Sai copycats

The success of Satya Sai Baba has spawned several copycat sai babas; they even dress and sport an afro like SSB. Here are some of them. Thanks to Sanjay Dadlani for giving permission to use the photos and text from his blog.

Swami Sai Premananda

Post deleted due to objections.



Swami Ananda Baba




Real Name: Ricardo Javier Ocampo (aka 'Swami Ananda Baba' aka 'Maestro Amor')
"Some we called Teacher Love, by the loving transformation that each one experiments when listening and putting in practice its message of life. "Some we called Teacher Love, by the loving transformation that each one experiments when listening and putting in practice its message of life. Its education includes and synthesizes all the spiritual currents, inspiring to all that that listens, to the investigation and deepening of the knowledge, taking each word and action to the experience of 'here and now'."

Bio: The Masterful Love, was born in the Rioja the 28 of June of 1974, and from very early age demonstrated to a deep knowledge of the espiritualidad and Sacred Texts.

Also already since then it had an incredible variety of gifts, that showed a very special being.Been at the moment in Catamarca, it shares his lessons with a collaborator group with whom it develops to manifold activities on watch and social action in different communities from Argentina and the outside."
Websites:Maestro Amor
Photo Gallery: Google CacheSee Swami Ananda Baba replicate the 'Vibhuti Abhishekham' miracle!


Swami Vishwananda



"Swami Vishwananda is a spiritual teacher and yogi from Mauritius. He is dedicated to the spiritual upliftment of people of all religions and cultures in order to bring them to Self-realisation, which is to realise the Divine within. He is here to inspire and to awaken the divinity within, and to assure us that mortal consciousness can no longer restrict us, if we instill in our hearts and minds the Truth, and know that we are of God.He spreads and radiates warmth and love throughout the world and has opened the hearts of many people.




Bio: Shri Swami Vishwananda was born in 1978 in a Hindu family, on the Island of Mauritius. At that time, he was given the name 'Visham'. From an early age he showed a keen interest in Spirituality. At the age of 15, He went into/experienced the state of Samadhi. From that day forth he has dedicated himself to the spiritual upliftment and transformation of mankind by guiding people to focus on love and forgiveness, through Patience and Unity to reveal and experience our Divine Reality.

Websites:

Vishwananda.org
Vishwananda.Us

Read about the Hiranyagarbha (Golden) Lingam: One - Two: "Swami Vishwananda kept the Lingam only for three days. On Monday, 7th November he dematerialised it and 'brought it back where it came from'."

Swami Nagananda


Bio: "It has been born in (to) in (to) 1951 Sri Nagananda Swamy Bukkapatnam. People (people) saw signs from early childhood local <>, which (who) showed, that he (it) was exceptional spiritual nature. People (people) were witness how (as) cobras, when he (it) slept. He (it) was known from spending of many hour in solitary meditation also well <>. From its (his) this time of power of curing, mortal bites of snakes particularly, they have caused object materializacji, that known has become beyond region well <>. Meditation, service other, equality (identity) there is most important aspects of lives - and sciences Sri Nagananda."
- courtesy of poltran.com

Ashram: "Shanti Mandiram" - Usually stand in in (to) nearly village stay which (who) find (be placed) Swami Nagananda aszramie Shanti Mandiram Andhra Prasesh Putaparti where owns countrywoman aszram Sathya Sai. It is very tiny Aszram and it consists from temple (i.e. places, where public meetings proceed and spiritual practices), private headquarters of champions, for pilgrims habitable buildings and very tiny, but for it beautiful (fine) park. Meditative room (shop) is placed in the area also Aszramu. There is main aszramem Naganandy Aszram Shanti Mandiram but champion owns in whole india 40 centers near and in europe 50 and USA."
- Courtesy of poltran.com

Swami Gopal Krishna Baba


"Now there is a cry in everyone’s heart. Let there be peace! Peace in the world and peace in ourselves so that all beings can be happy. But how do we create this World peace? Should we do it on our own or should we do it together? Swami Gopala Krishna teaches us that there must be a balance. When we work only for our own peace spending hours in meditation, we create selfishness, but when we work only for the outside world we will create egoism too ... So let us work together and make this dream of World peace come true. Let us learn to give and forgive and make this world a better place for all to live in."



Bio: Gopal Krishna was born to Sri. Venkatramanaiah and Smt. Yamunamma, in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik, on 6th November 1951. He was very different from the other children and showed a great interest in spirituality.

