41. Common point of view
In 2019, a representative of the Ashram in Puttaparthi released a famous video in which he answered the question of one of the viewers about what the signs of the arrival of Prema Sai Baba would be.
I prefer not to give his name because he is a very respected person among the Sai devotees. I will refer to him in my narrative under the pseudonym, “Professor”.
The «Professor» is the author of several excellent books on the life and philosophy of Sathya Sai Baba. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most respected representatives of the tradition of Sathya Sai Baba.
In the physical absence of Sathya Sai Baba, there was an intellectual vacuum for a large number of followers. People were trying to find authoritative leaders in order to find spiritual support and core in their person.
In this situation, the «Professor» became a wise spiritual mentor for a considerable number of Sai followers, who was able to guide people in the right vector of development and search for truth.
The «Professor» was asked a question from one viewer: «What will be the signs of Prema Sai Baba’s coming?”
The «Professor» made a short video in which he gave two answers to this difficult question.
1) The incarnation of Prema Sai Baba will be evident to all people, like the rising of the sun. When the sun shines in the sky, it is obvious to everyone that it is the sun; it shines in the sky, illuminating the Earth.
2) At the right moment, Prema Sai Baba will announce himself as an Avatar, then we will all know about his appearance.
Let’s analyze these answers. Unfortunately, both answers are very naive and show the unwillingness of the «Professor» to accept many of the facts and predictions of Sathya Sai Baba himself.
The «Professor» said Prema Sai Baba’s incarnation would be as obvious to everyone as the sunrise. “When the sun shines in the sky, it is obvious to everyone that this is the sun; it shines in the sky, illuminating the Earth.”
Alas, this is too naive a point of view, since in past ages we already had many examples when divine teachers and prophets were born on Earth, but only a few people were able to recognize them.
An example of this is the life of Krishna, Buddha and Jesus Christ. Even the divine mission of Sathya Sai Baba was far from obvious to everyone. Many gurus in India and around the world have denied the divine origin of Sathya Sai Baba. Therefore, the principle of «natural recognition» does not work.
The “Professor” in his video said that at the right moment Prema Sai Baba will announce himself as the Avatar and then we will all recognize him. This point of view is also very naive.
Already between 2018 and 2023 (when the material for this book was being collected) there were several candidates for Prema Sai Baba in different parts of India, and already, some of them had proclaimed themselves as Prema Sai Baba.
What does it mean to proclaim oneself an Avatar? Why is it important? There is a tradition that each Divine incarnation proclaims itself, thus marking the official beginning of its mission on Earth.
We know numerous stories of the proclamation of Krishna, which are described in the sacred texts (Mahabharata and Bhagavatam), as well as the proclamation of Jesus Christ, which are mentioned in the New Testament. Sathya Sai Baba and Shirdi Sai Baba proclaimed themselves in their youth.
The problem is that now (between 2018 and 2023) several young people have already proclaimed themselves as Prema Sai Baba. Some candidates have already established their own ashrams and hold public events.
For those who have realized the truth about Prema Sai Baba, the proclamation is only a bright and kind traditional ritual. Genuine devotees already know and realize who the real Prema Sai Baba is.
For those who deny Prema Sai Baba, even his official «proclamation» will mean nothing, because their hearts are unfortunately closed to the realization of this truth.
When the «Professor» naively said we need to wait for Prema Sai Baba to declare himself, then the obvious question arises – we already have several candidates who have declared themselves.
How can we deal with this situation? This means the proclamation is not enough. It is hard for me to imagine that the «Professor» does not know about the prophecy of Sathya Sai Baba and that he would be born a year after his death, in the village of Doddamallur.
Despite this, the «Professor» publicly continues to give evasive and unconvincing answers. The situation is really complicated, so let’s respect alternative points of view. Let’s respect each other and perceive the world of multivariance with open hearts, because everything that happens is the wise divine plan of the Creator.
I found it necessary to analyze the statements of such a respected «Professor», because his statements reflect a common position. Some followers try to distance themselves from any serious discussion about Prema Sai Baba.
Why are they afraid of a serious and open discussion about the appearance of Prema Sai Baba? Perhaps with time we will be able to understand this.