Puttaparthi : Swamy Nityananda Creates a Flutter

Puttaparthi, Apr 27 : Swami Nityananda, the notorious spiritual guru who was caught in a sex scandal in Bangalore, created a flutter in Prashanti Nilayam on Tuesday when he arrived to pay his respects to the mortal remains of Baba.

Lanky Nityananda made a dramatic appearance at the VVIP entrance of the Sai Kulavant hall, semi-clad in ochre robes, escorted by two attendants.

As Nityananda approached Baba’s casket, he was the cynosure of all eyes and the shutterbugs were galvanized into activity. For a few minutes there was a commotion in the hall.

Sai Seva dal volunteers stopped Nityananda and asked him to enter from the other side.

The Swami’s escorts pleaded with volunteers, but they were adamant. After much cajoling, the Sai Seva dal allowed Nityananda to have a quick darshan.

After the darshan, Nityananda lingered in the area for 10 minutes before he left.

Nityanand Dhanyapeetam, headed by the swami, recalled the exceptional spiritual and humanitarian service rendered by Baba to the world.

‘Although he is no longer in the body, Baba’s grace and blessings will continue to shower on all devotees always’, he said.

The swami was not the only one who was shabbily treated at Prashanti Nilayam. Discrimination between VVIPs and ordinary devotees was glaring.

While the influential got a red carpet welcome and were allowed to sit near the casket, yesteryear stars and nonentities were either denied a close darshan of Baba, or grudgingly given permission.

Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, VHP Chief Ashok Singhal and other VVIPS were allowed to sit for over half-an-hour near the casket.

PM, Sonia pay rich tributes

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to departed spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba, describing him as a personification of the high spiritual values of the human race. After paying his last respects to the mortal remains of the Baba, which was kept for public viewing in a glass casket at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam, Dr Singh wrote in the condolence book: “Baba is part of the heritage of humanity.”

The UPA chairperson and AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, too paid tributes to the Baba. “…pranams to Baba in gratitude for giving hope to millions of people,” she wrote in the condolence book, ashram sources told this newspaper. Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi on Tuesday joined thousands of tearful mourners, who came from various parts of the country and abroad to pay homage to Baba, who will be laid to rest after a state funeral on Wednesday.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had sent a condolence note to the bereaved Sai fraternity, describing Baba as a spiritual leader who had inspired millions to lead moral and meaningful lives while following the religion of their choice. “Sri Satya Sai Baba was a preacher of the highest human values and was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared himself to the people through various institutions, with headquarters at Prashanti Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian values, education and public health,” Dr Singh stated.

On Tuesday, over two lakh people visited Prashanti Nilayam to pay their last respects to Sai Baba, including the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, AP Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister, . Kiran Kumar Reddy, Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, Union ministers S.M. Krishna, Ambika Soni, Muniappa, state ministers Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, Dr J. Geeta Reddy, M. Venkatramana and cabinet secretary, K.M. Chandrashekhar, among others. Paying his tributes, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi said, “Baba is my guiding spirit.”

In keeping with Prashanti Nilayam’s secular traditions, Sai Bhajans invoking Shiva, Ram, Allah and Jesus were sung throughout the day. Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi arrived at around 4.50 pm on Tuesday and sat for 10 minutes near the body of the spiritual leader. Public darshan of Baba, which was to end at 6 pm on Tuesday, has been extended till Thursday midnight in view of the huge rush and serpentine queues of devotees extending up to three kilometres. Contrary to fear of the waiting devotees going out of control and creating a law and order problem, the lakhs of people who turned up on Tuesday, patiently waited in the long queues to wait their turn.

The president of All India Satya Sai Seva Samiti, V. Srinivas, conducted Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi to Baba’s nephew and trust member R.J. Rathnakar. Earlier in the day, the Karnataka Janata Dal (Secular) leader, H.D. Kumaraswamy, VHP president, Ashok Singhal, santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, percussionist Shivamani, actors Jamuna, Anjali Devi and Bapi Raju among others paid their tributes to Sai Baba.

Satyajit made only a brief appearance near the Baba’s body last evening and remained mostly confined to his room in Prasanthi Nilayam where the Baba lived.

It is learnt that Satyajit has been advised to stay confined to Prasanthi Nilayam till the last rites of the Baba who died on Sunday after battling multi-organ failure. 

Satyajit received love and affection from Baba and was a close associate of him. Devotees of Baba say, Satyajit  got the entire special temple (in which Satya Sai Baba resided) under his control.
 
Satyajit joined as a student to serve Baba. In the beginning, he served as driver for Baba’s vehicle . In 2005, when Baba suffered a thigh bone fracture, Satyajit served Baba right from helping in taking bath to all sundry duties.
 
He secretly called a cardiologist from Bangalore to treat Baba . Though some of the trust members objected to Satyajit's behaviour,  Baba used to support him when he was alive.