Websites:

SaiGopal.Org
GopalBaba.Org

Photo Galleries: One - Two


Bangalore Ashram:

Sri Sai Mandiram
No.1265, 8th ‘B’cross, 1st ‘E’main,
2nd Phase, Girinagar, Bangalore-560 085
Email 1: info@gopalbaba.org
Email 2: gopalbaba@gopalbaba.org

Netherlands Ashram:

Sri Sai Mandiram
Contact: Bas van Velzen, Kannaiah
Noordeinde 40
1658 CB Lambertschaag
Email: Sri.Sai.Mandiram@hccnet.nl

Sekharji



Real Name: Chandrasekhar Balasubramanian


Bio: "On the eve of Vara Maha Lakshmi Vratham in the month of Shravan, Susila completed the pooja and the labor for the next Mission manifested. Just after midnight, My Mother gave birth to Chandrasekhar Balasubramanian (Sekharji). It was August 14, 1959. In 1960, the Family moved to the United States of America."


Message: "There are Saints, Sages, and Avatars who manifest in embodiment with a Specific Purpose at various points in Time filliping the advancement of civilization. In this age, the fundamental nature of Humanity is diminished by the apparent success of extolling the negative qualities of humankind. Peace, truth, right conduct, compassion, service, and Self Awareness has given way to the torrid accumulation of power and wealth by any means. Success is no longer measured by skill, talent, knowledge, humility, and effort; but by comfort, possessions, arrogance, social status, and profession.



"The Time has come for the Universal Awakening to begin. Each and every individual must awaken to the understanding that every thought, word, and action contributes to the evolution of humankind, the restoration of the basic nature of Humanity, and the divination towards the Realization of 'the Self'."



Token Boast: "I eat one meal per day and have been doing so for decades. I consider anything solid as food. Of course, there have been occasions when it was necessary to snack during the day. But, these are rare occurrences. Additionally, I have a complete fast every thursday. I have been known to fast for countless days, even weeks.."


Websites:

Sekharji.Org - defunct (see old versions)
T.N. Bala - Website of Sekharji's father (Memorial page for mother)
Photo Galleries: One - Two - Three - **Four**

Swami Roberto

Bio: "Swami Roberto is the founder of Universal Soul. Ever since he was just a child, he has invited those who suffer to turn to prayer, and many testify that, thanks to his spiritual help, they have overcome great problems of life. Roberto teaches people to rediscover God in their own consciousness, with the certainty that Love, Charity and Brotherhood are universal spiritual foundations which belong to the whole of humanity, beyond any religious creed, since God is Father and Mother to all people."


Websites:

Wikipedia
Universal Soul

Photo Gallery:Universal Soul (old page)Universal Soul (current page)
Residence:

"Our main Ashram is in ITALY, in the town of Leynì, deep in the country of the Piedmont region a few kilometres North of Turin. The address is Via Enrico Mattei no. 58, Leinì (Turin), ITALY."

Swami Premananda




"At the beginning of the 20th century, a great saint, Swami Paramaguru of Sri Lanka, foretold Swami Premananda's birth and spiritual power to Swamiji's grandmother. He was born on 17th November 1951 in Matale, Sri Lanka and the elderly saint's predictions steadily came true."

Bio: "From time to time great souls are born into this world with amazing qualities. They come with a purpose to remove the suffering of the people and to lead them to the truth. Swami Premananda is one of these very special ones. Swami is a Hindu religious title meaning that he has mastered himself. Prema means pure, divine love. Ananda means the highest joy known to man. Swami Premananda lives up to his wonderful name."


Websites:
WikipediaSriPremananda.Org
Premananda Youth
Premananda.Net (Dutch)


Photo Gallery: One - Two

Hinduism Today: "The popular Swami Premananda, known as the 'Sai Baba of Sri Lanka,' has closed his three ashrams and orphanage in Sri Lanka and opened a new 150-acre sanctuary named "Poobalakrishna Ashram" near Trichinopoly in Tamil Nadu, South India.

"The traditional Sri Lanka Hindu community, who are mostly Saivites, are not particularly impressed with the Swami's 'miracles' (which many consider sleight-of-hand), nor with his crowd-pleasing catering to the masses."

Times of India, April 05, 2005 - "The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed life imprisonment for two consecutive terms against a spiritual guru who raped 13 girls and murdered an inmate in his Tamil Nadu ashram in 1994. The Madras High Court had imposed the sentence on Swami Premananda of Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu."

Rape Case:Rick Ross - Share International - Guruphiliac - ExBaba - Einterface
Rape Defence:Justice For Premananda
Update:

Times of India, June 03, 2005 - "Former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani has struck out at some members of the nation’s apex judiciary, upbraiding them for 'intellectual inadequacy', shortly after the supreme court upheld the conviction and life imprisonment of controversial godman Swami Premananda for murder and rape in April this year ... Premananda had been accused of a murder and the rape of 13 girls in his ashram near Trichur in Tamil Nadu more than a decade ago. He was arrested, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, and lost his final appeal in the supreme court in April 2005."


