Sathya Sai Baba has touched countless lives in profound and diverse ways. Different people look up to him differently. For many, he is no less than God, an avatar; for others, he is a constant companion, conscience keeper, a father-like figure, guru, or friend. Across the world, millions speak to him every day, seek his guidance, draw strength from his messages. No one who has truly connected with him has ever left unfulfilled.
THE WEEK spoke to a few well-known devotees from different walks of life to understand their unique bond with Baba.
I felt utterly humble
Alvin Kallicharran, Former cricketer
A West Indian cricketer of Tamil descent, Alvin Kallicharran was celebrated for his stylish left-handed batting. During the mid-1970s, he was one of the most reliable batsmen in the world. Though small in size, he fearlessly faced some of the fastest ever bowlers like Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. He was part of the West Indies’ World Cup winning team in 1975 and 1979, and assisted Baba to organise the Unity Cup cricket match at the Hill View Stadium in Puttaparthi in 1997. Sachin Tendulkar led the Indian XI to victory over the International XI captained by Arjuna Ranatunga. Kallicharran has been a Baba devotee since the late 1970s. He says Baba taught him the value of humility; that no matter who you are, you must bow before the divine.
“During my first tour of India in 1974 as a member of the West Indies cricket team, I played in a benefit match in Bombay for Ajit Wadekar, the former Indian Test captain, following the fifth Test between India and the West Indies. During that match, I suffered a [self-inflicted] injury and had to be hospitalised.
The next day, as I lay in bed, a nurse ushered in an elderly gentleman who seemed deeply distressed about my condition. He apologised repeatedly, saying he felt responsible because he had tried several times to warn me not to take part in the benefit match; he had foreseen that I would be injured, but his warnings had gone unheeded. Before leaving, he handed me a small packet containing what looked like dust or sand.
Later that night, some friends came to visit me, and I told them about the old man’s visit. When I described him, they were astonished and said that I had been visited by none other than Shirdi Sai Baba, and that the packet contained vibhuti, the sacred ash. I had never heard of Sai Baba before, and my friends explained who he was and the miracles associated with him. Soon after, I went to my doctor’s house, and he gave me books on Sathya Sai Baba: that was the first time I heard of him.
Four years later, in 1978, during another tour of India, I was in Madras when a man began walking alongside me, enquiring about my health. He seemed to know everything about my earlier injury and what had happened in 1974. He told me that Sathya Sai Baba was in Chennai and offered to take me to meet him. I forgot all about the Test match that day; I was eager to meet Baba.
When I finally met Sathya Sai Baba, he called me to him, gently tapped my neck, and suddenly vibhuti appeared from nowhere. He then said to me, “I saved your life in Bombay.” From that moment, my spiritual journey with him began.
I have always felt profoundly blessed whenever I met him. No matter how great a superstar you may be, in his presence you felt utterly humble. Even today, I feel deeply connected to Sathya Sai Baba. I converse with him whenever I wish. My wife, Patsy, is an even more devoted follower than I am. I truly believe he was the one who brought us together, for she was his devotee before I met him.
The Unity Cup tournament, first held in 1997, was my idea. I continue to serve as the adviser to the committee that organises it. I take great pride in being the first international cricketer to have met Sathya Sai Baba, and I feel privileged to have been part of his work. Baba’s mission continues even today, and I must commend R.J. Rathnakar and everyone in leadership roles at the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for the outstanding work they are doing to carry forward Baba’s message to the world.”
We connect every day
E.A.S. Prasanna, Former cricketer
One of India’s finest bowlers, E.A.S. Prasanna was part of the famous spin quartet along with Bishan Singh Bedi, B.S. Chandrasekhar and S. Venkataraghavan. Long after retirement from Test cricket, Prasanna was actively involved in organising the inaugural Unity Cup cricket match that Baba held at the Hill View Stadium in Puttaparthi in 1997. Entrusted with overseeing the preparation of the pitch and the outfield, Prasanna has often recalled how Baba walked on the pitch and, soon after, grass began to grow, turning it into a green top.
“Baba has given me immense strength during difficult times. I first saw him in 1972-73, and that moment left a lasting impression on me. Over the years, I have known many fellow cricketers, including some of the greatest, who also became his devotees and continue to regard him as their God.
His influence has made me more responsible, committed and caring. Once my wife told Baba that she would not come to Puttaparthi for darshan anymore, and he told her she would see him in the stars. When he left his body, I felt a deep sense of unease and rushed to Puttaparthi. Later, on one occasion, when I visited the Brindavan ashram in Bengaluru, I suddenly saw Baba in Krishna’s avatar.
