could not, under oath (unless they perjured themselves) deny, for they were indeed among the recipients of these letters.

Al Rahm states: “The leaders covered up then and are covering up now. Dr Goldstein Dr William Harvey, Berniece Mead, Robert Bozzani and their attorneys are fully aware of the seriousness of the many sexual abuse allegations”.

On the Internet and elsewhere, some persons - who dare not stand forth as Alaya and other Sai Baba abuse survivors have done - dishonestly set about trying to discredit people who were much respected when Sai devotees. Alaya Rahm’s father, Al, for example, was one of five regional officers in ‘Region 10’ of the Sathya Sai Baba Organization of the United States. He and his family received over fifty interviews (combined) with Sai Baba. On several occasions, they performed music and sang in the Puttaparthi Mandir, which is the foremost temple for millions of Sai Baba’s followers, and have also performed in official Sai Centers throughout the USA, and in those of many countries. He started the first Sai School in the United States at the personal direction of Sai Baba during interviews that took place in 1997. This is a 501c3 non-profit institution named the School of Human Values of which Berniece Mead (mentioned above) was one of the officers. Al Rahm has told JuST that, when he:

“… called the officers to discuss the newly found sexual abuse information of Alaya Rahm, Berniece chose to resign instead of attend the meeting and face up to the allegations saying, ‘It’s always about something sexual’. Is this the kind of care that the head of the Sathya Sai Baba Organization’s children’s division (called “Education in Human Values” or “EHV”) should have?”

It most assuredly is not, and this typical case of dereliction of duty of care among Sai Baba’s foremost leaders should concern the wider public too which is the target of the Sai Organization, with its multi-million dollar project setting up schools in different countries. With its EHV program it seeks to get into the schools of the world but without disclosing its Sai Baba-oriented agenda - the guru who says that he will rule the world before AD 2022.

That Alaya Rahm withdrew his case reflects on certain Sathya Sai Organization leaders and their bad faith, not on him. Rather, he and his very supportive family who sacrificed so much through many years for Sai Baba and his Organization have had the courage, in the hope of saving other children from sexual abuse, to come forward in a United States court of law and to redouble their efforts to let the public know the truth.

Key Exposé Pages dealing with Sathya Sai Baba

2011-10-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

KEY SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF EVENTS IN 2011

SATHYA SAI BABA IN WORLD MEDIA Some important international media reports.

CHRONICLE RECORDING SAI BABA'S DEMISE: His illness, treatments, suspicious death, funeral, and the aftermath revelations of his massive hoarding of valuables and the struggle within the Sathya Sai Central Trust to gain control of the assets etc..

Many young men claiming sexual contact with Sathya Sai Baba List of over 20 have written their testimony on the Internet (with links) or have been filmed on documentaries stating their experiences. All of these are highly credible witnesses, while many others have testified anonymously on-line or in confidence to exposé investigators (remaining private for many good reasons, not least harassment and worse also against their family and friends in India and elsewhere by Sai people).

Midas hoard revealed was in Sathya Sai Baba’s private possession (The self-proclaimed owner of no property was a hoarder of unsurpassed dimensions)
Corruption India: Sai Baba cult hoard plunder by Trustees?
Former Minister accuses Sri Sathya Sai trust members for the death of Sathya Sai Baba
Professor Erlendur Haraldsson – by Robert Priddy: very revealing materials!
Sathya Sai Baba’s death – no miracles
Sathya Sai Baba’s lunar age not 96

Main overview of the 1993 bedroom murders and follow-up Further to this..
Resumé of the murders cover-up issue
The 1993 murder episode graphically explained in India's 'The Week'

Murders in the Prashanthi temple – reflections 1 On how I came to learn of the murders in the bedroom of Sai Baba, and how - despite misgivings - I rationalized the matter for some years until I was awoken to the realities by V.K. Narasimhan's private confidences. Also: Murders in the Prashanthi temple - reflections 2

Main overview of the sexual allegations against Sai Baba through the decades and index of further pages detailing the accusations from all quarters

Sexual abuse complaints with impunity against Sathya Sai Baba. Serious allegations put forward in signed letters to the Sathya Sai Organization by Mrs. Payne in 1980 and by Alaya Rahm on a BBC documentary still stand, as they were never legally pursued as libel by Sathya Sai Baba or any of his institutions. Were he innocent, he could with his Government and judiciary behind him, get a fair trial in India. Yet he dare not try to clear his name because the full facts and testimonials – and affidavits held in London – plus witnesses claiming they were abused by him could then stand forth under foreign ambassadorial protection. See also Revealing letters on sexual abuse claims by Dr. John Hislop

‘The Secret Swami’ & U.S. State Department Warning against Sai BabaTanya Datta of the BBC reports that the November 23, 2000 US State Department 'Travel warning page and Consular information sheet was confirmed by the US Embassy in Delhi as referring directly to Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba and the faked Duke of Edinburgh Award Despite a rebuff from the Duke of Edinburgh Award for false representation in the name of Sri Sathya Sai, this wannabe Nobel Laureate is still eager to have his 'holy' name associated with the award, having reintroduced the false publicity about it on his official websites.

Sathya Sai Organization’s fear of investigative media Dr. Michael Goldstein, international chairman of the Sathya Sai Organization wrote an urgent private circular warning all members to avoid all investigative media (after the BBC filmed him secretly).

Sai Baba's miracles The main testimony about Sai Baba faking 'materializations 'comes from devotees - many of whom lost all faith in him as a result. Others remained believing this to be 'a test of faith'! Faking is seen clearly on video clips

Sathya Sai Baba claims of bribery! made during his infamous angry and lying Christmas Discourse, 2000.In which he refuted his lifelong teaching that there is a 'divine spark' in everyone, denying this of "hard-hearted" persons, especially his many young male accusers of sexual abuse, calling them "verily demons".

Cash for Honours, Sai Baba Style The subtlety shown by Sathya Sai Baba in obtaining donations and testaments is exceptional. He gives blessings and some cheap trinket (containing some gold but only synthetic gems) to the well-to-do and the grateful victim usually pours cash to him. No case is more remarkable than that of the US billionaire, James Sinclair!

Sai Baba (Baa-Baa Black Sheep) a misunderstood 'Second Coming' Sai Baba declared he is the one Jesus said would 'come again'- that Jesus actually said 'Baa-baa', and that the Lamb of God and suchlike was a misunderstanding! SB has been acclaimed as the Cosmic Christ.

Sathya Sai and the Turin shroud photos It has been claimed that SB took a black-and-white photo of the Turin shroud image, passed his hand over it and it became a colour image. No independent witnesses or verifiable documentation is found. In fact, it is a painting by Ariel Agemian, combined with the image on the Holy Shroud of Turin

Sai Baba's fame and name Claiming that name and fame should never be striven for, Sai Baba strives for them continually, letting the organization which bears his name promote him to the skies - on scores of websites, radio sai, at meetings in many very costly public venues, as well as in his centres around the world. See also Sai Propaganda

Sathya Sai's good works Though there are numerous good works by followers of Sathya Sai Baba, they are done in the name of a person who - bearing the name 'Truth' (i.e. Sathya) is still a proven liar, fraudulent 'materialized' and stands very widely and credibly accused of sex abuses and complicity in murder cover-up.

Sai Baba Lies SSB angrily attacked his critics as demons and Judases in 2000 on Xmas day for taking money to make allegations against him. A direct falsehood without a shred of evidence. He imagines his critics are jealous of him, but they are disgusted by him. See also Transparent Sai lies

On Visiting Sai Baba ashrams All one needs to know - but is not told! Why foreigners visit his ashrams and some of the many and tiresome difficulties plus outright dangers they risk from theft, corruption, embezzlement and yet far worse. Buying a mini-apartment is now exorbitantly expensive, and one gets absolutely no legal rights, even of occupancy for more than up to 1 month per annum! Books and videos of the ashrams give highly misleading 'Prashanthi' propaganda. In the ashram one is supposed to keep oneself strictly to oneself, not talk, not form friendships or other associations. The reason given is pseudo-spiritual, the actual reason is doubtless the attempt to control information, especially suppress negative facts. The security arrangements with metal detectors, undercover and armed security staff, close body searches (men and women) to remove all objects that may threaten Sai Baba! [claimed to be for the protection of devotees!} Out of the supposed millions who have been through the ashrams during 60 years, remarkable few credibly claim healing of any significant kind.

Sai Baba: Prayer, not environmental awareness? Sai Baba regards worshipping the earth as a goddess is right and that scientist are ignorant of the inner significance of things! Aeons of Indians praying to Mother Earth have not made the planet any more safe, less polluted... but species death, global warming and a host of related problems are flourishing... but Sai Baba does not suggest anything for all of that other than planting trees!

How the Sathya Sai mythology emerged beyond India On the origin of much of the more fantastic mythology about Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba crying (video) See the short video clip from his 85th birthday celebrations in which he breaks down and cries during the ceremony. (Click here – 3.9 Mbs This video clip was extracted and compiled from a very long – boring – video)

Sathya Sai Baba – an enigma or a myth?If indeed, as has been reported, Sathya was born as a physical hermaphrodite (with both genitalia, which occurs and is a medical fact) this would explain much of the mythology around him from his earliest years. That it is the case is backed up by diverse reports. In the 1920s in remote Andhra Pradesh the villagers would surely have thought the child a Divine Phenomenon - Shiva and Parvathi in one, Purusha and Prakriti in one body.

The transformation of India by devotees of Sai Baba Conversion to what followers believe is Sathya Sai Baba’s spiritual panacea to save the world and liberate themselves from the sufferings of human life (not least through avoiding being reborn) has observably not radically changed India at all.

Official promotion of deception on health in India

2010-11-07T08:09:00.000-08:00

The article by Professor Narendra Nayak shows how Indian Railways promote the absurdly primitive religious fundamentalist doctrine. Such a doctrine is widely promoted by Sathya Sai Baba, that sin leads to disease (eg. he claims that eye defects results from 'unsacred vision' click here)!

Further Indian Railways also promote a bogus medicinal device to cure countless ills... a vibrating massage automat in its waiting rooms! It is nothing short of a national scandal.

Railways and health - by Narendra Nayak

After providing transportation services to the population of this country, the Indian railways have also gone into the filed of health services. Last June I was surprised to see very bold flex prints in
railway premises that Sin causes disease(see DSCN1737). When queried, the authorities had replied that these were put up in public interest. One could understand the anxiety of these authorities to bring this latest scientific research to the attention of the ignorant public that a really dramatic, earth shaking discovery had been made that sin causes disease. However, these were silent about treatment.

Now, latest research has proven that a gadget can be a panacea. I had been waiting in the waiting hall of the South Western railways at the Mysore Railway station on the 25th of October and saw a gadget in the hall. This, being a latest discovery in the field of medical science has been now provided for the benefit of the railway travelers in general and the upper class ones in particular. This promises to set
right as many diseases as that exist in medical test books except for a few about which we can see later. It ensures good blood and lymph circulation. Going on, it ensures the secretion of enzymes and
harmones(sic) from all glands in the body. It increases immunity, burns excess fat, keeps your body sleek and trim. It also influences lipid metabolism by bringing down LDL cholesterol levels. Besides, it also brings down miraculously LDL cholesterol levels, of course it does not say anything about increasing HDL cholesterol, but since most of the lay public does not understand that it has been left out! Perhaps one can expect it to do that too.

The contribution to the general health of individual is very, very valuable to say the least. As already mentioned above, it increases immunity and also prevents disorders and diseases. One can expect to
be immortal using this machine as it not only reverses ageing but also provides freedom from fatal diseases. It also discharges toxic wastes from the body effectively (probably through air as nothing has been said as to how it is going to be accomplished). The fitness freaks have not been left out, in fact they are told that it never makes you sweat, but you are always kept fighting fit. It also promises
exercise equal to hours jogging within 15 minutes in the privacy of ones’ home (Of course those who painted the blurb have forgotten that the machine can be also kept in public places)! It also tones muscles and keeps the body fit. What more can one desire?

Going on, the diabetic and thyroid patients are not kept out. It promises cures for both. In fact its miraculous effects can be felt both of the hypo and hyperthyroid patients-both the types would become
euthyroid. Patients of myocardial infarction or heart attack take heart, you can be totally cured by this machine. Psychiatric illnesses the bane of the modern society can be also effectively dealt with by
this gadget. It promises cure from insomnia, tension and myriad of other mental illnesses. Having benefitted so many, how can blood pressure be ignored? In fact it is of benefit to those with hyper and
hypotension in case of the former it will decrease it to normal levels while the latter can expect an increase to the normal. For those who have not known the machine and hence have fallen prey to disease there is nothing to worry- it also speeds up the healing process! The neurological patients need not felt out left out, it cures paralysis and diabetic neuritis. The respiratory system has not been ignored- relief from allergy, dry cough etc are also indicated on the blurb.

For those who may think that this comes at a heavy price, there is a surprise. It costs only Rs.5 for a 15 minute use which is equal to a 5 kms jog. The instructions are simple insert a five rupee coin hold
on to the handles on the side and it will do the rest. Well for those who are prone to think that it is the solution to all of our health problems- you are wrong. It is not. Like all good things there are some exceptions to our cure all gadget- it cannot be used by women in menstruation, pregnancy, menorrhagia , those with skin dissases(sic).

Besides, the ones with metal implants, pace makers, those suffering from cancer, TB, malignant tumours ( in fact those who had not come to know of the wonderful effects of this well in time) cannot be cured and are specifically barred from using it. Again, those who have consumed alcohol are also on the barred category( perhaps because it may bring done the intoxication levels and you know how alcoholics are- they may ask for money back and compensation for the money they spent on drinks too!).

Last heard of, the railways are planning to buy these machines and close down their hospitals. They are also planning to install one at the Railway Minister Didi’s house to keep her in good health. Well,
I plead guilty. My interest in this machine and the taking of photographs got one person interested in it. He frantically hunted for a five rupee coin which was finally given to him in exchange for loose
change by the waiting room attendant, clutched the handles inserted the coin and waited for the miracle to happen. When the process was over, I mustered the courage to ask him whether he was relieved of anything. He said I don’t know about any other things, but I was
surely relieved of my five rupees!

Coming to the serious issues, should the railways promote such dubious gadgets in their premises? Is there no accountability for such claims? Such claims are an offence under the MRTP act (now defunct). The consumer protection act (still in force), the drugs and magic remedies objectionable advertisements act and a number of others. Should the railways allow such gadgets to be kept in their premises to mislead the public? The railways who claim to have a number of regulations to prevent customers from being cheated should pay attention to things like this too.

Glen Meloy replies with great civility to a zealot in denial

2010-08-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Glen,

At the tender age of eighteen, Sathya Sai came into my life. In dreams, in miracles. I feel so badly for you to have to expose the lord incarnate himself. It shows your vast spiritual ignorance. I feel ashamed for you and the people who have signed your petition. How many of these disillusioned people have you personally interviewed? You will find one thing in common with all of them there lives are filled with pain and misery because of the lies that they have told about Sathya Sai Baba. Do you remember that Jesus was hanged? It was by people like yourself who are too dense to
feel divinity inside the human form. But this lord of lords did not come this time to be hung by petty people like yourself, this God being is here too stay. So try as you may this organisation keeps growing with tremendous force and your pettiness will not stop it. I have put in a request for you to get a glimpse of the other world, I wish for you to visit there and then when you see for yourself the enormous control that this being has on the planet maybe then you will realise what you are dealing with. I know that you have a very unhappy and unfulfilling life you can't fool me, and I know you claim to be a spiritualist, but your life is very contrasting with that of a spiritual man. Please take review of yourself, you are not saving or helping anyone by exposing Sai Baba, you are just temporarily preventing spiritual seekers from finding God. But these are not real
seekers they are people just like yourself who can not really have true faith and trust in anything.

I prayer that you will some day become enlightened.

Responding to: Seema denn at
visionsb@tstt.net.tt
Re: Email on 3/20/03 9:44
AM
GLEN MELOY'S RESPONSE
TO LETTER FROM SEEMA NAIPUL...

Dear Seema Naipul,

I can assure you that for quite some time now, I have felt the true freedom of thought, word and deed ever since I disconnected from the mind controlling cult led by the fraud in Puttaparthi who dares to call himself the God of the Gods.

For your information. I have NOT been involved in the day to day matters of exposing sb for what he truly is for quite some time now and it never was just my petition. I was just one of the many signers, but I do believe in the total justness of their cause.

As for spiritual enlightenment, that comes in many ways.......... The greatest attainment for myself personally was when I finally took back the consciousness that I willingly gave away in the mistaken belief that God resides on a higher pedestal and functions as an external power to all of us mortals.

Nothing could be further from the truth........ the mistaken belief made by most of the world is that we are taught to literally interpret and practice the various spiritual writings of the ages.

This has, like lemmings, led many of us
to seek the love and to give the control of our lives to those who
claim to be more highly evolved than the rest of us. It is a grand
plan of deception that has been practiced for millenniums and
perpetuates the myth that we must always seek approval for our
thoughts, words and deeds from a source of power outside of
ourselves.

The real truth is that the power of God does reside in each and everyone of us and NOBODY except your very own self can know what is best for you.

You say you are impressed with the control that is exercised by this entity called sb........... for 26 years, I too suffered under that delusion, but I can assure you that
the God in my heart does NOT molest little children..

The Divinity that you claim to see in sb is also in you and everyone of us. God plays many roles...... good, bad and indifferent.

It is our individual choice whether we project a consciousness for good or for evil.

Do not feel ashamed for me or anyone else for exposing sb.......... That is not your obligation nor mission. Rather examine your own heart and decide for yourself what you want to do. You do not need an external God to give you approval for anything. If
you want to lead a righteous life, than do good and think good thoughts. It's your choice. You do not need a sb or any other so called holy man to give you love or approval for your life and you certainly don't need to hurt anyone like sb has done.

As for living in pain and misery, I can assure you that being outside of the controlling influence of sb or any other external so called god cult is the greatest joy I have experienced. I no longer have to live my life seeking approval from anyone except the God in own consciousness. My Wonderful Human Imagination (My God Consciousness)
comes from the GOD WITHIN and not from without.

I thank you for praying for my enlightenment, but I suspect it has the taint of requiring that I believe in an external God. That I can longer do. IT JUST DOESN"T FEEL RIGHT !!!

I would rather have you pray for true enlightenment that all of us (including sb) lovingly attain our highest good, whatever that might be... and that all of us may truly
come to know the God that resides within each of us and that we no
longer worship or practice evil in any form.

Since you seem to be plagued with many doubts about the issues surrounding sb, I am
sending copies of this communication to other former members of the sb cult and will request that your letter and my response be made available so they and others can also communicate with you.

As I mentioned earlier, I am no longer involved with the day to day activities of exposing sb. I have happily moved on to pursue other activities which truly make my heart sing.

I wish you well and I pray that your heart will not be troubled and that you will seek the true God within you and stop giving away your own Divine power.

With Love and Light,

Glen
Meloy

BARRY PITTARD's
RESPONSE: SEEMA NAIPUL TO GLEN
MELOY

Posted:
Barry Pittard, Australia, March 21, 2003

Email:
bpittard@beachaccess.com.au

Sent
to: http://www.exbaba.com.au/

Ref: Exbaba.com, News, March 21,
2003

Dear Seema,

I think that you are fortunate to have contact with a person of such great dharma, love and compassion as Glen Meloy.

As hundreds of Sai devotees over a great many years know, he is not in the least the type of person you have suggested that he is. It is important that you stand for truth. Glen is a man of the most extraordinary truth, and you are terribly mistaken in your very condemnative berating of him.

Nor are countless other former devotees slanderers, but men and women of integrity who have investigated the vast contradictions, and both the light and dark sides of Sathya Sai Baba. These individuals come from many professions, trades and
cultural backgrounds. Many former devotees have had profound experiences of the type you mentioned as having experienced. However, truth is truth; fact is fact, and hundreds of boys and young men right round the world, with the support of their also highly respected families and other close supporters and sexual abuse therapists etc., will increasingly present to the world a very different Sai Baba than the one you think you know so well.

Would so many former devotees go to such vast amounts of trouble, and put themselves in such a firing line, if they were simply foolish people out to cause trouble?

(I was a lecturer at Sathya Sai Baba's Whitefield college for two years, and spent twenty-five years of intense devotion to Sathya Sai Baba. I cannot be heedless to the
terrible cries of pain from the many victims of his homo-paedophilia and other wrongful actions).

Love, Barry Pittard,
Australia

Sai Baba on the moon?

2010-08-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

Some current links to follow

2010-08-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

THE HUMAN EGO - & CONFUSED DOCTRINE OF EGOLESSNESS Analysis of self-denigratory ideas based on a narrow, puritan idea of what the ego is and should be.
SCIENCE AND THE UNKNOWN The question fo 'the unknown' and the role of faith, common sense and science in relation to it.
THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF 'ELEMENTALS' IN PSYCHIC OR PARA-NORMAL EXPERIENCE The alleged 'existence' of elementals as a means to explain reported para-normal events and experiences. A critical examination.
STUDY OF IDEAS OF ETERNAL, UNCONDITIONAL, SELFLESS LOVE How the idea of love is 'sublimated' to an otherworldly realm and become anti-life and a subtle means to manipulate and control people
UNITY AS A SPIRITUAL IDEAL and how such ideas function to suppress, manipulate and denigrate the diversity of existence, cultures and unique individuality.
GOD IS EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING IS GOD? The great generalization and its logical consequences examined
EVOLVING INTELLIGENCE, STARTING POINT FOR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING
TREATISE ON FREEDOM AND FATE, CAUSE AND CHOICE
ROBERT PRIDDY NOT EXPOSED (BY GERALD MORENO who runs a massive character assassination campaign against dissidents, especially Priddy

DR. KOVOOR EXPOSES SATHYA SAI BABA

2009-12-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

Exposing Sai Baba and his Gullible Scientist Accomplice.

Dr. Kovoor’s Speech at the First Divine Miracle Exposure Campaign

from Bubbles Vol.1.No.3.March 1986 Page 1

Thank you Jyoti, for that brief introduction. I am glad to see that a lot families with children are interested in Rationalism. Indian Rationalists truly deservc to celebrate their Silver Jubliee in such a grand scale. Again my congratulations to the organizers. Without further delay let me get to the main subject of my lecture.
A few months ago the editor of a popular malyalam weekly of India wrote me a letter saying that the Editorial Board of his weekly has decided to publish a symposium on "SATHYA SAI BABA - IS HE AN INCARNATION OF GOD OR A CHARLATAN?", and wanted me to be the first contributor to the series.
My article was serialized in three issues.
It was then followed by two articles countering my thesis by Dr. S.Bhagavantham, M.Sc., D.Sc., Ph.D., a former scientific adviser to the Government of India.
Dr. Bhagavantham started his article by saying that in his youth he was a rationalist like me, but after witnessing some of the 'miracles' of Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba, he had to give up his rationalism.
He then continued to describe numerous 'miracles' said to have been performed by Sathya Sai Baba at various times in various places. There was absolutely no mention in the two articles of any one having conducted investigations to establish that they were all genuine miracles, and not conjurer's tricks. The two articles appeared to be clear examples of how unscientific even a good scientist can become if he is a victim of religio-maniacal neurosis or just avaricious.
In the whole lot of the miracle stories mentioned by Dr. Bhagavantham, there was only one that was amenable to investigation.
Let me quote that part:

One of the Cock and Bull Stories Propagated By Saibaba’s Chief devotee

"The wonderful experience, some years ago, of a world-famous watch manufacturer of Japan, while he was on tour in India, was awe-inspiring.
"After completing the Seiko series of watches he made the model of a more superior type, and kept it in his safe for further tests.
"While touring in India he paid a visit to Sathya Sai Baba's abode just out of curiosity. On seeing the Japanese gentleman among the devotees Sathya Sai Baba materialized a small parcel from the air and gave him. On opening the parcel he was astonished to see the same watch that was kept in his safe. When he saw along with the watch the silk ribbon and the label with the new name of the watch and its price marked on it, all his doubts about the divine powers of Sathya Sai Baba simply melted away. He fell prostrate at Sathya Sai Baba's feet and worshipped him. Since then he is an ardent devotee of the Bhagawan.
"On his return to Japan, he was shocked to see that the watch he had kept in his safe was not there. What his Personal Secretary told him was still more startling. The Secretary said that a divine-looking person with bushy hair walked into the office one day, opened the safe and walked away with the watch."
Does Dr. Bhagavantham, who is the holder of covetable qualifications in science, think that a thesis of this nature to prove the miraculous powers of a man, by any scientist, will be accepted by an academic body of scientists if it is not backed by scientific investigations and fool-proof evidence?
Although Dr. Bhagavantham is reluctant to test the veracity of his Godman's miraculous powers, I decided to do it myself. With this aim in view I wrote the following letter to Dr. Bhagavantham:
"Tiruvalla", Pamankada Lane,
Colombo-6, Sept. 11, 1973.

"Dear Dr. Bhagavantham,

I read your story about a Japanese watch manufacturer getting his own watch that was kept in a safe in Japan, materialized in India from air by Sathya Sai Baba.

My scientific attitude does not permit me to accept this fantastic story as true without verification. The reported statement of his personal Secretary enhances my doubt. The first reaction of a responsible Secretary when a stranger walks into the office and opens the safe would be to raise the alarm and to summon the police.

As I feel it is unscientific even for a scientist to believe this type of cock-and-bull story without verification, I request you to kindly let me know the name and address of this Japanese so that I may verify the truth about it.

Your failure to help me to conduct this investigation by withholding this information, will lead me to suspect your sincerity and honesty, and discard all what you have said about Sathya Sai Baba as utter falsehood deliberately propagated with ulterior motive and vested interest.

Yours in search of Truth,

Abraham T. Kovoor"

Violence & Sexual Abuse in India

2009-12-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

Not surprising that the facts about child sex abuse are credited also in respect of Sathya Sai Baba, who has been accused of it by numerous foreign ex-follower boys or young men, yet has been protected by Indian authorities to the highest level. When challenged under the Freedom of Information Act, the bureaucracy performed a typical dance of the seven veils of truth - but never removed the telling part. They too were unaccountable... see the proof here.

Robert Priddy on those who try to combat facts by smears

2009-10-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

Robert Priddy has - after years of not responding in more than a few instances to massive attacks against him by Gerald Moreno - posted on wordpress his profile of Gerald Moreno, which I reproduce here since it is a most interesting persepctive on a fanatical believer in gurus and attacker of those who minimalize them.

Having worked for several years with emotionally retarded and socially deviant children and very disturbed teenagers in the most progressive institutions in their era in Norway and Sweden, I am well acquainted with signs of arrested emotional development and social problems. I have also known psychiatrists as friends since my student days - including some very famous ones like Dr. Maxwell Jones, Dr. Ronald Laing and Dr. David Cooper - and have been active in the debate about the diagnoses and therapies used in psychiatry for years in the 1960s. (Some of my publications are on-line too). I have even worked for several months in a psychiatric hospital in UK where my mother was a registered staff nurse. I taught at the Institute of Psychology ay University of Oslo and knew many psychologists, and interviewed many in a professional context too. It is with some experience, therefore that I can assert that Moreno's mental-emotional condition shows a total lack of normal empathy with others. This he demonstrates throughout many hundreds of web pages/blogs (especially towards all the many alleging victims of alleged sexual abuse by Sai Baba). Not merely lack of empathy but aggressive and vicious reactions against those whose accounts and reports threaten his cherished belief system, which centres on persons who he considers to be avatars or otherwise holy incarnate forms of God (as emphasised by his chosen website title, vishvarupa.com). Thus he supports those who support Sai Baba, but defends them in a way which is always angled as an attack on Sai Baba's critics! His fury at some critics having pointed out that what Sathya Sai Baba did to him amounts to sexual molestation and 'grooming' is unquenchable. He directs his rage outwards, indiscriminately denouncing all and everyone he picks on - not unlike juvenile delinquents who put on a tough front and hit out in bully fashion.

Moreno admires Sathya Sai Baba not least for taking notice of him to an extent he had not experienced before - by giving him a private interview. In return he breaks with all the most elementary moral teachings of his supposed 'divinity in human form'. One may ask what backlog of emotional and social deprivations he has suffered in growing up in that his entire life until now hinged on that meeting and turned him into such a thoroughly distasteful character. The personal ego which is flawed is invariably driven by needs to impress, prove oneself by whatever means one can - fair or foul. Thus, many of his taunts and boasts show his constant need to reinforce his self-image - or sub-normal ego-sense -, which is evidently under threat in that so many convincing revelations about the person to whom he attributes his most wonderful experiences (of acceptance, not least). A weak ego and self-image - compounded by a thin social life in adulthood without wife or family - is often compensated through strong projection of one's own imbalances and their causes onto others. A full-time cyber-space existence attacking opponents is a poor compensation for a full life. Such individuals are often drawn to strong authoritarian figures and charismatics, and none are more so than Sathya Sai Baba. At the same time they seek attention voraciously, exemplified when Moreno repeatedly complains that those he maligns do not reply to him, and in his repeated grudges that they have not researched his opinions on his websites (a frequent complaint against opponents). However, they invariably have had enough of him after sampling a few of his noxious, overparticular and cranky pages. He talks of his opponents 'snivelling', 'frothing at the mouth', 'moaning', 'whining' and a catalogue of such emotive put-downs, while in reality he is simply projecting his own attitudes onto others.

Gerald Moreno speculates about me, my state of health (that he thinks I suffer from 'paranoia' , and 'senile dementia' that I had a childhood trauma from which I have not recovered, that I should see a psychiatrist etc.. All of this is sheer invention and pathetic puerilism on his part... a particularly cheap attempt to slur me and used argumentum ad hominem against my factual revelations about Sathya Sai Baba. among other ailments. He speculates over "homo-erotic fantasies" he fondly imagines and asserts I have! He has absolutely no basis for knowing any such things concerning me, and I certainly have no homo-erotic fantasies - nor ever had any remotely similar thing in relation to Sathya Sai Baba (who was physically rather repulsive in appearance to me and no less so now!). Moreno uses the term homo-erotic simply because he wants to get back at me - among others - for pointing out his own account of an interference by Sai Baba with sexual overtones he has describes he underwent (though he did not feel it was sexual himself). He is in deep denial about everything concerning Sai Baba and - because he wants to prove to himself that he was not being 'groomed' for possible sexual relations, he has attacked every other young man who has spoken out about their having been sexually molested by Sai Baba. This is virtually the crux of the matter in understanding Moreno.

Moreno has claimed hundreds of times that I am lying, an inveterate liar, blatant, shameless, etc. but I have not written a single lie, and any errors I have made (inadvertently), I have corrected when I have discovered them and that they are in fact errors. (Not so Moreno, he NEVER retracts an untruth or a lie, except once when virtually forced to). Nor has the Indian homeopath who claims I am "dying from AIDS", which claim Moreno reports in further attempts to connect my name to sexual depravities. This has been his agenda since he became involved in an extremely vituperative battle on the Internet with Sanjay Dadlani. Since Dadlani withdrew, Moreno has evidently diverted his intense hate-feelings and mud-slinging methods towards myself in the vain belief that contriving (falsely) to link my name - and that of others - to pornographic sites will advance his case, or his naming me 'a dirty old man' from the gutter will help his credibility! Seeing how Moreno tried to 'diagnose' me, I am justified in making this diagnosis of his personality as it is exhibited is documents through his main life activity for the last five years - obsessive character assassination of dozens of persons on the Internet! He has thereby provided such a large casebook of his thoughts, opinions, fabrications and other antipathetic behaviour on the Internet that there are grounds enough for perceptive observers to estimate his personality.

I have - after several years of not replying to his countless pages attacking me - responded by soundly refuting a number of his accusations so that his lies found on Google etc. will not pass wholly unchallenged, but there are so many that I can't be bothered with most of them. It would divert me from my task... to make the truth about Sathya Sai Baba's cover-ups and hidden sides available to the otherwise unsuspecting public. When I spend an hour of the day for a blog about Sai Baba, I will not give more than a small fraction of that time to countering Moreno.

Moreno's mental-emotional disturbed kind of profile is often connected to lack of social achievement - such as under-achievement in the educational sphere and work opportunities. It is evident that Gerald Moreno has had no college education, and holds no regular position as an employee, since he is engaged full-time in writing web pages, blogs, surfing the Internet constantly, and he has completely avoided commenting when all these points have been made about him. That Moreno is certainly very strongly dependent on "virtual" reality is patently seen... in his case grubbing up not only every scrap of data about his opponents but also promoting the entire fantasy world of Sai miracles, wondrous feats of gurus, their amazing auras, and super-unrealistic pie-in-sky stories and prophesies. He gives every sign of being an isolated person - living largely in a cyber world where he is dependent mainly on a handful of Internet contacts. He is something of a shrinking violet, having carefully kept mum about himself since he originally posted about himself and how Sathya Sai Baba oiled him on the lower stomach (!), which he no doubt regrets greatly having told. His fear of being recognized is shown in how he had gone to lengths to get the single photo of himself removed from all places on the Internet, but without success. (Note: he himself makes use of every photo he can find of persons he is cyber stalking, sometimes distorting them in disgusting ways). There is no doubt that Gerald Moreno prefers to hide his person in a way that once would have been diagnosed as paranoidal. It may be preferable to call it the defensive caution of a crackpot with something to hide and/or hide away from. He never criticises lies by Sai Baba or any of his followers - and they are very many! One small example, Ashok Bhagani stated to Asian Voice that Sai Baba never takes anyone into the interview alone. Moreno knows full well that is not true, as it happened to him! Instead Moreno promotes these untruths for all he is worth. And how much is that?

Moreno sets out to impugn virtually every factual assertion made by dissidents and critics of Sai Baba, without any tangible evidence other than obfuscations, side-stepping and non-credible inventions. He intransigently insists on claims he has made and repeated in many places which have been proven time and again to be false - including on Wikipedia (from where he was indefinitely banned unanimously by a panel of six arbitrators). Two such chief dead horses which he still constantly flogs are that the infamous letters to and from Dr. John Hislop are counterfeited SEE SCANS AS CONFIRMED BY AFFIDAVIT, and that the case which Alaya Rahm had to dismiss due to there being no accountable organization in the USA to carry responsibility whitewashed Sathya Sai Baba of sexual allegations - while in fact the opponents and their depositions in the case were never heard in court and no verdict was given other than a formal dismissal (see here)

See compendium of web postings about Gerald Moreno by a range of persons here

Please go to the Public Petition for Official Investigations of Sathya (or Satya) Sai Baba and His Worldwide Organization

Sai Baba officials treatment of donors

2009-10-25T02:45:00.000-07:00

Sai Baba caring
From Lure of Miracles
by B. Premanand

The inmates of Asha Niketan (Fellowship with Mentally Retarded) Bangalore were invited for a holiday at Shrishaila and they were happy to accept the invitation and came in two batches of twelve each and stayed for about a week. Ten acres of land adjacent to the land donated to Satya Sai Trust by my family (90 acres) was donated to the Asha Niketan, for starting a home, an educational institution and a workshop for the mental retarded. In the small houses where they were staying, there was a photograph of Satya Sai Baba, and they grew curious about him and were eager to know something about him. When they were explained about the miracles performed by Sai Baba and the miraculous cures, and about his proclamation that he is the Avatar of the Almighty God, the Sarva Daivatwa Swarupam, they expressed a desire to conduct bhajans at the Ashram of Satya Sai Baba at Shrishaila, from where they could also enjoy the tactile breeze and the view of the sea on the three sides, and the Western Ghats on the East and all the four sides the meeting of the earth and sky in the eternal blue colour.

After obtaining permission from the person looking after the land gifted to Satya Sai Trust, the group went to the premises of the Satya Sai Trust. While they were very happily climbing the steps of the Ashram with great expectations, piety and humility, the ex-major came with a wooden lathi and warned the guide who had accompanied them that they would not be permitted into the Ashram as Satya Sai Baba did not like persons who are hippies and mentally retarded. He also said that if they proceed further, they would be forced out. It was a blessing that the mentally retarded inmates of Asha Niketan did not know the language of the ex-major, but then the guide asked them to return back without conducting the bhajans, they were much pained and sad. G. P. Rao, who had give his house for their vacation felt very bad and to raise them from their dejected mood he took them to his house, gave them sweets, eatables and tea and arranged their bhajans in his prayer room. Though they were mentally retarded their bhajans were sincere and soul-stirring. What if a few lines were forgotten or missing, their songs were inspiring and full of devotion. The whole household felt that these people were really Gods who had come to give blessings in the guise of mentally retarded persons. They were Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Brahmins and other castes, but they all joined together in prayer of one God who transcends all these man-made differentiations.

After this incident, I had been to Ootacamund to see Satya Sai Baba, and found that around him were many Indian Hippies, with long hair and beard and in modern dress and in the centre of them was Baba himself, another hippie with long fuzzy hair and painted face and the glowing red orange robe. But there was one difference that these Indian hippies who had come to Shrishaila were poor and unloved by society. They found love and hope at Asha Niketan and were so full of joy and peace, though the whole world looked down upon them with suspicion and hatred. I was thrilled to find them so very happy without any possessions except their own love, and was jealous of the joy and peace they emanated: On the other hand the Satya Sai Baba followers were arrogant with wealth and self-proclaimed importance.

List of books published by Indian Skeptic.

Satya Sai Baba's Education in Human Values

2009-10-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

A Review of Sathya Sai Baba's moral values system in education: By B.Premanand.

In reply to the article "IS SAI BABA ON HIS WAY OUT?" by Chidananda Rajghatta in Sunday of 8-14 September 1985 one R.P.Goel said that Sai Baba has a definite mission, particularly in the field of educational reforms for the development and betterment of human beings. That the godman's emphasis is on the development of the moral and human values in students which are lacking in the present educational system.

