Shouldn't Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust have one or two well recognized Sai literature experts/teachers on its board?

Last updated on 30th Sept. 2015

After Bhagavan's Mahasamadhi and the ensuing chaos & confusion in Puttaparthi Sai setup, (which resulted in me parting ways with the Sai university in March 2012), I started reading up and viewing up (videos and spiritual TV channels) on other contemporary and near-contemporary spiritual movements and groups, both in India and abroad.

One thing that struck me right away was that in all these spiritual movements and groups, expert(s) on their spiritual principles and views and interpretations of holy scripture, were the prominent person(s) and seemed to be the key decision maker(s) in the associated orgn. And that made sense as it is these people who play a great role in drawing and retaining followers in their spiritual movement/group. If the number of followers dwindle then that's usually an indication of some serious problem in the movement/group which needs to be addressed quickly and effectively as otherwise the entire movement/group may wither away. This applies to Hindu ashrams and groups as well as Christian ministries.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in his physical form, was the key spiritual principles & teachings expert/teacher for the Sathya Sai movement. While the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) was established many decades prior to Swami's Mahasamadhi, its role & responsibilities have changed significantly after Mahasamadhi. Prior to Mahasamadhi, SSSCT trustees did not have to play any spiritual teacher role OR worry much about drawing and retaining devotees, as Bhagavan was there in physical body doing that function. In Bhagavan's physical absence, however, I think SSSCT now has to be concerned about creating an environment which will reflect the Divine Love of Bhagavan, as that will help in drawing and retaining devotees/followers of Puttaparthi based Sathya Sai movement/mission. [It is interesting that the splinter group based in Muddenahalli is focused around the spiritual teacher Madhusudhan Naidu (FALSELY CLAIMING to speak words of so called subtle body of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) and his translator, former (official) Sathya Sai education system veteran, Sri. B.N. Narasimhamurthy. These two persons seem to be vital in drawing and retaining followers to/in their group, and also seem to be the vital decision makers in the associated organization(s).]

But SSSCT's current board of trustees does not seem to have any well recognized expert/teacher on Sai literature! [I tried looking up http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/ for the list of current trustees but I could not find a suitable link in my quick look at the site.] Now I presume and am quite sure that the current board of trustees are honorable men (& women, though I don't think there is a woman trustee as of now) who have achieved distinction in their respective fields of endeavour, and are able administrators of the Sathya Sai institutions entrusted to their care. Note that the administrator role is different from that of teacher of/expert-writer on Sai literature role.

I have also put on record, elsewhere on this blog, my appreciation for SSSCT's fantastic work in stabilizing the chaotic, confusing and traumatic situation in the immediate post-Mahasamadhi phase, and ensuring that all the wonderful activities of the Puttaparthi based Sai mission continue without any break. So I request that this post of mine should not be seen, in any way, as a criticism of SSSCT. But it should be viewed as just a humble thought/suggestion of mine.

I believe that the SSSCT board of trustees currently consists of nine members. I think that SSSCT, as and when appropriate, should have at least one (ideally two), well recognized experts/teachers in Sai literature on their board as trustee(s). These person(s) should have a significant set of articles, books and speeches which are well appreciated by Sai devotee community. These person(s) should take on the top level responsibility of ensuring that Sai teachings are disseminated well and disseminated correctly, inside and outside the Sathya Sai mission.

I hope this post of mine is viewed in a positive light by any senior functionaries of the Sathya Sai organization who happen to read it (or associated mail). I repeat, this is not a criticism of SSSCT but just a humble thought/suggestion. Jai Sairam!