Who is Sathya Sai Baba?

Sathya Sai Baba is one of the most revered spiritual teachers in the world today. He teaches not only through his writings and public discourses but more importantly through the example he sets in his daily life. His life and his teachings have inspired millions of people from all walks of life and from practically every country to turn Godward, to practice brotherhood, to serve the needy, and to strive to lead constructive and moral lives. Sathya Sai Baba was born on 23 November 1926 in the remote village of Puttaparthi, in Southern India. From an early age, he began to demonstrate extraordinary, super hu-man powers and displayed profound wisdom regarding spiritual matters. At age 14 he firmly declared that he had taken birth for the express purpose of leading mankind back onto the path of truth, righteous conduct, peace, love, and nonviolence. Though his fame has spread throughout the world, he continues to reside in Puttaparthi in an ashram called Prasanthi Nilayam (abode of supreme peace), which can accommodate thousands of visi-tors. Sathya Sai Baba has established modern, state-of-the-art hospitals, elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and a major university, all of which provide services to eve-ryone without charge. He also constructed a massive drinking water system for the bene-fit of millions in previously unserved villages and cities across India. The once almost inaccessible village of Puttaparthi now hosts a commercial bus terminal, a railway sta-tion, and an airport.