The worth of the educational reforms can be seen only by the way in which such reforms can transform the students admitted in random from the different strata of society and how education is able to transform them.

It is to be noted that the admissions to Sai Baba's educational institutions are on the basis of stiff entrance tests and the final selections are made by Sai Baba himself. Thus only best students are selected. As in the case of White Field College, if Sai Baba was not able to control the best of those students thus selected and had to close down the college, then there is something wrong with the educational system of Sai Baba. If the children of his devotees themselves agitated along with the Kadugudi villagers and the godman with his self proclaimed Universal Love could not change them, but tried to teach them a lesson by closing the college and stopping his visits to Whitefield, Sai Baba has failed. It is publicised that most of the Indian and foreign educational institutions are going to follow or are already following Sai Baba's educational system. Before adopting the Sai Baba's system the government would do well by selecting the worst students for the Sai Baba's colleges and prove that he can reform them.

Discipline cannot come from fear, strictness and by force. So also moral values. These can sprout only out of love. What is seen in the Sai Baba's educational institutions is each one is made to spy the other and the students and staff live in mortal fear. I had myself visited the Brindavan College Complex in August 1985 when I had interviewed a person harassed by Sai Baba in 1970's as he had refused to marry the girl of Sai Baba's choice. When I knew from him that Whitefield College is closed since 1 1/2 years, I immediately rushed to the place. It was difficult to meet the students as they were in unfair conditions in the college complex. They could not go out or talk to others as they were being watched by the "Big Boss". I found it impossible to talk to the students as they were mortally afraid to talk anything over.

Dr.Gokak who was the vice chancellor of Sai Baba's University also had replied to the author of the article. (Now Dr. Gokak has left Sai Baba). Would Dr. Gokak kindly elucidate as to what was the social work done in the villages surrounding the Whitefield college and other villages adopted by Sai Baba? Why did the self proclaimed god of all gods close down the Junior College in White Field Campus? What was the percentage of students from Kadugudi and surrounding villages in the Junior College and other colleges run by the godman? When the college complex housing more than 1500 students is built on the land acquired from the Kadugudi villagers and with the public subscription how could he close the colleges? The closure for more than 1 1/2 years is a criminal vendetta forced on the citizens, and the government ought to have taken action against him for this. The same thing is happening in many places. The prestigious Abbots Burry was gifted to Sai Baba by Tareporewala for starting a college in Madras, in 1960's. Sai Baba did not start one though it was widely publicised that a college would be started there. Instead the Abbotsburry Hall was rented. Now the property has been sold. Similarly 90 acres of land given by me and my relations to Sai Baba for starting a college complex in 1975 has not so far been fully used except for giving high school education to about 300 students this year. Though the land were gifted for educating the children in the surrounding villages as the students had to travel long distances to attend the colleges, not even one percent of the local students have been admitted in the school.

If a deemed university should consist of only a small number of students for the improvement of higher education in India what was the need of spending public money on buildings to house more than 1500 students in Whitefield? Though Dr. Gokak gives the drop out of students as to the adoptation of official language of the Union as its medium, it is not so, it is only because Sai Baba selects students from his own people and of the people whom he thinks he can influence and control. It is a fact that there are no dearth of students in any of the educational institutions in India when the percentage of people who can read and write falls below 30%.

Dr. Gokak confuses people with the words mysticism and spirituality without telling what is mystic and spiritual about Sai Baba. These words are misquoted for philosophy. Saints and sages have never been called fraudulent by rationalists. It is only those who exploit people in the name of god that the rationalists have tried to expose. Love and intuition are not the two wings of mysticism and no love can be seen with Sai Baba or his people. If Sai Baba was love incarnate he would not have closed the Whitefield college just because villagers agitated. His method of love is by harassment and trying to destroy them with his influence in police, government and judiciary. The experiences of Mr. Gunpuley who gifted some land in Whitefield for starting a hospital is not different, so also Madras, Alike and many other places. The murder of one student in Alike College is explained as Suicide by the government. Dr.Gokak agrees that the villagers at Kadugudi and nearabouts were benefitted by the tourist traffic and they being deprived of their income from the tourists come in batches to Prasanthinilayam to implore Sai Baba to come to Brindavan for a few weeks or months as he used to do. This proves that it is for personal benefits that the people go behind Sai Baba. Because of the agitation on the closure of college, Sai Baba took vengence on the villagers like the gods of mythology and this exposes the myth of universal love he tries to propagate around him. Even his biography and most of his lectures are nothing but the vengence against those who try to bring out truth. It would be interesting to interview teachers and professors of Sai Baba's educational institutions especially those who have left and find out as to how these institutions are functioning. A lady teacher who came out with a notice about the pay and the functioning of the school in the lands gifted by us, was harassed so much that she and her husband with their only child had to commit suicide. So also the principal in the same school who had to commit suicide. Sai Baba's talk of Visva Prema would not help them. Same thing happened to the first principal of the Women's College at Anantapur who resigned and left, though earlier she had written poems on Sai Baba's Love. She did not find love in his institutions, but hatred and harrassment.

Dr. Gokak says that the imminent closure of the institute in Whitefield is baseless assumption. The place - buildings - constructed with the public donations standing like the ghosts of the past, without life, itself prove the contrary, The closure of the college for the past 1 1/2 years itself points to the failure of the educational system of Sai Baba. This system can be said to be good only if it can reform the ordinary and the fallen and is not on the basis of how to educate the selected few. Even this has been a failure as is seen from the agitation of the people and the students at Whitefield and other places. There is something wrong with the Sai Baba's activities. If his activity was giving love and making them fearless and to face life courageously, there would not have been this agitation. The training they got at Whitefield would have made them Apostles of love. What has happened is quite the reverse. From the discussion I had with the students, staff and the villagers of many educational institutions run by Sai Baba, I find Orwell 1984 being enacted and the day is not far off when the people would rise against such activity. The number of followers of Sai Baba is not the criteria of his goodness. It is how they live a honest life. If a person investigates into the life of the inner circle members of Sai Baba it will point out as to why they are continuing as his devotees. It is only to get protection from the police, customs, government and the judiciary for their nefarious activities.

Review of Innaiah Narisetti’s book 'Forced into Faith'

2009-10-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

Review of Forced into Faith by Innaiah Narisetti; foreword by Naveena Hemanth..How Religion Abuses Children’s Rights, Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY, 2009, 126 pgs. ISBN 10:1591026067: ISBN 13: 9781591026068

From the Publisher: In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, proclaiming elementary rights for children worldwide. Among other provisions, the Convention safeguards children's religious freedom and their freedom of thought. But because child rearing is recognized as the primary responsibility of parents, the question of what children are raised to believe is left up to their mothers and fathers. In this controversial critique of the UN Convention, humanist Innaiah Narisetti forcefully argues that children's rights should include complete freedom from religious belief. Narisetti proposes that the choice of religious belief or nonbelief should be deferred till adulthood. Just as most societies recognize that marriage and civic responsibilities such as voting are adult prerogatives that children should not be allowed to exercise, so should the choice of a belief system wait till an individual is competent to exercise mature judgment. Narisetti cites numerous examples of the ways in which early religious indoctrination leads to later negative attitudes such as intolerance, suspicion, and outright hostility directed toward those who believe differently. He also notes that religion provides a cloak for such obvious evils as sexual abuse, genital mutilation, and corporal punishment of children. While most societies are quick to condemn such abuses, Narisetti suggests that they should be willing to take the next logical step and look to the role of religion in such problems. Including the complete text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, this candid, unflinching critique of childhood religious education will provoke much thoughtful discussion.

REVIEW:
‘Children should be brought up without allowing religion to influence them. […] Children should not inherit religion. […] Superstitions should not be taught under any circumstances.’ These quotes summarize the essence of Innaiah Narisetti’s appeal to free children from the bondage of religion imposed by parents and the social community. Imposing religion upon children is child abuse. In his succinct book Narisetti cuts to the heart of a much-neglected problem: the education and upbringing of children. For liberals this is considered mostly to be a private matter and therefore not a topic for moral concern. But this is a grave mistake. Liberalism (and humanism) should take the individual as its core value. No individual has the right to limit the freedom of other individuals. Children are not the property of their parents. Parents have no right to force their children into their faith. Education, and upbringing, should be free from religion. Education can be secular by facilitating compulsory public education (political secularism); upbringing should be secular as well, but the state is limited to enforce this (moral secularism). There should be a widespread consensus that it is immoral to speak of religious children, just as it is immoral to speak of a child as belonging to a political party of ideology. Narisetti highlights evils done in name of religion by examples taken from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. The documentary Jesus Camp also comes to my mind. This documentary is about a summer camp in the US that brainwashes children by instilling a frightful fear of god and Satan using obnoxious propaganda methods. Narisetti’s moral beacon is the Charter of Rights of Children (1989), which is added in total to the text. On paper the rights of children seem to be well protected, but alas, as with so many things, there is a seemingly unbridgeable gap between promises and reality. What is needed is a cultural gestalt switch about children: children are not property, but individuals who have rights, like the right to good (science based) education that includes education about human rights and the equality of women and men, heterosexuals and homosexuals. Religion is a big obstacle for securing the rights of children worldwide. Laws that protect religion, like the First Amendment in the US (especially the Free Exercise Clause: ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof’), are used as an escape for those who violate human and children’s rights claiming that it is their religion. Religion should not be a hide out for injustices and evil. Narisetti doesn’t say it out loud, but it seems that religion should have the status of a personal opinion and a hobby, and not a privileged status that can be used to subject women and children. We all should be much more careful to protect the rights of children and not be put off by the smokescreen of religion. Narisetti remarks drily: ‘We cannot expect religions to condemn themselves. It is like handling our house keys to a thief with a request to stand guard.’ To remain silent about the injustices done to children in the name of religion is immoral.

Floris van den Berg is a philosopher and Co-Executive Director of Center for Inquiry Low Countries. florisvandenberg@dds.nl.

Rational warrior Basava Premanand's last declaration

2009-10-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Report from N. Innaiah, Chairman of CFI India, and M. Subba Rao, concerning the condition of our colleague Basava Premanand, the revered and justly famous Indian rationalist with whom I have had the honor to be associated for many decades. Premanand is the publisher of "The Indian Skeptic," a journal devoted to exposing the tricks of such frauds as Sai Baba, who is worshiped as a living god by countless naifs around the world. The excellent documentary film "Guru Busters" by British film maker Robert Eagle shows Premanand and his crew zealously exposing supposedly supernatural stunts such as levitation, flesh-piercing and live burials.

Premanand is now hospitalized with a terminal condition, his friends are caring for him, but he's not lost any of his zeal or determination to maintain his rational philosophy. The report says, concerning a hospital visit:

He was quite drowsy and not responding to queries until I told him that there was a rumor that he has started believing in god and supernatural powers. He opened his eyes and said, "Who says that?" and that was the clear indication that, however ill we may continue to hold onto our convictions! He said, "That is nonsense!" So, I told him that we should say so to the world, and he agreed. The statement reproduced herein was put for his signature. But, his hands were weak and hence we had to take his thumb impression, too. The declaration has been witnessed by Dr. Maya Prabhu, his sister, and Suneera, one of his admirers who has been taking care of him.

Our movement is not based on individuals but, those who are in the forefront are ever in the public eye and particularly in the sights of those who want to attack us. They would like to spread rumors that eminent rationalists have changed on their death bed, have gone back to god and spiritualism, etc. We do not want to give any occasion for such rumors and hence, though it may sound morbid, I had this task. I would like that to be done to me when I am on my death bed so that all can know that we hold on to our convictions whatever the circumstances may be.

This short report is a bulletin on the health of one of those who have inspired a whole generation and have done significant work to build up the movement. As and when news is received I shall make more such communications.

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN
Declaration of attitude and temperament

I, B. Premanand son of the late Sri Basava Prabhu, 80 years of age, resident of Chettipalayam Road, Podanur, sound of mind though suffering from physical complications caused by metastases in many organs caused by carcinoma of the stomach, herein solemnly wish to place on record the following:

1. I have been closely associated with the rationalist movement from 1975 onwards and have been a rationalist of full conviction since then and continue to be so.

2. It is common for the purveyors of superstitions and such anti-rational forces to start spreading rumors about rationalists turning to god and other supernatural forces at the end of their lives and becoming devotees of gods and god men of various types.

3. It is also claimed that at times of crises that we staunch rationalists through the major part of our lives, turn to spiritualism and religion.

4. I wish to clarify that as on today the twentieth of September, 2009, I remain a staunch rationalist and wish to place on record the following:

a. I continue to be a rationalist of full conviction.

b. I do not believe in any supernatural power. All the powers that we encounter are in the realm of nature and nothing exists beyond that.

c. I do not believe in the existence of the soul or rebirth.

d. I have not turned to any religion, god, or any sort of spiritual pursuits.

e. When I pass away I shall be leaving only my body which is to be donated to a medical college and no spirit or soul to cause problems for the living.

I want to convey to all that the struggle against the exploitation by god men and so-called supernatural forces, is a long and hard one but the ultimate victory will be ours.

My very survival has been a challenge to astrologers and their so-called "science" of astrology, as they had all predicted that I would die soon after birth and refused to cast a horoscope for me.

I wish to convey to my colleagues of the rationalist movement to continue the work that I have been doing with renewed vigor and that will be the best of tributes for me.

The declaration is signed and thumb-printed by this noble warrior... What could I possibly add?

Wolf Messing, an enigmatic ‘psychic entertainer’ whom Sathya Sai Baba claims to have encountered

2009-07-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

The text previously posted about Wolf Messing by Alexandra Nagel on this blog (written in 2004) has been removed since researches by expert investigators - entirely independently of all Sathya Sai Baba connections - have proven almost his entire biography to be a concocted myth. This information only emerged after new hitherto unknown sources became available. showing that the world has been totally misled by the claims put forward by Wolf Messing and Mikhail Khvastunov. In his thorough article summarizing these matters and also the bogus claims by Sathya Sai Baba about Wolf Messing, Serguei Badaev of Moscow (see full article here) concludes as follows:-

Recent research done by a famous Russian lawyer Nicolai Kitaev sheds new light onto the real biography of Wolf Messing and makes the whole story told by Sathya Sai Baba even more unlikely. His investigation included numerous inquiries to the national archives of Poland, Germany and Russia. The results were published in Russian in 2008 (see Russian text pp. 102-144)

In brief, the results are as follows:

· Apparently, Wolf Messing did not possess any psychic abilities. All that he demonstrated during his so called psychological performances can be explained as the use of the ideomotor effect, which is high sensitivity to the slightest muscular movements of an inductor person, the changes of their voice and breath.

· Messing could not meet Einstein in his flat in Vienna in 1915 as Messing told us in his biography, because Einstein never had a flat in Vienna and did not visit Vienna from 1913 till 1925.

· Apparently, Messing was not a famous person in Poland before World War II and German authorities never promised 200 000 marks for his head because of his public prediction of Hitler's defeat in the East. Polish and German archives not only do not support this story, they even do not have any documents which mention Messing.

· Analysis of the archive documents of the USSR where all the Stalin meetings with visitors were registered has not discovered any mention of Messing.

· A famous story from the Messing's biography when he got a huge sum of money from a bank using hypnosis does not correspond in any way to a real procedure of that sort of bank transactions. It makes us think that the whole story is a fiction.

· It seems that Messing never visited any countries outside Poland and Russia. At least there is no real evidence to that except Messing's own words.

· The so called biography of Messing is rather a fiction than a documentary and is a result of a joint venture of Wolf Messing and Mikhail Khvastunov, a department head in the Russian newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda"

So, Messing's biography turned out to be a fiction and Messing turned out to be a fictitious psychic. So, much of the Sathya Sai Baba's story about his meeting with Messing is simply false.
Why would a self-proclaimed Avatar have to make up fictitious stories?

Alleged 'materialization' of objects by Sathya Sai Baba

2009-07-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Accounts of materializing objects. (I added this line as a page description - webmaster)

Lingams

Lingams are egg-like objects representing the mystery of cosmic creation. On special occasions witnessed by thousands of people Sai Baba has interrupted his own talking to `give birth' through his mouth to one or more lingams.

78 - Sandweiss' Description of a Lingam Birth:

At about 8 o'clock Mahashivarathri evening, while Baba was giving a discourse in the Poornachandra Auditorium, suddenly he began to choke and weave back and forth as if in pain. To see our great Lord in the throes of what are, in fact, `birth' pains brought me to tears. To me this incredible act represents a sacrifice, the holiest gift of selfless love, through which the Lord personally beckons us to merge with him. Through the love that wells up in our hearts, as our hearts reach out to the supreme master, one experiences the yearning for, and the bliss of merging.

Some say the lingam is formed out of unconditional love in the region of Baba's spiritual heart. The birth itself is very physical as well as ethereal. The lingam is brought up the esophagus and delivered through the mouth in a divine paroxysm- much like the birth spasm accompanying a corporeal birth. I don't know why I should be sad, because this sacrifice is so glorious serving to make the devotee more firmly resolved to surrender more and more of himself to God. Nevertheless, to see Baba in this state was uncomfortable for me. He rocked back and forth, then swallowed some water. Suddenly, in a convulsive burst, a glistening, crystal-clear lingam, perfectly spherical and almost three inches in diameter, erupted from his mouth into his hand. In this supremely holy moment, the Lord allowed his devotees to witness the mystery of the creation of the universe.

Then Sai Baba spoke and Dr. Bhagavantam translated his words:

`The lingam which has just been generated is called the Prutree Lingam. The five elemental substances which constitute the creation of the world are present in this Prutree Lingam. In the past, lingams have been named according to the various attributes which they contained. This Prutree Lingam, signifying the entire creation, holds within it the basis of all creation.'

Too much mystery for me to comprehend, I could nevertheless sense the holiness of the moment.

S. Sandweiss, Spirit And Mind, pp. 170-171.

79 - Hislop's Description:

The lingam has been seen by the writer a number of times. On the occasion of one Mahasivarathi night, I was sitting quite close to Baba. When the moment came, I saw a flash of gold come from his mouth and saw the lingam caught in the silk handkerchief held by his hands. It was of gold. How an object that size came up Sri Baba's throat cannot be explained.

John Hislop, My Baba & I, p. 18

80 - Kasturi's Description:

Siva-ratri, the Night of the Siva, is also an equally important festival. Since 1950, Siva-ratri has been celebrated at Puttaparthi, and each year since the declaration of the manifestation, Sivalingams have materialized within His body. Baba has said He often finds it very difficult to postpone or prevent the formations of lingams within Him. In the evening Baba gives Darshan during prayers, and after an hour or so, He begins His discourses. Very often he is interrupted by spasmodic struggles in the stomach. He continues with the speech until the region of the struggle changes to the upper part of the chest and the neck. He seems to be undergoing some kind of physical tension, and suddenly, to the joyous wonder of all, lingams fall from His Mouth....They are about an inch and a half in height...They are then generally placed on the image of Sai Baba of Shirdi, and after the celebrations end, are given by Baba to devotees to be worshipped according to instruction...This producing of the lingams is indeed a unique and mysterious manifestation of the Divine Will.

Kasturi, Sai Baba, Vol. 1 American Edition,1969, pp. 108-109.

Sai Baba states that the lingams form within him. Sai Baba devotees, as is evident above, hold the production of the lingam to be a `birth', `generation', or `materialization' which is inexplicable. However, Baba devotees have not even begun to apply the scientific literature to their question. Houdini in Miracle Mongers and Their Methods, Chari, in "Regurgitation, Mediumship and Yoga", and others have presented many examples of individuals who have publicly performed similar feats. It has been clearly established that individuals can voluntarily control the regurgitation response. In fact yogis teach voluntary control of regurgitation as part of standard yoga training, even for the lay practitioner. Here is an example from a widely available hatha yoga textbook:

81 - Satchidananda's Instructions for Jala or Water Dhauti:

Technique: Drink four or five glasses of lukewarm water, preferably with a little salt in it. After a few minutes, do rigorous Uddhiyana Banda [stomach lift]. Shake the intestines well. Press the stomach with the hand and then vomit out the water. If the water will not come out naturally, use the fingers to get it out.

Benefits: All impurities, phlegm, and bile will be washed out.

Satchidananda, Integral Yoga Hatha, Holt Rinhehart and Winston, NY 1970, p. 169.

The reader may not be terribly surprised to learn that regurgitation can be controlled at will; but what about regurgitation of an object the size of an egg? Around the turn of the century, when North American audiences were less squeamish than now, circus performers regurgitated all kinds of large objects. Here is Houdini on how it is done:

82 - Houdini on Regurgitating Objects at Will

A number of years ago, in London, I watched several performances of one of these chaps who swallowed a hatful of stones, nearly the size of hen's eggs, and then jumped up and down, to make them rattle in his stomach. I could discover no fake in the performance, and I finally gave him two and six for his secret, which was simple enough. He merely took a dose of powerful physic [emetic--ed.] to clear himself of the stones, and then was ready for the next performance.

During my engagement in 1895 with Welsh Bros. Circus I became quite well acquainted with a [Japanese] of the San Kitchy Akimoto troupe and from him I learned the method of swallowing quite large objects and bringing them up at will. For practice very small potatoes are used at first, to guard against accident; and after one has mastered the art of bringing these up, the size is increased gradually till objects as large as the throat will receive can be swallowed and returned.

Houdini, Miracle Mongers and their Methods, Coles 1980, (reprint), pp. 160-161.

In order to produce an effect such as the production of the lingam, all that is required is the swallowing of the lingam ahead of time, and its regurgitation at the appropriate point in the ceremony. Note that the description of Sai Baba's swallowing of water prior to the regurgitation, and the churning of the stomach muscles both correspond to the standard hatha yoga technique described by Swami Satchidananda.

The reader interested in further information which bears on this might enjoy reading the Chari article referred to above. In it Chari describes a scientifically studied street performer who makes his living doing regurgitations. He is able to swallow as many as 10 live snakes at a time, and regurgitate them in a `reptilian ball with a diameter of about 5 inches' (Chari, op. cit., p. 168).

Sai Baba performed this lingam ceremony until 1976. Why did he stop? Here are three explanations, not mutually exclusive, for why:

83 - Sandweiss's Explanation:

On the morning that ended Mahashivarathri, Baba said that he had to deliver sad news. This would be the last time Mahashivarathri would be celebrated like this; the crowds were becoming too unruly devotees were being injured in the commotion.

Sandweiss, Spirit And The Mind,p.171.

84 - Donald Taylor's Explanation:

The production of a crystal lingam from within himself is performed by so many other holy men that Sai Baba announced in 1976 that he would discontinue the practice.

Donald Taylor, "Authority in the Sathya Sai Baba Movement", Hinduism In Great Britain, Tavistock, London, 1987 p. 130.

In addition to the reason given by Donald Taylor, the reader may also want to take note of the factor that in 1976, Sai Baba was about to turn fifty. The regurgitation of the lingam is a physically trying ceremony, and it is common sense to consider that Sai Baba upon turning fifty may have also wished to relieve himself of the physical stresses of performing this ceremony.

Other Materializations

85 - Magicians' Analysis of Supposed Paranormal Phenomena of Indian `God-Man' Sathya Sai Baba

by
Dale Beyerstein, Leon Mandrake, Lou Crockett,
Lon Mandrake and Velvet Mandrake

Parapsychologists often lament the fact that the people who come to their attention because of their putative paranormal powers will not subject themselves to study and experiment under rigorously controlled conditions. This is especially true of psychics who are involved in a religion, as opposed to those who simply claim paranormal powers. Such religious psychics often imply that it is in some way `sacrilegious' to subject these gifts to scientific scrutiny. Of course, the parapsychologist does not wish to be accused of this, and realises that further requests for controlled experiments might well cause a rift with the psychic. The parapsychologist then might not be able to gather any further evidence. The result is a dilemma: on the one hand the evidence gathered from anecdotes and from uncontrolled observation is interesting enough to share in print with the public. On the other hand, the parapsychologist does not wish to be accused of simple naivety for endorsing a psychic on the basis of flimsy evidence.

Erlendur Haraldsson faced this dilemma in his study of the Indian `God-man', Sathya Sai Baba. In his 1987 study, Miracles Are My Visiting Cards, subtitled, `An Investigative Report On The Psychic Phenomena Associated With Sathya Sai Baba', Haraldsson investigates several reports of Sai Baba appearing in two places at once, resurrecting people from the dead, knowing things by telepathy, materialising objects, and displaying other wondrous powers. He and Dr. Karlis Osis also witnessed on several occasions Sai Baba supposedly materialising objects out of thin air. However, Haraldsson points out throughout the book (pp. 25, 26, 31, 32, 49-51, 289) that Sai Baba repeatedly rebuffed his requests for controlled scientific studies. Thus, Haraldsson ends up with a `on the one hand..., but on the other ....'judgement about Sai Baba's psychic powers:

Experimental science has one way of approaching the truth; descriptive science another. Our judicial systems have evolved interrogation and corroboration of witnesses, investigating relevant contemporary documents and so on, as ways of accruing evidence...In dealing with... well-known weaknesses of human testimony our courts rely primarily on quantity of testimony or on the reliability of witnesses. This has been our approach. Numerous followers and critics as well with extensive observations of Sai Baba, arrive at a general consensus about the paranormality of the frequent appearance of objects in his presence or on his body on certain occasions...Of course any vigilant skeptic will certainly come up with the sleight of hand hypothesis. During a brief visit to Puttaparti [the village with Sai Baba's main residence ed.] an amateur magician viewed Baba from a distance as he produced vibuthi [holy ash, the `materialisation' of which is a staple of Sai Baba's ed.] by a wave of his hand. Such a poor observation sufficed him to conclude that Baba used sleight of hand, though another skillful amateur magician, Dr. Fanibunda, with his plentiful experience of Baba considers this hypothesis absurd. In my view, such a meagre, poor observation does not prove anything either way... This example shows how easily one may come to quick superficial solutions pro or contra by a shallow weighing of only a tiny portion of the available evidence. (pp. 290-1).

Haraldsson's advice not to jump to hasty conclusions is well taken, but we maintain that it is possible to follow his courtroom analogy more rigorously. If this is done, it is possible to arrive at a more definite conclusion than Haraldsson was able to do in this work.

First of all, Haraldsson's many witnesses of materialisation of objects only testify as to the general effects which the scientist wishes to explain. This is roughly equivalent in the legal analogy to a multiplicity of witnesses confirming that at such and such a time gunfire shots rang out, and somebody then fell to the ground dead, apparently of gunshot wounds. If the question is whether the shots which killed the person came from the East or the West, ballistic experts must be called in to examine the bullets, the location of the wounds in the body, etc. In this case expert magicians, not amateurs, must be brought in to examine the evidence.

Second, Haraldsson mentions using contemporary documents. The advantage of this, of course, is that it alleviates to some extent the fallibility of memory. The best document for the purpose of studying Sathya Sai Baba's claims would be a videotape of his materialisations. A videotape has the advantage of being a direct record of the event rather than a verbal description. And even more, a videotape can be examined using the pause button, so that the hand positions can be studied in detail. In this way one can obtain the best assessment of the situation possible given Sai Baba's steadfast refusal to be tested under controlled magic-proof conditions.

Now, it just so happens that there is a videotape ready to hand, produced by Richard Bock, a Sai Baba devotee residing in Los Angeles, until his recent death. The video is called Christ In Kashmir, The Hidden Years, and has been circulating amongst Sai Baba devotees and the curious for several years. It is commercially available through Sai Baba centres and elsewhere. We obtained a copy of it through an Oregon distributor which makes available a wide variety of religious articles, meditation aids, videos, and the like. Haraldsson makes no reference to this tape in his book, nor does he give any information which would enable the reader acquainted with sleight of hand technique to acquire any film records of Sai Baba materialisations.

Also we should state our qualifications at this point: four of the five authors of this paper (DB is the exception) are more than amateur magicians. One of the authors Leon Mandrake has for 50 years been a professional magician, performing under the name "Mandrake The Magician", and has exposed countless alleged psychics over the years. Lou Crockett has performed professionally for years under the stage name `Taylor Steele'. And both Lon Mandrake, and Velvet Mandrake have years of solid professional performance experience in sleight of hand, and magic in general.

A careful examination of this videotape, using the `pause mode' feature reveals several instances of by professional standards, very elementary sleight of hand routines used by Sai Baba in producing his `materialisations'.

And the three-minute segment showing one of Sai Baba's most famous materialisations, that of vibhuti from a supposedly empty upturned urn, and the causing of the vibhuti to pour all over a statue, provides good evidence for the normal explanation as well.

In this paper, then, we present our analysis of those segments of the Richard Bock videotape which show Sai Baba `materialising' objects or streamsof vibhuti from the `empty' upturned jug.

I.

Sai Baba has performed countless `materializations' of pieces of jewellery. The Indian magician and Chairman of the Indian Committee for the Scientific Claims of the Paranormal, B. Premanand has published a nine page list of pieces of gold jewellery and other precious gems allegedly materialized by Sai Baba, representing only those pieces whose production is on record in Sai devotee publications. (See B. Premanand, Satya Sai Baba and Gold Control Act, pp. 24-32). There is no doubt that there is a good deal of gold changing hands around Sai Baba (as well as other gems), and the question is, how is it produced?

As it happens, there are a number of examples of necklace and pendant materializations in the Bock video, and it is possible for the reader familiar with the basic methods of stage conjuring and sleight of hand to play the tape, stopping at the crucial moment in `pause mode', and observe Sai Baba's techniques of `materialization' at work.

In the first materialization, of a necklace (at the 33 min. point in the tape) Sai Baba enters holding his left arm with his right hand. This is a most odd walking position, but it is extremely convenient if he happens to have the object to be `materialized' in the palm of the right hand, and otherwise in danger of falling at the wrong time, being spotted in the hand, or arousing questions about why his hand is fisted. In this case, the finger positions during the materialization are fully consistent with sleight of hand technique. However the thumb is on the wrong side of the camera, so it is best to review the finger positions in describing `materializations' in which the thumb positions are visible.

At the 38 minute point in the film a second necklace is produced. However, the editor of the film has chosen to cut out the wave of the hand which usually precedes Sai Baba's `materializations' and shows the necklace only after it has been produced. Given the results of an analysis of the hand waves in other `materializations' in which the thumb activity is visible, one cannot help but wonder why the editor of the film chose to eliminate the hand wave in this case!

The third `materialization' of a small object occurs at the 44-minute point in the film. Sai Baba produces a necklace with a little circling of the hand. The pause mode analysis of this circling of the hand, however, shows definite evidence that Sai Baba has `thumb palmed' the necklace. The thumb is held tightly against the palm of the hand in a manner whose significance will not be lost on anyone familiar with the art of the magician. The fingers are relatively free, as is to be expected, and stretched out to maximize the effect. After some circling, the fingers begin to fist, so that the thumb-palmed object may be held in a finger palm briefly. Now, for the first time, the thumb is seen to be free from the side of the palm, which confirms that a transfer from thumb palm to finger palm has taken place. The hand with fingers curled now turns upright, and the edge of the object begins to be visible. Of particular significance is the fact that the thumb begins to push the object forward. The necklace had been gathered in a bunch in order to palmable effectively, and so it appears as though a dab of glue or small thread might have been used to keep the necklace bunched up. The pressuring motions of the thumb not only push the object down onto the fingers, but also ensure the breaking of the thread if it has not been broken by the handling. The thumb having accomplished its task, we then see Sai Baba flick the necklace open. The `miraculous' production is complete, and a smiling Sai Baba presents his gift.

The fourth object produced is a ring, also at the 44 minute point. The editing and camera angles make it difficult to see the relevant aspects of this event. However, it is clear that ample opportunity was available for a transfer of the object finger-clipped in the left hand to be dropped into the right hand, which `takes the load' just prior to the production of the ring.

The fifth small object materialization on the film occurs at the 45 minute point. Here, once again, we have direct and clear evidence of elementary, if not clumsy, sleight of hand. The details are functionally identical with those of the third materialization: the thumb is not free until the object has been transferred. However, in this materialization, the thumb, apparently, is unable to work the object free from its bunched up condition. This explains why Baba's left hand comes over to the rescue, working the chain free. When it is free, Baba holds the chain with his two hands, and offers it.

It is further instructive to notice the little kinks in the chain when it is being presented, confirming that it had been kept in a bunched up condition for some time, and was not freshly materialized in an unkinked condition as would be expected for a true materialization.

Finally it is instructive to observe that Sai Baba's right hand is open and visible at close range when he presents the chain. The hand then disappears and reappears shortly afterwards, but held fisted. After this, the right hand `materializes' vibhuti. Thus the vibhuti has been picked up (by one of a variety of well known methods) just prior to its return in closed or fisted position.

There is one last materialization on the tape worth study. At the 44 and a half minute point, Sai Baba, with his back to the camera, produces a slightly larger than palm size object, a necklace chain with a crescent shaped pendant at the bottom. Watching the film at normal speed one's response is that the angle at which the film has been taken effectively prevents one from witnessing the `materialization' as it would have appeared to its intended audience. Nonetheless, pause mode analysis is revealing. What we see is Sai Baba twisting his body position so that his left hand is for the briefest moment held behind his back, and so that his right hand which is making two large circles in the air is enabled to come closer to the edge of the wall at the left of Sai Baba than it would otherwise have been able to do. The sequence reveals that at the point of the circling, Sai Baba is abutted adjacent to a window ledge. This area and the window ledge itself provide an ideal place for the pendant to have been concealed. Three or four possibilities immediately come to mind, all of them obvious, no doubt, to people familiar with the art of conjuring. All that is required is that Sai Baba get his right hand over to the window ledge in an apparently smooth and natural way, and the quick body shift, which is revealed clearly only in slowing down the video, would accomplish just that.

II.

The `vibhuti abheshekam' is an annual ritual performed by Sai Baba. An urn is suspended upside down, held by an assistant. Sai Baba places his hand in the urn, and vibhuti, ie., holy ash, streams down from it onto a venerated religious statue, in apparently larger quantities than the urn can hold or so the devotees claim. The holy ash falls out of the urn only when Sai Baba's hand is in the urn; it stops when Sai Baba takes his hand out, or when he switches hands in the urn. At the beginning, Sai Baba's hand is barely into the jug, and he gently twirls his hand; but as the ceremony progresses, his hand goes farther into the jug, and his hand movements become more and more agitated.

The reader may well be entertained by learning to perform the `miracle' of producing holy ash from an `empty' jug. To do this, one need not experiment with such a large jug as is used in this ceremony. Familiarity with material that has the consistency of vibhuti will show how Sai Baba or anyone, for that matter can perform this ritual.

Vibhuti may be obtained from many Hindu temples and/or Sai Baba groups. Talcum powder available in any drug store has the same consistency for the purposes of demonstrating how this miracle may be done. Take about 100 ml of vibhuti or talcum powder and mix with just enough water to produce a paste. (Add the water bit by bit to ensure that it doesn't get too wet.) Fill one or two sockets of a muffin sheet with the paste. Place the muffin sheet in the oven and bake for an hour and a half to two hours at a medium or medium-low heat, or until the water is gone and the vibhuti paste has become a vibhuti (or talcum) cake. Allow it to cool. When the cake has cooled, you will find that you can hold the muffin sheet upside down and no vibhuti powder will be released. Someone who cannot see under the upside down sheet will conclude that it is empty. Now lightly brush the vibhuti cake with your finger while the sheet is upside down. Lo and behold! A stream of ash is produced. Now remove your hand. Lo and behold! The flow of ash has ceased. Now gently twirl again. Miracle upon miracle the flow of ash starts up again! You are a miracle worker, and have just performed the miracle of vibhuti abishekam in miniature.

An analysis of Bock's videotape supports the hypothesis that the vibhuti is in the jug from the start and that it is either all in cake form, stuck onto the sides of the jug, or some of it is in cake form, and some of it is in powder form in `compartments' released by Baba in the course of the performance. This is the crucial point of what we mentioned earlier, that Sai Baba's hand is not far into the jug at the beginning of the ceremony but by the end his hand is placed very high up into the jug. This suggests that at the beginning of the performance he is scraping off the caked vibhuti around the lip, and as the performance proceeds, he has to reach farther into the jug to scrape off that which is farther up the sides and on the jug-bottom. The shape of the jug is such as to catch loose vibhuti even when upside down so that almost none will fall out when Baba's hand is removed.

Also a pause mode inspection of the falling stream reveals what appear to be larger chunks of vibhuti on one or two occasions, further suggesting that some of the vibhuti is in cake form in the jug, and is made to powder by the touch of Baba's hand.

Finally, experimentation with material of this consistency and the size of the jug in the film will establish beyond any doubt that a little vibhuti goes a long way and that the jug will easily contain the amount of vibhuti seen to be produced in the film record.

Of course, the question arises why the vibhuti is not noticed at the beginning of the ceremony. There are several simple answers. The faithful audience believes it has been shown an empty jug as soon as the jug has been held upside down and nothing comes out. (See, for example, the devotee's account in Haraldsson's book, p. 116: "There would be an empty vessel...Swami...would just put his hand into the upturned vessel...The vibhuti would start pouring out".) The lip is small relative to the rest of the jug, and so as long as nobody has a chance to shine a flashlight down it, it will be undetected especially in the context of a moving religious ceremony. Those who hold the jug might be fooled by the construction of the jug into thinking that it is heavier than it is. Alternatively, and far more likely, given human nature and given some of the remarks made by interviewees of Haraldsson, those close to Sai Baba know full well that there is vibhuti in the jug at the outset, and the `miracle' for them, if they think there is any at all, consists only in the amount produced. (See ibid. page 226.)

