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Has Sathya Sai Baba left a will, detailing how his massive spiritual empire should be run after his demise? The buzz doing rounds in his spiritual abode is that he had left a will, handing over the responsibility of managing the affairs of the multi-crore spiritual empire to his trusted aide and caregiver Satyajit.
Though there is no official word on the existence of such a will, there are reports that Baba had expressed a desire to entrust a larger role to Satyajit, a 33-year-old management graduate from Sathya Sai University who has dedicated his life to the service of the spiritual guru. He joined the ashram when he was just five-year-old. He was specifically chosen by Baba to take care of his personal needs.
Over the years, Satyajit has come to be regarded as the most powerful man in Baba’s inner circle. The report of Baba’s will comes against the backdrop of the succession battle in the opaque Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) that manages a global network of spiritual, philanthropic and social activities. The row revolves around Satyajit and trust member RJ Ratnakar who is Baba’s nephew and the sole representative from the godman’s family in the trust.
There is also a talk of Satyajit’s elevation as the member of the all-powerful SSSCT. However, this was reportedly resisted by Ratnakar. A crucial meeting of the nine-member trust is likely to be held soon to decide who should be made the chairman and how to revamp the functioning of the trust.
As per the existing rules and regulations, only Baba was authorised to sign cheques in the capacity of chairman. With his demise, there is confusion as to who will have the sanctioning and disbursing authority.
For the time being, the Andhra Pradesh Government is said to have brokered a compromise formula under which Ratnakar and Satyajit would together manage the affairs of the ashram. A joint management system with involvement of professionals is likely to be worked out to oversee the trust’s future activities, official sources said.
Despite not being a member of the trust, Satyajit is reportedly demanding a greater say in the financial matters on the ground that Baba had personally promised him last year a key post in the trust. On its part, the state government is adopting a wait and watch policy even while making discreet efforts to ensure smooth succession.
Though there is no official word on the existence of such a will, there are reports that Baba had expressed a desire to entrust a larger role to Satyajit, a 33-year-old management graduate from Sathya Sai University who has dedicated his life to the service of the spiritual guru. He joined the ashram when he was just five-year-old. He was specifically chosen by Baba to take care of his personal needs.Over the years, Satyajit has come to be regarded as the most powerful man in Baba’s inner circle. The report of Baba’s will comes against the backdrop of the succession battle in the opaque Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) that manages a global network of spiritual, philanthropic and social activities. The row revolves around Satyajit and trust member RJ Ratnakar who is Baba’s nephew and the sole representative from the godman’s family in the trust.There is also a talk of Satyajit’s elevation as the member of the all-powerful SSSCT. However, this was reportedly resisted by Ratnakar. A crucial meeting of the nine-member trust is likely to be held soon to decide who should be made the chairman and how to revamp the functioning of the trust.
As per the existing rules and regulations, only Baba was authorised to sign cheques in the capacity of chairman. With his demise, there is confusion as to who will have the sanctioning and disbursing authority.
For the time being, the Andhra Pradesh Government is said to have brokered a compromise formula under which Ratnakar and Satyajit would together manage the affairs of the ashram. A joint management system with involvement of professionals is likely to be worked out to oversee the trust’s future activities, official sources said.
Despite not being a member of the trust, Satyajit is reportedly demanding a greater say in the financial matters on the ground that Baba had personally promised him last year a key post in the trust. On its part, the state government is adopting a wait and watch policy even while making discreet efforts to ensure smooth succession.