I know many people who gave up harmful habits after coming into contact with him. For me, he remains a living presence—someone I connect with every single day.”
Overwhelming love
V.V.S. Laxman, Former cricketer
V.V.S. Laxman stands tall among Indian cricketers for his rare blend of style and substance. Time and again, his elegant batting and impeccable timing turned crises into triumphs. A longtime devotee of Baba, he has spoken of experiencing a deep peace during his visits to Puttaparthi.
“I first met Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1997 at the inauguration of Puttaparthi cricket stadium. Though I had grown up hearing about him, this was my first personal darshan.
The moment he entered in his saffron robe, the atmosphere turned serene. When I was introduced, Baba looked at me and raised his hand in blessing. In that instant, I felt an indescribable calm, as though he knew everything about me.
The moment of change: At the age of 14, Baba declared he was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba
That brief encounter marked the beginning of a bond that has guided me ever since.
In my cricketing journey, that faith became my anchor. Walking into the middle to bat in front of thousands of people is never easy… the pressure, the expectations, the fear of failure. Yet, every time I crossed the boundary rope, I felt a calmness as I learned to surrender to him in those moments.
I was fortunate to have several personal interactions with Baba. Whenever I was in his presence, I felt an overwhelming sense of love. He didn’t need to speak much—even his smile had the power to make me feel light, as if he knew exactly what was in my heart. Many times, I walked away from him with answers to questions I had never asked out loud.
Even after his physical departure, I continue to draw strength from him. His teachings of humility, gratitude and service are lessons I try to live by every day. More than the runs I scored, if I can reflect even a fraction of the values he taught—love for others, dedication and humility—I feel I would have done justice to his guidance in my life.
For me, Baba has never been just a spiritual guru. He has been my guiding force, my inner strength, and the quiet voice reminding me that with faith and love, anything is possible.”
‘You will work for one of the top companies’
Dilip Sharma, Former Reliance COO
Dilip Sharma was a COO at Reliance Industries Ltd. He narrates how Baba told him, long before he joined Reliance, that he would work for one of the top companies. His early years were marked by an unconventional lifestyle that underwent a change after he met Baba.
“I first met Baba in March 1973 at his ashram in Whitefield, Bengaluru, when I was a 20-year-old student at Bombay University. During that visit, he called me for a personal interview at his bungalow and later invited me to attend a month-long residential summer course on the spirituality of various religions in May 1973. That first meeting, and the course that followed, transformed me from a carefree, long-haired Mumbai student into a seeker of the deeper purpose of life.
Over the past 50 years, I have witnessed countless personal miracles, many of which continue even today. But two of Baba’s teachings have remained my constant guideposts: Love all, serve all.
In one of his discourses, Baba advised us to do two simple acts before going to bed each night: feed one poor person—offer a banana, an apple, or any food you can afford, but do it humbly. Bend down, place it in their hands, and walk away without seeking their gaze. Second, bring joy to one stranger—through kind words, a smile, a helping hand, a respectful greeting, or by assisting an elderly person across the road.
“If you do these two acts daily,” Baba said, “you will sleep peacefully, with a smile on your face.” Over time, such selfless gestures of love, he explained, become a natural part of one’s personality—radiating kindness and compassion to everyone you meet.
For me, spirituality and religion are meaningful only when they transform one’s inner character and inspire selfless service without expectation or condition. That was Baba’s life in action.
During my first interview with him in 1973, Baba told me that I was not working hard enough and was not fully focused on my studies. I confessed to him that I was weak in mathematics and found accounting very difficult. Smiling, Baba materialised vibhuti, applied it to my forehead, and said, “You will not need to worry about accounts. You will work in a senior executive position of trust and confidence for one of the top companies in India and the world, and you will meet prime ministers, presidents and many other powerful and wealthy people. But when you are among them, meet them with respect and dignity—never bow down or lose your integrity, respect and honesty.”
With Baba’s grace, his words came true in every sense. I moved to London in 1975 and, from 1997 to the present, have experienced all that Baba had foretold. Every step of my journey has been guided by his blessings and divine presence.”
All his blessings
Dr V. Mohan, Diabetologist
One of India’s pre-eminent diabetologists, Dr V. Mohan is the founder and chairperson of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, which is considered the world’s largest chain of its kind. He is also a member of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Dr Mohan credits all his achievements to Baba's blessings.