Our conclusion, then, is that there are a great many ways of doing the vibhuti abhishekam ceremony with few or even no assistants helping. The proffered miraculous explanation of the Sai Baba organisation is the least plausible of them.

III.

We have presented clear evidence of conjuring from the Sai Baba organisation's own evidence in Part I, and a natural explanation consistent with the visual evidence in Part II. We are also confident that more evidence for our conclusions would be forthcoming if we had a chance to examine the part of the original film or video left on the cutting room floor.

What does this evidence say about Sai Baba's putative paranormal feats in general, and the question whether he has any genuine powers? Must we rest content with Haraldsson's `wait-and see' attitude? We think not. By his own criterion, that of the analogy to evidence satisfactory in a court of law, we have examined the best evidence for Sai Baba's miracles that is available. At worst (the evidence from Part I) it is damning, and at best (a charitable interpretation of Part II) it is inconclusive. Given (1) no reliable evidence inconsistent with the sleight of hand hypothesis, (2) Sai Baba's steadfast refusal to be tested by scientists knowledgeable in magical tricks, and (3) direct evidence of frequent use of sleight of hand by Sai Baba in videotape material put out by the Sai Baba devotees themselves, Sai Baba's extensive reliance on sleight of hand in the materialization phenomena is established beyond reasonable doubt.

Beyerstein, Mandrake, Crockett, Mandrake, Mandrake: First published herein.

Haraldsson, in Miracles are My Visiting Cards (p. 213) summarizes his data relevant to determining whether Sai Baba is using conjuring methods in his materialization, suggesting that Sai Baba hasn't been exposed as using sleight of hand during the performance of a ritual. Premanand, however, states that at least one such an incident occurred:

86 - Premanand's Report of a Public Exposure of Sai Baba Using Conjuring Methods:

In 1968 the god had to stop using thumbtip [a standard piece of magical apparatus --ed] because when he came to Kerala one of us went to the stage and removed his thumb suddenly, and people got so wild, thinking that our person had cut the finger, cut the thumb of the god. The thumb was shown. People thought God lost a thumb. But God didn't. He lost only the thumbtip. He stopped doing that, and now what he does is he keeps the ball [of holy ash, or vibhuti ed.] between the thumb and the pointing finger, like this...

B. Premanand, lecture sponsored by Science World, Vancouver B.C. Canada, Dec. 15 1988; videotape record with Science World.

Haraldsson also places emphasis in his summary of the evidence (for example, p. 290-1, quoted in § 85 above) on the fact that Dr. Fanibunda, once an amateur magician, has found no evidence of fraud in Sai Baba's materializations. The degree of reliability of the checks made by Fanibunda can be gauged however, by the check made by Fanibunda of the Cowan resurrection story. The reader may wish to compare Fanibunda's account with §§ 16 26 below. Here is his presentation of the Cowan resurrection events:

87 - E. Fanibunda's Account of the Cowan Story:

Apart from listening to Divine discussion by Baba and attending other functions, the author witnessed a most remarkable incident which proved to him that Baba's omnipotence embraced not only the manifestation and control of the physical universe but also the very basis of existence, that is Life itself. Baba revived a dead man approximately five hours after he was dead. In brief, this is what happened. In the early hours of the morning of 25th December 1971, Walter Cowan an elderly American gentleman who was a devotee of Baba, died in the Connemara Hotel after a short illness of pneumonia. He was shifted to the hospital in Madras where the attending doctor certified him dead on arrival. After stuffing his ears and nostrils with cotton wool, the hospital authorities had kept his body in a separate room. At about 10 am. that day, Baba visited the Hospital and gave Walter Cowan back his life.

E. Fanibunda, "Vision of the Divine", as quoted in Indian Skeptic No. 3 p. 31, July 1988.

Beatrice Newbery meets B Premanand, India's chief fakir-buster

2009-06-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

B. Premanand who is described as "India's chief fakir-buster" is profiled in The Independent. Premanand has spent most of his life traveling through India exposing magicians who use their magic skills to prove they have supernatural powers. He explained what makes Indians more susceptible than many other cultures, "In Hindu mythology, the gods send avatars to earth... "People believe that the gods can take a human form any time, so from a young age we are taught to respect and fear the godmen for their supernatural powers. That's why, when a holy man starts cracking coconuts on his head and claims it is supernatural skill, he is believed. Even prime ministers touch the dirty feet of these people."

Although Premanand is not well known outside of India -- he is a legend among the people who know of him -- his accomplishments include more than 7,000 speeches, writer of 36 books and teacher to "thousands of young magicians." Best known for his work as a skeptic and exposer of miracles this article is an outstanding introduction to his fascinating life. To read the Dec. 24 article by Beatrice Newbery titled "Miracles don't happen In a country where superstition is rampant, one man is risking his life to ridicule gurus and spread the gospel of rationalism"

Miracles don't happen In a country where superstition is rampant, one man is risking his life to ridicule gurus and spread the gospel of rationalism. Beatrice Newbery meets B Premanand, India's chief fakir-buster

Source: The Independent - London Publication date: 2000-12-24

To a blast of Bollywood music, the make-shift curtain is pulled back to reveal the first young magician. Wearing a tailcoat, a pistachio green frilly shirt and long black gloves studded with plastic diamonds, the teenaged Indian boy already looks hot, as well he might. It is midday and sweltering in southern India. He begins to hide and reveal polystyrene balls under three tin cups, rapping the cups loudly with a magic wand. "This is our famous Keralan Cups and Balls trick," my neighbour whispers. One of the cups falls over, but as everyone in the audience is either a magician or friend, it doesn't matter. The young performer has trouble lighting a match for his cigarette trick, as the fans are whirring overhead, but he bravely battles on. As each stunt ends, he tosses his props into a top hat. There's the bottle-top trick with a lot of blowing on hands; a card special; and finally a lame pigeon produced from nowhere and accidentally dropped on the floor. After his short performance, he bows out to encouraging applause, and emerges grinning to join his friends.

It is the first day of the International Brotherhood of Magicians' Magic Fiesta, held in a dilapidated hall in the small town of Kannur, north Kerala. For weeks, the Brotherhood's Indian members have been looking forward to the three-day get-together. The atmosphere is one of reunion and hilarity. After five more performances from the young, amateur members of the group, there is a break for lunch, and the magicians burst outside talking and laughing. "Let me introduce you to a fire-eater from Karnataka," says the Brotherhood's vice- president, B Dayanand. "He also rides motorbikes blindfold." I am torn away from watching one of the group put 6in nails up his nose. Next, I am introduced to a nurse who does magic tricks for his patients, and a ticket-puncher for the Indian railways, who performs on trains. Finally, I spot the man I have been looking for - Dayanand's older brother. With his long grey beard, he looks like Harry Potter's benign wizard, Dumbledore, and is doing an impromptu impression of Uri Geller, bending spoons effortlessly in the courtyard. "How do you do that?" I ask, as the spoon snaps in half between his fingers. He winks. "Easy. All miracles are just the simplest of tricks."

At 71, B Premanand is the oldest member of the group and its youngest at heart. "I already have nine years of bonus," he laughs, "as the average mortality rate in India is 62." This is despite the several attempts that have been made on his life over the years - which say something about the kind of magic that Premanand performs. For while other members of India's International Brotherhood of Magicians are hobbyists, Premanand's mission is more ambitious - to expose any man who pretends his magic tricks are miracles.

To this end he has spent nearly 50 years touring Indian villages, drawing crowds of people by demonstrating how "miracles" are performed. "See these scars," he says, pointing at one on his nose, and another on his lip. "These are from stones, thrown by the followers of one guru whom I exposed as a fraud. He used to walk on water - until I made sure he fell in."

India is a haven for gurus, yogis and godmen, all making easy money from the most ludicrous claims. "There are even godmen going about with cups and balls, pretending they are performing miracles," Premanand says. His recent opponents include a 600-year-old man, a yogi who had not eaten for 45 years, and a man who claimed that even the flowers bowed down to him. They were all eventually shown to be frauds, although the last should be applauded for his ingenuity - he was spraying the flowers with anaesthetic. In Premanand's view, the godmen share one goal - to make money by false means. "There was one guru who went from village to village, building huge bonfires. He would invite everybody to throw their gold pieces into the fire, then he would pull out a big silver statue of Ganesh. This was seen as a miracle by local people who didn't know better. In fact, it was nothing more than a simple trick to make ignorant people part with their jewellery."

With such a ready market for "miracles", it is not surprising that there are godmen in most Indian villages. "In Hindu mythology, the gods send avatars to earth," Premanand explains. "People believe that the gods can take a human form any time, so from a young age we are taught to respect and fear the godmen for their supernatural powers. That's why, when a holy man starts cracking coconuts on his head and claims it is supernatural skill, he is believed. Even prime ministers touch the dirty feet of these people."

Such is the hold that miracles have on the country's imagination that Coca-Cola recently staged a publicity stunt offering a large sum of money to anyone who could transform Delhi's Gateway to India into Coca-Cola bottles.

We file back into the hall after lunch, and the older magicians take it in turns to show off their best tricks. There is a growing spirit of rivalry in the room as each one tries to outwit the last. "This is called Cut-and-Restore Note," my helpful neighbour says, as the first man rips up and restores a crumpled 10-rupee note. The next performer is India's best-known close-up magician, who performs an impressive card trick under my nose. Then, the nurse demonstrates the famous "Indian rope trick", drawing a piece of rope out of a basket by blowing a flute like a snake charmer. "It is so simple, but see the amazement it creates," says Premanand. Soon the grown men are giggling like 10-year-olds, and heckling each other in their local language, Malayalum.

Suddenly, Premanand jumps up, asking if he can have a go. He produces a long spike and, covering his mouth, starts making hilarious contortions with his face as he appear to force the spike through his tongue. He whips his hand away and stands with his tongue hanging out, the huge spike through its middle, before withdrawing it to painful groans. When Premanand tours villages, he has nothing more than a plastic bag full of props and a Jeep bonnet as his stage. But with such a flair for showing off, it's easy to see how his one-man acts draw the crowds. "I don't expose magic as it is, because it is a wonderful art," he says. "I want Kerala to be a centre for magicians who can compete with the rest of the world."

After the afternoon's performances, we head off to eat dinner and watch magic videos at Kannur's Chinese Roof Garden. It's been a long day, and most of the magicians flop into their chairs looking exhausted. Premanand, by contrast, embarks upon the story of his life, demonstrating the kind of energy that has propelled him around almost every village in India, and driven him to make 7,000 speeches, write 36 books, travel to 27 countries and train thousands of young magicians. That energy has also enabled him to fulfil joint roles as head of the Indian Rationalists Society, president of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICP), and editor of the Indian Skeptic. All his efforts have but one goal: to arm the public against fakes and frauds.

"My mission began only when I found that I, myself, had been deceived by godmen," he says. "I was a great believer, you see, and from a young age I really wanted to know God." At the age of 18, he left home in search of a guru. "I went everywhere looking for God, from Hindu temples to Buddhist monasteries. I followed many gurus and practised all the 300 yoga sidas."

But, somehow, Premanand failed to find convincing spiritual guidance, despite the fact that each of his gurus could perform miracles and was well-known for his holiness. First came a Bengali called Auro Bindo, from Pondicherry. Next he followed Rama Na Maharisha. "He believed he was `atma', or the soul." Third was Rama Krishna Paramahansa. "I liked him for his social work. He believed we were all gods, and had 13 disciples. Years later, I met the last disciple left alive who confessed it was all a scam." Fourth came Shiva Nanda, who taught kundalini yoga, and had diabetes. "One day I asked him how he could be ill when he was a godman. Like all the others, he replied, `Don't ask questions.'"

Premanand's questions were born of an innocent desire to progress, rather than any suspicion or mistrust, but as his enquiries were continually rebutted, he became increasingly frustrated. Then he joined Swarmi Narai Naryananda's ashram, and his spiritual quest suffered a substantial knock. Premanand went to his guru for some help with meditation. The great man wrote "Om" on a piece of paper, then took it into the temple to pray. When he emerged, he lit the paper in front of Premanand's eyes. The fire burned clean around the holy word, and left the rest. "When you have meditated enough on this word, you too will be able to do this," he said. "I meditated so hard that month," says Premanand, "then I was called again and Naryananda did the same thing. Once again, I was sent away to meditate more." The third time, Premanand was impatient enough to peek through the temple door as his guru prayed. "I was stunned and scared when I saw him putting some chemicals on the paper. I didn't want to believe my eyes, but then I started asking the real questions. That was the beginning of my career as a sceptic."

On the second day of the Magic Fiesta, Premanand is wearing the same old sandals and trousers, darned at the knees, and the same blue shirt. "I have never been interested in money," he says. "If I was, I would never have followed this line of work." He talks loudly over the proceedings, his flow only interrupted when a cobra escapes on to the floor of the hall. (It is the "How to Handle Snakes Class", and the handler needs lessons himself.) The cobra safely back in its basket, he begins to describe his childhood.

Premanand and his brother Dayanand were brought up in a small house in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu state. "From a young age, our theosophist parents encouraged us to be outspoken; we once had an official five-day family debate about right and wrong. The conclusion was that there is no right or wrong, only relatives."

His parents took the unorthodox view that all religions were the same. When it was time to enrol Premanand at the local school, they refused to fill in his religion or caste on the application form. It was the start of a rebellious school career, at the end of which Premanand was thrown out for joining the student movement for independence. When a teacher came to his house asking Premanand's father to beg for a pardon, he refused on the grounds that his son had done nothing wrong.

Instead, from the age of 12, Premanand was given an imaginative schooling at home. His father had a laboratory in the garden shed which he used for concocting products for his various soap and ink manufacturing businesses. "One day, I broke my father's thermometer, so I hid it on an aluminium plate under my bed. When my father found out, he ordered me to wash the plate vigorously. But, when I did, a frothy grey substance appeared." Later on, Premanand was to find that this is how Sai Baba produces "vibhuti", or holy ash, from photographs of himself. The photo-frames are made of aluminium, behind which he hides mercury which reacts with damp to create a perfect "holy ash" of aluminium oxide. Later, the laboratory also proved the perfect place for working out how Naryananda performed his paper trick - potassium manganate.

Once Premanand had stumbled on his Naryananda's chemical trickery, he was determined to pursue the issue. First he began cutting out newspaper articles about godmen and their miracles. "It was my hobby, like stamp collecting," he says. Next he began writing to gurus, asking how they performed their miracles, trying to provoke some reaction. When the response was limited, he began travelling to any spot where godmen were said to be performing miracles, and watching their work, writing down their miracles and, beside these, his rational explanations. The first 150 of this list have been published in Premanand's best-known book, Science versus Miracles, but there are another 1,300 miracles awaiting publication. "I started looking with the eyes of a scientist, a rationalist, rather than a believer. Whenever I saw that people were cheating in the name of God, my interest grew."

Then T Koovoor, head of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, visited Premanand's home town. "I bought a ticket months in advance," Premanand says, "and when he finally came, I was so excited. Everything he said made perfect sense." At the end of Koovoor's talk, Premanand rushed to the front and gave him his list. He was immediately invited to join the committee.

It was Koovoor who encouraged Premanand to tour the villages. "I said I wasn't proficient enough to take on the work because I didn't have an education, but he replied that, if there is truth, people will believe you." Premanand learnt 15 tricks and practiced them at home. "When I arrived at the first village, I set off the car alarm to get people's attention. I jumped on the bonnet and started waving flames under my arms. Then I grabbed a man from the crowd, made a fire on his head and boiled some tea. At first people wondered what I was doing, but by the time I came to explain how these ludicrous tricks are performed, the excitement and noise had grown so much that I had to shout loudly to be heard."

It was an auspicious start to a career as India's biggest mischief- maker. Since then, Premanand has toured up to seven villages a day, travelling 20 days every month. And, as his fame has spread, his audiences have swelled to the hundreds, proving him a better crowd- puller than his opponents. In the name of education, Premanand will perform any trick. He has walked on fire, hung weights from his skin, lain on beds of nails, stopped his heartbeat and produced bags of holy ash, Sai Baba-style, from nowhere. Each time he performs a trick, he takes care afterwards to explain how it is done. Over the years, his acts have become increasingly irreverent, ridiculing every trickster by name, from the smallest "baba" upwards.

As a result, Premanand's books, village tours and increasingly frequent television appearances have won him enemies as well as admirers. His brother- in-law, for example, will not let him in the house, for fear that Premanand might turn his children into rationalists. More seriously: among the godmen who feel threatened by his work, he is known as "Rakshasa" or devil. When he published his first book on Sai Baba, The Lure of Miracles, it was burned by the guru's followers.

Premanand says he has received numerous anonymous midnight phone calls, threatening everything from public flogging to murder. More than once, his group of fellow magicians have doubled as bodyguards to protect him from being stoned or knifed. Four of them suffered severe burns trying to save him from an "accident" during a fire-walking demonstration. "Some men pushed me just as I was about to walk across the fire. They had put glass in the fire, too, to cut my feet so the heat would go straight to my brain." Eight years ago, a lorry ploughed into the back of Premanand's motorbike one night, throwing him off, but failing to inflict real damage. He rolls up his trousers leg to show me a misshapen knee. "There is a metal rod in here," he says proudly, "from when some Hindus came once with big sticks to beat me. They broke an artery and my leg became an elephant's leg."

These attacks, he believes, have been by followers of godmen, Hindu fundamentalists, or Christians who object to his dismissal of miracles. But Premanand is anything but intimidated. Once, when he needed some information on Sai Baba, he even paid a visit to the great guru's ashram in Andhra Pradesh. "I shaved my hair off and went as a Muslim," he says. "When I left three days later, I left a note saying `You did not know me. I was Premanand.'"

As president of CSICP, Premanand can now file cases against godmen who he says break the law. "We have great laws in India," he says. "The Magical Remedies Objectionable Advertisement Act, the Consumer Protection Act and the Monopoly Restriction of Trade Practice Act have all helped us to get godmen behind bars." There is only one problem - the authorities charged with enforcing the law are often reluctant to oppose godmen. "Politicians make use of the power of godmen such as Sai Baba. No police officer or government official can go to him and ask for records. He is exempted by the state government."

None the less, Premanand's rationalist crusade shows no sign of losing momentum. For 2001, he has two big gurus in his sights. First is Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, head of Sahaja Yoga, whom Premanand says he hopes to get into court under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. And Sai Baba, Premanand's personal bête noire, is next. Once, he managed to get the guru arrested on smuggling charges - only for Sai Baba to be released after one night in gaol following a confidential government order. Now Premanand is returning to the book he has been writing, Murders in Sai Baba's Bedroom, a 900-page tome which levels some hefty allegations against Sai Baba. "This is going to be the greatest fight in my life," he says. "It will be sensational."

Premanand adds that he will not be going home after the Magic Fiesta. "I don't have a home. My Jeep is my home," he says, launching into a list of plans for the future. They include a museum dedicated to science in every village, and a series of videos demonstrating each of his 1,500 miracles which are in the pipeline, even an ambitious world scientific society. In fact, he is so busy that his biographer is allowed to ask him just seven questions a week, and only via his brother's e-mail. He still publishes the monthly Indian Skeptic, and replies to around five letters a day. "People write asking how such-and-such a miracle is done," he says. "I must write back and explain."

Increasingly, these letters are from children complaining that their parents follow godmen and asking advice on how to dissuade them. Premanand believes this shows the success of a recent drive to educate the young. "Adults are so stuck in their superstitious ways, that when I expose one godman, they turn to another," he says. "Children are different."

When the Fiesta is over, Premanand heads off to Calicut with his brother and his newest devotee - me. We spot some children buying drinks from a roadside stall, and Premanand insists on jumping out for a quick demonstration. Within minutes, he is ushered into the schoolyard by teachers wishing to know his business, and invited to perform. The children jostle to see, as Premanand begins producing holy ash.

Suddenly there is a heated argument among the teachers, and Premanand is asked to leave. As we drive off, the children run after the car, trying to get a last glimpse of the bearded man. "I will come back this time next week," he shouts from the window, "I will be outside the gates." Speeding off, he turns: "You see, every minute of my life is an adventure. How can I stop?"

Publication date: 2000-12-24

Testimony of sexual abuse by Sathya Sai Baba

2009-05-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

Copied from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sathyasaibaba2/message/35054 (entire Yahoo group since discontinued by group moderator) Though the testimony is anonymous for the obvious reasons as stated, the individual who wrote this mail identified himself to the makers of 'The Secret Swami' (BBC documentary).

From: "ihsb1971" <ihsb1971@y...>
Date: Thu Jan 1, 2004 3:36 am
Subject: SEXUAL ABUSER

Hi there (in reply)

the reason I wont post a lot of details of this here is because i have family members (who do not believe me) in close proximity to Sai Baba. Secondly this was a very hurtful event which left me confused about myself in general.

At the time, I was 17 years old, I am now 32 years old, have been married and recently widowed. My wife knew of my former faith with sai baba, but she never knew of this abusive experience. some of my family members know the truth now (they are sympathetic to me and want me to get help). the shame I felt was very bad.

I grew up in the bal vikas program from the age of 10 years old, in the UK. I knew many sai devotees including Dr Ghadia who travels the UK AND US (where I am now located), I was very "into" the sai experience and very much a devotee. I did not question his validity at the time, I was someone whose family was heavily involved. My mother was a bal vikas teacher at the time and is still very much a devotee.
She is someone who will not believe that sai baba is capable of molestation, but he is. It is to protect her that I do not give my name, because she lives and works there in prashanti nilayam.

As an adult I tried to put the past behind me but realised recently that this never really goes away. the shame and hurt still exist especially because at the time sai baba was some whom I felt very close to. His shudders and disgusts me now to think that when I was a teenager he used to stare at me when I went to darshan line. I thought he was blessing me but now I know it was all because he was sexually interested. I was his next victim.

I did not begin to speak out until I realised a few years ago that i am not the only person he has abused. He is a menace to teenage boys who are to afraid and ashamed to speak up. Peer pressure from my family made me shut up at the time, but I am an adult now and I can speak the truth.

As what to do about it I don’t know, if he were here in the US he would have been prosecuted and convicted long ago. He is a paedophile who blankets himself with the reputation of a god/living saint drawing people to him through his "miracles", and speeches. He does have a certain charisma, which has helped him get to the position he is in.

However he is in India, and he cannot really be touched there. I am very sad for other victims and saddened by the fact that there are more potential victims.

Yours truthfully
ihsb1971

SATYA SAI BABA BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS

2009-02-22T03:22:00.000-08:00

LAW ANIMATED WORLD

Ratnakara Venkata Satyanarayana Raju of Puttaparthi - a barely literate lad of 14 years, proclaiming himself to be an avatara of (Shirdi) Sai Baba, transmuted himself into Satya Sai Baba - has recently celebrated his eightieth birthday amidst pomp and glitter (dhoomdham). His followers today are said to number anywhere between 1-5 crores all over the world, and his floated Sathya Sai Central Trust is said to be the biggest NGO in the world after the United Nations, in terms of reach. Claiming to be God himself, and shunning the challenges by eminent rationalists like P.C. Sarkar, Late Abraham Kovur and Narasimhaiah to stand scientific tests of his much-boasted divine powers, Sai Baba successfully uses his juggling and hypnotic powers to continue to be in the limelight as the most adored Godman of India. A small, remote village of Anantapur District, Puttaparthi, where buses even did not ply before 4 decades, is now converted into a sprawling township, dominated by a majestic Prashanti Nilayam - abode of Satya Sai, where Boeing Jets land with Presidents and Prime Ministers, not to speak of various other VIPs, making a beeline to pay their respects to this remarkable personality, some or many of them even touching his feet. More recently the present Rashtrapati Abul Kalam paid such a visit on the eve of Saibaba’s eightieth birthday.

The Silver side - welfare activities:
Saibaba’s devotees like Chandrababu Naidu, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, are euphoric about his virtues and ask us to remember Bhagvan’s philosophy of oneness of all faiths, purity, patience, perseverance and selfless service, sacrifice, self-realization and, above all, love and beseech us to be guided by his sublime ideas. His detractors like the revolutionary balladeer Gaddar call all that bunkum and declare the false Baba only thrives on the ignorance and gullibility of the people at large. However, all have to acknowledge that of late, at least since the last two decades, the Baba and his trust have taken up philanthropic activities in a very big way, said to be unparalleled in the annals of Indian NGOs. Projects have been taken up and finished in record time on a big scale, to provide drinking water to 1.4 lakh people in 900 villages of the draught-prone Anantapur District. They have modernized the 70 kilometer canal providing Krishna waters from Kandaleru reservoir to Madras. A 250 crore super-speciality hospital, where ultra-modern services to patients are totally free, has been built in Puttaparthi in 1991 and after a decade a big hospital for cardiology and neurology set up in Bangalore at Rs. 200 crore, and the hospitals have already conducted 75,000 surgeries, all for free. All these massive welfare activities are said to be silencing skeptics, so much so that some of the beneficiaries are said to have retorted that they did not care even if Sai Baba were to be a fraud since he is better than any politician in the country and they were willing to accept him as God just for the sake of free care, treatment and food he offers in such hospitals. Add to this the many good educational institutions, giving free and higher education, the Baba built or inspired.

The black side of the coin:

But there are bitter critics too who look upon these welfare and philanthropic activities as a shield which Satya Sai Baba (SSB) is using to cover up his gory misdeeds and say that apart from the ordinary magic he practices to deceive the people there are certain other vices that have to be recounted. One of them, and it is almost a confirmed allegation, is that he is an inveterate homosexual enticing young boys to gratify his sexual appetite.[1] It is not as if he acknowledges his position as a gay and claims legitimate. Another serious allegation is that the Prashanti Nilayam has become a haven for a mafia and runs a virtual hundi for all sorts of hoarders, corrupt politicians, etc. It is alleged that around 1993, a German lady was murdered for gain by two unknown persons who were sheltered in the Nilayam and later the case was covered up.

MURDERS IN SAI’S BED ROOM: But all this pales into insignificance before the gory murders perpetrated on 6 June 1993 in SSB’s own chambers. The gist of allegations in a bulky book: “Murders in Sai’s Bedroom,”[2] detailing all the relevant facts, allegations, the court proceedings and the manner in which the entire case was hushed up, and also in the writings of one Robert Priddy,[3] a British national and a former devotee turned critic, is that on the night of 6-6-93 when four persons tried to force their way into the chambers of SSB, the four attendants there resisted and two attendants were killed in a knife battle. A 14-year old student who was with SSB in his bedroom escaped unhurt and he or SSB set off the alarm and ran away. SSB seems to have run away through the first floor balcony to a garage annex nearby. The intruders somehow entered the chambers and shut themselves in. Then it is alleged that SSB, his younger brother Janaki Ramaiah and one Col. Joga Rao discussed among themselves further course of action, by which time the doors of the bedroom were broken open by a mob of locals, some foreign visitors and students, and the four were caught, cruelly beaten up and tied with a rope. At that juncture, “the police … arrived, allegedly led by an inebriated officer.” Janaki Ramaiah is said to have ordered the police, saying: “Vallani kattesinaru, champeyundira..” (“They are tied. Now kill them”). And the police did just that, shooting down all the four at point blank range.

It seems the police later conducted a massive cover-up operation, moved the bodies, rearranged their clothing, etc. - all this to make believe that the shooting was done in ‘selfdefence’. But such First Information Report is said to have been contradicted by the later official investigations. It is alleged that absence of any injuries to the policemen, shooting a hail of dozens of bullets by the police who had not even any knife-injuries inflicted by those young men, the position of the deceased after death as shown by the photographs taken afterwards, the nature of the gunshot wounds of the deceased all conclusively rebut this ‘self-defence shooting’ theory. This is not a surprise since all of us know that our Andhra Pradesh police are experts in staging false encounters. In one such false encounter case of an extremist leader Madhusudan Raj Yadav, our High Court had even ordered a high level inquiry.

And finally without properly inquiring into these gory killings - prime witnesses, including Sai Baba a direct witness, if not participant, in the killings were not questioned; SSB refused to answer any questions from the press or give statements to the police in this regard; he even attacked, in a derogatory and libelous manner, the press people for daring to lodge a complaint with the Press Council of India in this regard; he simply had too much money and clout to cover up the entire matter – the investigations were quashed by the “Indian government in accordance with the ashram’s expressed wishes.” This due to the intervention of the then Home Minister, S. B. Chavan, who had been called to visit SSB as soon as the police cover-up became transparent and the Central Bureau CID took over. Chavan is alleged to have revisited SSB five times more in the following months before they could “rid themselves of the matter through a confidential government order, administered by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to close the murder case and suppress over 100 photographs (impounded by K.V. Reddy of the police) and also the CB-CID report.”

We can know about the real cause of this ‘action’ from Times of India (27-10-1993): Ravindra Baba and Vijay Shantaram Prabhu were intensively interrogated by the Nagpur police before being handed over to their Andhra counterparts, who had come here to take them back to Puttaparthi. The details of the interrogation were made available to The Times of India News Service. Prabhu reportedly told the police that he and those shot dead by the police were all staunch devotees of Sai Baba. According to him, a coterie of five persons staying at the Puttaparthi ashram were misappropriating cash and jewellery offerings made by the devotees to the Baba … duped of several lakhs of rupees in cash and kind. When Prabhu and his associates protested against this, the five men threatened them with dire consequences. The names of these five persons have been disclosed to the Nagpur police. Prabhu said that he finally took up the matter with the godman, who expressed his anguish over the development but said he could not initiate any action against the inmates unless there was concrete evidence. Prabhu knew the room where the loot was stashed before being taken outside the complex. He, along with a few other devotees, planned to immobilise the persons by using chloroform. It was also decided to burst crackers somewhere in the complex in order to divert the attention of the guards... However, the moment the men with the key to the room were pounced upon, they raised an alarm. The coterie was alerted. It was then made to appear that an attempt on the Baba’s life has been made.[4]

There are yet some press reports informing that at least three of the assailants were staunch followers of the Viswa Hindu Parishad and when the VHP leader Ashok Singhal visited the Baba and requested him to render support to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir cause, Baba curtly rejected saying all that was political foul play and also humiliated Ashok Singhal, which might have spurred his followers to embark on an action ‘to do away with the Baba.’ But not much reliance can be placed on this version, and the Baba himself categorically rejected such suspicions.

We think the only motivation seems to be the young men’s zeal to fight corruption, and their fury at the supposed ‘duping of the Baba by the coterie of five persons (with Janaki Ramaiah at the head)’. Even SSB has later admitted that they had not intended to kill him. It is only to shield SSB and his cohorts that these killings seem to have been done, with law enforcers acting as law breakers. In like circumstances one Premananda, a fake Baba, was awarded heavy punishment by a Court in Tamilnadu, and the same confirmed by Madras High Court also recently. We ardently wish and hope our Andhra Pradesh High Court will reopen this entire case and order a comprehensive inquiry to be followed by a just, fair and speedy trial of SSB and other involved persons.

Notes:

1 Here we would like to stand apart from the ordinary
critics of homosexuality as such who recoil with moral
revulsion at the mention of the very word. We have
nothing against homosexual relations between
consenting adults, which, by the way, have been
legalized in many democratic countries now. We are
also firm supporters of justifiable gay (and lesbian)
rights movements, and do not consider such relations
even as a sexual abnormality, but as minor variants.

rights on that basis but is more of his enticing
minor boys in the name of divine will and
worship and making them submit to his sexual
desires, which conduct we strongly condemn.

2 B. Premanand, Murders in Sai Baba’s Bedroom, Pub. by
the author, 11/7 Chettipalayam Road, Podnadur-
641023, Tamil Nadu, India [Rs. 400/-; Abroad $40/-].

3 Go to www.saipetition.net and follow up links

4 These were two suspects who escaped from the scene of
action and later surrendered to Nagpur Police, fearing
their liquidation in case they surrendered to or be
arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police.

The money behind Sai Baba

2009-02-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

By: Hari Sampath

Dear All,

The easiest way to look for the source of Sai Baba's "immunity" from investigation and what exactly all this scam is about is to just take a look at the staggering amounts of money involved, and approximately estimate how much money does Sai Baba actually have.

We all know that Westerners started visiting Sai Baba in reasonable numbers from the early 1970s. Today Sai Baba is reputed to have some 30-50 million devotees , a number that is given by his followers. I am however inclined to put this between 10-20 million worldwide, with Sai Baba having around 10 million followers in India , and probably in the range of 5 million worldwide.

For the purposes of simplicity if we assume that he has 15 million followers( his devotees will object to this, I know, but just VERY MINIMUM for calculation purposes) , we nay assume that this following has been built up gradually over the last 30 years.

Okay, so we have 5 million "real committed followers" of Sai Baba spread among approximately 100 countries, outside India, and then some 10 million followers in India.

Now, we all know that MOST of these followers of Sai Baba from outside India visit him at varying frequencies, but would have at least visited Sai Baba a couple of times at the very minimum. A large number of followers do visit him once in 2-3 years from outside India.

Almost ALL Sai Baba followers try to follow his "teachings" on ceiling on desires, seva, giving to the less fortunate etc. I know that most Sai Baba followers do spend a certain amount of time , effort and money in doing seva work in their own countries, individually as well as in groups.

Let us assume that a vast majority of these 5 million followers outside India are just normal folks, not immensely wealthy or anything, but just able to have a normal, reasonably comfortable standard of life.

Even if 90 % of these followers are just ordinary folks, and probably spend around $ 2000, for a visit, once in 2-3 years, it is because Sai Baba occupies top priority in their lives, and they will look at all money they have for the "service of the Lord" and "given by him", after they spend for themselves and their families.

From hundreds of conversations I have had with followers from all over the world, in Prashanti Nilayam, I found out that almost all of them donated at least a very modest amount to Sai Baba's trust each time they visited, sometimes directly, and sometimes through the organization in their countries. A very good majority of them had told me that they regularly send a monthly amount ( modest sum like $ 50 ) so that they could contribute to the mission of Sai Baba.

Many people had told me that they donate $1000 per year once a year, and several others had told me that they accumulate this and donate it when they visit PN.

All this was apart from the money they all spent in their respective countries doing seva.

This is just among the 90% of followers of Sai Baba outside India, who could be described as normal middle class folks, that is, about 4.5 million people at the very minimum.

If we assume that the 5 million overseas followers of Sai Baba had accumulated gradually over thirty years, and try to break it up over 5 year periods from 1970, we might have something like this :

1970 : 100,000

1975 : 250,000

1980 : 750,000

1985 : 1,500,000

1990 : 2,500,000

1995 : 3,500,000

2000 : 5,000,000

This is just a rough progression estimate, knowing that in later years more awareness about Sai Baba spread in the West and after 1985 large numbers of followers started coming .

Now , over a 30 year period, these 4.5 million ordinary followers of Sai Baba would have visited him anywhere between 2 to 20 times, and spent anywhere between $ 3000 to $ 50,000 JUST ON TRAVEL and other expenses.

When they are spending so much, it is reasonable to assume that they would at least donate $ 200 to $ 1000 once a year, depending on each person's affordability. Of course there are those who haven't given anything at all, and those who have given much bigger sums, so it averages out.

So doing a donation pattern calculation,assuming that the average yearly amount donated by a follower from overseas is we get:

If 4 million followers had donated a very minimum of $ 400 per year on an average, for a very minimum of 10 years only, we have a total of.......$ 16 BILLION DOLLARS !!!

Now, I fully realize that many of the people MAY NOT have donated $ 400 a year , and also that many people do donate at least $ 1000 a year, and considering these numbers have been assumed on the very low side as well as ONLY 10 years considered, we have arrived at this figure.

$ 16 BILLIONS ......... at least !!

The $ 16 Billion is a very rough estimate assuming very minimum number of "ordinary followers" donating very nominal sums over a stretch of time .

Now let us come to the 10 % of Sai Baba followers from overseas who can be considered to be "comfortably well off" financially. This is approximately 500,000. If these 500,000 followers accumulated over a period of 20 years, and each of them had AT LEAST given $5000 to $ 10,000 , very minimum 2 to 3 times over a period of 20 years, we can safely assume an average contribution of $ 20,000 for each person, over a 20 year period, this is a very conservative estimate, and is probably much more.

This makes the gradual contributions from "comfortable followers", over a 20 year period, AT LEAST $ 10 BILLION dollars !!

So, just the gradual contributions from overseas devotees , over a 20 year period will be very minimum in the range of $ 25 Billion to $ 30 Billion.

Let us now consider the properties, assets and other wealth 'bequeathed" to the Sai Baba trust by very wealthy devotees, in their wills.

This is a very difficult estimate to make, because there is no way of knowing who has given what, only the accountants in the Sai Baba central trust and the attorneys will know.

It is well known that many wealthy elderly followers of Sai Baba "make over" substantial assets to his trust in their wills. I had known several instances of old people bequeathing properties to the Sai Baba trust, in the range of $ 1 million to $ 20 million. There is also something called the delayed donation program, started since 1990, where followers "give over their property" to the Trust after their lifetimes, but continue to enjoy the benefits of this property during their lifetimes.

I have known several extremely wealthy followers in Germany, Sweden, Australia, United States, Japan, South Africa, UK , Canada, France etc... , having already participated in this kind of donation program.

As Sai Baba is erupted to have AT LEAST 5 million followers overseas, EVEN if we assume that very minimum 10000 such followers in the last 20 years were comfortably wealthy, easily affording to donate assets or properties over a 20 year period , worth $ 1 million dollars, we have a net worth of $ 10 Billions in assets and properties spread worldwide !!

This could well be appreciating in value and worth over the years, and I do know that there were many properties in the range of 100 acres to 300 acres of land given over to the Sai Baba Trust. It would all be worth a staggering amount, and what we are assuming here is a very low end of the scale.