Sri Bala Sai Baba




Bala Sai Baba was born to Shri Kannanur Ramanadha Sastry and Smt. Jaya Lakshmamma, hail from a rich family of Brahmin Community of his town. Being a skilled Ayurvedic Doctor Dr. Ramanadha Sastry specialized himself in the curing of snakebites and healed many patients. Smt. Jaya Lakshmamma was a ideal wife with pious qualities to suit the principles of Shri Kannanur Ramanadha Sastry.

Bio - English - "Sri Balasai Baba is admired in India as Avatar. Among them one understands the embodiment of the Goettlichen in human shape. Every time hate, force and destruction take over hand, God in people shape (like Jesus Christ) appears, in order humans, who are will to show the correct way. As Avatar Sri Balasai Baba of the world wants to serve and be for all sincerely searching friend, teacher and sound one. Sri Balasai Baba was born on 14 January 1960 in the southIndian Kurnool. Its birth was predicted by the large Indian holy Sri Ramana Maharshi."

Websites:
Wikipedia
SriBalaSaiBaba.Org
Sri BalaSaiBaba.Us
SriBalaSaiBaba.De - English
Sri BalaSaiBaba.Com - English



CNN Hoaxbusters - "A geisha-pale Indian with a Botox permasmile.""Bala Sai Baba has stolen from Sai Baba not just his name ... but also his look. He too wears orange robes and an absurd Afro.
"Dialog Center - "Disillusioned by the scandals, many disciples have been turning away from Satya Sai Baba and to the 35 year-old Palghat (Kerala) born Bala Sai Baba. Bala Sai claims to be the real Sai avatar. He has set up an ashram in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. He dresses like Satya Sai Baba, performs the same kind of 'miracles’ and has been successful in attracting a large number of devotees. He too has western disciples."
Photo galleries: One - Two - Three

Ashram in Kurnool:

Sri Bala Sai Nilayam
Kurnool 518001
A.P. India
Tel: 0091-8518-221332, fax: 0091-8518-220647

Ashram in Hyderabad:

Sri Bala Sai Nilayam
Domalaguda No. 1-2-593-8
Gagan Mahal Colony
Hyderabad 500029,
A.P. India
Tel: 0091-40-55 82 36 10, fax: 0091-40-27 61 62 80


SSB on the copycats

Sathya Sai Speaks:

"In this Kali Yuga also such imitations are cropping up just as Paundraka shaped himself into a Vasudeva [Krishna]. We have today even Sathya Sai Babas. They get the same type of robe stitched, they strain themselves to cultivate the crown of hair, they study photographs and hold their hands up very nearly like I do and make themselves ridiculous by frantic attempts to imitate Me. They forget that 'imitation is only human; but, Creation is Divine.'

"Those who attempt to become Sathya Sai Babas by this ludicrous process of imitation only destroy whatever faith some people have placed in the Divine. They are poisonous pests which injure the peace and harmony of society. They collect around themselves insects of like nature. For only birds of the same feather can flock together. These 'pretenders' fall into ruin themselves and bring ruin on the society where they operate, as the proverbial horde of monkeys that ruin themselves and bring ruin on the forest which they inhabit."

Despite the harsh rhetoric, Sathya Sai Babas have been cropping up all over the place. Just as he predicted, they have indeed taken to growing their hair, copying his gestures, and have even made several visits to the tailor. Looks like Sai Baba can do nothing about that except scream, shout, stamp his little lotus feet, and then sulk about everyone wanting a piece of his pie.

Equalizer's response to Brian Steel

This is a response from Equalizer to Brian Steel's comments

This is exactly the problem with Brian Steel. He has not refuted my critique about him one bit. Rather, he strengthens my position while compromising his own. Remove the rhetoric about me and focus on Brian Steel's comments about the English Translations vs. the Original Telugu Discourses and the issue is still the same.

Brian Steel said, "My basic point was (and is) that there is an essential difference between what SSB says in his frequent unscripted Telugu Discourses and what is subsequently published in English..." Fair enough. However, if this is true, why does Brian Steel, and other Anti-Sai Activists, use the English Translations as reliable references to what SSB actually and literally said in his discourses? Brian Steel just claimed that what SSB said in Telugu is not what is being published in English.

Strengthening my case, once again, Brian Steel said, "Most devotees have been totally unaware of this and therefore inadvertently quote the officially published commercial versions of the Discourses as if they offered SSB's exact words (and style)." What is amusing about this comment is that Brian Steel himself quotes the "officially published commercial versions" offering them as SSB's "exact words" when it comes to perceived factual discrepancies made by SSB (something done by other Anti-Sai Activists as well)! Why does Brian Steel adhere to two different standards? He tries very hard to make the case that the English Translations are not SSB's actual and literal words, yet (at the same time) uses these same English Translations as inerrant references to what SSB literally and actually said in Telugu, when it comes to discrepancies and perceived errors!

