Comparison of Shirdi Sai Baba with Sathya Sai Baba

Reincarnation is implausible but even if it isn't, the hands of the Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi (born 1926) and the hands of the Sai Baba of Shirdi (died in 1918) are completely different. There is no question that one is the reincarnation of the other - they are two diverse personalities. But if Sathya Sai Baba’s hands tell us that he is not like the Sai Baba of Shirdi, what do they tell us about him?

He is only too human
Sathya Sai Baba’s fingers tell us that he enjoys the pleasures of life, just like you and me. There is nothing bad in this indication and in itself doesn't show that he is a fraud, as most people are like this. It is very rare indeed to find a hand that shows an ascetic bent of mind…and you guessed it! Sai Baba of Shirdi’s hands indicate that he has that kind of mind, and shows him to be a genuinely spiritual person.

There are very few photographs of the older Sai Baba (of Shirdi), but after studying the ones that are available it is clear that the Shirdi Sai Baba was a man who did not care for worldly pleasures or comforts.

Here is a rare photograph of the Shirdi Sai Baba in its original size as found on this site. It is not copyrighted, and therefore I was able to reproduce it here.

This hand will be discussed later. First, let us go back to Sathya Sai Baba. You can check out his hand photo here.

Sathya Sai Baba has average willpower
Sathya Sai Baba has a good thumb, but it is not exceptional. Although it is of a good size, it’s on a normal-sized hand, and the phalanges are normal-sized, and all of this shows a normal Will. And the Will is softened by conic tips and a supple thumb, and on the left passive hand, the thumb is a little high-set, and this shows weakness.

Why am I emphasizing the Will? Because only a strong will can save a person from temptation. Considering the accusations against him, one needs to keep this aspect of his nature in mind. At least in his early years, he was likely to have been selfish.

This characteristic (a soft will) is not necessarily ungodly, but again one cannot help but compare this trait with that of the original Sai Baba of Shirdi.

The hands of the Sai Baba of Shirdi are very large and fingers are long too, as compared to his body.

Check this from the photograph on the left (from this site on Sai Baba.) This is a sign of someone who is calm, collected, someone who is in complete control of his emotions. It is a rare sign to have.

In addition, the thumb is very long, low-set, has a very strong upper phalange and is held apart from the hand. All the fingers are widely held. Yes, a supple thumb is not always a good sign, but on this hand, where all the other signs are good, it shows openness and adaptability. Overall, strong willpower is shown, and also a deep compassion for human beings and a strong desire to help them and total control! A true ascetic. In fact, a supple thumb and flexible hands, are necessary on a hand which shows such a strong will, as this is what gives him the softness, openness, humanity and understanding of people.

When I was studying this great persona, the Shirdi Baba, I could not help but feel that such a hand is rare, because such human beings are rare. In fact, I have never seen such a hand, either in real life or in photographs.

More about Sathya Sai Baba
But surely Sathya Sai Baba, the new Sai Baba, has something in him which is divine as well? Well, his hands show that he does have compassion for humanity, although this sign is much weaker in his hand than it is in the hands of the Sai Baba of Shirdi. Sathya Sai Baba does genuinely feel for people and can be very generous as well. It is interesting to note that this is a developed trait. It is missing in his left hand, the hand which shows inherited tendencies. The only explanation as far as I can see is that when he chose his calling (that of Godman) he decided to nurture this trait. It is possible to develop any quality in oneself, especially if there is pressure from society, and one is young enough and the desire to change is present.

The shape of Sathya’s Sai Baba’s palm shows breadth of vision and the way he holds his fingers and the shape of his upper phalanges show original thought and individualistic thinking. He has an expressive ability, and something to give to society and to people.

Desire for power
Sathya Sai Baba's Jupiter (index) finger is long and a little bent with a conic tip. This shows a person with a great sense of self, strong idealism and intense belief in a cause as well as a person who desires responsibility and power and has the ability to honour commitments (not a bad trait in itself), although such fingers are a better fit on politicians. In fact, these qualities combined with his thumb qualities can show charisma. But his finger is a little too long and the traits could be a bit excessive. This can mean too much righteousness and even arrogance – taken to a dogmatic level. I personally do not believe that strong righteousness is a divine trait. 

I could not find any photograph which showed the Jupiter finger of the Shirdi Sai Baba and so cannot compare the two in this aspect. However, I have no doubt that the Shirdi Sai Baba's Jupiter finger would not show this sense of superiority. In fact, I think it could well show humility. If it didn't, then his other qualities would keep this weakness in check.

Wisdom
The Saturn mount and finger is very important when it comes to wise and holy men as this is what shows wisdom and the ability to think. Yes, Sathya Sai Baba has it, but it is not an extreme development. Shouldn't wise and holy men possess an overdose of wisdom? Well, the Shirdi Baba certainly has it! He has a beautiful Saturn finger towering above the rest, and the best part of it is the shape. It shows that this holy man has the qualities of wisdom, soberness, strong focus, thinking ability, philosophical bent of mind…and an abundance of it!

What seems unpalatable is the shape of the Saturn finger on Sathya Sai Baba's hand (the new Baba) because it shows some of the negative qualities of this finger, like something akin to pessimism, or rather, some amount of negativity and bitterness, and also vindictiveness. This again shows him up for being only too human.

Risky business
The Sun (ring) finger on Sathya Sai Baba's hand shows a person who is a showman, and one who views life as a gamble. He is someone who will take great risks in life to get what he wants. I have already mentioned the factors which drive him. The tendency to overestimate oneself can lead one down a risky path. I think this trait is the key to his personality.

Read the hand analysis of other Spiritual Leaders from all over the world on this blog as well as comparisons of the ancient saints with the modern ones. 

Or specifically, check out the hand analysis of Mahatma Gandhi or Pope Benedict XVI or Ayatollah Khomeini or the Dalai Lama.