Swami's Age
Many devotees are confused because of Swami's statement that He would leave this world at the age of 96. In how far does this statement match up with the current situation? The explanation is simple:
You all know that in India Swami's birthday is counted differently compared to the method we are used to applying. According to our calculation, His 85th birthday would be His 84th. It is an Indian custom to count the moon years and not the earth years especially within a spiritual context. Viewed from this perspective, the astrological moon calendar is the basis, from which the earthly period of the moon corresponds to exactly 27.3 terrestrial days. The moon year, consisting of 12 months therefore has only 327 days. If we now add up Swamis 30,832 earthly days which adds a year (365 days) and divide the number by 327, then we come up to the exact figures of 95.4 years. Therefore, Swami left His body – as previously proclaimed – at the earthly age of 96. years
April 24 2011:
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ISSUED ON APRIL 24, 2011 AT 10:09 A.M.
The following is the bulletin released by the Director, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram:
“Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left his earthly body on April 24, 2011 at 7.40 a.m. due to cardio-respiratory failure. Bhagwan ‘s body will lie in State at Sai Kulwant Hall for two days — Monday and Tuesday. Arrangements will be made for darshan after 6 p.m. today at Sai Kulwant Hall. We appeal to all not to rush to the hospital but to remain calm and have darshan in an orderly manner”.
Dr. A. N. Safaya
Director, SSSIHMS
Director, SSSIHMS
Doctors said he died at 7.40 am of cardio-respiratory failure. The 84-year-old was admitted to hospital on March 28 with breathing and heart problems.
His condition since Thursday morning had been described as "very critical" by doctors attending to him. Most of his organs were not responding to treatment. The condition of his liver and his low blood pressure were causing concern, they had said.
As doctors announced his death, they appealed to people to be calm and not rush to hospital. Security has been tightened in the area.
Godman to some, miracle-man to others and revered as God by lakhs of his followers, Sathya Sai Baba had the rich, famous and powerful from the world of politics, business, films and sport flocking to his doorstep in Puttaparthi, the small Andhra Pradesh village that he made internationally famous.
Born on 23 November 1926 in a modest family in Puttaparthi, Satyanarayana Raju declared himself a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba at the age of 14. From then on his devotees and admirers only grew in numbers over the years.
Though a few controversies did cast shadows on Sai Baba’s image and critics have been skeptical about claims that he would produce holy ash, golden rings and mementoes from thin air, Sathya Sai Baba also earned respect for setting up world-class educational and health institutions and also for charitable work like drinking water projects for four semi-arid districts of Andhra Pradesh and in Chennai. The institutions and properties that he built are estimated to be worth over Rs. 27,000 crore.
After a hip fracture in 2006, Sathya Sai Baba was confined to a wheel chair and gave darshan from his car or a portable chair.