This brings the Sai Baba Trust assets to a tune of $ 35 billion to $ 40 billion dollars !!!!

Nobody would know how much is stashed away, where, and in what ancillary trusts in various countries etc. Only half a dozen people in the Sai Baba Trust will ever know the true figures.

Remember , all this is only from Overseas devotees, and not counting Indian devotees.

While Indian devotees are not that wealthy by international standards, there are tens of thousands of devotees, who are far richer than overseas devotees, and do give huge sums. I know the ordinary Indian devotees do give a few thousands of rupees each year, while the wealthier ones donate houses, land etc.

After all this, what has the Sai Baba Trust really done ?? What costs they have of maintaining the Ashram ? All the work, including cleaning toilets is done by seva dals. The food is given at nominal rates, and prepared from rice, and other materials donated from neighboring states.

The 3 colleges are run , free of cost, and the students charged for food, hostel etc.

There are two hospitals (built on Govt. donated land) with subsidized, medical equipments and medical supplies from Govt., and doctors doing surgeries free.

The water project was done at a cost of $ 50 million dollars, and has been handed over to the Andhra State govt. for operations.

The sum total of ALL the "welfare activities" CANNOT be more than $ 200 - $ 250 million dollars , over the last 20 years, by any standards.

Even if my estimate of the Sai Baba org assets and donations( which was very conservative and reasonable) is terribly inaccurate, and two times overestimated, we still have the Sai Baba Trust worth at least $ 20 Billion dollars, very minimum.

All the money and other properties, MUST be somewhere.

The Indian politicians of course know this. Which is why they flock to Sai Baba and also "protect" him from any investigations.

The Overseas council presidents know this, which is why they "still have faith" in Sai Baba , and cover up the sexual molestations.

This is the story of the Sai Baba scam, in cold hard facts.

Thank you,

Hari Sampath.

Tantric corpse-eating in India

2009-01-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

The traditions of Tantrism in India vary from relatively harmless theological speculations to some of the vilest practices. Closely related to black magic and witchcraft, various Tantric superstitions infuse much of Indian religious thought among the less sophisticated masses. Such matters are regularly exposed by the Indian Skeptic magazine (Indian rationalists).

It is of note that the widely-worshipped guru, supposed avatar Sathya Sai Baba, who has many followers among the top Indian elite, believes in black magic and promotes Tantric ideas along with many other Indian doctrines!

CLICK ON ABOVE SCANNED IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Witchcraft in India

2008-12-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

Superstition institutionalized in India

Support for beliefs in witchcraft and black magic in India comes from many gurus, perhaps most notably the baba Satya Narayana Raju known as Sathya Sai Baba, who is supported right to the top of Indian society, including by P.M. Manoman Singh and by many former Prime Ministers and Presidents.

The Indian Skeptic continues to publish accounts of gruesome consequences of this belief for ordinary Indians throughout most parts of the sub-continent

Fulfilment of Prophesy - does Sathya Sai Baba fulfil prophesies?

2008-12-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

The point of this section is not to dispute Sai Baba's theology, but rather to point out that Sai Baba's reading of the Christian Bible, for example, is completely at variance with everyone else's reading of these passages, and that in some cases the passages he refers to are simply not to be found. If Sai Baba, or his defenders wish to argue that he knows better about these interpretations or what was actually said and lost almost 2000 years ago, this is not my concern. My point is only that he cannot cite these passages as if they were undisputed, clear references. In so far as one already believes that Sai Baba is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ or the Omnipotent Supreme Being Incarnate, one will have no difficulty in accepting that Sai Baba is right and everyone else is wrong. However if one has not already arrived at this conclusion, one cannot look to these passages as evidence that Sai Baba is Jesus Christ or God Incarnate.

Did Jesus Foretell Sai Baba's Arrival?

Sai Baba's Disclosure of the Miraculous Prophecy of Jesus:
Sai Baba's relationship with Jesus Christ becomes even clearer with his disclosure on Christmas Day 1972 of a certain event at the time that Jesus was dying. Speaking to a group of people at Puttaparthi that day, he (Sai Baba) said:

There is one point that I cannot but bring to your special notice today. At the time when Jesus was merging in the supreme principle of divinity, he communicated some news to his followers which has been interpreted in a variety of ways by commentators and by those who relish the piling of writings upon writings and meanings upon meanings, until it all swells up into a meaningless mass. The statement itself has been manipulated and tangled into a conundrum. The statement is simple:

"He who sent me among you will come again" and he pointed to a lamb. The lamb is merely a symbol, a sign. It stands for the voice (the sound of bleating) ba ba; the announcement was of the advent of Baba. "His name will be Truth," Christ declared. Sathya means Truth. "He wears a robe of red, a blood red robe" Christ said. (Here Sai Baba pointed to the robe he was wearing). Christ said, "He will be short, with a crown (of hair)" The lamb is the sign and symbol of love. Christ did not declare that he would come again, he said, "He who has sent me will come again" That ba ba is this Baba."
quoted in V. Kanu's Sai Baba, God Incarnate, p. 5.

Dietmar Neufeld's Analysis of Sai Baba's Claim:
The University Of British Columbia
Department Of Religious Studies
January 19, 1990

To whom this may concern:

In an attempt to legitimize his mission and person Sai Baba establishes continuity with Jesus by drawing on a spurious biblical statement disclosed "at the time when Jesus was merging in the supreme principle of Divinity" (Victor Kanu, Sai Baba: God Incarnate, 5). Sai Baba claims it as a prophetic albeit hidden reference to his name and a priori assumes that the name is a self designation and descriptive of his mission. Furthermore, Sai Baba contends that the `news communicated' by Jesus has been distorted because it has been `interpreted in a variety of ways by commentators and by those who relish the piling of writings upon writings and meanings upon meanings.' The statement, he suggests, is quite simple; "`He who sent me among you will come again', and he pointed to a lamb". Indeed, says Sai Baba, "Christ did not declare that he would come again," rather he said, "He who has sent me will come again." By implication the reader is erroneously led to believe that the statement was uttered by Jesus Christ, that it was commented upon in a variety of ways by many commentators, and that innumerable commentaries exist. Sai Baba, however, does not cite his sources. The supposedly simple remark attributed to Jesus is not uttered anywhere in the New Testament, but rather represents a distortion of what the author of the Fourth Gospel records Jesus to have said: "But now I go to the one having sent me" (John 16:5). Along with a number of other similar references (John 1:33; 8:18, 28; 14:3, 18; 20:21b) the writer of the Fourth Gospel overwhelmingly captures the sentiment of the other gospel writers, namely, Jesus was the one sent by the Father and he would come again (Matthew 24:3,27,37,39; I Thessalonians 3:13; cf. 2:19; I Corinthians 1:8; 15:23; II Thessalonians 2:1, et al). To my knowledge the commentaries to which he refers are nowhere to be found, unless he is alluding to New Testament commentators he feels have "manipulated and tangled the statement into a conundrum". Of course they could not have tangled the statement to which he refers since it does not exist in the New Testament. While the designation `lamb' appears frequently in the New Testament (John 1:29, 36; ...and 28 times in the Apocalypse) as a metaphorical reference to Jesus derived from the Old Testament (Isaiah 53:7,8) nowhere in the New Testament or the Hebrew scriptures is the `lamb' merely a symbol for the sound of bleating, namely, ba ba; the declaration by Christ that Sai Baba's name will be `truth' (Sathya). Whatever else Sai Baba may have thought and wherever he may have obtained the utterance it cannot be attributed to Jesus in order to validate that he is Sathya of which Jesus is the embodiment; i.e., that Sai Baba is the ultimate fulfilment of the one who was to come again.

Sincerely yours,
Dietmar Neufeld
Lecturer, New Testament Studies, (Ph.D. cand.)

It is also clear that the other quotes attributed by Sai Baba to Jesus are equally impossible to attribute to Jesus. These are: (1) "`His name will be Truth' Christ said." (2) " `He wears a robe of red, a blood red robe' Christ said." and (3) "Christ said, `He will be short, with a crown (of hair)'". These three statements clearly contain references to the contents of Revelations 19, and Kanu quotes the passage from Revelations and interprets it just prior to giving the quote of Sai Baba reproduced above to show the source. However Revelations does not purport to be presenting the words of Jesus, but rather of John of Patmos. In a typical introduction to the book of Revelations, we find:

NAB Introduction to Revelations:
The author of the book calls himself John (1, 1.4.9;22,8), who because of his Christian faith has been exiled to the rocky island of Patmos. Although he never claims to be the apostle of the same name, many of the early church Fathers so identified him. This identification is not altogether certain. Vocabulary, grammar, and style make it doubtful that the book could have been put into its present form by the person(s) responsible for the fourth gospel. Nevertheless, there are definite linguistic and theological affinities between the two books. The tone of the letters to the seven churches (1,4-3,22) is indicative of the great authority the writer enjoyed over the Christian communities in Asia. It is quite likely, therefore, that he was at least a disciple of the apostle John who also lived in that part of the world. The date of composition is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) a fierce persecutor of the Christians.

Editors, New American Bible, Thomas Nelson Inc., New Jersey,1966, p. 1380.

Let us examine the paraphrases given by Sai Baba against the passages from Revelations:

Sai Baba:
"`His name will be Truth', Christ declared" Rev: 19:11 :
"And I saw heaven opened, and as I looked on, a white horse appeared; its rider was called, `The Faithful and True'. Given that this was a vision given to John, the author of Revelations, Sai Baba's claim "`His name will be Truth' Christ declared" is incorrect.
Sai Baba:
"`He wears a robe of red, a blood red robe', Christ said" Rev: 19:13:
"He wore a cloak that had been dipped in blood, and his name was the Word of God". Sai Baba is mistaken in his attribution to Jesus here as well. There is a significant difference between wearing a cloak dipped in blood and wearing a red robe.
Sai Baba: "Christ said, `He will be short, with a crown (of hair)'" Rev: 19: 12:
"On his head were many diadems"("..on his head were many crowns"--the translation Kanu gives). Aside from the great leap from diadems or crowns to ringlets of hair, this is not a quote which is attributable to Christ. And nowhere is there a reference in the Revelations passage or in the Christian materials to a prophecy in which Christ says, "He will be short"!

Sai Baba's sloppiness with the materials is equalled only by the inattention of his devotees. Even Kanu introduces the prophecy in the following terms:

Kanu's Discussion of the Prophecy:

"In Chapter 19, Saint John saw the vision of the Deliverer who was to come again and save mankind from the slippery pathway to self-destruction. That Deliverer is Sri Sathya Sai Baba, for Saint John's vision was as follows: "And I saw heaven opened..."
(Kanu, ibid., p. 3)

Mohammed's Prediction of Sai Baba's Arrival

A prophesy supposedly given by the prophet Mohammed is sometimes quoted as alluding to Sai Baba. This prophecy refers to 27 features of a future teacher, who will be short, whose hair will be profuse, face cleanshaven, with a mole on the cheek, flaming clothes, who will give gifts that are light in weight, etc. The paraphrase of the prophecy also states:

The Prophesy from Mohammed:
Asked by his deciples whether he, Mohammed, was not "the master of the world," he said he was not, and that no prophet of God who had ever come to this world had come with the power with which he would come.

Soham, Feb. 1988 p. 19. Reprinted from Sathya SaiNewsletter, Fall 1983.

This prophecy is found, according to the Sai literature, in the 14th edition of the discourses of Mohammed in 25 volumes, called The Ocean Of Light, specifically, vol 13, "Mehedi Moudi". I have been unable to find any bibliographic reference to this collection, and have been advised that it is not part of the standard collections of the discourses of Mohammed. Moreover the contents of this prophecy are out of keeping with the general spirit of Mohammed's teaching. The book and its prophecy was supposedly stumbled upon somewhere in a near Eastern bookstore. Without a reliable historiographic treatment of the supposed document, there is no point in even beginning to look at the connections or lack of them between the figure supposedly prophesied by Mohammed and the life of Sai Baba. Needless to say, this treatment does not, at present, exist.

Conclusion

After wading through this collection of claims made by or on behalf of Sai Baba and the critics' responses, the reader should be in a position to reach his or her own conclusion about Sai Baba. Mine is based on the adage proposed by Marcello Truzzi, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof". The proponents of Sai Baba simply have not met this standard.

We might end with this "not proven" verdict. However, this would be too weak. We must remember that the onus of proof is not on the person who wishes to deny a claim, but on the person who makes it in the first place. The claim that Sai Baba has paranormal powers is no exception to this rule; and I think I have examined the best evidence put forward, and found it unconvincing. In fact, in §85 my magician colleagues have pointed out visible evidence of sleight of hand passed off as genuine paranormal power. The videotape we examined is available to anyone who wants to examine it for herself.

Reports by investigative journalists

2008-12-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

Jens Sethi of Munich was sexually molested in a way he commonly does, as reported in the German 'Bild' of Munich on 21st August, 2000 (scan above)
Translation of text:-

RESIDENT FROM MUNICH RAN AWAY FROM INDIA -
GURU ALL OF A SUDDEN WANTS SEX

By Wolfgang Ranft

MUNICH - Jens Sethi was young, naive, full of religious expectations. In 1988 this resident from Munich who worked that time in a printing office travelled to India the land of the Hindu Gurus. The 24-year-old man was looking for new spiritual fulfillment. He found, what he was looking for. Sethi succumbed to the fascination of a Guru who was already 62-years old that time: Sathya Sai Baba. "I was totally fascinated by the Aura of Sai Baba", he says today. "I surrendered in a way that I was mainly concentrating on him." Every year he travelled together with his wife for four or six weeks to the Ashram of Sai Baba. During the festival time more than 20 000 devotees gather there.

The fascination remained for Sethi just an external moment as he never could approach the Guru during the first years. This happened only in October 1996 when Sethi finally decided to go to India where he settled down in Puttaparthi close to the Ashram. During the daily pilgrim-meeting he was called for an interview by the Guru, the utmost a pilgrim can expect within the Ashram. Sethi enjoyed his good luck. He, one of those rare devotees, who has been personally selected by the Guru.

But the conversation took a different course than he expected. Sethi appeared together with his wife. The Guru was outraged and has sent the woman away. Alone in the room the old man started to kiss the man from Munich, stroke him and went into the trousers. Shocked but still full of faith and naivety Sethi accepted two other meetings some month later. Again the Guru kissed him and finally touched his genitals.

Only then the young man ran away back to Germany. It took him three years to overcome the crisis and to separate himself mentally from his spiritual guide. During that time he did investigations in the internet and came to know about other young men from UK, Sweden, USA who underwent a fate of similar experiences.

Only this summer he did the final step to escape from the spell under the Guru: He brought a charge against Sathya Sai Baba at the public prosecutor´s office in Munich - because of sexual molestation.
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INDIAN EXPRESS, BOMBAY, 23-6-93

No breakthrough yet in Sai Baba case

Express News Service

BANGALORE - Even though a strong contingent of CID sleuths headed by Inspector General of Police Anantha Sayana Reddy and Deputy Inspector General of Police (CID) Ramachandraiah are leaving no stone unturned in the sensational Puttaparthi case, they are yet to stumble on any substantiative clues leading them to unravel the conspiracy.

While a section of the investigating officers are hopeful that they would be in a position to make a breakthrough shortly, others are sceptical about the outcome of the entire exercise as they feel that the very premises from which they have started their investigation is wrong.

They feel that at present the investigation is based on the contents of the First Information Report and the contents of it are not stated to be correct. If the investigation continuous on the same lines, they fear, either the investigation will not lead them anywhere or help only in covering up the conspiracy hatched to do away with Sai Baba.

A section of the middle level investigating officers also opined that the four slain alleged assailants and the two absconding were not the real culprits but someone else. In order to cover up their crime they might have framed up the four innocent boys they opined.

At Bangalore, while the IG Ananthasayana Reddy and DIG Ramachandraiah are jointly working on their own, without giving a hint at what they are doing or what results are accruing, the middle level officers and lower level officers are working as they are being instructed by the bosses. __ _______

THE HINDU, COIMBATORE, JUNE 24, 1993.

A.P. police chief denies suspect was found

From Our Staff Reporter •____________•

ANANTAPUR, June 23: The Inspector-General of Police (CID-Andhra Pradesh), Mr. P. Ananthasayana Reddy, today denied that a search team had found Boyapati Ravi Babu, a prime suspect in the Puttaparthi case, in an unconscious state in the jungles near Prasanti Nilayam; as reported in newspapers on Tuesday.

The Inspector-General told this reporter at Bangalore on Wednesday that the report was 'false' as police and CID teams had checked hospitals in Puttaparthi to find out if there was anyone matching the description of Ravi Babu but none had been found.

Mr. Reddy, while officially denying the report, suspected that "someone who had vested interests" was indulging in this "misinformation”.

For the past three weeks, CID officials from Andhra Pradesh have been camping at Bangalore, trying to pick up threads which would "help them solve the mystery of the June 6 incident inside Prasanti Nilayam.

THE H1TAVADA, NAGPUR, 24-6-1993

Cops 'hired' to silence Sai assailants?

(From K. Shreedhar Rao)

HYDERABAD, June 23: The happenings in the abode of controversial Godman Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, took an intriguing turn, with the revelation that the four assailants, who made an alleged attempt on the godman's life were mercilessly killed by the armed policemen at the instance of some important functionaries of the Satya Sai Trust.

The vernacular press on Wednesday morning, quoting eyewitness accounts, came out with damning evidence against the trust authorities. The news reports alleged that the police had resorted to this, to hush up the truth.

It is said that the four assailants, who locked themselves up in a room in Prashanti Nilayam were shot dead by the policemen, without any provocation. A sincere and serious inquiry by the Government would reveal all the facts that led to the attack on Sai Baba and the subsequent killings. But it remains to be seen, how far the State Government, would pursue the matter.

Eyewitness accounts said the commotion, which began in the ashram around 6.30' p.m. on the evening of June 6, was followed almost immediately by the wailing of sirens. Residents ofthe neighbourhood and even the police believed to have got the impression that some thieves had entered Prashanti Nilayam, an eyewitness, working in a place nearby, told journalists at Puttaparthi. In an attempt to apprehend the 'thieves', four constables entered the Baba's abode. The villagers, who had gathered in front of the ashram, found the gates ofthe Nilayam closed.

The constables, reportedly, headed back for the police station returning later with reinforcements, in the meantime, the assailants had stabbed dead two Ashram volunteers Radhakrishnaand Sai Kumar Mahajan. Two others, Vishnu Bhat and Anil Potle, sustained injuries in the scuffle that ensued. When the gates opened, the villagers rushed in only to find the police 'doing nothing'. The eyewitness said the killers had locked themselves up in a room. The Circle Inspector and a Sub-Inspector were attempting to gain access to the first floor with the help of a ladder since the door to the staircase was locked. An ambulance, summoned by one of the villagers, also reached the spot.

When the villagers, inquired ofthe blood stained Seva Dal volunteers, as to what the matter was kept mum and went back into the Nilayam, it is said. As the police reached the room, where the assailants had locked themselves, there was a temporary lull and observers were told that the assailants were being held captive in the room. Sai Baba was taken to the green room, from the mandir by Seva Dal volunteers and people were asked to get back to their houses. The volunteers thereafter formed a human chain around mandir to bar entry. It is said that the mandir wore the look of a battle field, with rods, sticks and swords strewn all over.

After 11 p.m., police officers held discussions with the authorities ofthe Sai Trust. Several police officers had shuttled between Prashanti Nilayam and the police station.

Around 1.30 in the night the Nilayam reverberated with the sound of gun fire. About 20 rounds were fired the eye-witness told the press. The dead bodies were taken to Penukonda Hospital in the wee hours of June 7. The police officials later cooked up a story saying that the four assailants had attempted to attack the police party and in self defence, the cops had to open fire.

The post-mortem report revealed that all me assailants had died due to bullet wounds. The bullets had penetrated into chests, brain and eyes at point blank range. Only the 303 rifle, has the power to send a bullet right through the body. The inquest also con-finned that there were no other injuries. The circumstantial evidence suggests that the police shot at the assailants, who had surrendered to them, and lends credence to the theory that the assailants were not carrying lethal weapons and never attempted an attack on the police force. It is believed that everything had taken place with the total approval and at the behest of top functionaries of the Satya Sai Baba Trust With the killing of the foursome, there is hardly any chance of truth even coming out

The story that some policemen were injured in the attack by the assailants, has few takers. It is said that when the police attempted to break open the door of the room, where the assailants were hiding, the bolt gave in leaving a gaping hole in the door. Whether it was possible to attack the police through the hole, is a question only Sai Baba can answer.

Attempts too have been made by some interested persons to have special awards presented to the policemen for their heroic deeds. -

INDIAN EXPRESS, COIMBATORE, JUNE 24, 1993

Sai Baba case: suspect not found

Express News Service

BANGALORE - The Inspector General of Police Ananthasayana Reddy has denied the reports appearing in a section of the press that one of the prime suspects in the Puttaparthi case Boyapati Ravindranath alias Ravi Babu, has been found.

It was reported in some newspapers that Ravindranath was found by a police search party in the hilly region near Puttaparthy in an unconscious state and that he was handed over to the CID.

Reddy told newsmen here on Wednesday that inquiries had been made and the police searched all hospitals in Puttaparthy and those in the neighbouring villages to locate the person who was 'found in an unconscious state' but found no clue.

Reddy said the police will not shield anybody involved in the attempted attack on Sai Baba.

Reddy and deputy inspector general of police (CID) Ramachandraiah who are supervising the investigation said that though they had made a headway in the investigation, they were not prepared to disclose any information at mis stage as it may help the culprits tamper with evidence.

THE HINDU, COIMBATORE & VISHAKAPATNAM, JUNE 25,1993.

Key witnesses in Sai Baba case undergo medical examination

From Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, June 24: The two persons injured in the June 6 incident at Prasanti Nilayam, 85 km from here involving an attempt on the life of Satya Sai Baba allegedly by four of his devotees, were on Wednesday taken to the Government Hospital at Penukonda, 69 km from here, for what officials termed a "formal medical examination."

Anil Patley and Vishnu Bhatt, aides of Sai Baba, convalescing at the Super Specialities Hospital of the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Puttaparthi, were taken to a Government hospital, because it was a "medico-legal case". After examination for about 25 minutes, they were taken back, escorted by Satya Sai Seva Dal volunteers and police.

The two are prime witnesses and are being kept in the intensive care unit of the Super Specialities Hospital. They sustained numerous stab injuries when the four assailants allegedly pounced on them on that dark evening, inside the private chambers of Sri Sai Baba. They have been examined by CID officials on two occasions but what they might have revealed is still being kept a "closely-guarded secret." Police chief denial: The inspector General of Police (CID-Andhra Pradesh), Mr. P. Ananthasayana Reddy, on Wednesday denied that a search team had found Boyapati Ravi Babu, a prime suspect in the Puttaparthi case, in an unconscious state in the jungles near Prasanti Nilayam, as reported in newspaper on Tuesday.

INDIAN EXPRESS, COIMBATORE, 25-6-1993

Notice to Chavan to probe 'bid' on Baba

ENS Legal Bureau

NEW DELHI- A legal notice was issued on Thursday to Union Home Minister S.B. Chavan for instituting within a fortnight an impartial inquiry into the alleged June 6 attack on the Sai Baba of Puttaparthi and as to how the Sai Baba has amassed an empire worth Rs.6000 crore.

The notice sent by Supreme Court advocate K.N. Balgopal on behalf of B. Premanand, Convenor for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, states that the inquiry must be done by a CBI official or a judge who is not a devotee of the Sai Baba.

The notice points out that Chavan himself is a devotee but he is bound under the Constitution to uphold the rule of law. If no such inquiry is ordered then Premanand would be forced to take necessary legal action at the cost of Chavan.

The notice points out that Chavan had shown an alacrity in rushing to Puttaparthi by a special plane after the alleged attack when he had not done this when Bombay was burning The five page legal notice shows how Premanand has sought to Prosecute the Sai Baba under the Gold Control Act by producing even a cassette of his so-called magic powers of producing necklaces at the marriage of the daughter of a Supreme Court judge who herself exposed the heppening. It also points out the large and powerful political following of the Sai Baba who has been challenge on his various claims by Mr. Premanand.

He beats holy men at their own game

2008-11-07T04:17:00.000-08:00

by Jeevan Mathew Kurian Kozhikode, June 13 (IANS)
Published in the Indian Skeptic Vol.21 No.6 15-10-2008

He walks barefoot over glowing embers, conjures up sacred ash with a wave of his hand or produces gold chains in the twinkle of an eye. But Narendra Nayak is no holy man professing magical powers - in fact he is their nemesis.

Nayak is the current president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations. Once a professor of biochemistry, he quit the job to devote his life to exorcising superstition from society.

’I demonstrate to people that many of the acts by holy men are just tricks and can be executed by anyone,’ says Karnataka-based Nayak who was here at the invitation of local rationalists. ‘It is a sleight of hand,’ he explains, showing the trick of producing a chain out of thin air.

Nayak, 58, a native of Mangalore, quit his job at the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, in 2006. In the last 18 years, he has conducted around 3,000 demonstrations across the country to expose witchcraft, black magic and fake godmen - the term commonly used in India for holy men who woo followers by doing the seemingly impossible.

His observations on ‘the relationship between beliefs and happenings’ led Nayak to rationalism. It was his association with famous rationalist Abraham T. Kovoor that gave him the first experience of the rationalist movement in the mid-1970s. Nayak has since travelled abroad extensively, giving interviews and taking part in talk shows.

’Superstition is there everywhere. Abroad it comes out in more subtle forms like colour therapy or numerology. You won’t see a British prime minister falling at the feet of a godman.

’But in India, it is blatant. They produce sacred ash or a gold chain from thin air to fool people. Some of them even get away with crimes like murders,’ Nayak told IANS in an interview.

Nayak has been to villages where those accused of black magic have been lynched. The victims are mostly women. The attackers usually cut the victim’s hair, break their teeth and smear them with human faeces to weaken their so-called magical powers. Sometimes the victims are even killed and burned.’ On many occasions, he has gone to villages at the invitation of the police to enlighten people.

He says one of the reasons for superstition was wrong education. ‘We give only literacy but no education,’ he says.

’Nowadays, 21st century technology is being imposed on a 16th century mental set-up. We now have internet advertisements on ‘ek mukhi rudrakhsa’ (sacred bead) or ‘vaastu’ (Indian treatise on the construction of buildings).’

He says influential godmen are seemingly above the law. To stop superstitions and godmen, laws should be applied equally to all. ‘The country also lacks comprehensive laws to control these practices.’

Before the Karnataka assembly elections last month, Nayak offered Rs.200,000 each to five people who could predict the results. The challenge was mainly intended for astrologers. ’I got 200 entries. The contestants were to answer 25 questions. To win the prize at least 21 of them had to be correct.’

He even allowed a 10 percent margin of error on the number of seats for political parties and votes polled by important candidates.

’The maximum number of correct answers was nine. That was done by a woman who is not an astrologer. She said she used the results of opinion polls to answer the questions. However, the maximum scored by an astrologer was only four,’ said Nayak.

He is happy that the tide of fortune has turned against godmen in Kerala who face action from the government. On May 13, Santhosh Madhavan alias Swami Amrithachaithanya was arrested in Kochi for alleged rape and possession of narcotics and pornographic films. After the incident, complaints against godmen started pouring in from various parts of the state, prompting the government to initiate a statewide crackdown. ’The momentum of this drive should remain and cleanse society of godmen as well as superstitions,’ says Nayak.

Citizen Initiative by Kevin R.D. Shepherd

2008-11-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

New material on the Sai Exposure at his new website - see here
Kevin R. D. Shepherd (born 1950) is a British writer. He has composed diverse books ranging from Psychology in Science (1983) to Pointed Observations (2005). He created the small independent publishing imprint known as Citizen Initiative,

On his original website at citizen initiative (click here) Kevin R.D. Shepherd discusses the Sai Baba issue.

That website relates to new spirituality, which K.R.D. Shepherd sees as too often exploitative rather than remedial. Not least this is the case with Sathya Sai Baba, Shepherd maintains. He resorts to scholarly and professorial data instead of popular writer output. Among other weighty cult-related analysis and criticism - the site includes critical data about Sathya Sai Baba and the campaign of defenders to discredit in any way possible critics and/or former followers of Sai Baba.

Quotation from his website: "Internet revelations since the year 2000 have seriously upset the image of the “miracle guru” and the “social benefactor guru.” The miracles of Sathya Sai Baba have been exposed as trickery and sleight of hand, while the popular role of benefactor is gravely compromised by strongly alleged behind the scenes activities of sexual abuse. It was obvious that American devotees now feared the Wikipedia link with websites associated with Robert Priddy and other ex-devotees who have expressed many complaints at the movement (or Organisation) which they view as a cult."
Kevin R.D. Shepherd also has the following web sites http://citizeninitiative.com and http://kevinrdshepherd.info/
See also Kevin Shepherd' blog

Article from Tehelka - Swami Premananda, Sai Baba etc.

2008-10-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Holy ghost! Unholy fathers

Three godmen in one month, charged for raping, killing. Gullible victims, a society steeped in spirituality. The gory trail.

By Chinmayee Manjunath

God Game: (top) Gnyanachaitanya and Premananda (below) Chandraswami, Sai Baba
In the past month, two godmen have been charged of sexual molestation. Swami Premananda in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu has been accorded life imprisonment and Swami Gnyanachaitanya in Kottakal, Kerala was arrested and is now on bail. These are just additions to a list of famous names, accused of similar charges. Chandraswami. Sathya Sai Baba. Yet, in a society steeped in the spiritual, no amount of sordid cases seems to taint the lure of ochre.

In early April, the Supreme Court accorded 57-year-old Swami Premananda a double life sentence. He was convicted of 13 rapes and a murder in his ashram in Tiruchi. Premananda moved to India in 1984 from Matale in Jaffna. He claims to have discovered his “spiritual powers” at 18 when “a great spiritual vibration entered the prayer room and my white robes slowly turned to orange.”

With his uncanny resemblance to the Sathya Sai Baba, Premananda’s popularity grew in Tiruchy and by 1989 his ashram was sprawled across 150 acres, had branches in 15 countries, and an international youth wing.

Like the Sai Baba, Premananda’s repertoire included creating vibhuti but his speciality was producing lingams from his abdomen. Vasuki, of the Chennai wing of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (aidwa), says, “He was very popular, the ashram continues to be so.” But in 1997, the aidwa was approached by two disciples, Sureshkumari and Lata, who complained of being raped and reported the murder of Ravi, an ashram inmate who had threatened to expose him.

Medical tests confirmed the habitual rape of 13 girls. One of them, Aruljothi, was pregnant and a dna test established Premananda’s paternity. Ravi’s body, which had been buried in the ashram, was also found. Premananda and his secretary, Kamalananda, were jailed; the latter also given a double life sentence.

Doris, a European, now manages the ashram. “Swamiji is a great innocent master,” she says. “He has been painted as a black devil by the media. He never raped anyone.” Then why has he been convicted? “Because no one will listen to our truth,” she snaps.

The truth, in most cases, seems to stay buried out of fear.

Sathya Sai Baba and Television

2008-10-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

by Marco Cagnotti Caflish from Scienza & Paranormale, year IV, n.l
(translated from the Italian)

On the evening of Tuesday 3th December 1991 the National Italian language Swiss Television Channel broadcast a documentary entirely devoted to Sai Baba as part of the Thesis, Issues and Witnesses programme.
The portrayal of this Indian Marabout was completely biased, taking for granted the truth of his alleged "miracles".

Sai Baba had been seen producing "vibhuti", a kind of ash that it is said he is able to create out of thin air ( even by proxy when his photographs are used !) Sai Baba also materialised other objects such as valuable rings encrusted with diamonds.
After this a Dane woman suffering from cancer witnessed her miraculous healing after being admitted to Sai Baba's presence in India. In addition S. Bhagavantam, a known Indian physicist, also declared these "miracles" as real and unexplainable by science. S. H. Sandweiss a teacher of psychiatry in San Diego University witnessed the healing of one of his (her?) patient's thanks to Sai Baba and various other people have also spoken on behalf of Sai Baba.

In my opinion, the most outrageous thing has been the ensuing discussion that followed the documentary. The panel included, besides a journalist and a moderator, P. Roche de Coppens, a sociologist and religious expert, Don Mario Mazzoleni a clergyman and theologian and (...wait for it) Paola Giovetti, introduced to the audience as a "well-known parapsychology researcher".

I must admit to being a great admirer of Paola Giovetti. I am a faithful reader of her column in the Italian magazine "Astra" since it gives me great satisfaction to see Signora Giovetti constantly reaffirming my favourite Italian saying "Bad things can always get worse" and I always try not to miss her TV appearances.

The discussion opened with Signora Giovetti quoting a number of other materialisations performed by trance induced mediums. She drew attention to the case of the Italian medium Roberto Setti that had allegedly materialised for her a finely crafted shrine containing a shred of the mantle of the Virgin Mary. Giovetti's explanation of this sort of phenomenon had been a rigmarole on the possibility of de-materialising objects using the mind, transforming the matter that constitute these objects into energy (even Einstein stated that matter-energy transformation is possible didn't he?) and then materialising again the same things wherever we like. Evidently Giovetti doesn't seem to have the slightest idea of the magnitude of energy that would be obtained by the complete transformation of only few grams of matter.

Later we heard the opinion of the sociologist and religious expert who gave the impression to be more a Sai Baba's follower than a balanced and disenchanted scholar. The last to speak was Don Mario Mazzoleni, who left me feeling terribly bewildered: I wonder how he is able to reconcile being a Roman Catholic priest with what he says about Sai Baba. To the question "Who is Sai Baba?" Don Mazzoleni answered "I could state that Sai Baba is God, but before we need to know who God is" How are we supposed to know better, if he is the theologian? Don Mazzoleni issued another statement worth stressing: "Science bows down to Sai Baba presence—science bows down on its knees".

'With the greatest respect I would say to Don Mazzoleni that in Sai Baba's presence he could fall to his knees, if he likes but that science doesn't kneel to anybody. Science limits itself to observation of facts and to building some theoretical models that suit them. It is necessary, though, that these facts are real and that the phenomena have really been observed. Is that the case with Sai Baba? Quite the opposite. Should we be impressed by an Indian Marabout that materialises heaps of dust from an um? If that is the case should we not also admit a miracle when the Italian conjurer Silvan draws rabbits and pigeons out of his hat. Even the testimonies of the well-known scientists have not true weight. We know very well how regularly honest researchers have attested in good faith the authenticity of certain unexplainable phenomenon made by first rate swindlers. Because of their inexperience and unability in discovering tricks, those scientists had later to retract their assertions when those tricksters were caught out by a conjuring expert.

I don't want to bore the reader further with the detail of all the other nonsense I had to listen to during the discussion. I would like to end with a consideration: there is a lot of fuss about the minimal spread of scientific popular culture. An understandable but comprehensive popularisation is badly needed and the mass media, particularly television, should take charge of it. I dread to imagine what the opinion of the average TV viewer would be, after a programme that in a matter of fact way takes for granted that is possible to materialise things out of thin air.

Intellectual honesty should at least present, beside the (so called) experts of one side, somebody representing science (the real one) as well as a skeptical and rational standpoint as well. In fact at the end of the discussion, to the question: "Who is Sai Baba in your opinion?" Paola Giovetti answered "I think that he is what he says he is, a divine incarnation...". Sai Baba's words. We can trust them, can't we Signora. Giovetti?

N.B: At the IV Euroskeptics Conference held in St. Vincent on the 17th-19th July 1992 a report was given by B. Premanand a Indian that devoted years pursuing Indian marabous and disclosing the clever tricks used by most of them to deceive their followers . Particularly he feigned for months to be a Sai Baba's disciple till he understood all the skilled conjurer's methods. Recently he was beaten up by some fanatics and has being recovering after a period of time in hospital. Premanand at St Vincent showed how to handle fire, eat glass, pierce your arm with needles, stop the heart beating and produce apparently enormous amounts of "vibhuti" (the holy ash that Sai Baba get from perfumed starch and sometimes dried cow dung... !). Now even your affectionate area manager is able to stop his heartbeat.

Sathya Sai Baba's birthdate in question

2008-07-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

Indian Skeptic - June - 2008

LOVE IS MY FORM • A BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES ON SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
VOLUME ONE - THE ADVENT (1926 - 1950)
R.PADMANABAN - SAI TOWERS PUBLISHING, BANGALORE 2000

RSNR AKA SSB's BIRTHDAY CONSPIRACY

PAGE NOS. 128 fit 129. SATHYANARAYANA RAIU AT SCHOOL PUTAPARTHI

In the Attendance Register of the Government aided Elementary school at Puttaparthi, Sathyanarayana Raju (with Admission Number 154) is listed as being a student of the II Standard in the school year 1936-1937. Calculating accordingly, one would assume his school years at the Elementary School at Puttaparthi to be:

1935-1936 - I Standard
1936-1937- II Standard
1937-1938 - ill Standard
1938-1939 - IV Standard
1939-1940 - V Standard

Interestingly, according to the Attendance Register,- there were only 2 students in the II Standard- Sathya and B.Babaiya. According to a retired school teacher - and Sathya's former schoolmate, Talipinerii Kesappa-elementary schools in those days had I to V standards. The subjects usually taught included Telugu,Science,Mathematics, History Geography and Moral Instruction.

Among other teachers hi the school were an untrained teacher, R. Venkatasubha Raju and a qualified teacher R. Venkatarama Raju (both relatives of Sathya).

