Devotees of Sai Baba participate in a mass prayer in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, April 24: As news of the death of spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba broke in the city, thousands of devotees were left heart broken and grief stricken. A wave of misery fell over the followers, many of whom were fasting and conducting yajnas and prayers, expecting for a miracle to happen and Sai Baba to come back.

Clad in white, the dress-code prescribed by Sai Baba, the devotees got together in large numbers at the Sri Satya Sai Seva Samiti (SSSSS) in Kharavela Nagar in the city to attend a Mrityunjaya prayer that has been on here ever since Sai Baba was not keeping well. While many women were sobbing loudly, even male devotees could not control their tears.

“I feel I have been orphaned as Baba left. He had stood by me by providing spiritual support during all my difficult times,” said Sapna, who has been fasting for the past two days.

“Even this morning, we started the yajna and the prayers hoping for the speedy recovery of Baba. But we were left forlorn when news of his soul leaving for the heavenly abode broke around 11am,” said Krishnamurthy, a devotee. As the day progressed, discussions among devotees took place time to time. In fact, a section of the followers calmed down, hoping against hope, that according to Sai Baba’s prediction, he would come back to life, two days after a long trance that would be considered death by many.

“He has taken a samadhi (trance because of meditation) and we are sure he will come back as he had promised,” said S. Subudhi, former district president of SSSSS.

“This is a session of trance and he will surely return. But we have to continue the chanting of hymns and prayers until he comes back, which will most likely happen by Tuesday. He has gone to deep meditation many times and I feel this is also one such occasion when his tests us. He wants to see if we trust his words or not,” said Rajesh, a young devotee.

The situation of devotees in other cities of the state was no different. His followers in Sambalpur, Balasore, Rourkela, Cuttack, Berhampur, Puri and many other regions were in deep sorrow.

“Sai Baba had worked for the development of mankind and his contribution to the deprived will always be remembered. He will live with us through his great deeds,” said chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Governor M.C. Bhandare, in his message, said: “Sri Satya Sai, for almost seven decades, was the brightest star in the sky of spiritualism. His divine grace and presence influenced millions and his message of love, truth and compassion guided millions worldwide.”