This brings us to Brian Steel's reference to accurate "literal translations". Brian Steel is referring to translations that were published on internety.com/premsai. This site was run by devotees who published "thoughts for the day" and discourses in 9 languages. Brian Steel does not know who made these "literal translations". Brian Steel knows nothing about these devotees, including their names. Brian Steel cannot say, with any certainty, that these translations were accurate. Brian Steel believed these translations were accurate based on the word of devotees! How does Brian Steel not know that these devotees may have enhanced or edited the translations to reflect their devotion in SSB? How can Brian Steel accept the word of devotees when he considers them mislead, belonging to a cult and being brainwashed?

Since Brian Steel does not speak, write or understand Telugu, he is basing ALL of his conclusions on speculations, probabilities and on the word of others.

Since SSB's Telugu discourses are recorded on audio cassettes (and easily obtainable by the general public), it should not be difficult for Anti-Sai Activists to hire a neutral, professional translator (as they have done in the past) and compare the translations. No one has even attempted to do this. That's probably because Anti-Sai Activists (including Brian Steel) have found errors in about 60 discourses, out of 1,200 (or 0.04%)!

Brian Steel Deception

Response from Brian Steel

This is a comment from Mr Brian Steel.

Dear Sir:
A friend informed me that Gerald Joe Moreno (aka ‘Equalizer’ in this incarnation) is still recklessly spreading misinformation about my research into the Packaging of the Discourses of Sathya Sai Baba.

Please allow me to quote from a recent Appendix to the document which he misrepresents in his critique. This should give you and your readers at least an inkling of the reprehensible tactics employed by ‘Equalizer’ in his crusade. Better still, why not read the Appendix and its predecessor?
Namaste,
Brian Steel
(Excerpt from http://bdsteel.tripod.com/More/packageapp06.htm Copyright © 2006 Brian Steel)

Both the SSO (usually obliquely) and their defenders (more brazenly) continue to turn a blind eye in public to the substantial body of clear evidence offered in my Dossier on the Packaging of SSB's Discourses. [ ../More/packagenew04.htm]
My basic point was (and is) that there is an essential difference between what SSB says in his frequent unscripted Telugu Discourses and what is subsequently published in English and other languages for devotees to read and study. This in turn indicates that the real SSB is different in certain aspects from the officially projected version of him. Most devotees have been totally unaware of this and therefore inadvertently quote the officially published commercial versions of the Discourses as if they offered SSB's exact words (and style). His real words (insofar as we are allowed to glimpse them from time to time) show personality aspects which differ from those which have been promoted internationally, including a rambling spoken style and an even greater propensity to human error and confusion than that already visible in the official translations. Such basic comparisons of the different Discourse versions further undermine his own claim of Divine Omniscience and those made by associates and echoed by devotees.
This curious phenomenon, when pointed out with the newly available evidence at our disposal, is so evident that for three years no one offered any detailed criticism of my research. There was an understandably embarrassed silence from the SSB camp. Then an Internet campaigner, whose motives still remain obscure, suddenly materialised in late 2004, claiming a burning desire to find out the TRUTH about SSB. Over the past year, on two of his websites, he has delivered and widely publicised a torrent of dismissive pronouncements on a large number of articles which question the officially promoted image of SSB. Shortly after the beginning of his crusade, this person turned his attention very briefly to my published work on the Discourses. During a somewhat frenzied three-week correspondence (December 2004 - January 2005), he repeatedly refused my requests that he should take into account the detailed information in my Dossier, including the extracts from the literal translations. His subsequent public verdict on the Dossier and on my research was therefore based on a gross but quite deliberate misrepresentation of my work.
Those SSB devotees who may still find solace in the official SSO low-key denials of unusual editing practices may be encouraged by the provocative antics of this Internet exhibitionist. However, they - and more particularly other readers - would be well advised to take the precaution of reading the original Dossier and this Appendix of further evidence on the true nature of SSB's Discourses if they are really interested in getting closer to the truth of the matter.
***
[I should specifically point out to readers of your blogspot that I have quoted extensively in both of my articles from literal translations from Telugu made and briefly posted by SSB devotees between 2000 and 2002. Their existence and importance are ignored by Equalizer (Moreno) when making his kangaroo court judgement on my writing. These and other aspects of his wilfulness and ‘spin’ are also shown quite clearly in our brief 2005 correspondence - which, in a characteristically foolhardy way, he himself has published on his website.]

Brian

Response to Sanjay Dadlani from Equalizer

This is Equalizer's reply to Sanjay Dadlani's comments.

Dinakaran, I read Sanjay's response and I would like to comment on it.

Any casual reader of Sanjay's reply might feel that his rebuttal is fair, factual and balanced. Indeed, for those who are not fully conversant with all the facts surrounding the Sathya Sai Controversy, Sanjay's response seems completely adequate. However, let me give you some examples on how Sanjay purposely withholds pertinent information that undermines his comments.

