There is some reason to question whether or not the first interview in which SB produced a standard enamel 'Baba ring' for Osis and a double-rudraksha for Haraldsson was a clever 'set up'. Indeed, both EH and KO were suspicious of that. Knowing what we now do about Sai Baba's many devious methods, it is entirely possible that he understood the importance to his credibility of a visit by the first Western para-psychological scientist and took appropriate measures to mislead and deceive them. Sai Baba knew they were coming - he always gets reports from his officials in the offices where one registers, and EH and KO were no exception. They left their cards with the head of the ashram, Kutumb Rao, and asked for an interview explaining to him they were scientists wanting to investigate the phenomena. Next day they were received. Sathya Sai Baba certainly would have wanted to get - if possible - the endorsement of Western scientists, so he had time to conceive a plan to deal with them. However, the description of the incident scanned here on the left shows that, if so, it was extremely cleverly handled by Sai Baba. The circumstances in that room and the style of the interview was described well and remained always very much the same for the next two decades, at least.

The double rudrahaka seed - or nut or 'bead' - one of which Sathya Sai Baba allegedly 'made' for EH is not an uncommon occurrence at all, though Haraldsson concluded after strenuous efforts to find out about this phenomenon at botanical museums and elsewhere that it was probably an unique example. I have found out, to my surprise, that this is not so, not has it been so in the past. How common they are is uncertain, but that there are a fair supplu is shown by their being on sale - and not at exorbitant prices - on the Internet (see the images here). The double rudraksha has long been a very common object of devotion in India. I was first told of the common natural occurrence of double and even treble rudraksha beads by an Indian academic in Europe with whom I am in regular contact. It is rather obvious that biological anomalies or mutations occur with some regularity, seldom just once, though they may be difficult to find as relatively rarely occurring.

Rudrakshas of all shapes and sizes have long been venerated by spirtual and religious sects in India, used as rosary beads and as ornaments (usually for worship). The specific symbolism the double rudraksha has for many Hindus is that they represent to form of Shiva and Parvati, the unified form of Lord Shivsa and the Goddess Uma. It is supposed to make the hyusband and wife identify with one another, creating peace and comfort in the family. This 'Gauri Shankar' is supposedly endowed with properties helping one find the right mate, and even removing obstacles in childbirth.