He'll remain a mystery

Once at a public discourse, Sathya Sai Baba had apparently said, "The good and evil in the world are expressions of divine consciousness. The bad too is in fact good in reverse. It serves to teach what has to be avoided. It would not be 'bad' for all time; it is ever short-lived. Neither 'good' nor 'bad' can be pronounced as absolutely unrelieved states."

However, we see that bureaucrats like Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, and many other politicians accused of corruption top the list of Baba's devotees. And then you wonder about Baba's demarcation of the good and the bad and his integrity. Either Baba was unaware of his devotees' weaknesses or he turned blind eye to them.

Is Sathya Sai Baba god man or conman? This question, which has been debated over the years, comes up once again as Baba waits to be one with the earth on Wednesday at Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. His demise saw politicians, cricketers, film stars, foreigners and eminent personalities from across the world rush to get a last glimpse of their God. It is said that Baba could fish out gold chains, saris and other things out of thin air on request of devotees. On the other hand, in his lifetime, he was not only accused of sleight of hand but his alleged involvement in sex scandals also did the rounds.

Baba is no more and thus these doubts along with his glittering empire comprising hundreds of acres of lands and cash assets will remain. While the top notches would decide the fate of the property, critics will argue about Baba's truth.

But if Baba is considered God, it is we who made him out to be one.

History is witness that we Indians have a tendency to always look for a leader, who would take the onus of solving all our problems and lead us to comfort and salvation. Sai Baba was also probably born out of these expectations.

A godman to some and corrupt to the others, Sai Baba will live through centuries in the hearts and minds of many as a mystery that will stay unsolved keeping the faith of all who considered him divine.