I will discuss the following three issues: 1) The Unesco Withdrawl; 2) The real evidence against Sathya Sai Baba and 3) The Dadlani'nanda blog.

1) THE UNESCO WITHDRAWAL: Sanjay made reference to the Unesco Withdrawl as one of the "successes" of the Anti-Sai movement. What Sanjay failed to divulge is that the Unesco Withdrawal was due entirely to an unremitting "e-bombing" campaign waged by Anti-Sai Activists. I have written a fully referenced article that discusses this issue in depth: The Real Reason Behind The Unesco Withdrawl from the ISSE Conference. Sanjay also failed to disclose the fact that Anti-Sai Activists are now attacking Unesco because Unesco removed their withdrawal notice (against SSB) from their site. Sanjay is quick to reference the Unesco withdrawal, but leaves out pertinent information because it would undermine his reference to them.

2) THE REAL EVIDENCE AGAINST SATHYA SAI BABA: Anti-Sai allegations are made despite NO court cases ever being filed, first-hand, in a court of law in India. As a matter of fact, not even one alleged victim has even tried. Not even one alleged victim has utilized free, "world class legal resources" to bring Sathya Sai Baba to justice. Not even one single affidavit has ever been made public (despite numerous claims to "20", "scores" and "over a hundred" affidavits being in existence and allegedly published on the internet). The online petition (against SSB and Sai Org.) has never been independently verified. "Evidence" is cited from mostly anonymous sources or people using a first name or a pseudonym. Anti-Sais have slandered Sathya Sai Baba in the most vile way, yet whenever anyone questions them and their character, all of a sudden they are beyond reproach. No documents. No affidavits. No court cases. No first-hand complaints filed in India. No independent agencies verifying their alleged data. No nothing! Despite these facts, Anti-Sai Activists have the audacity to attack those who question their viewpoints and unsubstantiated claims. One must also remember that all of these allegations are many, many years old.

3) THE DADLANI'NANDA BLOG: Sanjay felt that my Dadlani'nanda blog is tarnishing his reputation and that it is "slanderous" and "disgusting" (nevermind his wholesome reputation for disgusting posts on his online blog and his innocent requests for Jesus pornography: Refs: 01; http://www.saisathyasai.com/baba/Ex-Baba.com/A-Dadlani/kishore-dadlani.html). Sanjay also made mention to composite images that he claimed are "childish". Again, what Sanjay failed to mention is that this whole issue of composite images and parodies first began because of his actions on his blog. Reference Taking It With A Smile & Comic Humor (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Sanjay posted sexually suggestive images, on his blog, against SSB. One of the images even depicted a child giving SSB oral sex from underneath his robe! These images provoked a response from a Sai Devotee using an anonymous name. PremaPerm sent me composite images of Dadlani to see how he liked it (Reference). Since sanjay felt that his postings of composite images were amusing, lighthearted and done in a spirit of casual jest, I fail to understand why he is so upset when the same thing was done to him? Sanjay also cited the International Sai Tribune blog, that parodies SSB, on his blog. If you look at the Contributors on that blog, you will notice that Sanjay is one of them (Sai Baba Exposed). Again, since Sanjay feels that parodies are harmless fun, why is he taking such great offence when I parody him on my blog? It is also important to point out that there are parodies written against Lisa De Witt and me on the International Sai Tribune blog as well. So if Sanjay thinks nothing about parodies against SSB, Devotees and me, why is he castigating me for engaging in the very same behavior that he engages in? Don't expect Sanjay to give you these facts. I created the Dadlani'nanda blog to expose his hypocrisy. As you can see, it worked.

And if you want to see whom is being negative and whom is attacking others, I suggest you take a look at the SathyaSaiBaba2 Yahoo Group and look for Sanjay's posts under the name SaiExposed420. Sanjay repeatedly accuses me of telling lies about him. However, he refuses to provide me with any factual information to refute any of my comments about him. It is obvious that Sanjay is disgruntled that I uncovered so much of his filth on the internet. Of course, no one is to blame but Sanjay himself. If he didn't write his filth in the first place, no one would have found it. Period.

So there you have it, Dinakaran. Did you know all these facts when you read Sanjay's reply? Now you know why I don't engage him in discussions. In my opinion, he is incapable of a rational discussion.

Sanjay Dadlani Exposed

Time to shed a tear for the unlucky bull

This is a report from The Hindu about Jallikattu. According to Wikki, "Jallikattu is a South Indian celebration involving bull taming, somewhat similar to the Spanish running of the bulls. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu on the eve of Mattu Pongal, one of the four days of Pongal festival (usually January 15 on the Western calendar). The one held in Alanganallur, near Madurai, is the most popular. This sport is also known as "Manju Virattu", meaning "chasing the bull".