“I consider myself truly blessed to have lived during the divine era of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and to have had the rare privilege of close interaction with him. Without a moment’s hesitation, I can say that whatever I have achieved in life is largely due to his boundless grace and blessings.
In my two books, Sathya Sai Baba Lives On and Eternal Divine Grace, I have shared some of the many miracles I was fortunate to witness, including instances where Bhagwan cured seemingly incurable diseases. The hospitals established by him, fondly referred to as Temples of Healing, and the universities—Temples of Learning—stand as enduring monuments to his limitless love for humanity.
As a member of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council, I feel deeply privileged to have been directly involved in Bhagwan’s countless service initiatives, not only across India but around the world. Baba’s entire philosophy is beautifully encapsulated in eight golden words: “Love all, serve all; Help ever, hurt never.” His saying, “Hands that help are holier than lips that pray”, perfectly conveys the essence of his teachings.
On the sacred occasion of the centenary celebrations of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, I offer my heartfelt prayers for his continued grace and blessings upon us all. Let us, as his devotees, pledge to play our humble parts in carrying forward his divine mission of love and selfless service.”
Nourishing the roots
Vivek Oberoi, Actor
Actor, philanthropist and businessman, Vivek Oberoi has been in Bollywood for over two decades, consistently reinventing himself with each role. Many of his performances have left a lasting impression on audiences. Oberoi's in-laws share a deep bond of devotion with Baba. His wife, Priyanka Alva, was named by Baba.
Sathya Sai Baba was not just a spiritual leader, but an icon whose radiant essence touched and inspired millions across the vast oceans of faiths and ideologies. While the discourse surrounding spiritual masters often treads the well-worn path of questions, debates and even the shadow of controversy, what I have beheld—what my very spirit can attest to—is the undeniable good his silent work has woven into the fabric of the world.
I have witnessed his legacy blossom in Puttaparthi and Whitefield, where hospitals, rising from the earth by his vision's decree, continue to serve countless thousands. His initiatives were the gentle rain that nourished the roots of society: they uplifted the farmer, birthed employment in small villages, and brought forth a real and profound metamorphosis to communities that cried out for succour. That, to me, is the eternal meaning of Sathya Sai Baba—a social impact so vast and true that you can see its light, touch its form and feel its warmth in the beating heart of humanity.
Though I was never blessed to stand in the light of Sathya Sai Baba's physical presence, the ties of devotion run deep and true through my life. My wife, Priyanka, belongs to a family of lifelong devotees; she was named by his grace, and her ear-piercing ceremony—a ritual of profound auspiciousness in the south—was sanctified by his divine blessings.
Whether one beholds his manifestations as an exquisite miracle or a powerful metaphor, any force that compels the human soul to aspire higher, to embrace charity, and to live in a symphony of harmony is a power of cosmic magnitude. Like an epic tale or a fictional narrative, even if its reality is perceived as but a dream, if it ignites the flame of real-world action, it holds an inestimable value.
And so, Sathya Sai Baba’s most magnificent legacy rests in this golden crucible of transformation. His presence lives on, not merely as a whisper of faith on the wind, but as an unfading, tangible impact—a testament etched into the very soil of the earth he walked upon.”
Transforming heart
Amar Karki, former Nepali bureaucrat
A former Nepali bureaucrat and UN consultant, Amar Karki was held hostage by a suicide bomber in a UN building in Iraq in 2000. The terrorist tied him to a chair and, using him as a shield, fired in the direction of the UN security guards who were outside the building. The guards fired back, the bullets missing Karki but killing two other people in an upper floor. The terrorist surrendered after three hours. “It was Baba who saved my life,” Karki told Radio Sai years later.
Karki serves as the zone chair of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Zone 4, which comprises Nepal and eight other countries.
“The purpose of Baba’s avatarhood is neither evangelical nor proselytising; rather, it is aimed at transforming the hearts of humanity. His teachings are practical and universal, summarised as follows:
◆ See God in every living being, both animate and inanimate.
◆ Be a good person: love everybody, serve everybody, hurt nobody.
◆ Recognise that all religions lead to the same One God, and therefore maintain equal respect for every faith.
In essence, his central message is that every human being is a potential God. Though he has left the physical realm, his presence continues to be felt by devotees across the world. In his astral form, he remains ever-present: blessing, guiding, helping, saving and inspiring all who call upon him with faith and love.”