After Elementary School, a student usually went to a Higher Elementary School. This had classes from VI to VIII Standards. Most schools, however, had classes from I standard as well. All these classes [standards] did not have English as a subject. Only when English was offered as a subject were they called 'Forms'. One had to appear privately and pass an English test. Only then, would one be admitted into Form One.

According to the Elementary School system, Sathya would have been certified for qualification to join the Form One, in the Board Middle school in Kamalapuram, on the 11" of June 1940. Seshama Raju's influence as a Telugu teacher would have been useful. Subject taught in Form One were: Telugu, English,Mathematics, Science and Geography. Carpentry and Weaving were optional subjects. Scouting was compulsory in Form One. Sathya passed Form One. Just before the examination he would have gone to attend the Pushpagiri cattle fair as a Boy Scout, for he had by then 'surrendered' his books-sold them to an incoming student at a 'used book' price. Sathya's guardian and host, his elder brother, Seshama Raju, was being transferred out of Kamalapuram. The required Transfer Certificate, which Sathya obtained or the 20" June 1941, carried the No.28/4 I/Admission No.245 and had the remark "Yes qualified for promotion".

His teachers at Kamalapuram were: D.Mehboob Khan, who taught English and Social Science; V.Pullachari, who was the Drill and Drawing Master; Ushaf Mia Khan, who taught Mathematics; Chappalli Visweswaraiah, who taught Telugu; and Konda Reddy, who taught Geography.

BUKKAPATNAM
At Bukkapatnam, Sathya joined the VIII,Standard for the Elementary school Leavmg . Certificate [ESLC] Course on the 5th July 1941. His name 'Sathyanarayana' is entered under Serial No. 466 of the Admission Register (page number 16). He did the Form One in Middle School at Kamalapuram and later joined the Higher Elementary School at Bukkapatnam (which is lower in standard) in VIII Standard and, hence, must have received a waiver for VII Standard. VII Standard, however, was not equal to Form One. Here, the subjects taught were Telugu, English, Mathematics General Science and Social Science, among others.

In the normal circumstances. Elementary School was from I Standard to V Standard; Middle or Higher Elementary School was from VI to VIII Standards; and High School was from IX to XI Standards.

Kandalam Seshacharulu was his Headmaster. Other teachers were M. V J. Rathnam (Drillmaster), Lakshmaiah, Mehboob Khan, B. C, Subbannachar English) and V.C. Kondappa (Telugu). Sathya's school records at Bukkapatnam indicate that, in 1942, he was not allowed to take the ESLC examination as he did not have minimum required attendance at school. The remark says 'Removed'- which could mean that he sought transfer to join elsewhere. This could be because his brother had secured a post in Uravakonda and also because his incendiary compositions may have made him the centre of trouble at Bukkapatnam town. He was kept out of circulation by elders for quite some time m Bukkapatnam - Baba mentions this to Hislop, as recorded in Conversations with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This may be the reason for his shortage of attendance.

All of the 41 students, who attended the ESLC exam, failed. (Sathya joked that they had all failed because they had gone to take the examinations without him.) He left the school on the 6th of April 1942.

5.7.1941 joined VII standard 6.4.1942 left the school.

URAVAKONDA
Sathya joined Sri Karibasavaswami District Board High Sdiool,Uravakonda, on the 1" of July 1943 in Form Three (vide School Admission Register, page no. 41). The name R. Sathyanarayana appears, with the. Registration No. 422.

There were two Sections in Form Three. Sathya was in Section 'B'. Sathya had to bring a Transfer Certificate from the Bukkapatnam School, in order to be admitted to Urvakonda in the Form Three. Getting admission to Form Three, after Form One, without having cleared VIII Standard at Bukkapatnam is not possible. It would be assumed that he must have been engaged in private study to nuke himself eligible. In addition, since his elder brother was a Telugu teacher in the school, his good offices might have been useful.

The teachers for various subjects at Uravakonda, were H. S. Venkataramana (Science), Thammiraju (Mathematics),N. Peraraju (Telugu), Abdul Rahman (Geography), Chidambaraiah (secondary grade teacher teaching Social Science), Peeraraju Rao (English) and Basavanna Goud (History and Scouting). T. Lakshmipathi was the Headmaster.

Each desk was meant for three students. Many claim to have been his deskmates. Most agree that Koti Reddy and Narayan Raju were deskmates of Sathya at Uravakonda. Honnurappa also claims to have been his deskmate.

There is no entry in the school records of Sathya leaving the School. The attendance Register of the Government aided Elementary school, Puttaparthy for the month of September (Page 40 K 41 of LOVE IS MY FORM) shows him studying in 2"" class corresponding to Admit No.154. There were only 2 students in IInd class.

On page 68 Sathya's transfer certificate No.28/41 Admission No.245 date of birth is shown as 4.10.1929 joined first form on 11.6.1940, transfer certificate dated 20.6.1941 with remark “Yes qualified for promotion."

On page 69 is the register of admission of the samithi Elementary school, Bukkapatnam Admit No.466 the register records his joining VIII standard on 5.7.1941 and discontinuing on 6.4.1942 with date of birth 4.10.1929 and remarks "Exemption not given for 8th standard Public Exams - Removed.

Page 132 of LIMF
The page 41 of the Register of general withdrawals shows that Sathya was admitted in the Karibasavaswami District Board High School Uravakonda as admit No.422 on 1.7.1943. This is from the Register of withdrawals. When TC is given to all other students Sathyanarayana just absconded from the school and without taking the TC. There was a mistake in the date of birth as 4.10.1939 which was rectified later.
In this register the date of birth of the 14 students except of three are all different. Though Sathyanarayana's name was in the register he did not attend the school regularly and left the school without even collecting his TC.

When all the school records of RSNR from the 1" standard shows that his birthday is 4.10.1929 except the Uravakonda register of general withdrawals where his name is there but he did not take the TC while all other students took Transfer certificate it is dear that he did not attend the Uravakonda school, and his name might have been entered with the belief that he will change. Naturally the general withdrawal register is not filled up when the students join the school but when he leaves the school. So when the person who filled the register would have made the mistake. If one reads the date of TC issued one can find that they are issued on different dates months and years.

One thing is very clear that RSNR's viswaroopa nor the editors of the book Love is my Form have carefully gone through this register which is not the admission register but withdrawal register which is filled up when the student leaves the institution.
In page 87 of LIMF it is sited that at Uravakonda RSNR did not ultimately complete his class but left it midway in order to embark on his spiritual mission. Again it is noted that sojourn at Uravakonda was a very short period of study.

It should be noted that when Karnam Subbamma and Karnam Kamalamma under Document No.553 of 1945 gifted lands for the Sai Baba Mandiram in favour of Sri Sathyanarayana Raju the age of RSNR was not mentioned and so the gift deed without mentioning the age become, illegal as no gift deed can be made in the name of a minor so there would have been a query about the age of the donee and to prove that RSNR is major the first birthday celebrations were conducted in 23.11.1946 at Puttaparthi and there is no mention on record till then that RSNR was born on 23.11.1926 (see page 331) 579 of LIMF (sale deed page 242 of LIMF). The sale deed cannot be rectified as Subbamma died on 25.11.1945.

1. From 1935 1" standard there is proof till 1944 That RSNR's birth date is 4.10.1929 as per the school registers.

2. About the birth date of 23.11.1926 a Horoscope in English is published on page 30 of LIMF and there is no other proof at all. It is just a page from a book or printed for the book and no record of .the astrologer or his address "or the date on which it is prepared. The Horoscope seems to be a planned one prepared after Prof. N.Kasturi joined RSNR as his secretary. Moreover as per the letter from the Registrar of Hindu Religious Endowment Board all the records registered with them by RSNR up to 1960 are missing in the office.

Except the mention on (Page 19 of LIMF) that Pedda Vankama Raju sought out a venerable Shastri (scholar) in Bukkapatnam ( a nearby village) in whose words he had faith. The sastri stated that these occurrences were auspicious omens signified the presence of Shakti a beneficent power that would confer harmony and joy on the family. Even here it was not mentioned that the horoscope (Kundaly) was prepared by him and biodata of the Shastri.

Page 233 of LIMF For the first time RSNR celebrates his birthday on 22.11.1946
Page 242 of LIMF also Page 579 of LIMF

1. Sale deed document date 553 of 1945 by Karnam Subbamma and Karnam Kamalamma to Sathyanarayana date 20.7.1945 Bukkapatnam.

2. Sale deed settlement document No.526 of 1947 Doddumane Sakkamma to Sri Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Baba 24.7.1947 Bukkapatnam.

3. Sale deed document No.23 of 1950 Kadiyala Sanjeevaiah and Kadiyala Chinna Venkataswami to Ratnakaram Sathya Narayana 7.1.1950 Bukkapatnam.

No mention of celebrating RSNR's birthday prior to 1947 is there in any of the records, as mentioned below and the statement, from the book Anyatha Saranam Nasthi by Smt. Vijayamma Harachand.

The following school Registers prove that RSNR was born on 4.10.1929. This information was given by the elder brother Seshama Raju to the school

Page 128 s 129
1935-1936 - I Standard
1936-1937 - II Standard
1937-1938 - III Standard
1938-1939 - IV Standard
1939"1940 - V Standard

RSNR's 3 uncles R.Venkatasubha Raju Kodanda Rama Raju R.Venkatarama Raju
Even if one goes to the villages and enquire their date of births most of them will not have proof for their date of birth as the law to register birth and death date with the registra of birth came in to existence only in 1970. But educated and rich people had their births registered with the priest as it was a requisite for the higher education and job.

Generally to admit children in the schools and parents to give earlier date as their birth date because they could get them admitted in the 1" standard only if they were 6 years old. No one gave a later date as birth date as they would loose the date of age for government jobs and would have to retire early. So the possibility of giving earlier date as date of birth would never exist.

If RSNR's date of birth was 23.11.1926 in 1935 he would have been 9 years old when he was admitted in the 1" standard which if he was born on 4.10.1929 he would have been 6 years old ready to be admitted in 1" standard like any other while in document registered with the registrar the date of birth is essential in the earlier documents registered as document No.553 of 1945 by Karnam Subbamma and Karnam Kamalamma did not contain his date of birth or age as such document can be registered only in the name of majors i.e 18 years. Therefore the document gifting 33 cents of land becomes illegal and against law.

So no one would change the date of birth to an early date or later date and in RSNR's case as it has been changed to an earlier date RSNR would loose both times while applying for a government job and at the time of retirement he would loose 3 years service which would have given him more benefits.

Just because in the case of Urvakonda school register some one has changed the date of birth to 4.10.1939 while in was 1929 all over the 7 years in school and when the Researches pointed out to this mistake it was corrected by then officer as 1929.
1. No students can be admitted in 1" standard unless he or she is 6 years so RSNR has been correctly admitted in 1" standard in 1935. When he was 6 years old. (LOVE IS MY FORM Page 41)

2. In all his school admissions and transfer certificate his date of birth is 4.10.1929 (LOVE IS MY FORM Pages 128, 129, 68, 69, 40 S41)

3. There is no mention of RSNR birth date as 23.11.1926 in any of the printed
records of RSNR up to 1946.

4. The Horoscope printed in the book( LOVE IS MY FORM Page 28)has no name or address of the Astrologer who prepared the horoscope and the date when it was prepared.

5. Horoscopes are not prepared as printed and also not prepared in English but in local languages.

6. The first mention of RSNR's birthday as 23.11.1926 in printed records is in 1946 when he celebrated his birthday on 23"" November. Before this no one knew or cared to know when he was born.

7. In 1946 RSNR had to publicise his birthdate as 23.11.1926 as Karnam Subbamma and Kamalamma had gifted some land to RSNR by document No. 5 5 3 of 1945 dated 20.7.1945 registered at sub registrars office at Bukkapatnam where the age of the donors and the donee RSNR has not been mentioned. No documents can be registered in the name of minor except in the name of their guardian or the document become invalid (LOVE IS MY FORM Page 242).

8. Surely there would have been questions and to come out of this predicament for the 1" time RSNR celebrated his birthday publicly on 23.11.1946 thus making the document legal.

9. The copies of the registered documents of RSNR's Trusts, Associations etc up to 1960 are missing in the Registrars and the office of the Commissioner of Hindu Religious endowment Board.

10. Sale Deed document No.860 of 1946 by Kadiyala Venkatramappa to D.Sakkamma dated 28.9.1946. Why it was not made in the name of RSNR is because he was a minor in 1946 (17 years old) LOVE IS MY FORM page 579.

11. Later Sale deed settlement Document 526 of 1947 by Doddamane Sakkamma to Sri Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Baba 24.7.1947 (Major 18 years old ) LOVE IS MY FORM page 579.

12. There also had been a sale deed document No.23 of 1950 by Kadiyala Sanjeevaiah Kadiyala Chinna Venkataswami to Ratnakaram Satyanarayana 7.1.1950 (LOVE IS MY FORM Page 579) So RSNR's name has not been changed legally to Sathya Sai Baba in 1950.
13. Would RSNR aka SSB explain why all the records in the Hindu Religious endowment Board about the registered documents by RSNR and to him missing in the commissioner's office? And also explain these controversies.

Top Indian Astrologers fall down on the job - badly

2008-07-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

HINDU ASTROLOGERS DEFEATED BY EVENTS

The top advisors on astrology to major Indian figures were put to the test by the Indian Rationalists. They were paid for predictions of the Indian elections in 2004, which all pundits reagrded as a certain win for the BJP, with Atal Vihari Vajpayee to continue as Prime Minister. The Congress Candidate, Sonia Gandhi, was predicted to lose, and opinion polls gave them little or no chance. This is also what most of the astologers predicted. They were signally wrong on the futures of maost of India's politicians, as those who know the actual election results realise.
Prime Minister Vajpayee, Chandrababa Naidu and other politicians are devotees of Sathya Sai Baba, who says that astrology is valid, but that no one knows all the influences that the stars have since they are seen from a worldly viewpoint.

Indian Skeptic - July - 2004 25

It's Atal shining - Astrology
Courtesy: India Today, March 15, 2004
The feel-good factor, it would seem, has touched celestial heights. The coalition of stars appears to be voting the Bharatiya Janata Party back to power and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the prime minister once again.
Vajpayee, the stars foretell, will lead the BJP and the NDA coalition back to power this summer.

The Bard has said tellingly in King Lear, "When we are sick in fortune- often the surfeits of our own behaviour- we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon and stars as if we were villains by necessity, fools by heavenly compulsion, knaves, thieves and traitors by spherical predominance... An admirable evasion of man to lay his goatish disposition on the charge of a star."

That may be a thought acceptable in rational times or when faced with an overwhelming bout of introspection. But it is not the first thought in a mind that is willing to stoop to conquer. It may appear to be an irony that in the 21 st century, when wireless is the medium and idiom. digital, there is a constituency that lays much store by astrology. Rulers of the princely states and holders of privy purses employed men with that third eye for the future. Even after five decades of democracy, the voter often wonders if it is chance or ability that determines the choice of rulers:
The best and the biggest, the Reagans, the later Gandhis, leaders, of men and nations are known to have & hidden inclination towards alien thoughts. Thoughts that help them vanquish the demons in the mind before they slay the demons on the field. When winning or losing is determined not just by how good you are or how good your opponent's opponent is but by sundry extraneous factors, not just mortals but even titans seek the soothing solace of a peep into the future. by Shankar Aiyar

PARAPPANANGADI UNNIKRISNAN
Personal astrologer to Jayalalithaa and Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
"Vajpayee is unlikely to lose his present position until February 2006."
Who will be the next prime minister?
ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE. His period of luck which began at 76 will continue till February 2006. He is
blessed with Akhandasamrajya yoga and Sarabha yoga.
Can Sonia become the PM? NOT NOW. Has capability and fame but wrong advisers and no recognition in her own camp. She is under the negative influence of the planet Mercury which will continue till she is 65.
Will L.K. Advani make it to the top job? POSSIBLE can become the prime minister by February 2006 when Vajpayee retires. His lucky period astrologically described as vyazha dasa will last till November 20, 2008

JAYALALITHAA Has an extremely fortunate horoscope but may suffer temporary setback until August

GAYATRI DEVI VASUDEV, Editor, The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore
"Since it is under Ashtam Shan/the BJP will lose a leading light of the party."

Next prime minister: CANNOT COMMIT but 'the BJP will come to power after making several compromises.
Will the government last the full term? Yes. Based on the party's (BJP's) chart the government will last the full term.
Can Sonia become the PM? NO The Congress will face setbacks and there will be a change in the leadership.
SHARAD PAWAR'S political life is revived.
MAYAWATI will be in the wilderness for some more time.
N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU will come back. JAYALALITHAA is going strong. UTTAR PRADESH could see a change.

Sonia is unlikely to get a taste of more power not in the near future, at least, say astrologers.

NAVIN KHANNA
Delhi-based astrologer-scholar reads the future for P3 People and politicians.

"I see reason for concern about a threat to General Musharraf’s life:"
Next prime minister: Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Can Sonia become the PM? NO She is not strong enough to head the government. On the other hand, Varun Gandhi has a powerful and promising-horoscope.

Will L.K. Advani make it to the top job? Though it will be difficult for Advani to make it to the top job as there are stronger horoscopes elsewhere.
Will the government last the full term? Yes Despite problems between March and August 2005, Vajpayee will be in the seat of power till his last day.
Seat prediction: BJP will be the biggest party with 220 seats. The Congress win lose and may go below 100.

N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU will return as CM and do even better MAYAWATI wilj always be a force in Uttar Pradesh. MULAYAM S1NGH YADAV will have an average run. SHARAD PAWAR Average run for him too.

VIDWAN V. LAKSHMANAN
National vice-president, Indian Council of Astrological Sciences.

"The Congress can come to power before the new Lok Sabha completes its term."
Next Prime Minister: ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE. Jupiter dasa, which has just begun, is very favourable for him.
Can Sonia become the PM'? VERY UNLIKELY Manmohan Singh or P. Chidambaram, however, can become the prime minister
LK. ADVANI has chances of becoming the prime minister, thanks to the good positions Jupiter and Saturn are in. But Mars and Sun are in weak positions, therefore, he may not continue in office because of some internal conflicts.
N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU'S victory is almost assured.
JAYALALITHAA'S fame and importance will increase.

SANATAKUMAROAYASHANKAR SHASTRI
Ahmedabad-basedschotarofastrology

"Next July or August Vajpayee will make way for Advani as planets are well placed for the latter."
Next Prime Minister: ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE. But he may have to do some "political cobbling" to form the government. In July-August 200J3 he may make way for Advani.
Can Sonia become the PM? NO Her stars will remain in the darkest possible zone till September 2004.

L.K. ADVANI Planets are very powerfully placed in his kundii, from which he will derive immense political strength.
MULAYAM SINGH YADAV will do badly. SHARAD PAWAR may just about lose the polls.
CHANDRABABU NAIDU will do well.
The Celestial constellation would have us believe that it is a case of so near and yet so far for Advani.

VASHUDHA WAGH
Mumbai-based soothsayer, a favourite with Maharashtra's heavyweights
"Chances are bright for a third front government backed by the Congress,"

Next Prime Minister: ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE if the allies stick together. Chances are Chandrababu Naidu, Jayalalithaa and Mayawati may tilt the balance.
Can Sonia become the PM? NOT YET Sonia will emerge more powerful but cannot become the PM as yet. Will the government last the full term? YES
Seat predictionn BJP 195 seats, NDA280, Cong-plus 260.
MULAYAM SINGN YADAV can become prime minister one day. SHARAD PAWAR will land a plum job. JAYALALITHAA will play a key role in the next government. MAYAWATI will get maximum seats in UP, emerge powerful.

GEETASEN
Personal astrologer to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other senior leaders.

"There are no inner party problems or leadership challenge for the BJP".

Next Prime Minister; ATAL BiHARI VAJPAYEE. This will be his last term.as PM. There is no cause for worry about his health, no inner party problems or leadership challenge.
Can Sonia become the PM?
NEVER. But will remain president of the Congress for 10 more years. Her daughter Prjyahka Vadra could, however, get the top job when she is 47. Rahul Gandhi will not contest elections.

Will L.K. Advani make it to the top job? NEVER but will continue to be in politics.
Will the government last the full term? YES
Seat prediction: BJP will improve its tally, the Congress will remain the same. None will get an outright majority;
CONGRESS will come to power but in the next polls; However, it won't be a Gandhi buta non-Gandhi who was. A member of the Rao cabinet who will be prime minister

KUSUM BHANDARI
Astrologer-educationist based in Kolkata, also writes occasionally:

"A gloomy incident with some bloodshed will bring down the government in 2006."

Next Prime Minister: MOST LIKELY ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE An old man of the arts will rule. The next government will be a coalition with no single decision maker.
Can Sonia become the PM? NO No woman will get the post. It will be a native inclined towards religion.
Will L.K. Advani make it to the top job? Not Now.
MULAYAM SINGH YADAV cannot be king by himself.
SHARAD PAWAR'S future is not very bright for him.
N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU may not return to power

L.D.MADAN
A favourite of the netas forecasts the future of Delhi's rich and powerful
"It is unlikely that Sonia Gandhi will ever become the prime minister."

Next prime minister: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Can Sonia become the PM? No
Will L.K. Advani make it to the top job? Very Likely After Vajpayee it looks like Advani.
Will the government last the full term? Yes The BJP. will have the largest number of seats.

See also India Today on these astrologers and more
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When stars failed to predict this astrologer's doom
Indian Skeptic - July - 2004 p. 30
Courtesy: The New Indian Express, March 27 2004

Mangalore, March 26: For years, Pandit M Hanumanth Rao Joshi of Bagalkote had claimed to have understood the "way of the stars" and their "effect" on human lives. But, today, he probably ever saw them when rationalist Narendra Nayak, with scores of enthusiastic Democratic Youth Federation India (DYFI) supporters exposed the astrologer who could not predict his own doom!

Rao was consternation personified when a team of rationalists, accompanied by media persons, including one from British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), stormed into his lair as he was attempting to rid Navak of his "troubles": Navak recounted how he blew the lid off the self proclaimed astrologer and exposed him. "I Wanted, for a long time, to expose some astrologer who proclaimed himself to be a famous astrologer and bring out the truth about him before the public". Unfortunately for Nayak, a city-based astrologer he had intended to expose disappeared overnight when he smelt a rat.

But Hanumanth Rao was gullible, enough to fall into Nayak's trap for the sum of Rs 5,000.
Nayak reveals:-"I went to a Rao's tiny room in a city notel on Thursday. He asked me to write my name and details about my family on a slate. He then kept the slate upside down and told my name and persona! details as I had written them down." What he actually did was to read the movement of my hands as I scribbled on the slate. This is something that anybody can do with a bit of practice, he explained, "But the poor chap did not know that I had given him wrong details!" —
Rao then said Nayak's brother was practising 'black magic' against him and planned to throw him out of the house and deprive him of his share of the family's ancestral property.
- The astrologer, of course, had the answer as well: an expensive pooja, which would cost Nayak Rs 5,500. "I told him I did not have the money off me and said I would come again the next day, to which he agreed, but not before I paid him an advance of Rs 300."
On Friday Nayak went to meet Rao who promised, him to "ward off all
evil" and rid him of all his troubles'. Rao's troubles; as it proved when the media barged into the room, had just begun.
Shocked by the cameras and microphones around him, Rao went into a stony silence, AS scribes put questions to him, a dazed Rao began to mumble incoherently. After sometime, however, he regained his lost composure and went on a justification spree,
"He (Nayak) agreed to whatever I said, "Rao argued. Asked how Rao had guessed that Nayak had two children, even when he had none, he said he had told these details based on information given by Nayak.
Asked to name his Guru, Rao thought for a moment and said:
"Devendra - buthe is dead now. "Holding out a copy of an advertisement issued by Rao, in which he had proclaimed to predict the future of a person after only seeing him, a DYFI member asked if he could predict his future. Rao fhen said he could do so only if the member could produce his 'Jaathaka'!
Rao then admitted that he had indeed duped Nayak and hundreds of gullible people. Asked how many families had he broken this way, Rao hung his head and nodded.
Rao confessed that he had come to Mangalore six 'months ago and that he was undertaking similar activities in Tumkur and Bangalore, among, other cities. Rao, who claims to have studied up to fifth standard, admired that he had duped a lady sub-inspector similarly
Justifying this "Tehelka style' sting operation, Nayak says: "All such people who win the confidence of the desperate and needy and later dupe them, must be exposed'. They take thousands for a ride, promising them contentment, later ruining them. Conning them for a just cause is not wrong". A crestfallen Hanumanth Rao said: "I will leave the district and go to some faraway place".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fake astrologer falls into rationalists' trap
Indian Skeptic - July - 2004 p. 31
Courtesy: Deccan Herald, 28.3.2004
'Such people use many tools to exploit the unsuspecting masses. Anything that goes against basic laws of science cannot hold its ground'
MANGALORE, DHNS:-A person went to a specialist in astrology and palmistry near Hamilton Circle in Mangalore on Thursday seeking some remedy for his problems. After giving a patient hearing, the astrologer, Pandith M Hanumanth Rao Joshi, asked the person to come on Friday evening with Rs 5,500 promising him total remedy to his problems.
The 'authenticity' of the astrologer was made public when the person none other than Rationalist DrNarendra Nayak walked into Joshi's office along with a dozen media persons including the BBC crew.

Though initially Joshi tried to assert that what he had said was right, he later admitted that his predictions were partially-right. Rnally he agreed that he was conning people to make a living as he had five children.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Narendra said Joshi's modus operand! was to ask his customer to write down the number of children, brothers etc "in a tiny slate and to keep it with him. By then he will observe the hand movement. Later, he will accurately say the number of brothers, 'sisters etc... and the customers will be conned.
Hailing from Bagalkot district, Joshi, before coming to Mangalore was 'offering his services in astrology' in Tumkur, Bangatore and Bagalkot.
Speaking to reporters, he admitted that he used to charge anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 for his services including poojas and homas. He also admitted of receiving Rs 300 from a lady police sub inspector in Mangalore some days ago for giving some 'advice' to her
"Such people use many tools to exploit the unsuspecting masses. Anything that goes against basic laws of science cannot hold its ground," said Dr Nayak who is also an assistant professor of biochemistry at the Centre for Basic Sciences in Kasturba Medical College Mangalore.
Though rationalist movement was picking up in coastal region, there were equal number of people who were falling prey to such people, he opines.
Dr Nayak, the secretary for the Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association, so far had conducted more than 3,500 such demonstrations all over India to expose the myths behind the so called miracles and debunk superstitions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rationalist announces Rs 1 lakh astro jackpot
Courtesy: New Indian Express, 30.3.2004 Express News Service Mangalore, March 29

IN Dakshina Kannada a ritualised duel between astrologers and rationalists provides the much needed comic relief to an otherwise monotonous run up to the elections.

Since 1980s, barring the 1999 elections, rationalist Narendra Nayak has been announcing a reward of Rs one lakh to any astrologer, who will answer at least 19 of the 20 questions posed by him. As all answers were never anywhere near the mark, Nayak got to keep his money at the end of each election. "In 1999, I had gotten sick of the hilarious predictions and preferred not to solicit any more," says Prof Nayak. Nayak has changed his mind and is planning to challenge astrologers with his posers.
In 1980s, when politicians begun queuing up to seek advice of astrologers
at each step, Prof Nayak felt the need to examine the veracity behind election predictions. The contest was born out of the firm conviction that astrologers are taking everyone for a ride.

In the very first contest; over 50 astrologers responded. Those who scored more than four out of 20 marks in fact happened to be non astrologers, says a chuckling Nayak. In-1998 elections, many astrologers succeeded in answering one question correctly, that Vajpayee will be the next Prime Minister. None of them had been able to predict Rajiv Gandhi's assassination or the September 11 incident: "One hilarious prediction on number of Seats likely to be won by each party added up to 700 seats," recalls Nayak. Another predicted that Jayalalithaa will be the chief minister of Karnataka. Even astrologers with a set of impressive degrees could not zero in on correct results.

Prof Narendra Nayak who will leave for Punjab to attend a national conference of rationalists, plans to send the posers to astrologers after April 10. "By the time the nominations will have been filed and there would be a clear picture of each candidate in the assembly and parliament segments," he says. The stacks of letters that astrologers send him every election year is a time pass for Prof Nayak and his guests.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electoral Politics and Superstitions
Courtesy: Mangalore Today, April 2004
The combination of religion, superstition and politics is assuming alarming proportions lately: Every place of worship is visited, blessings sought from all and sundry and no stone left unturned, sorry, unworshipped in the fond hope that such acts would result in electoral victory.
When elections come it rains astrologers, mantriks, tantriks and what have you! This is because, every politician wants to win by hook, crook, black magic or any other means. The astrologers have a field day predicting auspicious times for filing nominations, starting campaigns and everything else too!
We see otherwise rational people losing their marbles' when the elections are around. Probably it is the worst sense of insecurity that comes on when one contests for an election. Every place of worship is visited, blessings sought from all and sundry and no stone left unturned.

The Sathya Sai Organization is a cult

2008-06-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

From discontinued web site: http://www.sathyasaivictims.com/etc_whyssbisacult.htm

The following information is from two books on cults: Mindbending: Brainwashing, Cults, and Deprogramming in the '80's (by Lowell Streiker, Doubleday, New York, 1984) and Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America (by J. Melton, Garland Publishing, New York, 1986).

There are nine major characteristics of cults, eight are listed below. With each characteristic, we show through direct quotes from Sri Sathya Sai Baba that the Sai
Organization does have these characteristics.
1. Primary cult activities are fund raising and recruiting new members.

"You should have control over your speech. Excessive talk will lead to untruth and unpleasantness". ( SSB Date:10 Feb 2000 Occasion:Mass Upanayanam)
"You have been given eyes not for roaming around and seeing anything and everything whatsoever". (SSB 15 May 2000 Summer Discourses)
"I insist on silence". Talk less, talk low when you must talk. [Ref:Sathya Sai Speaks Vol III p.9]
"Reduce contacts to the minimum". [Ref:Sathya Sai Speaks Vol V p 245]
"You can discover your own truth, only when you are alone with yourself and there is silence all around you". [Ref: Sathya Sai Speaks Vol IV p.56]
Do not be led away by the scorn of others, or by the recommendations of others. [Ref: Sathya Sai Speaks Vol IV p 366]
"To successfully perform your part always remain centered upon me. Seek out your faults and others' merits. Seeking others' faults is dire sin. Follow the Master; Face the devil; Fight to the end; Finish the goal."

3. Cult members hand over possessions and earnings and become totally dependent on group.
"The Gayatri Mantra teaches that you should offer everything to God". ( SSB Date:10 Feb 2000 Occasion:Mass Upanayanam)
"You will give up "individual discrimination". [Ref:Bhagavan's discourse at Brindavan May 24, 1992]
"Man has to pay attention to three basic duties in his quest for happiness: He has to give up what he has to give up, namely material desires and pursuits." [Ref:Voice of the Avatar - Part I, page 159]
"For everything you see, hear, smell, taste or touch belongs to me." (A letter written by Swami many years ago to students of His Institute)
"Who is Bhagavan (God)? 'Bha' means effulgence. 'Bha' means the one who is in control". (2000)
"If you call yourself a devotee of Swami, act according to Swami's expectation". (1999)

4. The cult enforces demands by peer pressure, embarrassment, and even violence.
"You should have firm faith that whatever happens is good for you". (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion:Sankranthi )
"Swami too stops talking to you if you do not follow His teachings". (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion: Sankranthi ).
"If you are good, I will certainly yield to your request". (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion:Sankranthi )
"You cannot escape Me or do anything in secret. It is a big mistake to consider yourself one of wisdom. Ignorance follows you like a shadow in all that you do". (1999)
"I am aware of the past, present, and future, of your innermost thoughts and carefully guarded secrets". (SSB 09/10/1970)
"Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the Television or Video. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip". (2000)

5. The cult is the only possessor of truth—others are unsaved and hostile to truth.

"It is a big mistake to consider yourself one of wisdom. Ignorance follows you like a shadow in all that you do". (1999)
"You have to bear in mind while repeating the Sai Name, that is when you take that Name, you must feel that it is only by His Will and Power that you are doing so, and not by your own". January 14, 1975 (Sankranthi)
"Do not allow doubt to distract you; if only you will install in the altar of your heart steady faith in My Divinity, you can win a vision of My Reality.
I have come to instruct all in the essence of the Vedas, to shower on all this precious gift, to protect the Sanathana Dharma, the ancient wisdom, and preserve it.
Get immersed in Sai Baba. Half-heartedness, hesitation, doubt, cynicism, listening to tales, all are of no avail. Concentrated complete faith - that alone can bring victory.
Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater than that which was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints, and even personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory. Do not allow doubt to distract you; if only you will install in the altar of your heart steady faith in My Divinity, you can win a vision of My Reality.
I never utter a word that does not have significance.
Swami has nothing to do with internet. Not only now, even in future also.
You should not indulge in such wrong activities". (1999)
"There is no need to go outside the Sai fold". (2000)
"Students! Have friendship with God for which you should be prepared to sacrifice everything, even your body and life". (1999)
"You have to abandon bad thoughts, bad company, bad habits and everything that is bad". (2000)
"Do not listen to any words of ill-will or disparagement of anybody".

6. The cult feels above the law—the ends justify the means.
My will must prevail over every obstacle. (discourse on 9/10/1970)
"I do not have a time schedule to adhere to nor can any law bind me". ( Sai Vandana, 142)
"For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of evil-doers and for establishing righteousness on a firm footing, I incarnate from age to age. (SSB)
What I will, must take place; what I plan must succeed.
I am an example, and an inspiration, whatever I do or omit to do". (discourse on 11/10/1970)
"If you call yourself a devotee of Swami, act according to Swami's expectation". (1999)

7. The cult may be apocalyptic--others are unsaved and hostile to truth.

"Who is Bhagavan (God)? ...'Bha' means the one who is in control". (1999)
"For, he who is righteous will be guarded from harm, by righteousness itself; he who is unrighteous will fall into disaster through the evil that he perpetrates.
Everything points to the terror of conflagration coming; and my mission is to preempt the fires by reestablishing dharma.
ou are all singularly fortunate, therefore, do not let this opportunity slip through your hands".

8. The cult is based on the teachings of an authoritarian, corrupt leader who is the sole source of what the group believes and rules for daily behavior.

"Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the Television or Video. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip". (2000)
"Surrender implies that the 'individual will' should become one with the 'Divine Will's. Obey the Divine Command implicitly without questioning. That is the sign of true devotion. Whatever God does is for your good". (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion:Sankranthi )
"There are many who observe My actions and start declaring that My nature is such and such. They are unable to gauge that sanctity, the majesty, and the eternal reality that is Me. The power of Sai is limitless; it manifests forever. All forms of power are resident in this Sai palm". (SSB)
"Each word of Mine has immense value associated with it. I will fulfil your wish only when you obey My command". ( SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion:Sankranthi )
"There exists no such person who can point any kind of blemish in Sai". (SSB discourse on 23-11-1979)
The letters SSS stand for Sri Sathya Sai. Everything is contained in this name. (SSB Date: 12 Apr 2000 Occasion: Sri Rama Navami)
"I am Absolute Consciousness. (SSB Date: 12 Apr 2000 Occasion: Sri Rama Navami)
Criticism is nothing but the reflection, reaction and resound of one's own wicked qualities. The bad qualities that one sees in others are nothing but the reflection of one's own inner feelings. So, one has no right to find fault in others. He is the worst sinner who looks for mistakes in others". (SSB 2000)
"Put all your faith in Me. I shall guide and guard you".

Satya Sai Baba's Sexual Offenses

2008-05-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Clinical Diagnosis of Satya Sai Baba’s Sexual Offenses

Compiled by David Wilcock

Originally at http://www.ascension2000.com/baba1.htm

Primary excerpts from Crisis Intervention Strategies by Drs. Burl E. Gilliand and Richard K. James, Memphis State University, Brooks / Cole Publishing Company, Belmont, California 1993, ch. 6 pp. 225-254, and various articles from the now offline website http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed.

[Introduction: Sai Baba’s offenses undoubtedly will be a shock, horror and surprise for many individuals. (This document does not include data regarding the fact that he has systematically faked all of his "miracle" materializations of objects, at least since the early 1980s and possibly all along.) The reader must remain patient as we will start with an analysis and only describe the more graphic sexual offenses as the document progresses. The disclosure of his sexual offenses may also bring up powerful issues within the individuals reading this document, especially if they themselves have been through such forms of abuse. We need to be absolutely objective in analyzing the facts and not be blinded by the standard denials imposed by human beings when faced with information that is uncomfortable to them – such as is so frequently seen in the "cult of suppression" within the UFO field. Many followers have transposed their ideas about God onto this man and will thus find it difficult or impossible to believe that such events could be true. This document is intended to show that Sai Baba’s entire pattern of offenses, as well as the large-scale complicity of his inner hierarchy, dovetails precisely with extant clinical literature on sexual assault.]

From Crisis Intervention Strategies, chapter 6:

Sexual Assault

…Rapists come from every segment of society. People who rape and commit other forms of sexual abuse/misuse have been identified in every stratum of society – from judges to messenger boys, from weaklings to muscular types, from vagrants to corporate executives, from husbands and fathers to strangers, from known friends or relatives to unknown intruders…

[Note: Impossible to believe, but more and more would-be spiritual leaders such as Satya Sai Baba are being implicated in just such matters.]

Phases of Child Sexual Abuse –

Engagement phase. The abuser’s objective in the engagement phase is to get the child involved in sexual activity with the abuser. Both access to the child and opportunity (privacy) are needed if the abuser is to be successful. Therefore, if we were looking for possible instances of unreported abuse, we would identify times and situations when the potential abuser and the child were alone together. We must also look for different strategies that two different types of abusers (child molesters and child rapists) may employ (Murphy, 1985, p.1).