In Jallikattu, an agitated bull is set to run in an open space. Several people, empty handed, try to tame it by controlling its horns. The winner gets a prize, which is generally tied to the horns of the bull. On most occasions, the bulls are intoxicated with alcohol. Only men take part in this macho game. Sometimes, more than one bull is loose at the same time. The village farmers take this game as a display of their masculine strength. Betting is also common during the game."

I find this one of the most cruel games. Organisations like PETA and SPCA must take up this issue and put an end to this barbaric 'game'. Here goes the report:

S. Annamalai

MADURAI: Every year, during Pongal, animal lovers make feeble protests against the cruel use of bulls in jallikattu in the southern districts.

The focus at these events tends to be on the human casualty and nobody takes note of the animals' agony, they lament.

In the last two days, three people were killed and hundreds injured in jallikattu at Palamedu and Alanganallur near Madurai. It is now touted as an international event, similar to Spanish bull fights. Historically, the sport was organised after harvest, during peacetime, by the rulers. The aim was to provide an opportunity for able-bodied youth to exhibit their valour.

The youth grappled with the ferocious bulls and those who tamed them got married to the daughter of the animal's owner.

The sport has degenerated over the years, with listless youth managing to hang on to the hump of the bulls for a distance of 50-100 metres to come out victorious.

Very few owners groom the bulls properly. They use unfair means to make the animals ferocious. The bulls are fed with arrack moments before they are let out into the arena.

Some inject the animals with a mixture of chilly powder on their back. Others bite their tail before releasing them for action.

The arenas are usually open grounds and not well marked. For the bulls, it is a run for their life.

The injuries they inflict on the players are in self-defence. Mob frenzy rules the arena, especially at Alanganallur.

No rules

The sport is devoid of rules. The youth seldom touch the horns of the bulls, and many catch them by their tail.

Rather than taking on the `matadors,' the bulls, let out one by one through a narrow gate, are desperate to get out of the arena. The combat is never one-on-one. It is the bull against a mob.

In the past, jallikattu has even triggered caste skirmishes in some places.

But the spectacle of a single bull slicing its way through a mob has become so popular that Alanganallur is being promoted as a favoured destination for foreign tourists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Very few owners groom the bulls properly
The animals are fed with arrack before they are let out into the arena
Arenas are open grounds where mob frenzy rules
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Response from Sanjay Dadlani

I have received a response from Mr. Sanjay Dadlani. Here it is:

Dear Mr. Rengachary,

Humble pranams. I wanted to thank you for the couple
of comments that you left on my blog the other day,
and I was unable to do so due to being busy with
affairs in my professional life until now.

I came across today's entry in your blog that mentions
me by name:

http://dinakaran.blogspot.com/2006/01/sathya-sai-controversy.html
where you speak briefly of your thoughts on the Sathya
Sai Controversy. I hope you won't mind if I proceed to
give you a few salient facts about the affair.

First of all, I would like to submit my apologies that
you are being harassed by pro-Sai Baba activists in an
evident smear campaign. I would also like to inform
you that the controversy about Sathya Sai Baba has
much more depth than a conflict between a few
individuals. If you would like to familiarise yourself
with the basic points of the controvery, I invite you
to view just two of our sites:

http://www.exbaba.com
http://www.saiguru.net I'm sure that you will be able to understand that the
efforts of those who contribute articles are those
that, out of genuine concern, seek to bring very real
concerns and discrepancies to light about Sathya Sai
Baba. Such discrepancies refer to moral, spiritual and
philosophical deviations by Sathya Sai Baba, and so
much more!

In your blog, you state that "Sanjay Dadlani seems to
have a one-point agenda. Discredit SSB. He does a good
job of it. His blog reads well and he has taken pains
to prove his points."

Many thanks for your comments about my writing, but I
would like to humbly inform you that I do not have an
"agenda" as such. I am an ex-devotee of the Baba who
worshipped him as a divinity for just over a decade of
my life. As you may or may not know, Sathya Sai Baba
faces serious allegations that relate to homosexual
activities with children and young males, financial
scandals, cultish brainwashing, implication in several
murders and the like. These issues are currently being
researched and investigated by a large and able group
of ex-devotees with the eventual intention to take
legal action against the Baba.

We have achieved considerable success in this
endeavour. For example, UNESCO withdrew their
participation from a planned conference that was due
to be held at the Baba's ashram some years ago. Also,
there have been two major television documentaries
(one of them by the BBC) that have effected public
concern over the allegations of homosexual activity,
false miracles, and so on. Several newspaper articles
have been published in major newspapers all around the
world. If you would like to know more, I'd be happy to
give you links to this material.

The intentions behind my blog are simply to discuss
what I see as serious philosophical and theological
deviations in Sai Baba's teachings, and it is
something that I feel has received little treatment
thus far. It is a private project of mine where I feel
able to provide a new 'angle' on Sai Baba's failings,
not simply to 'discredit' him for the sake of it.
According to the feedback that I've been receiving
from other ex-devotees and other curious people, it
appears that my efforts in this regard are a
resounding success.

