Divinity at an early age
Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born Sathyanarayan Raju on November 23, 1926 in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. He was spiritually inclined from a young age, announcing, at 13, that he was the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a revered sage from Maharashtra who died in 1918.
Charming people with his talk, the number of followers slowly grew. Baba performed miracles that strengthened their belief in his divine powers. The miracles included the bringing forth of sugar candy, flowers, vibhuti (sacred ash) and other presents for devotees.
His followers say he heals the sick and even knows their deepest thoughts. He says, "It is beyond you to know how or why I create things. the objects that I create, I create them by my will, the same way I created the universe." He also says he is a full avatar or 'incarnation' of God.
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