[Note: As you read the multiplicity of accounts of Sai Baba’s abuse of young adults and children on the website, you will see that in every case, the abuse occurs within the confined, private space of an "interview," as he calls it.]

Molesters tend to use enticement and entrapment to get the child engaged in sexual activity. Enticement may include deceit, trickery, rewards, or the use of adult authority to tell the child in a matter-of-fact way that the child is expected to participate. Entrapment is used to manipulate the child into feeling obligated to participate through traps, blackmail, and so forth. Molesters may make pornographic pictures or video tapes and convince the child that there is no other choice than going along with the secret activity and may also seek to impose guilt by making the child feel responsible for the abuse (Murphy, 1985, p.1).

Child rapists use threat (particularly the threat of harm) or the imposition of superior physical force to engage the child in the abusive activity…

[Note: Based on these classifications, all of the above apply to Sai Baba, when studying the available literature. Sai Baba is primarily a child molester whose primary tool is enticement. All accounts agree that his young victims are given significant financial rewards – such as "covers (envelopes) with crisp hundred rupee notes" referred to in an excerpt from Meenakshi Srikanth’s letter below. Also, this quote from said letter is also significant: "Whenever Swami came to Bangalore, there always used to be a few students who got interviews every other day. These students were often referred to as those who are 'in form' (a cricket analogy) with Swami. These students were among the most privileged in the hostel."

At this stage, where disclosure is no longer imminent but is actively occurring en masse, Sai Baba has become desperate and is now resorting to the use of threats, as we shall see in the following excerpts. ]

Sexual interaction phase. Types of abuse may include… [List of all possible sexual offenses, touching, fondling, et cetera.] Children may be coaxed into cooperation, not consenting, because abusers – as adult authority figures – often command, engage, or enlist cooperation from the child. Children lack the maturity, experience, and age to be able to consent, but they may cooperate because of their subservient status (Murphy, 1985, p.2; Plummer, 1984, p. 145).

[Note: Again from Srikanth’s letter: "One of them [young boy students] used to tell me harrowing stories. When Swami was in Brindavan, he [the boy] used to get the call for interview at least once in three days. Whereas a student when he gets an interview is usually so elated and pleased that Swami has recognized his devotion etc. this boy, lets call him Nandan, always have a grim face as he walked into the bungalow. He never attended classes those days in which he got an interview. I have often seen him show marks in his chest and chin and say things like, "innikku kadichtaarudaa!", followed by a flow of choice words of slang. Nandan often used to get covers from Swami in public and sometimes he would be asked to open it. It would contain crisp hundred rupee notes. There is another word for giving money for such acts.

"Nandan was helpless. He could not go home and complain. His family and parents were devotees for 30 years and their very lives have been defined around Baba. Nandan since he knew the world has been knowing Swami and none else as god. He was first initiated into doing this by Swami when he was in school. Swami told him that he (Swami) was the only purusha in the world and the whole world was his wife. Nandan was asked to think of himself as Radha devoted to the Krishna. Nandan's whole attitude towards life is now irrevocably changed."

Purusha is the primary male god in the Hindu trinity. Sai Baba has assigned himself the title of God and therefore feels that "the whole world was his wife," and that therefore he can force sexual acts upon whomever he wishes – to the point of sodomizing children, et cetera. This fits the classic patterns of rationalization of the behaviors, as seen further down in the excerpts. The parents of the victim are completely blinded by their devotion to this leader, arguably one of the top three most popular "gurus" in the modern world.]

Secrecy phase. Abusers communicate to children that others must not discover the sexual activity. The objective of abusers is to continue the activity. This necessitates avoiding detection and maintaining access to the child while continuing the abuse. The techniques for maintaining the secrecy may involve incorporating "rules" or "games," implicating the child in the activity, and setting the child up to be responsible for keeping the secret (Bass & Thornton, 1983; Murphy, 1985, p.2).

[Note: At this link, http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/saibabanet.html, we can observe Sai Baba’s recent public statements from 15th October 1999, Prashanti Nilayam against these allegations. Among other notable quotations regarding the need for his devotees to maintain secrecy, Sai Baba said the following:

"Some of the elders sitting in the Verandah are indulging in gossip; it is finding its way into the Internet. Anyone found talking in the Verandah should be sent out immediately, whosoever it may be. All those who give misleading information about what Swami tells them in the interview room should also be thrown out. I will never call such people for interview again. Only those who observe silence are good people. Silence fosters purity. Therefore observe silence at all times. It is a waste of time if you carry tales about others. What have you come here for? Vain gossip causes harm to many. So refrain from indulging in it."

Even more directly revealing is the following statements, which show Sai Baba’s degree of paranoia and fear surrounding the next phase of child sexual abuse listed below, namely Disclosure:

"Ignorance is on the rise with the progress of science. Truly speaking science has not matured. Man has become senseless. All the trials and tribulations faced in this world are due to the so-called development in science and technology. It is not technology but it is 'tricknology'. Do not become a slave to such technology. Uphold truth and righteousness. Cultivate love and experience divinity. Students, do not harbour any undesirable thoughts. Do not get perturbed by such misinformation campaigns. Swami is always with you. He has been showering His love and grace on you. You too have immense love for Swami. Attain Swami through love. You cannot attain Swami through any other path but love.

Swami has nothing to do with Internet. Not only now, even in future also You should not indulge in such wrong activities."

As we can see from this excerpt, the offender is forbidding his worshippers to have access to the sources of information that reveal his true actions, and is furthermore demonizing these sources. By labeling technology as "tricknology" and the use of the Internet as a "wrong activity," he is trying to blame the development of modern society for revealing his own "trials and tribulations". Furthermore we can see how he calls any contemplation of his illicit actions as "undesirable thoughts." The use of words of love further shows how he wishes to distort his true face behind a wall of flowery language.]

Disclosure phase. Sometimes the abuser is discovered accidentally. At other times the abuse is disclosed intentionally by the child or someone else… The way the abuse is disclosed can affect the child’s self-esteem and reaction to treatment. For instance, disbelieving adults sometimes respond by blaming and punishing the child – and allow the sexual abuse to continue (Molmen, 1982, pp. 35-36; Murphy, 1985, p.2).

[Note: The disclosure of Sai Baba’s offenses is already in high gear. The above excerpt from Sai Baba’s own public statement clearly shows that blaming and punishing the victims has already occurred: "All those who give misleading information about what Swami tells them in the interview room should also be thrown out. I will never call such people for interview again."

From David Bailey’s expose, linked below, we get the following about a successful disclosure that halted Sai Baba’s operations in Sweden:

"Early in 1999 a young Swedish man returned from a visit to the ashram and made a full statement to his co-ordinating committee about his sexual experiences with Swami during six interviews. Within hours of this revelation, one of the top officials of Sweden’s Sai organisation was on our doorstep, asking why we had left Sai Baba. He and his wife, both really lovely people, were absolutely devastated to hear the young man’s story confirmed. After saying brokenly ‘I cannot be part of this’ he went outside and sat on the steps in our front garden and sobbed his heart out. He had been a devotee for more than twenty years, and his wife had written two books on Sai Baba and another was already at the point of being printed.

He went home to resign his position from something he had given years of his life and his love to, and she cancelled her book and withdrew the others from the market. Within days there was public confirmation - that these things I had spoken about through the year to a small number of serious seekers of truth - were indeed happening to others as well.

Soon after, the Sai school in Sweden closed."

Obviously the courage for disclosure must now continue to the point of bringing this information to the level of common knowledge in the New Age / Spiritual community.]

Suppression phase. The suppression phase may begin as soon as disclosure takes place. Suppression may be attempted by the abuser, the child, parents, other family members, professionals, the community, or an institution. There are many reasons for suppression: fear of publicity; fear of reprisal; to protect the reputation of a family, an abuser, or an institution; to avoid prosecution; to avoid responsibility; to protect the child; to avoid embarrassment; to avoid the kinds of confrontation and intervention required to deal effectively with the difficult and sensitive situation; and fear of getting involved.

[Note: Again, previous excerpts have covered this category quite well. Pay special attention to the sentence that says, "There are many reasons for suppression… [such as] to protect… an institution." If David Wilcock had fear of getting involved and writing this summarization, the suppression phase would only be further aided.]

Survival phase. On the basis of our own experience and the reports of a number of other writers (Besharov, 1990; Kendrick, 1991), we have added a sixth phase, the survival phase. It is during this phase that we recommend implementation of strategies for helping the child and the family to respond to and recover from the abuse as much as possible. Phase 6 includes stopping the abuse, providing needed medical and psychological treatment for the child, and helping the significant others close to the child to overcome the trauma, fear, anger, and despair caused by the abuse (Benedict, 1985; Grossman & Sutherland, 1983). It also involves preventing further abuse (Bass & Thornton, 1983; Colao & Hosansky, 1983; Plummer 1984; Townley, 1985)…

[Note: The study and knowledge of this phase is best suited for those who have personally experienced said trauma, or know someone else who has experienced it.]

In summarizing the dynamics of child sexual abuse, it appears that abusers and pedophiles – adults who have an abnormal sexual desire for children – are able to carry on their activities because children are largely powerless and vulnerable and because families and society are reluctant to face and deal with the realities of the abuse.

[Note: The next set of excerpts further reveals family system dynamics of sexual abuse that apply equally well to the enclosed communities headed by Sai Baba where this abuse is taking place. Here, when you see the word "family" just transpose it with the words "religious organization:"]

Family Dynamics

The incestuous family may operate much like an alcoholic or battered family in developing a series of messages or rules that pivot around denial, duplicity, deceit, role confusion, violence, and social isolation (Courtois, 1988, p.45). Children receive messages such as:

1. Do not show feelings, especially anger.

2. Be in control at all times; do not ask for help.

3. Deny what is happening and do not believe your own senses / perceptions.

4. No one is trustworthy.

5. Keep the secret because no one will believe you anyway.

6. Be ashamed of yourself; you are to blame for everything.

[Note: In reference to the above points, special attention should be paid to information in this link, http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/davidbailey.html, where "famous musician" David Bailey, once an inner devotee of Sai Baba, says, among other things:

"Faye’s own son had been kissed repeatedly on his cheeks and the corners of his mouth when alone in the inner room with Sai Baba, and also sexually touched. And when it was obvious to Sai Baba that this behaviour was unwelcome, he began berating the young man in subsequent interviews with Faye, calling him ‘Mad dog! Hard hearted!’ and so on. At the time this seemed incongruous; it was only after we began travelling the world that the inconceivable and incomprehensible began to make itself clear.

When I asked various co-ordinators about these many disturbing incidents reported to me in our travels, I was told that Swami was ‘raising kundalini’. I questioned this in my mind. If he was capable of doing anything, why did he have to physically touch the boys, especially when they were unwilling? And what about when he had them actively engage in sex to him? It seems that an ongoing, serious and untenable infringement of basic human rights is being scurrilously perpetrated, in the name of ‘divinity’."

Also see this quote:

"On my last visit to Puttaparthi, a male student came and asked me for help, on behalf of some of his fellow students, because they were desperately in need of someone to stop Swami sexually abusing them. I was told how Sai Baba had for years been demanding that these particular boys have oral sex, and group sex for his pleasure. Their details matched what I had already been told so many times round the world. I asked him if this was an acceptable practice in India, and his look of horror as he denied it, spoke volumes.

Then he asked me a question I couldn’t answer.

‘Sir, why do you think ex-students tried to kill him in ’93 ...?’ (!!!)

I turned to several long time devotees on the verandah for explanation of these nefarious activities, and worried them with questions and suppositions until in the end they realised that I had found the truth, and then admitted that these things do happen; and then - agreed with each other that it was for his pleasure and nothing to do with kundalini raising."

In reference to denial, read the following quote:

"Different national co-ordinators I spoke to, both in India and after we returned home, continued for a time, to deny that it happens. But when it became obvious that I was not going to leave this issue alone, a couple of them telephoned me to say that yes I was correct and they had known of this for years. ‘But he is God, and God can do anything he likes.’ (!!!)"

Also read this excerpt regarding denial from Jens Sethi:

"During this frightening time at Puttaparthi I met an Italian couple we knew there and tried to tell them what had happened to me in interview with Sai Baba. They just closed their eyes and the lady shouted "Be quiet!! Shut up!! Sai Baba is our God, and all the bad stories are not true!!" Then they turned away. These same people had told me many years before that they could never find any peace at the ashram, and couldn’t understand it. But they would not listen to those who know it better. Nobody can possibly imagine how I felt while all of this was happening. I suffered a lot."

Denial can even occur within the victim himself. This excerpt speaks volumes, from Jens Sethi at http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/jen.html. Pay special attention to how long it took the victim to ever acknowledge what was really happening to him:

"On 17th January 1996 I got my first interview and he was very kind telling me nice things like "I will give you everything" as he touched and stroked my head. He said "I know you’re not sure about your life and future and so on. Also unhappiness from women. I know, don’t worry. Also you have some bad thoughts, not good". Then he said "I give you everything according to health, spirituality and life. Everything. I give you infinite love. You and me will become one". I touched his robe and he put his hand on the top of my head saying "I give you separate interview".

On 20th January 1996 I got the second interview. Already days before, he had established a strange eye-contact with me indicating the coming interview. My wife and I went to the interview and he acted very disappointed at seeing me together with my wife. He took me alone into the interview room and said "She is diseased and much older than you. Please separate from her". I was really shocked and replied "She is attached to me".

I asked him to give her some spiritual instruction, which he readily agreed to do, but he had something else on his mind.

Without asking permission he started kissing me on my lips for some time, and later asked me to open my trousers and ‘materialised’ some oil which he rubbed on the skin above my genitals. I felt very bad about all of this, but accepted, as I fully trusted Sai Baba.

Then he took my wife into the private interview room alone, and told her "Either you separate from the boy or I throw you out of Puttaparthi!". He appeared wild and furious (my wife told me afterwards) and she shivered all over. When she reappeared in a very short time, looking red faced and very scared, nobody dared ask her what happened in there.

He saw me again some days later in darshan and asked whether I had separated or not. I said "Not yet". He turned away and shouted so all people could hear "Bad, Bad boy!!!" He was so aggressive and seemed to radiate such an aura of evil that I was really shocked. We immediately left and went to north India for some pilgrimage.

This was a turning point, but after a time I decided to go once more to Sai Baba to clarify the matter. At the end of 1996 I returned to India and got interview on 4th December. In the interview he said "Where are you from?" When I told him I was from Germany, he responded "You are also a Hitler!". Shocked, I thought to myself "He is not very kind is he?"

Nevertheless, in the private room the greedy old man kissed me again direct and continuously on my lips for about twenty seconds, and gently stroked my back. By now I was certain that something was very wrong.

On 28th December I was again called for interview and he produced a golden ring which didn’t fit well on my finger in spite of his blowing on it. In the private chamber he said "Come" and again kissed me on the lips for some time as before. This time I resisted and he gurgled "Have no fear". I said "I have no fear". Then he said "This is a good opportunity, so many waiting for months and will not get". This baffled me. I’m sure people don’t wait for mouth kisses in Puttaparthi.

Then his mood totally changed and I did have some fear. He commanded me to remove my trousers, unzipped my fly and went with his right hand into my underpants. Sathya Sai Baba the ‘divine’ touched and massaged my genitals unasked. He expected some erection, but this didn’t happen for I didn’t feel any sexual excitement, no lust in the presence of a seventy years old man. I was really disgusted. Then he had the impudence to say "It is very weak, don’t waste energy". When I looked at him I realised the truth about him and was shocked indeed. Soon afterwards, without another word, he sent me out of the room."

Note: We see exactly how long it took this particular individual to come to his senses about what was really happening to him. The next, brief excerpt from Crisis Intervention Strageties: Sexual Assault graphically shows the damage that these experiences can create, especially in children:]

…While war may be hell, the sexual abuse of children undoubtedly occupies a deeper level of Dante’s Inferno …

[Note: And now, our concluding excerpts from Crisis Intervention Strategies, which by now should be quite easy to understand in context of this situation:]

Typically, abusers deny, minimize, and / or rationalize their behavior to the extent that they themselves rarely define their attacks as abuse. Instead, they usually charge that the survivor asked for, deserved, or caused the abusive activity.

In recent years the public has become more aware of the phenomenon of rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and increased awareness appears to have ushered in a greater sensitivity to and advocacy for the rights and needs of survivors. The helping professions have provided many additional programs for assisting survivors; crisis intervention, research, counseling, medical services, long-term mental health care, new laws and legal advocacy, more vigorous efforts to prosecute offenders, and more sympathetic and proactive news media. However, much remains to be done in the arena of sexual assault… There is a great need for society to overcome a number of long-standing myths about rape and other forms of sexual abuse. There is a need for better reporting and improved police and legal responding. There is a need for survivors to accept counseling and not to blame themselves. And, there is a need for survivor’s families, friends, and coworkers to be willing and able to respond to survivors with openness, genuineness, acceptance, understanding and respect, all of which are key attitudes or conditions for nurturing recovery from the debilitating trauma and effects of sexual assault.

In treating either children or adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the potential for becoming emotionally involved because of one’s own shock and rage at the horrible physical and psychological trauma perpetrated on helpless children is exceedingly high. If you have been repulsed by what you have read in this chapter and some of the language in the dialogues, imagine what occurs for people who work daily with this problem.

[Note: At http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/jen.html, Jens Sethi clearly shows that Sai Baba’s significant multimillion-dollar empire has also led him to buy off the police, possibly bringing those who oppose him or try to reveal his activities to death, torture or permanent incarceration.

"I had another appointment on 1st November with the police, which was the day I intended to go to Delhi, but without my passport it would not be possible. On 30th October, late in the evening, two people whom I know and an unknown person came to our unit and one of them warned me that my life was in danger and I should leave immediately.

My wife and I left very early next morning, for Delhi. At Dharmmavaram rail station the police were searching for us, but we entered the train at Anantapur. There is a police station near the platform which we had to pass to enter the train, and the very moment I saw that I told my wife to go into the train separately. My wife heard a group of policemen talking about searching for somebody and caught the words ‘passport, Delhi and telegram’. We were in serious danger but fortunately I was dressed like an Indian, and escaped identification.

So we escaped and reached Delhi, and went immediately to the German Embassy. I got a travel document after telling them of my experience, and the Embassy official said a protest note would be sent to the Indian Government. He told me such an act is illegal and they knew of similar cases."

We conclude with a final paragraph from Jens Sethi’s article, followed by a Sai Baba quote that may now be more interesting to read in context:

"Please study the statement Krishna, a friend of Sai Baba’s youth, made to Erlendur Haraldsson. Never was a devotee so close to Sai Baba for such a long time as Krishna. He spent twenty-four hours a day with Sai Baba for some time. This was almost sixty years ago. Eventually Krishna left Sai Baba and went to Hydrabad. In an interview with Haraldsson, Krishna said that even in those days Sai Baba was more like a politician or chieftain of a feudal system. Krishna also said "Whatever Baba may have, one thing he has not, and this is compassion".

I hope that this nightmare comes to an end and I hope that by the Grace of the Almighty, all people round the globe may know about the misdeeds of Sai Baba, a mighty demon who came in the guise of a spurious saint, only interested in self-glorification, name and fame.

He is a master - of deception.

Yours sincerely, Jens and Gurprit Sethi."

"Ignorance is on the rise with the progress of science. Truly speaking science has not matured. Man has become senseless. All the trials and tribulations faced in this world are due to the so-called development in science and technology. It is not technology but it is 'tricknology'. Do not become a slave to such technology. Uphold truth and righteousness. Cultivate love and experience divinity. Students, do not harbour any undesirable thoughts. Do not get perturbed by such misinformation campaigns. Swami is always with you. He has been showering His love and grace on you. You too have immense love for Swami. Attain Swami through love. You cannot attain Swami through any other path but love.

Swami has nothing to do with Internet. Not only now, even in future also You should not indulge in such wrong activities."

- Sathya Sai Baba, 15 October 1999, in response to allegations of fraud and sexual offenses.

ADDENDUM:

Please visit Law of One / Ra Material Study Guide, Section 7 in order to educate yourself about negative entities, how they function, how they can take over a positively-oriented channel and where they originate from in our current planetary "game."

Excerpt of correspondence between Wilcock and the Rense website:

“The letters I am receiving indicate some possibly very genuine paranormal abilities on Sai's behalf, but this information must not be ignored. Remember that the head of the Aum Shinrikyo cult that poisoned Japanese subways with lethal sarin gas was also believed to have godlike paranormal abilities as well.

If we are to unite as a community then we must be very well aware that God is One and the highest authority for Truth is Within. The age of the guru / cult leader is past - all spiritual figures must redirect seekers back to the path of self-initiation. And always remember the quote from the master Jesus that says, "Not my will o Father, but Thy will be done," and "Of myself I am nothing... the Father (or Christ Consciousness) in me doeth the works."

Peace and Truth be with you

David Wilcock

SAI BABA - IS HE REALLY THE 'MAN OF MIRACLES'?

2008-04-30T04:55:00.000-07:00

by Dr. Susan Blackmore - prominent para-psychologist and critic of bogus claims
See her CV here

We welcome this critical examination of the teaching behaviour of a well-known Indian guru. It is important to note that there are many ways of understanding such a teacher. One is to visit the ashram and become familiar with the setting, the clientele and the methods of the teacher. This might be called a social anthropological approach and requires an empathetic understanding of the kind Carol Evans showed during her travels in India. Another method involves asking how the effects produced during teaching might have been presented and, where these appear supernatural, what basis for them may actually exist. Here parapsychologist Sue Blackmore brings her expertise to bear on claims made by the Guru.

There is however, yet another consideration. The behaviour of gurus is often a function of a culture where belief systems very different from those of the scientific West may be in operation. This makes judgements of the ethics of their actions relative. In the case of Sai Baba, we know he contributes to a lot of charitable work in India. Even if, in our eyes, some of his methods may be questionable, the way in which ordinary Indians may view this remains an open question (see also page 8).

The sleight of hand artist David Abram, who successfully demonstrates 'magic' under the very noses of critical psychologists, has pointed out that what appear to be magical feats teach us something about the limits of our perception. Indeed, a demonstration of the limits of seeing must make us wonder how far our normal vision is not also limited. We live in a virtual reality and 'magic' makes us wonder at the strangeness of the world. Eds.

In the Spring 1998 issue of New Ch'an Forum Carol Evans wrote a most interesting account of her meeting with the Indian holy man, Sai Baba. She described the devotion of his many followers and her own reservations about their dependency on him. She also described some apparent miracles he performed in her presence, including the materialisation of vibhuti - or sacred ash, of sweets from his bare palms, and of a small locket on a silver chain. Carol Evans said that no concealment was possible and concluded that Sai Baba "transcends the known laws of matter". She expressed doubts about the genuineness of his compassion but added, jokingly, that he does not own a single Rolls Royce. I got the impression that, like many other people, Carol was prepared, in spite of her misgivings, to believe that Sai Baba is a genuine guru with spiritual gifts.

Readers may therefore like to know a little more about Sai Baba. He was born in 1926 of theatrical parents in a small village in South India. At age 14 he claimed to be the reincarnation of an Indian saint, and later of Jesus Christ. Over the following decades he built up a large organisation which now boasts six million followers and two thousand centres around the world. Many questions have been raised about this organisation, for example over the death under questionable circumstances of six of its former top officials, and over the management of the well-endowed trust funds that are exempt from Indian taxes. The Indian magician and investigator, Premanand, has suggested that the valuable pieces of jewellery presented to some of Sai Baba's rich followers serve as a convenient way for wealthy Indians to own gold that would otherwise be prohibited under India's Gold Control Act. A good deal of controversy surrounds the financial dealings of Sai Baba in India today.

As for the apparent miracles, these have been investigated several times. Many magicians, including Premanand, have claimed that the miracles have many features of well-known magic tricks and that they could duplicate the feats using trickery, although other magicians claim to remain baffled by some of Sai Baba's feats. A few experiments have been done. For example, the production of large quantities of vibhuti from an apparently empty urn was duplicated by the American researcher, Dale Beyerstein, by baking liquefied vibhuti onto the inner surface. It could then be scraped off by moving the hand inside the urn as Sai Baba appeared to do.

In 1977 parapsychologists Erlendur Haraldsson and Karlis Osis tried to investigate the materialisations but were never allowed to get close enough to make detailed observations, nor to use a video camera they had taken with them. In spite of numerous requests over many years Sai Baba has never agreed to participate in controlled experimental tests of his apparent abilities. However, a few videotapes have been made. An American team detected several instances suggestive of known conjuring tricks in one such tape but found no definite evidence of fraud. Then in 1992 an Indian newspaper the 'Deccan Chronicle' carried a front page story reporting that Sai Baba had been caught cheating on video, by secretly taking a gold chain from the hand of his assistant and then producing it in an apparently miraculous way. The story spread around the world and even appeared in British newspapers. The English psychologist and magician, Richard Wiseman, studied the tape and concluded that the hand movements seen would certainly have given Sai Baba the opportunity to use sleight of hand, but do not provide unequivocal proof that he did so.

Is it important whether these miracles are genuine or not? I say yes, because when people are convinced of a guru's paranormal powers they are more likely to believe his other claims, accept his religious teachings, or take his advice on matters concerning their lives or health. In doing so they may be seriously misled.

The greatest danger comes over healing, and Sai Baba is widely promoted as a healer. Premanand has listed several cases of promised cures that never came about and in which the patients did not seek medical treatment because of Sai Baba. Sai Baba told Carol Evans that if she were offered an operation for her ear complaint she should not have it and that he would heal her. She does not say whether an operation was ever recommended or whether she took his advice, but the danger is clear.

My own opinion is that Sai Baba is one of many people who successfully claim miraculous abilities and use those claims to gain power over their devotees, to build up vast organisations, and to accumulate wealth for themselves and their followers. They get away with it because people are reluctant to challenge 'spiritual' teachers, and sometimes because their devotees include rich and powerful men who can prevent their being challenged. In the process many ordinary people are deprived of both their money and their health, and some are sucked into overly dependent relationships with the guru which do not help them with their own spiritual endeavours, as Carol Evans clearly saw.

Fortunately these miraculous claims form no part of the teachings of Ch'an and are irrelevant to quiet sitting, to calming the mind, or to practising mindfulness in daily life. So whether we believe in Sai Baba's powers or not we can just get on with our own personal practice.

* References Beyerstein, D. 1996 'Sai Baba'. In The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal, Ed. G. Stein, New York, Prometheus, 653-657.
* Beyerstein, D. (Ed) 1994 Sat Baba's Miracles: An Overview. Podanur, India; Premanand, Publisher.
* Haraldsson, E. and Osis, K. 1977 'The appearance and disappearance of objects in the presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba'. Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 71, 33-43.
* Haraldsson, E. and Wiseman, R. 1995 'Reactions to and an assessment of a videotape on Sathya Sai Baba'. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 60, 203-213.
* Premanand, B. 1982 Lure of Miracles Podanur, India; Premanand, Publisher.

Basava Premanand - re murders in Sathya Sai Baba's bedroom in 1993

2008-04-28T03:18:00.000-07:00

When the post mortem reports on the 4 alleged assailants very clearly states that they died of shock and haemorrhage due to fire arm injuries about 12 to 36 hours prior to autopsy and all injuries are ante-mortem only, why in the case of N.Radhakrishna and Sai Kumar Mahajan was it stated the deceased would appear to have died of shock and hemorrhage as the result of multiple injuries? The doctor did not specifically state that the injuries were ante-mortem because he suspected that the injuries were post mortem. I have not mentioned this anywhere in the references because the post mortem reports do not specifically state that the injuries were ante-mortem, it must mean that the injuries were ante-mortem.

"The opinion in the post-mortem reports of the two aides of Sai Baba states vaguely (Vol I page 347,349) that the 4 deceased would appear to have died to shock & hemorrhage on a result of multiple injuries. This proves that the two aides died not of stab injuries. It is not the inquest report but the post-mortem and forensic report which explains how they died. The mandal magistrate was not there at the place of occurrence as a witness to state that both the deaths were due to stabbing

I The Inquest Report on Sai Kumar Mahajan stated:
1) “White cotton full shirt with blood smears; on right side below shirt is torn
2) white pyjama is with blood stains
3) drawer with blood stain”.

The Inquest report and Post Mortem Certificates will not mention about poisoning. The explosives were not found before the murder when,
as per protocol, the police had to fully search the Prasanthi Nilayam premises as political VIP's were visiting.

The explosives were not found even in the 1st search on June 7th, but later. It has been claimed by persons attempting to cover-up and obfuscate the facts that “the inquest failed to specifically say that Radhakrishna's pants had blood on them”.
The white shirt and banian were full of blood; the trouser did not have even blood smears or blood stains.
The death time given in the inquest report is the time given by the Super Speciality Hospital. Read No.III (Vol. Page 342)

I know very well the Doctors who conducted post mortem. (I did not call him as a material witness for expert testimony because my writ petition was for a CBI enquiry. The higher courts are not the places to bring witnesses.) We have members who are forensic experts: the CCMB and Dr.P.M. Bhargava the founder Director of CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) are our life members. There are others like Dr.M.W.Pandit, who is also a life member, and who proved in the court against Swami Premananda of Trichinopoly that our method was far superior to the methods in use in England. I had met all the three doctors. My letters dated 7.1.1994 in vol I page 81 state that I have met them in a meeting whose terms remain confidential.

As disproof of what some badly uninformed and unqualified commentators from abroad have asserted, the police have nowhere stated that the four alleged assailants confronted the devotees in the Mandir at 9:30 pm. This report on the investigation on the telegram (received by Suresh Santharam Prabhu who was murdered the same night) was published in Mathrubhumi after checking with the records of the Telecommunications department of Puttaparthi. Justice Balakrishna Erady a trustee of the Sathya Sai Baba central Trust is a Director of Mathrubhumi. More than this, this newspaper's owners are strong Sathya Sai Baba devotees. This report on the telegram was published along with an article by Justice Balakrishna Erady about what happened on 6.6.1993. If the telegram news was false, it is all too likely that Justice Erady, being a director would have taken action against the reporter of Mathrubhumi and the person who has accepted Sathya Sai Baba as god incarnate.

The C.I.D investigations revealed that the police tampered with and destroyed evidence and lied about it.

“The AP State government, the Central Government, the Central Excise and Customs Department, the State CB-CID, CBI, CVC, Courts - all know what is happening in Sai Baba's Empire. This I have expressed because investigations departments like CB-CID, CBI, and CVC have already collected details but, due to political influence, they cannot take any action.

Basava Premanand - Editor, Indian Skeptic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basava_Premanand

ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL "SCIENCE MYSTERY" SERIES WITH B. PREMANAND

An excellent series of documentaries on the paranormal that will feature several CSICOP fellows including Robert Baker, Premanand, Joe Nickell, and Richard Wiseman. Nickell was a special consultant to the BBC on several of the episodes.

Unlike recent documentaries to hit Discovery, the Learning Channel, and the major networks, the series shows science and scientists unraveling the mysteries of the unknown while staying away from hyping the extraordinary.

The cooperation and collaboration with producers of several of the Discovery Channel episodes is just the most recent example of CSICOP's twenty-three year history of working with the world media to bring science-based
examinations of the paranormal to television. Whether its Discovery, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CNN, the Learning Channel, the BBC, or HBO (look for a majortwo-hour documentary in the fall on communication with the dead and
near-death experience), CSICOP continues to be the media's best resource and clearing house of information for scientific and expert analysis of the paranormal and the pseudoscientific.

More on Basava Premanand

Kidney stealing at Superspeciality Hospital at Puttaparthi where it is believed treatment is free.

2008-04-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

By Basava Premanand - Editor The Indian Skeptic Vol 20. No. 11 15-03-2008

Kidney transplantation is helpful to only very rich people as it is necessary to spend every month ten to twenty thousand rupees on immuno drugs to keep the transplanted kidney alive. When the medical faculty knows this, it is necessary to investigate why the hospitals transplant kidneys to the poor patients even when their kith and kin come forward to donate their kidneys to keep their food earner alive. The law enforcement department very well know that kidney is transplanted not to the donee but sold to some very rich.

One such case of kidney transplantation to the father of the donor was exposed and a complaint filed at the Puttaparthi Police Station but the donor was chased out of Puttaparthi by the law enforcement department without taking any action against the Hospital. We helped the complainant to file a writ in the Andhra High Court. The Hospital has kept silent and didn't file a counter affidavit, but the police filed one which was very funny and they pointed out to a calcified mass in the stomach of the dead as the transplanted kidney while the forensic department had already found that the calcified mass was a dead worm. The Hon. High court has not takes suo motto action against the police for filing a false affidavit and this crucial .writ petition has not come for hearing so far even after several years.

Recently the news papers and the television are full with the news of a kidney transplant racket-wherein Dr. Amit Kumar and Jeevan Kumar conducted over 500 illegal transplants in the past eight years! The wonder is, it took eight years for the police to bust this thriving Kidney racket. Even in hospital near by in Podanur illegal kidney transplantations were conducted more than 20 years ago but the influence of money took the upper hand and all the cases in the hospitals in South India are dormant and would never see light.

The present criminal case also is not different as money power kept the police silent. The kidney Racket driver confessed that the crime branch of Delhi Police had detained him and a doctor and subsequently let them off following payment of a huge sum of money by Dr. Amit Kumar who had come to bail them.

If legal action was taken against the kidney racket criminals and punished the culprits including the Puttaparthy super speciality Hospital such rackets would have stopped then itself. The judiciary also has a commitment to the people to take suo motto action against the criminals when the newspapers bring such matter to the public knowledge and the Home Ministry closes their eyes like the Puttaparthy case.

NewIndPress,com reported Kidney stealing at Superspeciality Hospital at Puttaparthi where it is believed treatment is free.
Kidney transplantation is helpful to only very rich people as it is necessary to spend every month ten to twenty thousand rupees on immuno drugs to keep the transplanted kidney alive. When the medical faculty knows this, it is necessary to investigate why the hospitals transplant kidneys to the poor patients even when their kith and kin come forward to donate their kidneys to keep their food earner alive. The law enforcement department very well know that kidney is transplanted not to the donee but sold to some very rich.

One such case of kidney transplantation to the father of the donor was exposed and a complaint filed at the Puttaparthi Police Station but the donor was chased out of Puttaparthi by the law enforcement department without taking any action against the Hospital. We helped the complainant to file a writ in the Andhra High Court. The Hospital has kept silent and didn't file a counter affidavit, but the police filed one which was very funny and they pointed out to a calcified mass in the stomach of the dead as the transplanted kidney while the forensic department had already found that the calcified mass was a dead worm. The Hon. High court has not takes suo motto action against the police for filing a false affidavit and this crucial .writ petition has not come for hearing so far even after several years.

Recently the news papers and the television are full with the news of a kidney transplant racket-wherein Dr. Amit Kumar and Jeevan Kumar conducted over 500 illegal transplants in the past eight years! The wonder is, it took eight years for the police to bust this thriving Kidney racket. Even in hospital near by in Podanur illegal kidney transplantations were conducted more than 20 years ago but the influence of money took the upper hand and all the cases in the hospitals in South India are dormant and would never see light.

The present criminal case also is not different as money power kept the police silent. The kidney Racket driver confessed that the crime branch of Delhi Police had detained him and a doctor and subsequently let them off following payment of a huge sum of money by Dr. Amit Kumar who had come to bail them.

If legal action was taken against the kidney racket criminals and punished the culprits including the Puttaparthy super speciality Hospital such rackets would have stopped then itself. The judiciary also has a commitment to the people to take suo motto action against the criminals when the newspapers bring such matter to the public knowledge and the Home Ministry closes their eyes like the Puttaparthy case.

----------------------------

NewIndPress.com reported Kidney stealing at Superspeciality Hospital at Puttaparthi where it is believed treatment is free.
Kidney transplantation is helpful to only very rich people as it is necessary to spend every month ten to twenty thousand rupees on immuno drugs to keep the transplanted kidney alive. When the medical faculty knows this, it is necessary to investigate why the hospitals transplant kidneys to the poor patients even when their kith and kin come forward to donate their kidneys to keep their food earner alive. The law enforcement department very well know that kidney is transplanted not to the donee but sold to some very rich.

One such case of kidney transplantation to the father of the donor was exposed and a complaint filed at the Puttaparthi Police Station but the donor was chased out of Puttaparthi by the law enforcement department without taking any action against the Hospital. We helped the complainant to file a writ in the Andhra High Court. The Hospital has kept silent and didn't file a counter affidavit, but the police filed one which was very funny and they pointed out to a calcified mass in the stomach of the dead as the transplanted kidney while the forensic department had already found that the calcified mass was a dead worm. The Hon. High court has not takes suo motto action against the police for filing a false affidavit and this crucial .writ petition has not come for hearing so far even after several years.

Recently the news papers and the television are full with the news of a kidney transplant racket-wherein Dr. Amit Kumar and Jeevan Kumar conducted over 500 illegal transplants in the past eight years! The wonder is, it took eight years for the police to bust this thriving Kidney racket. Even in hospital near by in Podanur illegal kidney transplantations were conducted more than 20 years ago but the influence of money took the upper hand and all the cases in the hospitals in South India are dormant and would never see light.

The present criminal case also is not different as money power kept the police silent. The kidney Racket driver confessed that the crime branch of Delhi Police had detained him and a doctor and subsequently let them off following payment of a huge sum of money by Dr. Amit Kumar who had come to bail them.

If legal action was taken against the kidney racket criminals and punished the culprits including the Puttaparthy super speciality Hospital such rackets would have stopped then itself. The judiciary also has a commitment to the people to take suo motto action against the criminals when the newspapers bring such matter to the public knowledge and the Home Ministry closes their eyes like the Puttaparthy case.