As you have doubtless seen so far, there are those who
are jealous of our success. The vast majority of them
find themselves unable to defend Sai Baba and, in
their rage, choose to unfairly vent their anger on us
ex-devotees. One of these is Gerald 'Joe' Moreno, also
known as 'Equalizer', who has admitted that he is not
a devotee of Sai Baba and thus has no real reason to
invest so much time and energy into attacking
ex-devotees. I trust from your blog writings that you
have read a little of his website.

But since your current blog refers to "mud" on me, the
observation that I make is that the charges against me
are vastly misrepresented and completely baseless.
Despite all of the proofs that he supposedly has, he
has misinterpreted them entirely and thus wages an
unnecessary war that is based on his
misunderstandings. I eventually intend to address all
of his charges against me, but at the moment the time
is taken up with pressing Sai Baba matters. If you
kindly read the recent posts at my blog:

http://saibabaexposed.blogspot.com/2006/01/sai-baba-devotees-sued-by-sai-baba.html
http://saibabaexposed.blogspot.com/2006/01/shirdi-inheritance.html
http://saibabaexposed.blogspot.com/2006/01/sai-baba-legal-dispute-more-reportage.html you'll see the reportage (and my comments) on the
latest issue to hit the headlines in the Mumbai
newspapers.

I am happy to see how you astutely observed that much
of the attacks against me (and other ex-devotees) make
no attempt to address the issues at hand, and that the
malicious intent to smear us with below-the-belt and
ad-hominem attacks is based in misplaced rage.

For example, I invite you to view a blog that Moreno
has created very recently:

http://dadlaninanda.blogspot.com/ At the very least, it is obvious that his valiant
efforts in defending Sai Baba simply consist of
attacking me and tarnishing my reputation in a most
slanderous and disgusting manner. Not to mention the
fact that he has stolen an image of myself from my
website and regularly presents ridiculous composite
images such as the one you see. Such childish
behaviour hardly deserves any comment.

As you saw for yourself, Moreno (Equalizer) commented
on your blog after my entry and failed to address
anything I had said, instead choosing to attack me and
provide links to his defamatory pages. Needless to
say, you won't easily find anything from him that
addresses any of my points about Sai Baba.

I found that your brief summary of the "Telugu
translation" affair with Sai Baba's discourses is just
one example of the silliness that we have to deal with
on a regular basis.

Regarding the Baba's speeches, it is open knowledge
that he speaks in Telugu while knowing enough English
to correct his live translator. The speeches are then
duly translated (and edited) and published in the
ashram's monthly magazine. Eventually the literary
authorities will compile them to make a new book of
the Swami's speeches, and it is also a well-known fact
that every publication by the ashram needs personal
approval from the Baba.

Incidentally, you'll see that when I quote Sai Baba's
words to make a point, you'll see that I provide links
to official material that is hosted on the Sai
Organisation's official websites.

Therefore, all claims of relying on "mistaken"
translations and the like have no basis in truth. It
is impossible to argue that we use "unauthorised"
quotes when we are quoting from official sources! I
trust that you can see the futility of this reasoning.

Although I can tell you that the real reason behind
the attackers' criticism is their misplaced defence of
Sai Baba, who has been known to make several silly
mistakes in his rendering of spiritual teachings,
biographical facts, scientific theories, and so on.
When these speeches are published, it is sometimes
found that Sai Baba's points contradict things that he
has said on the same subject on earlier occasions.
Just see:

http://saibabaexposed.blogspot.com/2005/12/parthi-babas-boo-boo-on-shirdi-baba.html
http://saibabaexposed.blogspot.com/2005/12/sai-babas-contradictions-on-jesus.html to get an idea of what I'm saying. So this is why our
critics argue that Sai Baba's speeches are
"mistranslated" from the original Telugu language, and
that this accounts for all of his 'mistakes'. The only
problem with this is that Sai Baba personally corrects
the translator when he is giving his speeches, and he
has also personally appointed everyone who is working
in the literary department of his ashram to do the job
of editing and publication. Not to mention that the
completed works are presented for his personal
approval. Isn't it safe, then, to come to an obvious
conclusion?

Mr. Rengachary, everything that I have told you about
here is merely the tip of the iceberg. Every day we
are finding newer and newer things which we eventually
hope to document in full. Our intentions are noble in
that we hope to enlighten the public about the reality
of Sathya Sai Baba so that they be not duped by the
controlled propaganda, not to mention seeking justice
for the innocent victims who have suffered horrifying
and traumatic sexual and emotional abuse at the hands
of this avatar.

I hope that I have allayed your concerns somewhat over
this contentious issue, and I trust that this meets
you in the very best of good health and happiness.

