Shining the Light of Truth document (from Int'l Sai orgn.) on Muddenahalli group FALSE CLAIMS

Last updated on 23rd April 2020

23rd April 2020 Update: I had an inner urge to name-snip the names of some person(s) in this post and so have done so.

I received a very interesting mail from Mr. V.R. Ganti today which had the 4 page document, "Shining the Light of Truth", which, the mail said, "This was circulated by Dr. Ravindran, Chairman of Zone 4, Sri Sathya Sai International Organization.  I don’t know which all Zones have circulated this summary, but surely it is very good and every one must read it." I thank Mr. V.R.Ganti for sending me this mail. I have put up this document on Google Drive public folder here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3Pcd4RD_n8LYWhqcUN3cG9zRWM

A few extracts from this superb document that I would like to highlight:

The Sathya Sai International Organisation does not approve of Madhusudan Naidu's and Mr B N Narasimhamurthy’s claims because their statements and actions, as well as those of their followers fundamentally contradict Sathya Sai Baba’s Message and Mission.

[Ravi: Excellent! ... as it is an unambiguous and named disapproval of Muddenahalli group's claims.]
...

"There are others who claim that I am speaking through them, and answering questions put to them. These people must be either insane or hysteria-affected or they are possessed by some ghost or by the greed to earn money thereby. I can only tell you that it is not I that speaks through them. I do not need media; nor do I need substitutes or subsidiaries or representatives." SSS 10.35: November 22, 1970

[Ravi: The above are Bhagavan's words from a discourse. I like the way Bhagavan says that he can only tell us that he is not speaking through them (mediums or communicators). Beyond that, what can Bhagavan do, if his devotees refuse to listen to crystal-clear instructions, NOT to believe mediums/communicators who claim to speak Bhagavan's words? I guess, one would have to say, "It is their Karma", i.e., it is their destiny to get caught up in FALSE CLAIMS of mediums/communicators. As Sathya Sai devotees we can only do our duty of informing interested Sathya Sai devotees about these FALSE CLAIMS as such information has helped at least some Sathya Sai devotees to NOT GET TRAPPED in Muddenahalli FALSE BELIEF, and, I am quite sure, will help other Sathya Sai devotees, especially new ones, in future.]
...
Sathya Sai Baba said that religious division and conflict arose in the past because:

"After the passing of the founders of these religions, the followers violated the teachings of the founders and quarrelled among themselves on account of their selfish interests." SSS 23.36: December 25, 1990

[Ravi: Hmm. I had not read this earlier. How well the single sentence of Swami above explains the current state of affairs in Sathya Sai movement due to some leaders being more focused on their personal agendas and personal visions of what the movement should be, rather than what Bhagavan has taught us, which is available in hundreds (perhaps thousands) of discourses freely accessible on the Internet as well as books authored by Swami, most of which too are freely available on the Internet.]
...
Sathya Sai Baba has always taught us that God is in everyone and, in 1987, said that He would now take us to the college level of spirituality:

"The mission of the present Avatar is to make everybody realise that since the same God or divinity resides in everyone, people should respect, love and help each other irrespective of caste, colour or creed. Thus all work can become an act of worship." God Lives in India, p.7

"I have resolved preaching Advaita Tatwa (non duality) as a spiritual path from the 60th year. We have crossed the stage of worship. We must enter the path of wisdom now. We have crossed the primary and higher secondary levels. We have to enter college." Divine Discourse November 24, 1987, Advaita through Seva p.14

Contradicting Sathya Sai Baba's own words, Madhusudhan says that Sathya Sai Baba and His teachings were just a primary school which taught only that God exists, but that he will now give the high school level teachings that God is in all.

[Ravi: Terrific extracts from Swami discourses as they FULLY EXPOSE FALSE CLAIMS of Madhusudhan Rao Naidu. I think it is Madhusudhan Rao Naidu who needs to enter into a PROPER SATHYA SAI SCHOOL to get rid of his FALSE BELIEFS and get properly re-educated in the teachings of our beloved Lord, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who is Shiva-Shakti Swarupa and Kali Yuga Avatar.]
...
Sathya Sai Baba spoke about the kind of person who imitates His voice, dress or behaviour:

"We have today even Sathya Sai Babas… 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." SSS 12.2: January 14, 1973

Fellow students and staff report that Madhusudan Naidu was known as an accomplished actor whose specialty was imitating Swami's behaviour and voice, which he is continuing to do to this day. Madhusudan Naidu's talks have now been published in two volumes called Sri Sathya Sai Uvacha. This means Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, and is in imitation of the official volumes of divine discourses, Sathya Sai Speaks.

[Ravi: Excellent! And this is much needed to ensure that the fake imitation of Sathya Sai Uvacha discourses in the HOLY NAME of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, does not get established as the real Sathya Sai Speaks!!! Oh, what a terrible, terrible tragedy it will be, if that happens! But, with documents like this one being circulated by the International Sai organization, I think that will not happen.]
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There have always been people who have developed the ability to read minds and know intimate details of people’s lives and private conversations. Some people can even materialise things. However, this does not mean that they are an Avatar or are in communication with an Avatar.

Colonel S K Bose quotes Swami Vivekananda's story of visiting a man who was able to know the future as well as read the minds of those who came to him. He makes the point that this was just a man with psychic powers, not an avatar. Sathya Sai Baba says such, "So called 'miracles' are not miracles, nor do they prove divinity" (CWBSSSB, p.73).

In contrast, the power of the divine will is natural and spontaneous. Speaking of His Divine powers to R K Karanjia in 1976, Sathya Sai Baba said:

"They are neither magical tricks nor siddhic (occult) powers, which can come to everybody with the appropriate discipline and yoga exercises, but My powers to protect, heal and save people and materialise objects originate in God and can be used only by an Avatar. They are in no way designed, disciplined or developed, but flow from cosmic power." God Lives in India, p.14

Some claim that Madhusudan Naidu is able to tell people what happened in their interviews with Sathya Sai Baba and this knowledge has been touted as proof that Madhusudan is in communication with Sathya Sai Baba. The Muddenahalli team often ask for the names of people attending their meetings beforehand. They also arrange 'interviews' in advance with the date and time set. This method of pre-planning contradicts Sathya Sai Baba's own philosophy of, "Love my uncertainty." and His practice. No one could schedule an interview with Him. It is to be noted that Madhusudhan Naidu’s associate Mr B Narasimhamurthy, as the author of some of the volumes of Sathyam Sivam Sundaram, has access to the contents of hundreds of devotees' interviews. He also used to approach devotees leaving the interview room in order to take notes on their interviews, ostensibly, to use in the books he was writing. Some who have visited Madhusudan have already given talks about their interviews and experiences, which are freely available on the internet. Thus, Madhusudan would have access to learning what Sathya Sai Baba said to them via Narasimhamurthy or the internet.

Madhusudan Naidu's followers have also revealed that his 'materialisations' are store bought jewellery items that he keeps in his pocket to give to his followers. Despite this, Madhusudan and his team still allow people to publish accounts claiming that the objects are materialised.
...

'There are some who extol others for the absurd reason that Sai Baba speaks through them! Baba has entered into them, they declare from the housetops. "O, Baba has come upon this child, this person." How silly? It is all drama which cheats sick minds. Do not fall a prey to these. That is why I say, keep your devotion within yourself, under control, and do not be led away by crooks and self-seekers. These lead you astray by giving you a wrong idea of the Lord's manifestation. They befoul the faith that their brothers and sisters repose in God.' SSS 4.35: October 15, 1964

Let us not be (led) astray but instead follow with full faith and love Sathya Sai Baba's teachings, which are the essence of all spiritual knowledge and are incredibly precious:

"You think Swami's discourses are very simple. But, the entire essence of the Vedas is contained in them. The essence of all the sastras (spiritual texts) is to be found in Swami's words." SSS 39.13: September 27, 2006

Regarding the attitude devotees should have to His teachings, Sathya Sai Baba said in 2007:

"If you follow the teachings with firm faith in Swami, you will achieve success in all your endeavours. You should have faith in Swami's teachings; love them, adore them and follow them." SSS 40.22: December 26, 2007

"Obeying My instructions is enough; it will benefit you more than the most rigorous asceticism. Practice sathya, dharma, santhi and prema, which are dear to Me; resolve to keep those ideals before you ever, in all your thoughts, words and deeds. That can confer on you the summum bonum of mergence in the Supreme Substance of divinity." SSS 8.19: May 17, 1968

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A correction in the second paragraph of the document, "Shining the Light of Truth":

It states, "Madhusudan also claims that because only he can see and hear this subtle body, Sathya Sai Baba now needs an intermediary in order to communicate with His devotees and so He is communicating through him. Madhusudan is a former Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning student, now staying at the Muddenahalli Campus."