------------
NewIndPress.com reported 12-4-08:- "AMBALA: A local court on Saturday ordered that the three bank accounts of the alleged kidney racket kingpin Amit Kumar in Canada be frozen.
Special CBI Magistrate Abdul Majid passed the order on an application of the agency, which pointed out that he had three bank accounts in the Royal Bank of Canada."

The Times (of India) reported 29-3-08:-
"NEW DELHI: A city court on Saturday allowed the Delhi Police to quiz two constables, who, along with six other colleagues, had allegedly extorted over Rs 19 lakh from an aide of Kidney racket kingpin Dr Amit Kumar.
The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police informed the court that Dr Upender, an aide of Dr Amit Kumar who had allegedly bribed them to escape police action, took part in the TIP."

THE HISTORY OF ‘THE FINDINGS’ ABOUT SAI BABA BY DAVID BAILEY

2008-01-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

How the International Media began to question the claims of Sathya Sai Baba

The first whistle-blower activated a world-wide exposure of Sai Baba which developed via the Internet was the professional pianist, David Bailey from Wales. He knew the British Royal Family, and had occasionally performed before the Queen and her court. He first visited Sathya Sai Baba in the 1990s, where he was very soon given a highly privileged status by Sathya Sai Baba, also being asked to perform at the ashram and teach music at the Sai College in Puttaparthi. He was a much sought-after person by devotees because of his elevated status as a ‘veranda person’ (i.e. only Sai Baba’s closest favourites can sit there) and his many interviews with Sai Baba – he reports over 100 in all.

David Bailey was asked by Sai Baba and many followers alike to hold talks and lectures about Sai Baba around the world from Russia to Australia, UK to USA, which he did for several years. He was extremely popular – due doubtless to his frequent closeness to Sai Baba (apparently also due to his Royal connections) and much praise was heaped on him by many devotees – and subsequently also on Faye, the wife selected for him and married to him by Sai Baba. Faye and David’s talks were filmed on various occasions and they both wrote and published books recounting their experiences with - and lavishly praising - Sai Baba (all since withdrawn). Later they took over the editing of the UK Sai Baba Magazine which had been started and run by the very popular VIP devotees, Ron Laing and Peggy Mason (authors of much Sai Baba literature).

Great was the horror of devotees when the news spread in 1999 that David Bailey had denounced Sai Baba and decided to expose him as a confirmed paedophile and a charlatan. 'The Findings', were first circulated in 1999 and posted on the Internet in 2000, causing a flood of e-mails from young men who explained how they had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Sai Baba and many other confirmations of his claims of Sai Baba’s fraud from (ex-) devotees around the world. Soon, however, unconvinced devotees were circulating vile rumours about both of them, also on the Internet on websites and bulletin board posts – claiming that he was a convicted paedophile himself (entirely untrue), that Faye had divorced him, that he had been imprisoned and had hung himself in prison! (Because they were untrue, these were never backed by the slightest evidence, but such rumours still circulate in the Sai community, despite the fact that David Bailey is still pursuing his professional music career and has an active website on the Internet).

Having published his views in ‘The Findings’ and taken a lecture tour in UK to spread these findings, David Bailey became the recipient of many defamations and threats. He answered many questions put to him on the Internet and met any who wished to question him and confirm his standpoint and evidence. Eventually, he decided that he had done what he could and was relieved to withdraw permanently from the vicious scene and to continue with his life and music.

Michelle Goldberg writing from Puttaparthi on July 25, 2001 (http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/07/25/baba/index.html)
summarised how long-term devotees David and Faye Bailey, whose marriage was arranged by Sai Baba, She wrote: “Part of the nearly 20,000-word piece is given over to evidence that Sai Baba fakes his materializations and doesn't magically heal the sick -- revelations that seem self-evident to nonbelievers but provoke fierce debate in devotee circles and blazing headlines in the Indian press. Most of "The Findings" consists of testimony of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. "Whilst still at the ashram, the worst thing for me -- as a mother of sons -- occurred when a young man, a college student, came to our room, to plead with David, 'Please Sir, do something to stop him sexually abusing us,'" Faye writes. "These sons of devotees, unable to bear their untenable position of being unwilling participants in a paedophile situation any longer, yet unable to share this with their parents because they would be disbelieved, placed their trust in David; a trust which had built over his five years as a visiting professor of music to the Sai college." These pleas eroded the Baileys' faith and finally made them go public. Since then, the movement against Sai Baba has been snowballing.”

In “India Today”(see http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover4.shtml)
an article exposing the Sathya Sai Baba movement wrote of David Bailey’s ‘The Findings’: This document, written by a former British devotee, David Bailey, lists graphic allegations of sexual abuse by a number of former Baba devotees. It has acted like a catalyst for others to come out with their stories and spawned more critical websites on Baba. Hari Sampath, a software engineer in Chicago who served as a voluntary inner-security member in Baba's ashram from 1992-1995, claims: "I had heard of these paedophilic activities. I investigated them and found all of them to be true. It was then that I knew I had to expose it all."

In The Sunday Telegraph (U.K.) 28/10/02 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fhealth%2F2000%2F10%2F28%2Ftlbaba28.xml), the journalist and author Mick Brown wrote of David Bailey: The Findings quickly found its way on to the internet, where it has become the catalyst for a raging cyberspace debate about whether Sai Baba is truly divine or, as one disenchanted former devotee describes him, 'a dangerous paedophile'.

It is one of the many imponderables of this story that the charges against Sai Baba should have begun with a rotund and jocular concert pianist from Llandudno.

David Bailey became a devotee of Sai Baba in 1994, at the age of 40, drawn by an interest in the guru's reputation as a spiritual healer. 'I couldn't see him as a God,' says Bailey, 'but I did think, this could be a great holy man who has certain gifts.'

An extrovert man, Bailey quickly became a ubiquitous and popular figure among devotees. He travelled all over the world, speaking and performing at meetings and would visit the ashram in India three or four times a year, often performing during darshan and teaching music to students at the Sathya Sai Baba College. Over the course of four years Bailey claims to have had more than 100 interviews with Baba. At Baba's instigation, Bailey married a fellow devotee, and together they edited a magazine to propagate Sai Baba's teachings. But the closer he came to Sai Baba, Bailey told me, the more his doubts multiplied. The 'miracles', he concluded, were 'B-grade conjuring tricks', the healings a myth, and Baba's powers of being able to 'see into people's minds and lives' merely a clever use of information gleaned from others.

Bailey's dwindling faith was finally crushed when students from the college came to him alleging that they had been sexually abused by the guru. 'They said, "Please sir, can you go back to England and help us." They were unable to tell their parents because they were afraid of being disbelieved, and feared for their personal safety.'

Shocked by the allegations, Bailey severed his association with Sai Baba and began to assemble a dossier of evidence from former devotees around the world. The Findings is a chronicle of shattered illusions. It contains allegations of fakery, con-trickery and financial irregularities in the funding of the hospital and over a Sai Baba project to supply water to villages around the ashram, which is habitually trumpeted as evidence of his munificence. Sai Baba has often proclaimed nothing he undertakes can ever fail, for he is the Omnipotent avatar. This is shown to be a seriously false claim since the water project suffered from many setbacks and failures, falling water table and lack of volunteers for maintenance, all resulting in Sai Baba having to pass the whole project over to the Andhra Pradesh state authorities.

David Bailey is alive and well and is living in retirement in France.

Puttaparthi Baba dabbles in politics

2007-12-01T04:30:00.001-08:00

From http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_070423.htm
By: Gopal Alankar, Ph.D.
April 23, 2007

Inexplicably, what takes place in some areas of democracy is the very opposite of what democracy is designed for. Democracy and politics are interdependent. Politics is the vital process for the preservation of democracy but on a sore note it is also susceptible to manipulation. Politicians manipulate democracy for their devious needs. They adopt unethical means to realize their designs. The recent infamous incident that involved Puttaparthi Sai Baba is an instance of this manipulation.

It is a shame that politicians stoop low to seek the support of holy men to pursue their unscrupulous needs. Much more shameful is the willingness of some holy men to oblige for the unholy acts. Don’t get me wrong. There are many holy men who don’t touch politics with a ten-foot pole. They follow only the dictates of the Supreme God and never those of the mortal politicians. But Puttaparthi Baba obviously chose the opposite. He obliged and thereby brought on himself the wrath of Telanganites.

On January 21, 2007 at a felicitation function in Madras, Baba, the self-proclaimed living God, made the irrational statement that creating Telangana from Andhrapradesh would be a ‘Maha Papam (great sin)’ giving it a religious twist. Rumor had it that he did it at the request of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy (YSR). A few days before Baba made the statement, YSR personally met the Baba and requested him to speak against the separation of Telangana. He followed it by sending two of his trusted ministers to remind Baba of his promise before the function. The two messengers had a pow-wow with Baba and the living God agreed to utter the unutterable. Assuming that this rumor is true, it is beyond anybody’s comprehension why a God personified will bow in for sinister requests of humans.

Baba’s blabbering infuriated the protagonists of a separate Telangana. They went on a rampage. His effigies were burnt, his Shivam Temple was rampaged, and worst of all his dirty laundry was brought out of the closet.

Instantly the Internet became busy delivering websites that assailed Baba’s character and his divine claims. His proclamation that he is a living God was challenged. His assertion that he is the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba was decried. “There can never be a reincarnation of a reincarnation. Borrowing the name of Shirdi Sai Baba is a sin,” said the Shirdi’s followers. His healing powers were belittled. “If Baba possessed the divine powers of healing the sick why does he then have a hospital on his estate?” exclaimed some. His powers of producing gold, pens, rings, and vibhoothi from thin air were assailed. “Why did he stop the tricks since a video recorded his acts?” queried some. His preaching that he is an Immaculate Conception (Pravesa) was ridiculed. “What does he think he is – a Jesus Christ?” fumed the Catholic devotees.

But the attack from the Telangana activists was sharp, forthright and convincing, and is summed up below:

“Sai Baba claims to be omniscience, omnipresent and omnipotent. How is it then he does not know the history of Telangana? Telengana was never an integral part of Andhra region. So the question of carving out Telengana does not arise. It was annexed from the erstwhile Hyderabad State against the wishes of its people. It was never a happy union and the time is now for an amicable divorce. Which is the Maha Papam – subjugation of hapless people by politically powerful Andhras or justifiable delinking of Telangana to its rightful state of original existence? ”

With the utterance of illogical “Maha Papam”, Puttaparthi Sai Baba has virtually written the obituary of his godly intelligence. Alas, all holy men are earthly mortals!

Gopal Alankar, Ph.D.

Basava Premanand on Failed Sabotage and Sashi Taroor

2007-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Indian Skeptic 15.10.2007 Vol. 20 No. 6
(Editor, printer, publisher, owner Basava Premanand)
Editors Page:
Failed Sabotage by SSB. Through Gerald Moreno, who tried to confuse people with false hood on behalf of Ratnakaram Satyanarayana Raju and to prove that all my findings about SNR are false. He even claimed that I had a concubine and cheated my wife! That the kidney stealing case filed by Balaji in High Court of Andhra Pradesh was dismissed; that Prof.A. T. Kovoor died, of syphilis that my findings of the 6 murders in SNR's bedroom were all false and many more starting from the National Award given to me in 1998, that the applying of oil by SNR on. the erogenic zones of the children for awakening the Kundalini shakti to raise it to the Sahasrara - and not a sexual abuse and many more like blackmailing the youths who have been sexually abused by SNR who were interviewed .in two documentaries one seduced by Sai Baba and the 2nd one by BBC titled "The Secret Swami". When my friends knew that 99% I would die, a DVD was produced interviewing me on my work, my dreams and fights exposing miracles and specially Sathya Narayana Raju. This an 85 minute documentary on DVD which would cost you Rs. 10O/-. If any one needs copies of these three CD's can get them if you send me by MO Rs.250/-
being the cost and postage by Registered post parcel.

By cutting down 8 pages my editorials and some urgent articles had to be cut down and so the August issued turned but to be Just one year's news paper clippings on Shashi Tharoor who got himself nominated by the India Government as their candidate for the post of Secretary General of UN! It was very necessary for SNR to get Tharoor elected for the post as earlier the International Education Conference sponsored by UNESCO at Puttaparthi was cancelled when the ex-devotees of SNR protested against SNfc's sexual abuse of children. On every Thursday at 6 PM in Raj TV half to one hour program is there propagating SNR and like the black sheep the students are made to tell the public that it is ^alse that SNR had sexually abused them. No doubt the present students would not have been abused as his back is broken but the students from 1970 who complained about the sexual abuse were not investigated, and the leaders of Sai Baba Trusts refused to investigate so also the India government and the judiciary dismissing the petitions filed.
Moreover the Hon-Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee, two retired Chief Justices of India P.N. Bhagvati and Ranganath Misra along with Mrs. Najma Hepatufia and Shivaraj V. PatiI present Union Home Minister condemning the allegations as slanderous on the internet And when the BBC approached the International President Dr. Goldstein and the then Union Minister Murali Manohar Joshi got angry with the BBC reporter and stated that there is no need for investigation. Under RTl Act I enquired whether the then Prime Minister had investigated the sexual abuse by SNR; the Prime Minister's and Union Home Minister's office replied that no investigation was conducted.
It was with the blessings of his god Satya Narayana Raju that Shashi Tharoor started with his campaign for election as Secretary general of UN. He then had authored an article praising his god and comparing Prasinthinilayam and infosy as bringing together spiritualism and materialism.
In Deccan Herald of 24.12.2006- immediately hinting to leave UN office Tharoor is in company of Sri Sri Ravishankar whom he finds now more powerful and influential than SNR, It is not known whether he has relinquished his post in UN as under Secretary.
Shashi Tharoor refused to heed the words of Kofi Annan that in. the protocol world of UN to promote oneself as a contender for the world's top diplomat is considered most undiplomatic - if you want it, forget it! He instead started his publicity to win the SG Post of UN. Now with this information read the rest of the newspaper articles.

It was funny that, before elected as the Secretary General of UN, Tharoor celebrated his future election as the Secretary General with fire works in his village. Poor fellow he did not know that it is neither god in the heavens or at Puttaparthi who elects the candidate, but the members of the UN. This shows his false humility of differentiating between the rich and the poor.
On 19.6.2006 Tharoor welcomed any qualified competition. He did not mention what "qualified" means and whether qualification has to be judged by others or by oneself. Tharoor believes that is a race to contest for the highest UN Post and the Indian news papers have praised him so much. They even stated that Tharoor has risked his UN Career for the SG Post. Surprisingly a youth of 30 years from Andhra Pradesh also has put forward him credentials to the Prime Minister to be chosen as India's nominee. The news papers found him crazy and not Tharoor.
Times of India with Retd. Justice P. N. Bhagvati as its omsbudsman reported on 30.9.2006 that South Korean Ban's bid could be headed for last minute trouble with the Times, London reporting that South Korea had spent large sums of money to win support and Deccan Herald on 1.10.2086 detailed that South Korea is using foreign aid to buy votes while later and Time of India came with the news that an India government official on deputation to the UN was arrested in New York on Wednesday in a multi-million dollar bribery case that embarrassingly for New Delhi involves a Government of India entity Sanjay Bahela whose immunity was lifted by Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Thus ends the Saga of Shashi Tharoor who believed that he would be elected as the Secretary General. With this information read the August 2007 issue and you will be able to find why India wanted Shashi Tharoor to be Secretary General of United Nations.

How Not To Study Paranormal Phenomena

2007-10-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

Professor Erlendur Haraldsson, Rekjavik

Book Review by Babu Gogineni (1999)

Associate Professor of Psychology at University of Iceland, para psychologist Dr.Erlendur Haraldsson came to India several times (twice along with Karlis Osis, co-author of their book on near-death experiences: At the Hour of Death) to investigate Satya Sai Baba's paranormal powers.The result of his efforts over ten years is the book "Miracles are My Visiting Cards; An Investigative Report on the Psychic phenomena" associated with Satya Sai Baba, published in 1987.

Dr. Haraldsson's repeated requests for controlled experiments were firmly rejected by Satya Sai Baba and his team was asked "not to pester" Baba with more requests. Charmed by the charmed by the charisma of Baba and more predisposed to believe than to investigate, Dr. Haraldsson settles for his own inefficient and subjective personal - informal observation as well as hearsay accounts from devotees. Yet, in their article entitled as The Appearance and Disappearance of Objects in the Presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research Vol. 71, January, 1977, Haraldsson and Karlis Osis express their gratitude to Sri satya Sai Baba "for his kind cooperation in their investigation"!

Dr. Haraldsson's book does not indicate that he is aware of Satya Sai Baba's father's brother being a tantrik-conjuror. He could perhaps have been Satya Sai,s teacher.Despite assuring us that he "tried his very best" to trace all "Critics" only Dr.H. Narasimhaiah is mentioned. No mention of Dr. Kovoor's whirlwind tours of Andhra,his challenges to Sathya Sai Baba, his largely attended public meeting (30,000 people for instance) to the accompaniment of stupendous publicity! Contributors to the national debates in the then prestigious Illustrated Weekly of India, and the tabloids Blitz and Current Weekly are ignored. Interestingly, Dr. Haraldesson is unaware even of the Seiko watch controversy. Later, unconvincingly, he said that he was unwilling to take it up because of the various versions of it! One has not heard of an "investigative" researcher shy away on such dubious grounds.

Nor does Haraldsson mention Satya Sai Baba specialist B. Premanand, whose first book in English on Baba, Lure of Miracles, was published in 1976. Dr.Haraldsson's excuse on 6 April, 1988 to Dale Beyerstein, editor of the excellent 1994 book, Sai Baba's Miracles: An Overview is that no one in India mentioned Premanand to him. Then again, Dr. Haraldsson writes in his letter of 21 October, 1988 to Dale Beyerstein that Dr.H. Narasimhaiah did not think it worthwhile for him to visit Premanand. When informed of this Dr.Narasimhaiah issued a issued a written clarification that he respected Premanand's work and could never have said what Haraldsson reported. This is not the only complaint of misquoting about Haraldsson.Two chapters of the book Miracles are My Visiting Cards are devoted to M.Krishna and Varadu (in no way critics, looking at the contents of the book), former personal assistants to Satya Sai Baba in the earlier days; Krishna converted to Christianity later. Now,Krishna's son, a good friend of mine, insists that I report this, and in the manner in which some statements were transformed to suit Dr. Haraldsson purposes.In an interview with me and Premanand, P.V.N.Nair, editor of Deccan Chronicle, whom Haraldsson accused of misquoting him as saying that he was "disappointed with Satya Sai Baba", regretted that out of good faith he had not tape recorded the interview. Premanand has shown how different version and sequences of the same event (production of ring for Karlis Osis) have been written by Haraldsson. When Premanand asked for clarification and explanation in an undoubtedly long questionnaire,the very prolific Dr. Haraldsson suddenly has no time to write!

Haraldsson is aware that propaganda of the claimed resurrection from death of Walter Cowan and Radhakrishna had the support of Satya Sai Baba. He is also aware that Dr. Fanibunda, himself a medical doctor, testified to the resurrection of Cowan. Haraldsson's own conclusion is that the stories of resurrections are false. Yet, to our scientist-investigator the role of Satya Sai Baba is not suspect. Nor that of Dr.Fanibunda, whose testimony he approvingly uses in another case. It also does not occur to this impartial investigator, forever solicitous of being scientific and objective that since he himself has found some stories to be false, he has necessarily to work under controlled conditions. This is how professional credentials become suspect. Some of the stories Haraldsson reports are not even amenable to verification by us. For example, he mentions how a burglar prowling in the house of a Satya Sai Baba devotee was scared away by Satya Sai's bilocation. He does not mention the name of the Devotee, nor the name of the police station which later caught the burglar.

In the April 1995 issue of the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, Haraldsson and Richard Wiseman write an article Reactions To and An Assessment of a Videotape on Satya Sai Baba, where they make pathetic attempts to show that from the Deccan Chronicle Doordarshan tape, no evidence of fraud by Satya Sai Baba can be deduced. Haraldsson and co-author are invited to watch our copy of the tape, or watch one of the episodes of the British program, The Guru Busters, a television program on Rationalist work in India, which has quite clear visuals. They should also read the analysis of a Sathya Sai Baba video tape by Dale Beyerstein, Leon Mandrake et al (a team of professional magicians) where among others, they detect Sathya Sai Baba "thumb palming" a necklace, before "materialisation" published in Beyerstein's book. Perhaps, Haraldsson is also unaware of Premanand's video cassette of Satya Sai Baba producing a gold necklace at a wedding in Balakrishna Eradi's family (a former judge from Kerala).

While waiting to watch this, the authors should find time to read the account of the Dutch author Piet Vroon who wrote an expanded version of his article Sinterklass in India (Santa Claus in India), published in De Volkskrant of 5 December, 1992. Piet Vroon was at Puttaparthi to film Baba at "work", and he and his partner detected Baba remove rings, necklaces and watches from behind flower vases and from pillows of his chair. They also detected Sai Baba holding Vibhuti balls in one hand, transferring them to the other hand, pulverising them and distributing them. Vibhuti is also hidden in the mouth and removed while wiping the face, which Baba does very often. Piet Vroon's conclusion is unambiguous: "we just think that he is a trickster and a cheat".

It is easy to see these things, especially when one's work, and perhaps livelihood, does not depend on funding from parapsychology foundations! The only lesson one can learn from ERLENDUR HARALDSSON is how not to study the paranormal events.

(Searches on the web indicate that Prof. Erlendur Haraldsson has never responded to the above review or any of the points made there.)

Clinical Diagnosis of Satya Sai

2007-08-05T04:41:00.001-07:00

From: http://www.ascension2000.com/baba1.htm - Compiled by David Wilcock

Primary excerpts from Crisis Intervention Strategies by Drs. Burl E. Gilliand and Richard K. James, Memphis State University, Brooks / Cole Publishing Company, Belmont, California 1993, ch. 6 pp. 225-254, and various articles from the website http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed, especially a letter by Meenakshi Srikanth:

[Introduction: Sai Baba’s offenses undoubtedly will be a shock, horror and surprise for many individuals. (This document does not include data regarding the fact that he has systematically faked all of his "miracle" materializations of objects, at least since the early 1980s and possibly all along.) The reader must remain patient as we will start with an analysis and only describe the more graphic sexual offenses as the document progresses. The disclosure of his sexual offenses may also bring up powerful issues within the individuals reading this document, especially if they themselves have been through such forms of abuse. We need to be absolutely objective in analyzing the facts and not be blinded by the standard denials imposed by human beings when faced with information that is uncomfortable to them – such as is so frequently seen in the "cult of suppression" within the UFO field. Many followers have transposed their ideas about God onto this man and will thus find it difficult or impossible to believe that such events could be true. This document is intended to show that Sai Baba’s entire pattern of offenses, as well as the large-scale complicity of his inner hierarchy, dovetails precisely with extant clinical literature on sexual assault.]

From Crisis Intervention Strategies, chapter 6:

Sexual Assault

…Rapists come from every segment of society. People who rape and commit other forms of sexual abuse/misuse have been identified in every stratum of society – from judges to messenger boys, from weaklings to muscular types, from vagrants to corporate executives, from husbands and fathers to strangers, from known friends or relatives to unknown intruders…

[Note: Impossible to believe, but more and more would-be spiritual leaders such as Satya Sai Baba are being implicated in just such matters.]

Phases of Child Sexual Abuse –

Engagement phase. The abuser’s objective in the engagement phase is to get the child involved in sexual activity with the abuser. Both access to the child and opportunity (privacy) are needed if the abuser is to be successful. Therefore, if we were looking for possible instances of unreported abuse, we would identify times and situations when the potential abuser and the child were alone together. We must also look for different strategies that two different types of abusers (child molesters and child rapists) may employ (Murphy, 1985, p.1).

[Note: As you read the multiplicity of accounts of Sai Baba’s abuse of young adults and children on the website, you will see that in every case, the abuse occurs within the confined, private space of an "interview," as he calls it.]

Molesters tend to use enticement and entrapment to get the child engaged in sexual activity. Enticement may include deceit, trickery, rewards, or the use of adult authority to tell the child in a matter-of-fact way that the child is expected to participate. Entrapment is used to manipulate the child into feeling obligated to participate through traps, blackmail, and so forth. Molesters may make pornographic pictures or video tapes and convince the child that there is no other choice than going along with the secret activity and may also seek to impose guilt by making the child feel responsible for the abuse (Murphy, 1985, p.1).

Child rapists use threat (particularly the threat of harm) or the imposition of superior physical force to engage the child in the abusive activity…

[Note: Based on these classifications, all of the above apply to Sai Baba, when studying the available literature. Sai Baba is primarily a child molester whose primary tool is enticement. All accounts agree that his young victims are given significant financial rewards – such as "covers (envelopes) with crisp hundred rupee notes" referred to in an excerpt from Meenakshi Srikanth’s letter below. Also, this quote from said letter is also significant: "Whenever Swami came to Bangalore, there always used to be a few students who got interviews every other day. These students were often referred to as those who are 'in form' (a cricket analogy) with Swami. These students were among the most privileged in the hostel."

At this stage, where disclosure is no longer imminent but is actively occurring en masse, Sai Baba has become desperate and is now resorting to the use of threats, as we shall see in the following excerpts. ]

Sexual interaction phase. Types of abuse may include… [List of all possible sexual offenses, touching, fondling, et cetera.] Children may be coaxed into cooperation, not consenting, because abusers – as adult authority figures – often command, engage, or enlist cooperation from the child. Children lack the maturity, experience, and age to be able to consent, but they may cooperate because of their subservient status (Murphy, 1985, p.2; Plummer, 1984, p. 145).

[Note: Again from Srikanth’s letter: "One of them [young boy students] used to tell me harrowing stories. When Swami was in Brindavan, he [the boy] used to get the call for interview at least once in three days. Whereas a student when he gets an interview is usually so elated and pleased that Swami has recognized his devotion etc. this boy, lets call him Nandan, always have a grim face as he walked into the bungalow. He never attended classes those days in which he got an interview. I have often seen him show marks in his chest and chin and say things like, "innikku kadichtaarudaa!", followed by a flow of choice words of slang. Nandan often used to get covers from Swami in public and sometimes he would be asked to open it. It would contain crisp hundred rupee notes. There is another word for giving money for such acts.

"Nandan was helpless. He could not go home and complain. His family and parents were devotees for 30 years and their very lives have been defined around Baba. Nandan since he knew the world has been knowing Swami and none else as god. He was first initiated into doing this by Swami when he was in school. Swami told him that he (Swami) was the only purusha in the world and the whole world was his wife. Nandan was asked to think of himself as Radha devoted to the Krishna. Nandan's whole attitude towards life is now irrevocably changed."

Purusha is the primary male god in the Hindu trinity. Sai Baba has assigned himself the title of God and therefore feels that "the whole world was his wife," and that therefore he can force sexual acts upon whomever he wishes – to the point of sodomizing children, et cetera. This fits the classic patterns of rationalization of the behaviors, as seen further down in the excerpts. The parents of the victim are completely blinded by their devotion to this leader, arguably one of the top three most popular "gurus" in the modern world.]

Secrecy phase. Abusers communicate to children that others must not discover the sexual activity. The objective of abusers is to continue the activity. This necessitates avoiding detection and maintaining access to the child while continuing the abuse. The techniques for maintaining the secrecy may involve incorporating "rules" or "games," implicating the child in the activity, and setting the child up to be responsible for keeping the secret (Bass & Thornton, 1983; Murphy, 1985, p.2).

[Note: At this link, http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/saibabanet.html, we can observe Sai Baba’s recent public statements from 15th October 1999, Prashanti Nilayam against these allegations. Among other notable quotations regarding the need for his devotees to maintain secrecy, Sai Baba said the following:

"Some of the elders sitting in the Verandah are indulging in gossip; it is finding its way into the Internet. Anyone found talking in the Verandah should be sent out immediately, whosoever it may be. All those who give misleading information about what Swami tells them in the interview room should also be thrown out. I will never call such people for interview again. Only those who observe silence are good people. Silence fosters purity. Therefore observe silence at all times. It is a waste of time if you carry tales about others. What have you come here for? Vain gossip causes harm to many. So refrain from indulging in it."

Even more directly revealing is the following statements, which show Sai Baba’s degree of paranoia and fear surrounding the next phase of child sexual abuse listed below, namely Disclosure:

"Ignorance is on the rise with the progress of science. Truly speaking science has not matured. Man has become senseless. All the trials and tribulations faced in this world are due to the so-called development in science and technology. It is not technology but it is 'tricknology'. Do not become a slave to such technology. Uphold truth and righteousness. Cultivate love and experience divinity. Students, do not harbour any undesirable thoughts. Do not get perturbed by such misinformation campaigns. Swami is always with you. He has been showering His love and grace on you. You too have immense love for Swami. Attain Swami through love. You cannot attain Swami through any other path but love.

Swami has nothing to do with Internet. Not only now, even in future also You should not indulge in such wrong activities."

As we can see from this excerpt, the offender is forbidding his worshippers to have access to the sources of information that reveal his true actions, and is furthermore demonizing these sources. By labeling technology as "tricknology" and the use of the Internet as a "wrong activity," he is trying to blame the development of modern society for revealing his own "trials and tribulations". Furthermore we can see how he calls any contemplation of his illicit actions as "undesirable thoughts." The use of words of love further shows how he wishes to distort his true face behind a wall of flowery language.]

Disclosure phase. Sometimes the abuser is discovered accidentally. At other times the abuse is disclosed intentionally by the child or someone else… The way the abuse is disclosed can affect the child’s self-esteem and reaction to treatment. For instance, disbelieving adults sometimes respond by blaming and punishing the child – and allow the sexual abuse to continue (Molmen, 1982, pp. 35-36; Murphy, 1985, p.2).

[Note: The disclosure of Sai Baba’s offenses is already in high gear. The above excerpt from Sai Baba’s own public statement clearly shows that blaming and punishing the victims has already occurred: "All those who give misleading information about what Swami tells them in the interview room should also be thrown out. I will never call such people for interview again."

From David Bailey’s expose, linked below, we get the following about a successful disclosure that halted Sai Baba’s operations in Sweden:

"Early in 1999 a young Swedish man returned from a visit to the ashram and made a full statement to his co-ordinating committee about his sexual experiences with Swami during six interviews. Within hours of this revelation, one of the top officials of Sweden’s Sai organisation was on our doorstep, asking why we had left Sai Baba. He and his wife, both really lovely people, were absolutely devastated to hear the young man’s story confirmed. After saying brokenly ‘I cannot be part of this’ he went outside and sat on the steps in our front garden and sobbed his heart out. He had been a devotee for more than twenty years, and his wife had written two books on Sai Baba and another was already at the point of being printed.

He went home to resign his position from something he had given years of his life and his love to, and she cancelled her book and withdrew the others from the market. Within days there was public confirmation - that these things I had spoken about through the year to a small number of serious seekers of truth - were indeed happening to others as well.

Soon after, the Sai school in Sweden closed."

Obviously the courage for disclosure must now continue to the point of bringing this information to the level of common knowledge in the New Age / Spiritual community.]

Suppression phase. The suppression phase may begin as soon as disclosure takes place. Suppression may be attempted by the abuser, the child, parents, other family members, professionals, the community, or an institution. There are many reasons for suppression: fear of publicity; fear of reprisal; to protect the reputation of a family, an abuser, or an institution; to avoid prosecution; to avoid responsibility; to protect the child; to avoid embarrassment; to avoid the kinds of confrontation and intervention required to deal effectively with the difficult and sensitive situation; and fear of getting involved.

[Note: Again, previous excerpts have covered this category quite well. Pay special attention to the sentence that says, "There are many reasons for suppression… [such as] to protect… an institution." If David Wilcock had fear of getting involved and writing this summarization, the suppression phase would only be further aided.]

Survival phase. On the basis of our own experience and the reports of a number of other writers (Besharov, 1990; Kendrick, 1991), we have added a sixth phase, the survival phase. It is during this phase that we recommend implementation of strategies for helping the child and the family to respond to and recover from the abuse as much as possible. Phase 6 includes stopping the abuse, providing needed medical and psychological treatment for the child, and helping the significant others close to the child to overcome the trauma, fear, anger, and despair caused by the abuse (Benedict, 1985; Grossman & Sutherland, 1983). It also involves preventing further abuse (Bass & Thornton, 1983; Colao & Hosansky, 1983; Plummer 1984; Townley, 1985)…

[Note: The study and knowledge of this phase is best suited for those who have personally experienced said trauma, or know someone else who has experienced it.]

In summarizing the dynamics of child sexual abuse, it appears that abusers and pedophiles – adults who have an abnormal sexual desire for children – are able to carry on their activities because children are largely powerless and vulnerable and because families and society are reluctant to face and deal with the realities of the abuse.

[Note: The next set of excerpts further reveals family system dynamics of sexual abuse that apply equally well to the enclosed communities headed by Sai Baba where this abuse is taking place. Here, when you see the word "family" just transpose it with the words "religious organization:"]

Family Dynamics

The incestuous family may operate much like an alcoholic or battered family in developing a series of messages or rules that pivot around denial, duplicity, deceit, role confusion, violence, and social isolation (Courtois, 1988, p.45). Children receive messages such as:

1. Do not show feelings, especially anger.

2. Be in control at all times; do not ask for help.

3. Deny what is happening and do not believe your own senses / perceptions.

4. No one is trustworthy.

5. Keep the secret because no one will believe you anyway.

6. Be ashamed of yourself; you are to blame for everything.

[Note: In reference to the above points, special attention should be paid to information in this link, http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/davidbailey.html, where "famous musician" David Bailey, once an inner devotee of Sai Baba, says, among other things:

"Faye’s own son had been kissed repeatedly on his cheeks and the corners of his mouth when alone in the inner room with Sai Baba, and also sexually touched. And when it was obvious to Sai Baba that this behaviour was unwelcome, he began berating the young man in subsequent interviews with Faye, calling him ‘Mad dog! Hard hearted!’ and so on. At the time this seemed incongruous; it was only after we began travelling the world that the inconceivable and incomprehensible began to make itself clear.

When I asked various co-ordinators about these many disturbing incidents reported to me in our travels, I was told that Swami was ‘raising kundalini’. I questioned this in my mind. If he was capable of doing anything, why did he have to physically touch the boys, especially when they were unwilling? And what about when he had them actively engage in sex to him? It seems that an ongoing, serious and untenable infringement of basic human rights is being scurrilously perpetrated, in the name of ‘divinity’."

Also see this quote:

"On my last visit to Puttaparthi, a male student came and asked me for help, on behalf of some of his fellow students, because they were desperately in need of someone to stop Swami sexually abusing them. I was told how Sai Baba had for years been demanding that these particular boys have oral sex, and group sex for his pleasure. Their details matched what I had already been told so many times round the world. I asked him if this was an acceptable practice in India, and his look of horror as he denied it, spoke volumes.

Then he asked me a question I couldn’t answer.

‘Sir, why do you think ex-students tried to kill him in ’93 ...?’ (!!!)

I turned to several long time devotees on the verandah for explanation of these nefarious activities, and worried them with questions and suppositions until in the end they realised that I had found the truth, and then admitted that these things do happen; and then - agreed with each other that it was for his pleasure and nothing to do with kundalini raising."

In reference to denial, read the following quote:

"Different national co-ordinators I spoke to, both in India and after we returned home, continued for a time, to deny that it happens. But when it became obvious that I was not going to leave this issue alone, a couple of them telephoned me to say that yes I was correct and they had known of this for years. ‘But he is God, and God can do anything he likes.’ (!!!)"

Also read this excerpt regarding denial from Jens Sethi:

"During this frightening time at Puttaparthi I met an Italian couple we knew there and tried to tell them what had happened to me in interview with Sai Baba. They just closed their eyes and the lady shouted "Be quiet!! Shut up!! Sai Baba is our God, and all the bad stories are not true!!" Then they turned away. These same people had told me many years before that they could never find any peace at the ashram, and couldn’t understand it. But they would not listen to those who know it better. Nobody can possibly imagine how I felt while all of this was happening. I suffered a lot."

Denial can even occur within the victim himself. This excerpt speaks volumes, from Jens Sethi at http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/jen.html. Pay special attention to how long it took the victim to ever acknowledge what was really happening to him:

"On 17th January 1996 I got my first interview and he was very kind telling me nice things like "I will give you everything" as he touched and stroked my head. He said "I know you’re not sure about your life and future and so on. Also unhappiness from women. I know, don’t worry. Also you have some bad thoughts, not good". Then he said "I give you everything according to health, spirituality and life. Everything. I give you infinite love. You and me will become one". I touched his robe and he put his hand on the top of my head saying "I give you separate interview".

On 20th January 1996 I got the second interview. Already days before, he had established a strange eye-contact with me indicating the coming interview. My wife and I went to the interview and he acted very disappointed at seeing me together with my wife. He took me alone into the interview room and said "She is diseased and much older than you. Please separate from her". I was really shocked and replied "She is attached to me".

I asked him to give her some spiritual instruction, which he readily agreed to do, but he had something else on his mind.

Without asking permission he started kissing me on my lips for some time, and later asked me to open my trousers and ‘materialised’ some oil which he rubbed on the skin above my genitals. I felt very bad about all of this, but accepted, as I fully trusted Sai Baba.

Then he took my wife into the private interview room alone, and told her "Either you separate from the boy or I throw you out of Puttaparthi!". He appeared wild and furious (my wife told me afterwards) and she shivered all over. When she reappeared in a very short time, looking red faced and very scared, nobody dared ask her what happened in there.

He saw me again some days later in darshan and asked whether I had separated or not. I said "Not yet". He turned away and shouted so all people could hear "Bad, Bad boy!!!" He was so aggressive and seemed to radiate such an aura of evil that I was really shocked. We immediately left and went to north India for some pilgrimage.

This was a turning point, but after a time I decided to go once more to Sai Baba to clarify the matter. At the end of 1996 I returned to India and got interview on 4th December. In the interview he said "Where are you from?" When I told him I was from Germany, he responded "You are also a Hitler!". Shocked, I thought to myself "He is not very kind is he?"

Nevertheless, in the private room the greedy old man kissed me again direct and continuously on my lips for about twenty seconds, and gently stroked my back. By now I was certain that something was very wrong.

On 28th December I was again called for interview and he produced a golden ring which didn’t fit well on my finger in spite of his blowing on it. In the private chamber he said "Come" and again kissed me on the lips for some time as before. This time I resisted and he gurgled "Have no fear". I said "I have no fear". Then he said "This is a good opportunity, so many waiting for months and will not get". This baffled me. I’m sure people don’t wait for mouth kisses in Puttaparthi.

Then his mood totally changed and I did have some fear. He commanded me to remove my trousers, unzipped my fly and went with his right hand into my underpants. Sathya Sai Baba the ‘divine’ touched and massaged my genitals unasked. He expected some erection, but this didn’t happen for I didn’t feel any sexual excitement, no lust in the presence of a seventy years old man. I was really disgusted. Then he had the impudence to say "It is very weak, don’t waste energy". When I looked at him I realised the truth about him and was shocked indeed. Soon afterwards, without another word, he sent me out of the room."

Note: We see exactly how long it took this particular individual to come to his senses about what was really happening to him. The next, brief excerpt from Crisis Intervention Strageties: Sexual Assault graphically shows the damage that these experiences can create, especially in children:]

…While war may be hell, the sexual abuse of children undoubtedly occupies a deeper level of Dante’s Inferno …

[Note: And now, our concluding excerpts from Crisis Intervention Strategies, which by now should be quite easy to understand in context of this situation:]

Typically, abusers deny, minimize, and / or rationalize their behavior to the extent that they themselves rarely define their attacks as abuse. Instead, they usually charge that the survivor asked for, deserved, or caused the abusive activity.

In recent years the public has become more aware of the phenomenon of rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and increased awareness appears to have ushered in a greater sensitivity to and advocacy for the rights and needs of survivors. The helping professions have provided many additional programs for assisting survivors; crisis intervention, research, counseling, medical services, long-term mental health care, new laws and legal advocacy, more vigorous efforts to prosecute offenders, and more sympathetic and proactive news media. However, much remains to be done in the arena of sexual assault… There is a great need for society to overcome a number of long-standing myths about rape and other forms of sexual abuse. There is a need for better reporting and improved police and legal responding. There is a need for survivors to accept counseling and not to blame themselves. And, there is a need for survivor’s families, friends, and coworkers to be willing and able to respond to survivors with openness, genuineness, acceptance, understanding and respect, all of which are key attitudes or conditions for nurturing recovery from the debilitating trauma and effects of sexual assault.

In treating either children or adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the potential for becoming emotionally involved because of one’s own shock and rage at the horrible physical and psychological trauma perpetrated on helpless children is exceedingly high. If you have been repulsed by what you have read in this chapter and some of the language in the dialogues, imagine what occurs for people who work daily with this problem.

[Note: At http://www.myfreeoffice.com/saibabaexposed/jen.html, Jens Sethi clearly shows that Sai Baba’s significant multimillion-dollar empire has also led him to buy off the police, possibly bringing those who oppose him or try to reveal his activities to death, torture or permanent incarceration.

"I had another appointment on 1st November with the police, which was the day I intended to go to Delhi, but without my passport it would not be possible. On 30th October, late in the evening, two people whom I know and an unknown person came to our unit and one of them warned me that my life was in danger and I should leave immediately.

My wife and I left very early next morning, for Delhi. At Dharmmavaram rail station the police were searching for us, but we entered the train at Anantapur. There is a police station near the platform which we had to pass to enter the train, and the very moment I saw that I told my wife to go into the train separately. My wife heard a group of policemen talking about searching for somebody and caught the words ‘passport, Delhi and telegram’. We were in serious danger but fortunately I was dressed like an Indian, and escaped identification.

So we escaped and reached Delhi, and went immediately to the German Embassy. I got a travel document after telling them of my experience, and the Embassy official said a protest note would be sent to the Indian Government. He told me such an act is illegal and they knew of similar cases."

We conclude with a final paragraph from Jens Sethi’s article, followed by a Sai Baba quote that may now be more interesting to read in context:

"Please study the statement Krishna, a friend of Sai Baba’s youth, made to Erlendur Haraldsson. Never was a devotee so close to Sai Baba for such a long time as Krishna. He spent twenty-four hours a day with Sai Baba for some time. This was almost sixty years ago. Eventually Krishna left Sai Baba and went to Hydrabad. In an interview with Haraldsson, Krishna said that even in those days Sai Baba was more like a politician or chieftain of a feudal system. Krishna also said "Whatever Baba may have, one thing he has not, and this is compassion".

I hope that this nightmare comes to an end and I hope that by the Grace of the Almighty, all people round the globe may know about the misdeeds of Sai Baba, a mighty demon who came in the guise of a spurious saint, only interested in self-glorification, name and fame.

He is a master - of deception.

Yours sincerely, Jens and Gurprit Sethi."

"Ignorance is on the rise with the progress of science. Truly speaking science has not matured. Man has become senseless. All the trials and tribulations faced in this world are due to the so-called development in science and technology. It is not technology but it is 'tricknology'. Do not become a slave to such technology. Uphold truth and righteousness. Cultivate love and experience divinity. Students, do not harbour any undesirable thoughts. Do not get perturbed by such misinformation campaigns. Swami is always with you. He has been showering His love and grace on you. You too have immense love for Swami. Attain Swami through love. You cannot attain Swami through any other path but love.

Swami has nothing to do with Internet. Not only now, even in future also You should not indulge in such wrong activities."

- Sathya Sai Baba, 15 October 1999, in response to allegations of fraud and sexual offenses.

ADDENDUM:

Please visit Law of One / Ra Material Study Guide, Section 7 in order to educate yourself about negative entities, how they function, how they can take over a positively-oriented channel and where they originate from in our current planetary "game."

Excerpt of correspondence between Wilcock and the Rense website:

“The letters I am receiving indicate some possibly very genuine paranormal abilities on Sai's behalf, but this information must not be ignored. Remember that the head of the Aum Shinrikyo cult that poisoned Japanese subways with lethal sarin gas was also believed to have godlike paranormal abilities as well.

If we are to unite as a community then we must be very well aware that God is One and the highest authority for Truth is Within. The age of the guru / cult leader is past - all spiritual figures must redirect seekers back to the path of self-initiation. And always remember the quote from the master Jesus that says, "Not my will o Father, but Thy will be done," and "Of myself I am nothing... the Father (or Christ Consciousness) in me doeth the works."

Peace and Truth be with you

David Wilcock

Santa Claus according to Sai Baba

2007-07-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

from home.hetnet.nl/~ex_baba/engels/articles/p_holbach/eng/quot3_e.htm
by Paul Holbach

"The season of Christmas is associated with Christmas Grandpa or Santa Claus. Tokovan was his original name. He was born in Turkey. He began his career as a priest and gradually began to attain spiritual heights. How did he become a spiritual giant? By the spirit of sacrifice. He used to give a chocolate or a doll or a gift to any child he met. All his life he kept on giving continuously. When Christmas was approaching, all the children used to run behind Santa Claus. He used to carry all the gifts in a bag and distribute to all the children. In what manner did he distribute? He said, "Here is a token of God's Love. Here is a token of God's Love," and thus distributed them. Eventually he came to be called Christmas Grandpa, and his original name was forgotten."

(from the discourse of Christmas 1995)

Here is another instance of how SB is used to quote, out-of-topic and in a wrong way, facts and knowledges which are already acquired. To get other examples of this, you can take a look at "Sai Baba's miracles: an overview". Sai Baba does approriate of already existant and known stories, myths and facts, and he alterates and modifies them according to his fantasy, however without being able to give any proof or evidence confirming his versions of facts. But since he claims to be an "Omniscient and Omnipotent Being" he would have to be able to do so. Obviously any Sai Baba's devotee or follower, believing in SB's divinity and omniscience, will accept anything he says as "Divine Truth". But this doesn't change the fact (and not the faith) that Sai Baba is often and abundantly wrong. Nothing wrong in it, we all make often some mistake, apart from the fact that, as we know, SB claims to be "God Omniscient and Omnipotent".

Coming to the above quoted passage, it doesn't seem to me that Santa Claus is ever pictured as somebody who attained "spiritual heights", who became "a spiritual giant ...by the spirit of sacrifice"; on the contrary, Santa Claus' figure is quite a "pagan" and material one, and much little "ascetic". Regarding his name ("Tokovan"?):

Main Entry: San·ta Claus
Pronunciation: 'san-t&-"kloz also 'san-tE-
Function: noun
Etymology: modification of Dutch Sinterklaas, alteration of Sint Nikolaas Saint Nicholas: a plump white-bearded and red-suited old man in modern folklore who delivers presents to good children at Christmastime -- called also Santa

(from Merriam-Webster Dictionary online)

And here is what I have gathered during a brief Internet search. The story of Santa Claus begins from San Nicholas: it s more likely to be a legend which has travelled down the centuries, since there are poor historical references, and moreover the Roman Church has declared that San Nicholas and San Cristopher are not "Authentical Saints". Anyway, the legend says that San Nicholas was the patron Saint of the childhood and of the first Child Christ, and he was Bishop of Myra in Lycia, in Minor Asia, in the first part of the 4th century A.D. Nicholas was pious, generous and prodigal, but he was not a poor Saint, since his father was a rich merchant and so Nicholas, who later on was canonized, was always able to bestow gifts without problems everywhere he went. At a certain point of time, the Dutch claimed "San Nicholas", and a corrupted version of that name became "Sandyclaus" or "Santa Claus". Even the Enciclopedia Britannica defines the use of the term "Santa Claus" as an "American corruption" of the Dutch "Sinterklaus". In German language the word is "Sabdiklos".

Moreover, this Sai Baba's statement is worthy of note: "He used to give a chocolate or a doll or a gift to any child he met". Now, since Santa Claus wpuld have lived in 4th century A.D., it's very unlikely that he could have given chocolate to the children, since cocoa has been brought from America by the Spanish Conquistadores (namely Cortès) in 16th century A.D. (i.e. 12 centuries later), while the solid chocolate is an European product, introduced only from 19th century A.D. (i.e. 15 centuries later).

A lasting but interesting remark: this SB's passage which I have quoted above has been totally deleted from the italian edition. Why this? Why someone would bother himself with correcting, editing and/or deleting the words of an "Omniscient and Omnipotent (thus Infallible) Being"? How can some limited and fallacious human beings correct the words of the one they regard as the "Supreme Lord"?

SAI BABA SEX ABUSE TESTIMONY

2007-06-26T03:50:00.001-07:00

From : IRAN / USA

Source : Afshin Khorramshahgol - correspondence to David and Faye Bailey

Subject : MY ACCOUNT RE SAI BABA

Dear Faye and David, Hello.

Here is a brief account of my experiences with Sai Baba. I apologise for the graphic language of this message, but it is the only way to share my experiences.

I travelled to India three times, from 1991 to 1993. On my first visit to India I was already a devotee of Sai Baba and believed he was God. I had a total of seven private interviews in the first two trips. In the first private interview Sai Baba asked me to undo my pants and drop my underwear. Since I believed he was God I did as he asked. He had already ‘materialised’ oil and he applied it in the area between my penis and anus.

I was told after the interview by some devotees, that this act is done by gurus to their disciples to open a chakra, or source of spiritual energy in the body of the disciple. However I am not sure if this is what in fact Sai Baba had done.

My research since, has not found this initiation ceremony in any Hindu books or scriptures, or among Hindu followers of other gurus.

In every private interview after the ‘initiation’ private interview, Sai Baba asked me to drop my pants and underwear, and he would rub my penis. Once he was rubbing it so hard it was obvious to me that he wanted me to get an erection.

I was busy talking to him about my problems, the problems of my country Iran, and my family’s problems, and I was asking him for his blessing for all of them.

I was not interested in sex or anything, especially with a guy, and so my penis did not grow, now matter how hard Sai Baba tried. Finally, he gave up and threw my penis up and turned away with a very angry face and mumbled something. When he turned back to me, he told me to put my pants on again and the private interview was over.

You may ask why I didn’t stop Sai Baba doing what he was doing if it was so obvious to me that he wanted me to get an erection?

Due to my being brainwashed, I thought I had to throw out this thought as it was another obstacle on my way to reach God. According to Sai Baba, all bad thoughts have to be thrown out immediately and replace with good, pure thoughts - and so I threw out the idea of Sai Baba trying to give me an erection, even though I knew he was.

In another interview, Sai Baba asked me to kneel in front of him while he was standing. He took my head with his right hand and pushed it hard into his stomach. He then took my other hand with his left hand and tried to rub it against his penis.

I did not grab his penis. I just let him direct my hand to his penis, using the outside of my hand, not the palm of my hand. While he was rubbing my hand on his penis, he was moaning sexually.

In the middle of this act, I tried to look up to see his face as I wanted to see his emotions, He didn’t let me. He pushed my head into his stomach harder, and this made me stop my desire to see his face altogether. He finally gave up, realising that I was not interested in grabbing his penis, since I wasn’t willing to use my palm to touch him.

Even this incident didn’t shake my faith in him. That’s how strong is the brainwashing in Sai baba’s organisation.

In all the private interviews that I had with Sai Baba, he would also hug or kiss me, or ask me to kiss him. I had come to reason with myself that he was touching my penis because he was probably healing me of some disease or handicap. I reasoned to myself that Sai Baba asked me to kiss him, or kissed me because he loved me, and kissing on the cheeks is all right - kissing on the cheeks between men is okay in my country.

It was not until I saw a movie that shows Sai Baba cheating, that my faith in him started to crumble. It was only after I left Sai Baba (six months after seeing that movie) that I realised his real intentions in those private interviews.

I am willing to testify in any court of law or in any gathering about the above experiences.

I have been very active on the internet for the past six years and I have saved numerous people from falling into Sai Baba’s evil trap.

Regards,

Afshin

SAI BABA SEXUAL ABUSE TESTIMONY

2007-06-25T02:10:00.000-07:00

My Story

by Diana Scott (later Mrs.Payne), U.S.A.

I was an American Sai Baba devotee for 10 years from 1970-1980. I traveled to Bangalore and Puttaparthi five times during that period. My family and I had many interviews with Baba. Sai Baba told me to bring my son to his college in India when he was 15. My son was at his college from 1977 to 1980. In 1980 my son told me that Sai Baba was a homosexual. He said that Sai Baba tried to have oral sex with him.

I had heard stories before about his relations with the college boys, but I didn't believe them. I actually saw Sai Baba grab at my son's crotch as he walked ahead of me into the interview room one time. Later I asked my son what was happening, why did Baba do that? He said "Baba is teaching or testing."

In 1980 I wrote letters to the Sai organization in the US asking for help and an explanation for Baba's actions. I knew many of the Board members personally. Of course they all said that both my son and myself were lying. I was absolutely devastated by the whole situation. How could God do such a thing!

Sai Baba told me that when I left my son at his school in India that he (SB) would be his father! It's twenty years later now, and I still feel some of that pain. Now I'm able to read the other accounts and it makes me realize that I must tell what happened to my family.

When I first learned of Sai Baba, I heard first person accounts about him asking men to drop their pants, and then he would rub vibhuti or oil on their penis to help them control their sexual appetites. This seemed strange to me at the time, but I rationalized this activity as something I could not understand about divinity. I also read Tal Brooke's book and dismissed it.

In addition I received a phone call in 1975 from an Indian ex-devotee who told me that he caught Baba in bed with his son (I hung up on the man!). There of course are many more details to my account.

If anyone would like to talk to me personally about this, I will do so. I am glad to say that my son is now a happily married man with children. I'm still capable of feeling a bit emotional about what happened with sb, but now it's a relatively minor thing compared to the rest of my life. I thought when I got out of the Baba movement that it couldn't possibly last this long.

Recently I found out about the murders at the ashram, very shocking to me. I am a teacher with many interests in my life. But I've decided, since I was so involved during this early period, to devote time talking with others who may be experiencing the pain of separation from the Baba movement and to tell my story.

Note - Diana Scott wrote to Dr. John Hislop, then President of the US Sathya Sai Society. His way of dealing with this was to send secret letters to leaders warning them of this and asking them to destroy those letters. However, the letters survived and scans can be viewed here

Howard Murphet's Sai Baba 'miracle' stories

2007-06-25T02:03:00.000-07:00

In reply to the abuse of a Sai follower posting on a Yahoo group bullboard, the following posting was noted:-

From wcstudent2001 on:

Sathya Sai Baba Discussion Club, message 1838:

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/sathyasaibabadiscussionclub

Date: 1/10/01 10:31 a.m.

Dear Sir,

I was a kid and saw Mr. Murphet in India in late 60s and I recall how unscientifically he was going about collecting miracle stories on Saibaba. He accepted stories about granite being converted to candy and several others just because the people who were narrating these were scientists. I can tell you that several of these scientists later realized how these miracles had simpler explanations and beyond that when they had to deal with the many other darker aspects of baba, they quietly slipped away in shame for promoting Baba with self promoting versions of what actually happened. In the particular instance of granite becoming candy, it was a simple case of switch on a dusky evening.
Has Mr. Murphet contacted any of his witnesses and asked how many of them are around with Baba?

You sir challenge every bit of ex-devotee account saying there is no proof. Shouldn't the burden of proof be on you to follow-up on your own star scientific witnesses and see what happened with them?

And finally, I would like to add that beside being "oiled" under the pretense of curing a different problem with a totally different part of my anatomy, I was saved from further sexploitation my enmasse defections from the closet relatives who were Baba's choice inner circle for decades who were all victims of his sodomite behaviour. Needless to say, we were villified as usual and were labelled as opportunits.

I don't expect you to believe this or post it on your site but I would appreciate if you sent this to Mr. Murphet. But he is too invested in this for nearly 40 years and I don't expect him to have an open mind after this long. After all, my own father did not believe what happened to me when it happened.

Regards,

Taken for a ride for 20 years and called the "chaff"

(This refers to Sai Baba saying he was 'sorting the wheat from the chaff' at the time of the drastic loss of followers due to the sexabuse testimonies all over the net)

RATIONALISTS CONDEMN SATHYA SAI BABA

2007-06-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

Now it is Sai Baba's turn!
by SANAL EDAMARUKU

Source: Rationalist International Bulletin # 53 (29 October, 2000)and 'Para-nyt' 2001 nr. 1

Many of India’s high profile super godmen are closing down their shops. Swami Sadachari, once spiritual advisor and tantric of many top politicians including Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister, has been in jail for running a brothel, following his exposure by Indian Rationalists. Gone with the wind is Swami Premananda, again to jail, following sex scandals including rape charges. Chandraswami, master mind behind the "milk miracle" who had India’s top politicians including former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao at his finger tip, faces charges of bribery and cheating. One fine day all of them lose their divine magic and the golden aura around them turns dirty grey. The rest is police business, court procedure, media sneer and silence. Now it seems to be Sathya Sai Baba’s turn.

In the face of overwhelming proof, Sai Baba stands accused of consistent child abuse and homosexual abuse of young disciples in numerous cases. London’s Daily Telegraph, in a cover story, has pieced together a shocking dossier of his crimes. In the center of the report stands the case of the now twenty-year-old American Sam Young, son of two ardent devotees of Sai Baba and frequent visitors of his ashram over the last twenty years. Sam, sixteen when he came to Puttaparthi for the first time, was picked up and granted many private audiences with Sai Baba, during which the godman regularly kissed and fondled him, tried to rape him and successfully silenced him. He used to "produce" holy oil out of thin air and to rub the boy’s genitals with that. And he produced watches, golden rings and money to keep him silent. After four years, Sam gathered courage to reveal his plight to his parents. Once Sai Baba was publicly accused, the dam of silence broke and hundreds of similar cases came to light. Devotees left Sai Baba centers abroad in hundreds, some of the centers have already closed down.

The charges against Sai Baba were mounting for last several months before they became public. Last month UNESCO washed its hands off Sai Baba by deciding neither to sponsor nor take part in a conference it had been planning to organize alongwith the Institute of Sathya Sai Education (ISSE, Thailand) and The Flinders University Institute of International Education (Australia), in Puttaparthi, India, from September 25 to 29.

The decision meant UNESCO was no longer associated in any way – through sponsorship, organization or participation of any kind – with the conference on "Strengthening Values". UNESCO’s withdrawal was prompted by several factors. The organization was deeply concerned about the widely reported allegations of sexual abuse involving youths and children that have been leveled against Sai Baba. Though it was not for UNESCO to pronounce itself in this regard, it restated its firm moral and practical commitment to combating the sexual exploitation of children, in application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires States to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and violence.

I have to admit: I would feel some satisfaction to see Sai Baba behind bars. I had wished him there far earlier. On the other side, I feel somewhat disappointed, because I had wished him in jail for different reasons. Even if there were not a single case of sexual abuse, there would have been more than enough reasons to award him with life imprisonment. He is guilty of deceit, of claiming authority under misrepresentation of facts, of unscrupulous mental misuse of millions of weak minded and gullible victims. Indian Rationalists have fought against Sai Baba for the last 40 years and exposed him again and again as fraud. Prof. Abraham Thomas Kovoor, an Indian Rationalist who lived in Sri Lanka and lead the Rationalist Association there has been the first to publicly challenge Sai Baba. During the Divine Miracle Exposure Campaigns the Indian Rationalist Association has organized with Kovoor, he traveled through the width and breadth of India several times and unleashed a mass campaign against Sai Baba. Since the death of Kovoor in 1978, many rationalist stalwarts have taken up the cudgels of fight to expose Sai Baba. I have been personally involved in these campaigns since then.

Over the years Sai Baba’s public image seemed immune against all exposures. He gathered more and more devotees, built huge institutions and buildings in India and abroad and commanded unusual political clout. His birth day celebrations were pompous public shows bringing to his feet top politicians including Presidents and Prime Ministers of India and top industrialists. But of late things changed. Systematic campaigns of Indian Rationalists bore fruits and the fame of his miraculous capacities suffered serious damage. A videotape of Sai Baba producing a golden chain from ‘thin air’ by actually taking it from the bottom of a plate where it was pasted was smuggled out from the studios of the government television channel and copies were circulated widely by rationalists. Later this clipping, which caught Sai Baba red handed, became a part of Guru Busters, the British television documentary on Indian Rationalists. Guru Busters was shown in twelve countries over widely viewed channels. I have been invited several times to explain and demonstrate the famous Sai Baba miracles in TV. Thanks to our work the public awareness about the simple tricks behind Sai Baba’s miracles had increased considerably. Sai Baba started avoiding the media in fear of further public exposure. During the last visit of Sai Baba to Delhi, the very same evening, I had the opportunity to explain and show his miracles in one of the largest television net works in India. Unable to face criticism, this time Sai Baba abstained from doing miracles and avoided the media. Slowly the curtain seemed to come down for the holy man.

With the devastating new exposure of child sex and rape charges, it may become dark soon for Sai Baba. Or will he have another trick up his sleeve to survive untainted?

US LAWYER’S TESTIMONY ON SATHYA SAI BABA SEX ABUSE

2007-06-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

I was a member of the "sai" organization from 1981 until June 2, 2000, when I, like many of you, resigned in horror and disgust after learning that "sai" was a pedophile, and definitely not an avatar. I have been an attorney in the Chicago area since 1985. From 1987 to 1989, I worked as an attorney in the County Public Guardian's Office, providing legal representation in Juvenile Court to children who were victims of sexual and physical abuse and neglect. G. asked me to write to remind you of a few things.

First, victims and witnesses who are willing to tell the truth about their experiences are the key to exposing the pedophilia. All reasonable efforts must be made to find the victims and witnesses willing to tell the truth.
There may be potential victims and witnesses we haven't thought of while going through this shocking experience. It can't hurt to ask. Even though the words may be difficult initially, if even one hesitant, queasy question uncovers a new victim or witness, the effort will have been worth it.

Witnesses who can confirm details which may seem minor at first can still be important in assembling a case. The defenders of pedophilia have an easier time defending it when the victims are fewer, and isolated. It's easier to call them "delusional" then.

Which brings me to my second point: we need to provide support in whatever way we can to the victims and their families. This has been horrible and shocking for my family, and we don't have an actual victim of "sai's" pedophilia in our family. I can only imagine the pain of the victims and their families, and my heart goes out to them. I know some victims and families may possibly read this, and if you are, I salute you for your courage and compassion in speaking out to try and stop future abuse. Please let us know what, if anything, we can do.

Finally, we need to support each other through this difficult time. I'm not even sure what we can do - I just know we should try.
Sincerely,
Matt Monahan. Chicago

TESTIMONY OFA FORMER SAI BABA LEADER

2007-06-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

E-mail received from Shirley Pike, Ex-President, NC Region: Ex-President Cedar Rapids Sathya Sai Baba Center, Iowa. (psychologist, sexual abuse counsellor)
May 28, 2000

Dear brothers, sisters, and officers of the North Central Region and The Central Council [of the Sathya Sai Society, USA],

It is with great pain and sadness that I am writing to you today. One week ago, I resigned as president of the North Central Region, giving verbal notification to the National Coordinator, William Harvey. Serving the North Central Region's centers, study groups, and individual devotees has been one of the most joyful and fulfilling experiences of my life. Never have I had the privilege of knowing so many wonderful, loving, giving, and spiritually dedicated people. I thank all of you for your gracious and kind support of me as we worked together for our spiritual growth and development.

The reason for my resignation will probably dismay and shock many of you. A few weeks ago I received information from a fellow long-time devotee of an e-mail she had received concerning acts of pedophilia by Sathya Sai Baba. I had the e-mail forwarded to me and I personally investigated the information contained in that e-mail. I spoke personally to various individuals who had first hand experience with inappropriate behavior by Sai Baba. These individuals are respectable, credible, intelligent and have no axes to grind of any sort. I came away from these conversations believing these individuals and have therefore resigned and am sending you this letter. I am in the midst of a personal grieving process, involving all the typical stages of grief, including shock, denial, bargaining, profound sadness, despair, and acceptance.

I am grieving because I believe that Sathya Sai Baba is a charlatan, who has used the power gained by the love and reverence of his followers and the truth of ancient Vedic Doctrines and Scriptures to sexually molest boys and young men from about the ages of eight to thirty. It is these allegations of unspeakable, abhorrent sexual molestation that force me to write this letter to you. I have personally investigated these allegations and spoken with several people who have either had direct personal sexual experiences or who know someone very well, i.e. an immediate family member, who has been abused. Two of these individuals are former regional officers, who have resigned their posts and whom I have known for many years. I trust them, know them to have exemplary character and believe they would not lie. Further, they have nothing to gain and everything to lose by coming forward with their experiences.

These experiences include numerous accounts of Sai Baba rubbing male genitals with oil, mutual masturbation, mutual oral sexual gratification, and even anal intercourse by Sai Baba. As a child psychologist who is familiar with the emotional devastation that sexual abuse causes its victims and the classic patterns of abuse, I found these accounts and the individuals' reactions, to my horror, highly credible.

As a school psychologist, I am a mandatory reporter. This means that under Iowa law I am required to report any allegation or well founded suspicion to the authorities. If Sai Baba were a mere trickster fleecing people for their money, I would prefer to go quietly into the night, preserve my friendships with devotees, and not disrupt the faith of others. But, as an officer who has promoted Sathya Sai Baba as an avatar, I have both a moral and a legal obligation to warn all of the members and officers in this region and the national leaders that any male between approximately the ages of eight and thirty is potentially at risk for sexual molestation should they go to India to see Sathya Sai Baba and have a private interview.

I do not expect anyone to take what I am saying at face value. If you wish to investigate on your own as I have done, then feel free to contact me and I will provide you with the information to reach those who have had direct experiences and you can make your own determination. Please begin by looking at "The Findings" by David Bailey. (http://saibaba-invigilator.blogspot.com/2006/12/findings-by-david-and-faye-bailey-uk.html)

I do not wish to engage in arguments or debate. My heart goes out to one and all and my love for you remains steadfast. I will miss your good company more than you can know. May God bless you and keep you, and give you peace.
Love Shirley Pike.

Sathya Sai Baba male sexual abuse

2007-06-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Testimony of Sathya Sai baba's sexual abuses posted by ex-devotee and sexually-molested adult, Conny Larsson of Sweden in July 2000
(see also http://www.saibabaexpose.com/saibabaexposed.htm)

My name is CONNY LARSSON from Sweden. I’m an ex-devotee of Sai Baba.
My profession is as a therapist, one of drug addicts and criminals; disordered people. I’m also the Director of this Institute since 20 years and it is all financed by the Swedish Goverment. I’m also a former actor, which ended in 1975.
It has come to my attention by others that a Coordinator from the Swedish Sathya Sai Organisation has published on internet a site about me and my experiences with Sai Baba. What I find is that it is more a personal attack on me than reason from a sane person, therefore I will not go down to his level of writing etc.
I will concentrate on facts and answer the wrong sayings for you to have a correct picture of what have occurred.
The name of the Coordinator is BJÖRN SANDSTRÖM a former very good friend of me as also his family members were. I still consider these people as good humans and I respect their opinion about me.
Everyone has to have the right to feel, think and express their belief. It has never been my intention to go on internet but now I have to answer due to direct lies that are coming from representatives from the Sai Organisation. This will also be my only appearance on the internet.
Now to the wrong information that BJÖRN SANDSTRÖM has informed all the internet readers:
1. I, Conny Larsson was the national coordinator for two years. I was chosen in consensus by all the members at the meeting. I upheld the position at the same time when Britt-Marie Andén was holding the chairmanship as national coordinator.
Britt-Marie the left the organisation due to the same reason as all others; sex molestation of boys, cheating, fraud etc.
2. I was never a center leader, I was vice-leader for the Gusum center in Sweden which we all in consensus closed as soon as it was absolutely clear beyond all doubts what Sai Baba was doing with young boys in India, Westeners as well as Indians.
3. According to the mentioned boy which B. S. mentioned by name in the site he wrote on internet, it might be true that he wasn’t a member, but he was participating in different courses which the Sai organisation was holding. He was also one of the Swedish boys who was included in the Swedish group led by the Swedish national coordinator med. dr. Jörgen Mölgaard.
During the interviews in January -99, the boy felt molested in different ways, all sexual. He pleaded for my help as a human and as a well-known Sai-personality since dr. Jörgen Mölgaard didn’t pay any attention to his problems with Sai Baba, even when it was brought to his attention. We also had to approach the Sai organisation on the boys due to the growing and on-going abuses of the boys.
The Sai organisation arranged a meeting for everyone to share their opinion on the matters. Certain people was chosen or invited to participate. I was also invited to the meeting on the request of the molested boys. They wanted me there to support the truth of their experience. And so I did. On the meeting I for the first time told my whole story with Baba, on the sexual issue.
Many people have asked me "why have you not told this before?"
This was the reason:
When I was 4 years old up to 8 years I was abused orally by my father’s alchoholic friend. This occurred during the nights when my father had fallen asleep, usually Friday evening/night.
This caused me to loose my ability to speak. I was mute all up to age of 12 when I started to get professional help.
I of course was trying to cope with this situation that had happened to me and buried it far away in my subconcious. Much later in life I had to partake in a seven years psychoanalysis which made me fully aware of what had happened me in life and why I lost my ability to speak for so many years.
When Sai Baba abused me (1979-1983) he had already been my chosen GOD-idol, I met him first in Puttaparthi 1978. When he made this passes on me which later became all from masturbating to oral sex I chose to keep my image of God and let him carry out his sexual activities as he wanted.
He called it healing or changing of my Kundalini etc.
When I came home in June ’99, I had to seek professional help to try to understand for myself how I could let this happen to me.
The psychiatrist that I used was one of the well-known deprogrammers in the therapist realm.
After many, many hours he declared his "diagnosis" namely "psycho infantile", meaning that I was just
as a little child absolute innocent that had to put up with whatever grown-ups did with me, including GOD’s decision to act upon me in whatever way. I had built in this pattern in me so deeply since my childhood-experience that it was just automatically.
The GOD that I had chosen USED his position and went on me with his absolutely private needs of sexual satisfaction and I didn’t protest.
Not until I was asked by the boys to help them I woke up in my professional role as a therapist of molested people and acted accordingly. I have done so ever since even if it has caused me considerable pain.
4. On the earlier mentioned meeting with the Sai organisation and its leaders we all agreed with the boys never to mention their names orally or in writing. Everyone was absolutely clear over that and it was a matter of confidence. The story could be told but not the names.
What B. S. is doing now is to publish names that never were meant to come out. I can only hope that it doesn’t hurt them to much in their way of trying to cope with life.
But the way Mr. Sandström, representative of the Sathya Sai organisation is handling the situation is very worrying and speaks more about himself.
5. According to the knowing of Sai Babas misconduct relating to sexual abuses and cheating with materialisations it’s absolutely clear that the Sai Organisation leaders have known what was going on all the time. We, many of the victims, have personally talked by phone to these people, when we tried to understand what was happening with us, but they all told us that this was "Divine" and we had to put up with it. We have talked to leaders as the American leaders dr. Michael Goldstein, Phyllis Krystal, Hal Honig, Datuk Jagadeeshan of Malaysia, Bernhard Gruber of Germany, Steen Piculell and Thorbjørn Meyer of Denmark etc. and many, many others.
They have all expressed the same opinion "it’s divine". They never listened to how we felt, how hurt we were. And especially they left us without any help. (Sai Baba’s saying: "Help ever, hurt never" doesn’t apply inside the organisation at all.)
6. I’m very happy to hear that there are only 25 members left in the Sai organisation in Sweden and I’m very worried that so many as 500 still keeps on going to an organisation that are cooperating with a clearly pedofile activity that is going on in Puttaparthi. Sai officials are constantly going down with new people and are exposing these boys who go to India for the possibility of being molested by Sai Baba. They are thereby making themselves pimps for him. My pray to all mothers and fathers is believe what you want but don’t expose your children for the possibility of being molested.
I truly with all my heart mean this since I was myself a victim and a member of this dreadful sect, where so many serious people loose themselves.

I’m sorry to have needed to share this very negative news with you, butthe Sai organisations’ handling of the Sai-sexual/fraud affairs had to be dealt with clearly.
To all of you readers I bow down
Sincerely yours
Conny Larsson Director of Kärnan Institute

Sathya Sai Baba Murders Evidence

2007-06-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

A NEW ZEALAND BARRISTER ANALYSES POLICE EVIDENCE

Warren C. Pyke LLN (Hons.) LLM (VUW), Barrister, New Zealand 3-3-1993

I COMMENT ON THE Remand Report of the Superintendent of Police, CID Cuddapah. Assuming that his findings have not been materially contradicted, which is the position as I understand it, his report clearly calls for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the deaths in Sai Baba’s room. Any one of the following grounds would be sufficient in my opinion, but combined the case for such an inquiry is overwhelming.

a) The contradictory eye-witness evidence of V. Jagadish, contradictory that is to the local Police Officer’s statements – the fact that he observed the broken door before the police arrived and was possibly the last independent witness to speak to the deceased makes his evidence significant and most material;

b) The contradictory eye-witness evidence of D. Peddireddy, contradictory that is to the local Police Officer’s statements – he says that he broke the wooden plank that was holding the door and saw the deceased in the room after he did so, once again this is most significant material and corroborates the evidence of Jagadish;

c) The absence of injury to the CI and the nature of the minor injuries to the other Police Constables is inconsistent with their story of a struggle and their need to open fire, but is not inconsistent (I deliberately use a double negative here) with the account of Jagadish and Peddireddy;

d) The position of the deceased after death is inconsistent with the Police version but consistent with them still being in the room after the door was broken, as observed by Jagadish and Peddireddy;

e) The nature of the gunshot wounds to the deceased are entirely inconsistent with the Police Officer’s claim of self-defence but are entirely consistent with a very close range discharge;

f) The fact that the bodies were moved is sufficient to warrant an inquiry as this clearly shows that the crime scene was deliberately altered after the fact;

g) The absence of possession by the deceased of the alleged knives after death strongly suggests that they posed no threat to the Officers, although it cannot be ruled out that the knives were dropped in the alleged melee;

h) The evidence about when the shots were heard: independent and reputable witnesses, Balachandra, Sahani, Vatsava all say 1 a.m., which is consistent with the post mortem report as to time of death; this contradicts the Police evidence by a full 1 ½ hours (11.30 p.m. cf 1 a.m.): this cannot be explained by any suggested error in the post mortem;

i) The number of rounds discharged and the position of the bullets after firing show that some firing was not directed at a specific target. Given the police assertion of self-defence which, if believed, would suggest that the firing would have been carefully aimed so as to avoid shooting their fellow officers (given the confined space), the Police evidence as to the nature of their firing is incredible.

Given the matters outlined in the Remand Report, the failure to further investigate and prosecute the Police Officers involved is a shame and a disgrace to the law enforcement body responsible and to the judiciary who have consistently failed to intervene. No self-respecting and principled law enforcement body or judicial system would tolerate such a situation. In the case of multiple murders, there can be no justification for ignoring.

Warren C. Pyke, (4th Floor, NZI Building, Garden Place, Hamilton, New Zealand)

Sai Baba murders on June 6, 1993 news reports