Puttaparthi:
Spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, seen as the incarnation of God by his devotees in India and abroad, continues to be in the same medical condition as yesterday. He is "still very critical," his doctors have said.
According to doctors attending on him at Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, he is still on ventilator support.
"A cycle of slow hemodialysis has been completed on him this morning. He continues to be under close scrutiny and round the clock treatment by the panel of doctors attending upon him," said a medical bulletin issued by the hospital.
The 84-year-old self-styled Godman was admitted to hospital on March 28 with breathing and heart problems. The doctors later said he was suffering from multi-organ dysfunction.
On Friday, hundreds of devotees conducted special prayers in Puttaparthi for the speedy recovery of the spiritual leader.
"Sai Baba himself said he would live till the age of 96 and you will all see that miracle. Baba has taken upon all this (health problem) to prevent some certain calamity and that's the reason he is unwell. He will definitely recover and nothing will happen to him," said Indrani Anand, a former air hostess from London.
Additional police forces have been rushed to Puttaparthi as there was growing concern over the godman's health and prohibitory orders were in place to prevent any untoward incident.
Hospital statement on Sathya Sai Baba's health: