Miracle man awaits a divine 'miracle'

In a normal case: best-in-class medical intervention. But because it is ‘Sri’ Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s renowned spiritual leaders, known for his apparent miracles, it must be another miracle.

Going by the devotees of the “miracle man” in Puttaparthi village in Andhra Pradesh, Baba, whose health the doctors say is improving, will be saved by Amma Sathyamma, a goddess here. And more, it is believed, that his health was deteriorating because of the same deity.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sathyamma Temple priest Satyanarayana said: “We had committed a mistake here and that is why Baba’s health was deteriorating and today (Tuesday) we corrected that mistake and we got the news from the hospital that his health is improving. Amma will save him.”

Not to mention that the entire village agrees with that. Baba’s health, it seems, had been going down for the last few months after the old idol of Sathyamma, the main god of the village, after the miracle man of course, was removed from the temple, making way for a new idol.

Prakash Reddy, a resident of the village said: “From that time we have been hearing that Baba is not keeping too well.” So, the villagers and the temple management, on Tuesday morning gathered and decided that they will replace the idol.

What followed was a diver going into the Bukkapatnam River here to revoke the idol. The idol was, after due rituals, replaced at the temple. Prakash said that his brother, camping outside the hospital treating Baba, called to say that the hospital bulletin informed that  the leader was stabilising.

Ashwathnarayana, another resident in his late 40s said: “The idol has been here from when I can remember and removing it was a mistake. However after today, we will have our Bhagwan back.”

 The village has decided that it will hold a night-long bhajan (right outside our lodge here) praying for Baba’s good health and forgiveness from Amma Sathyamma.  And it is an unanimous belief that it will save him.

On the other hand, tens of devotees from outside were left straving with none of the hotels functioning, thanks to the day-night-long worship ceremony. Kalandar Pasha, owner of Baba Hotel and a devotee said: “Business is not important, our Baba is.” Pasha and many people alike have shut shops in the village.