The correction to be made is about Madhusudhan staying at Muddenahalli campus. I am told by reliable sources (I am in touch with former students and colleagues of mine at the Sai university when I was offering FREE SERVICE there as Honorary Staff/Honorary Faculty/Visiting Faculty from Jan. 2003 to Mar. 2012, who are now regular faculty at SSSIHL, Muddenahalli campus) that SSSIHL, Muddenahalli campus is completely separated from Muddenahalli campus of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust which has a school and a college (affiliated to Mysore university, I am told, and NOT SSSIHL). Madhusudhan and Shri Narasimhamurthy and others of the so called subtle body group conduct their activities on Loka Seva Trust, Muddenahalli campus and NOT SSSIHL, Muddenahalli campus. I am quite sure that Madhusudhan Rao Naidu WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LIVE IN Muddenahalli campus, SSSIHL as he is doing an activity that has been PUBLICLY CONDEMNED by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam (Puttaparthi) which is the mother trust which meets all the expenses of SSSIHL including Muddenahalli campus of SSSIHL (there may be a sister trust of SSSCT which handles SSSIHL expenses but even if there is such a sister trust that trust will be operating under the control of SSSCT).

I request readers of this post who know the authors or key office bearers of International Sai orgn. who were associated with the distribution of this document, to bring the above correction I have suggested to their notice. The concerned office bearers could then check with appropriate office bearers of Sri Sathya Sai Insitute of Higher Learning e.g. the vice-chancellor, to confirm my suggested correction, and then make the appropriate correction (if confirmed by SSSIHL authorities). [Please note that unlike the previous vice-chancellor of SSSIHL, --Name1-snipped-- who was VC till Nov. 2014 and who BETRAYED Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, the mother trust, by supporting Shri Narasimhamurthy's claims of getting dream instructions from Swami for running the mission from July 2011 onwards, and later Madhusudhan Rao Naidu's mediumship, the current vice-chancellor of SSSIHL, Prof. K.B.R. Varma, does not seem to have any association with Madhusudhan Rao Naidu or Shri Narasimhamurthy at all.]

--- end correction suggestion ----
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I had put up the above contents on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/1703689899847580.

Given below are almost all of my comments (slightly edited) in this Facebook post:

Ravi S. Iyer wrote:
I was informed by a very senior person in Sathya Sai fraternity that the document I have shared is a summary document. The original document, of which this is the summary, is more like a book (lengthy). I would be glad to receive the book pdf too - I surely will make the time to read it.
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote:
Mr. Vr Ganti, you wrote, " Rajen RajenRavi S. IyerTerry Reis Kennedy - you guys still think that I am supporter of Mhalli?" Have I ever said that you are a supporter of Muddenahalli group??? How can you raise such questions against me, sir? That is not Sathya & Dharma. Others may have accused you of supporting Muddenahalli group - as the conversation had become very bitter due to your attacks on RJR and SSSCT, I decided not to get involved much in that conversation. In such politically charged situations, people act emotionally.
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote (response to Mr. V.R. Ganti):
Did I join hands with them on them saying that you are a supporter of Muddenahalli? Of course not. I joined hands with them on other matters like rebutting your attack on Shri R.J. Rathnakar and trustees of SSSCT. Sir, please understand that there is something called issue based support. I am not a blind supporter of either you or others who post & comment on Facebook. Typically, I support the issue that is raised and not the person who has raised the issue. Please realize that while you may think that you are being guided by Bhagavan and so can never be wrong, I do not agree with that view. When you say things that I disagree with, I will surely disagree with you and join hands with others who disagree on that issue with you. Jai Sairam!
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[In response to Mr. V.R. Ganti saying, " Sai Ram Sir. Ok I agree that you never said and/or supported someone who said that I am a supporter of Mhalli. Also if I remember right you did make a positive comment about Ganti is not Mhalli supporter.