Kind regards,

S. Dadlani

Reply to my blog

I have received a reply from Saisathyasai.com to my posting. Though I don't believe in Sathya Sai Baba (SSB), I am reproducing the reply as it is detailed and well-written, so that the readers of this blog do not miss it. The 'references' he mentions can be found in the original comment to that blog as a clickable hyper-link. Or you can click on the heading of this post.


Obviously, dear Dinakaran, you have not read Anti-Sai Sites and the contradictory position they take regarding the English translations to Sathya Sai Baba's Telugu discourses.

Brian Steel (an Anti-Sai Activist) wrote a lengthy article, entitled The Packaging of Sathya Sai Baba's Telugu Discourses - A Stronger Case. This article stated that the English Translations are "packaged, highly edited, polished, condensed, enhanced, inaccurate, distant, different, adorned, significantly added to, snipped and hybridized". After Brian Steel made his case against the accuracy of the English Translations, he completely flip-flops and begins citing these very same "highly edited" and "inaccurate" English Translations as inerrant references to what Sathya Sai Baba literally and actually said in Telugu! Sanjay Dadlani does the very same thing.

On my site, I wrote a detailed article about this topic: An Open Critique Of Brian Steel: A Stronger Case.

I agree that the English Translations are not Sathya Sai Baba's "actual and literal words". The discourses are not translated "word for word". However, I believe that the essence and import to Sathya Sai Baba's discourses is fully conveyed in the English Translations and are not being misrepresented. Therefore, it is my opinion, that despite the heavy editing, what Sathya Sai Baba meant to convey IS being conveyed. The English translations are heavily edited because they are the proof-plates from which translations are made into various other languages.

So, Dinakaran, I am saying that if one wants to attribute factual discrepancies to Sathya Sai Baba, one must reference these discrepancies directly from the Telugu discourses. Doesn't that sound fair to you? Anti-Sai Activists made the case themselves that the English translations are not accurate and are highly edited. So why do they use these same inaccurate translations to attribute factual discrepancies to Sathya Sai Baba? That is the question that no one has answered.

Dinakaran, as a matter of fact, Sanjay posed this very same question to me on the SathyaSaiBaba2 yahoo group. He failed to respond to my answer: Reference. One will also notice how Sanjay often uses the ploy of writing lengthy and wordy replies, that drain and drown the issue completely. It is not possible to have a rational discussion with him head on.

Also, Sanjay Dadlani fails to use the same standard against his Hare Krsna Gurus and scriptures that he uses against Sathya Sai Baba. Sanjay argues that since SSB made errors (taken exclusively from the English translations) then this must mean that SSB is a fraud. However, when one points out factual errors from his Gurus (said in English) or scriptures (translated word for word), Sanjay excuses these errors and makes numerous arguments to defend the errors and discrepancies that support his beliefs. I discussed this issue as well: Reference.

So there you have it Dinakaran. Let me know if you have any other questions. SaiSathyaSai.com.

The Sathya Sai controversy

I have written about Sathya Sai Baba in my blog. The first was 'The other side of SSB' and the second was on the response to my blog. There were several comments, two of which needs mention.
The first was by 'SaiBaba Exposed', who has a blog in which he discusses the allegations against SSB. He has done quite a good job in detailing the allegations. He says "The examination of Sai Baba's inconsistencies in regards to his philosophy, theology and personal behaviour has received sparing treatment.In this regard I have attempted to make some headway on my blog, where I discuss such inconsistencies as and when I come across them.As of today (Dec 20th 2005) I have just posted the second part to an essay that shows how Sai Baba himself discounts the explanation that his senior followers give as a justification for his practices of homosexuality and paedophilia."

The second was by 'Equalizer' who said, "The person who posted just prior to me, soliciting his blog "SaiBabaExposed", is Sanjay Kishore Dadlani. People are completely unaware of his very disturbing online behavior, lies and attacks against Sathya Sai Baba. Be prepared to be thoroughly shocked:" and gave a link to a site dedicated to exposing Sanjay Dadlani.

Sanjay Dadlani seems to have a one-point agenda. Discredit SSB. He does a good job of it. His blog reads well and he has taken pains to prove his points.

The site mentioned by Equalizer throws lot of mud on Dadlani with enough proofs. Though it manages to nail Dadlani to some extent, it fails in convincingly replying to the allegations.

Responding to Dadlani's quoting of a few English books published by the SSB organisation, it says the English translations are not accurate because of heavy editing. And to know exactly about SSB, one must refer to the original Telugu versions, it says.

I find this arguement stupid. It means only those who can read Telugu can understand the 'real' teachings of SSB. But then, what about the millions who can't read Telugu? Does it imply that what they have read is wrong? Which means what they really know about SSB is wrong.

And why doesn't the SSB organisation take pains to publish 'correct' versions? It is idiotic to publish books and then say they are wrong.

Will saisathyasai.com explain?