Resonant message
V. Anand, Grandmaster
Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand had become the first Indian grandmaster in 1988. Anand became a father 15 years after he married Aruna. It is said that she conceived soon after they visited Puttaparthi. They named the child Sai Akhil Anand.
“The most impressive aspect of Baba’s legacy is the spirit of service he inspired in people. The hospital in Puttaparthi is among the most remarkable facilities I have seen. The outreach programmes and the discipline that continues, to this day, stand as a true testament to the ideals Baba upheld. My wife [Aruna] is a devotee, and she experiences Baba’s presence as an inner voice—a guiding force in her heart and mind. His message of love and service remains timeless and universal, resonating across all age groups.”
I carry his teachings quietly
Richard Lubner, Tennis player
The former South African tennis player Richard Lubner was once ranked among the world’s top 250. He met Baba during a period of personal challenge. Now settled in Australia, he credits Baba’s teachings for providing him with inspiration, guidance and lasting values in life.
“What can one say about the mystery and mastery of Baba? I first heard of him as a young boy in South Africa, where my sister would attend local satsangs and gatherings. Yet, it was some 35 years later, in 2012—after Swami had left his physical form and when life had thrown a few curveballs my way—that his teachings and presence truly entered my life in a profound way. I was awakened to his boundless wisdom and love.
Even today, I carry Swami and his divine teachings quietly and deeply within my heart—he guiding me, comforting me and reminding me always of the power of love and faith.”
Awakening hearts
Shitu Chudasama, Global council
Shitu Chudasama, Zone 6 chairman of the Sathya Sai Global Council in the UK and Europe, says Baba’s teachings continue to resonate deeply across the continent, inspiring selfless service and unity among devotees.
“Baba’s presence transcends time and place. It continues to move, breathe and transform lives across the world. For over four decades, I have lived under his guidance—a bond that deepens with every passing year, every moment I think of him. He is always there: guiding, protecting and manifesting in ways that defy logic yet affirm faith.
Across Europe, his presence is felt in the collective devotion of thousands—in the quiet discipline of morning meditation, in bhajans sung in many languages and in the shared purpose that unites Sai Centres across the continent. Each journey through Europe reminds me that Swami’s mission is far from complete. His unseen hand is evident in the unity of devotees and in the quiet strength that flows from remembering his name.
In July this year, 543 devotees from Europe and the UK travelled to Prasanthi Nilayam as one united European family. Even for those unable to make the journey, the connection to Swami and Prasanthi Nilayam remains unbroken. Western devotees continue to live in his presence through daily sadhana, bhajans and selfless service, keeping Swami at the centre of their lives. Across Europe, his teachings are being lived, not merely learned. Many speak of feeling his guidance in moments of prayer or sensing his protection in times of uncertainty. The spirit of Prasanthi travels with them—a quiet force that sustains their faith and reminds them that distance can never diminish divinity.
In September, the French home ministry granted us the rare honour of holding Nagarsankirtan (a hymn-singing procession) near the Eiffel Tower—a moment when Paris itself echoed with his divine name.
Even now, his presence moves among us: guiding through dreams, healing through grace and awakening hearts across Europe to their spiritual destiny. Baba has not gone—he has multiplied, illuminating the world through countless lives devoted to his love.”
He is my life!
Christine West/Psychotherapist
Christine West, an arts psychotherapist in London, says she still feels Baba’s presence—a feeling that fills her with deep peace and quiet bliss.
“My first trip to Prasanthi Nilayam was in 2014. For me, Baba is a personification of an omniscient, omnipresent God. I feel him in all things and feel his presence everywhere.
I know he knows me as he has sometimes appeared and directly addressed me in my dreams, and answered questions I have had.
His presence has been so strong that I have awoken with the feeling he has definitely visited me, leaving me with a feeling of deep peace and quiet bliss.
I was initially drawn to him because of his humanitarian work. I was more drawn to him because of his vedantic philosophy and beautiful message of pure love, which was portrayed through his way of being and living. His life was indeed his message. His religion was a religion of love, where we are all one with God, where God is in all beings and in all aspects of nature. This enables me to treasure everything with unconditional love.
In 2014, I experienced his presence in Prasanthi Nilayam. I felt him communicate with me directly. Since then my life has been completely transformed. With his encouragement I found my birth mother within three weeks of returning to England, and 11 years later she is still an important and beautiful part of my life. I feel more complete and fulfilled and continue to grow in confidence. I continue to embrace Baba as a central part of my life. He continues to astonish me. He is my life!