My question as to who is responsible for development of Mhalli cult is left answered so far. Can you help in getting this answered", I (Ravi S. Iyer) wrote:]

Glad to see that you agree about the first point. Given the current situation where the tensions are running quite high due to your attacks on Shri R.J. Rathankar and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, I think it would not be appropriate to get into such history (based on whatever is known in the public domain now). What we should focus on is on charting a course forward so that additional existing and new Sathya Sai devotees do not get caught up in Muddenahalli FALSE BELIEF. The Zone 4 chairman circulating the "Shining the Light of Truth - Summary" document is a very welcome move towards this goal. And, I don't think it is too late. Yes, it would have been better if that document had got prepared and circulated earlier, and at least some of the points you were asking the International Sai orgn. to do, were done earlier. But, in the GREAT VACUUM of spiritual leadership after Bhagavan's passing away, some improper things happened. Let's move on and focus on the future, looking back at the past to learn from mistakes made rather than to OPENLY PUNISH those who made the mistakes. Let's leave such punishment to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as I think such persons who made big mistakes in immediate post-Mahasamadhi phase will have to face the negative karmic reaction for their big mistakes.
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote:
Fine sir, let's agree to disagree on this one. Further, I do not want to get entangled much in commenting on internal matters related to trustees. Your sources may have informed you about what's happening. You are entitled to your view of the matter which seems to be a more informed view of the matter than mine. ... BTW as these matters are very sensitive I request you, Vr Ganti sir, to not disclose such matters on my Facebook page. Thanks.
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote:
Well, Kiran Chetri Millet, I am a PUBLIC CRITIC of Madhusudhan Rao Naidu and Shri Narasimhamurthy's involvement in/promotion of so called communicator and so called subtle body. I do my PUBLIC CRITICISM as a duty to my beloved Guru Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and as a service to the Sathya Sai fraternity in helping at least some devotees to avoid GETTING TRAPPED in Muddenahalli group FALSE BELIEF. Many Sathya Sai devotees from various countries have appreciated my services in this regard. I do appreciate very much Mr. Vr Ganti's services in this regard as well. If Madhusudhan Rao Naidu has the arrogance and temerity to act as a communicator/medium of Bhagavan, when Bhagavan has repeatedly and in public said that he never interacts through intermediaries and that his communication with devotees is heart-to-heart and direct (one-on-one), surely Mr. Vr Ganti, I and others have the right to criticize him and inform Sathya Sai devotees that Madhusudhan Rao Naidu is flouting the directives of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi. Jai Sairam!
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote, in response to Kiran Chetri Millet saying, "Well Sairam Swami said that without his will not even a leaf can move .Swami knows what is happening around the world and he will take care and guide all his devotes .and its all his play .":

Kiran Chetri Millet: At one level what you say is true, I believe. However, I have noted, during my Seva years in the Sai university Prasanthi Nilayam campus, that Bhagavan also expected us to do our duty. I do respect the PURE MOTIVES of many in the Muddenahlli group and also have PUBLICLY PRAISED the service activities of Muddenahalli group like the Raipur hospital. But I do view it as my duty to publicly criticize Madhusudhan Rao Naidu's actions and Shri Narasimhamurthy's endorsement of the same. However, I stop at the criticism. If somebody ignores my criticism (many may not even know of it) and believes in Madhusudhan Rao Naidu being a communicator, I do not come in the way of their belief or their activities. My articles against Madhusudhan Rao Naidu are meant more for those who are not sure and want to read up on different views about his claims. You seem to be a believer in his claims - I wish you all the best. BTW VijayaSai B.S. and Sai Keshav, both of whom are noted believers in Madhusudhan Rao Naidu's claims of being a communicator, are my Facebook friends. I don't comment against Madhusudhan Rao Naidu (MRN) and Shri Narasimhamurthy (BNN) on their pages and they do not comment much on my posts against MRN and BNN. Jai Sairam!
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Ravi S. Iyer wrote:
Kiran Chetri Millet: I gather from your comment that you do not follow the words of Madhusudhan Rao Naidu (or believe that his words are Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's words). If I have understood you correctly, wonderful!!! I have no objections whatsoever towards the social service activities and even the fund raising activities of Muddenahalli group. Jai Sairam!
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[I thank the author(s) and publisher(s) of "Shining the Light of Truth" document and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their document on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]