THE APPARENT 'MATERIALISATION' OF ONE OF SATHYA SAI BABA'S STANDARD RINGS (CAN BE SILVER OR 18 CARAT GOLD) WITH AN ENAMEL FACE SHOWING HIMSELF. MANY TAKE THIS PHOTOGRAPH AS PROOF POSITIVE THAT SAI BABA IS ACTUALLY MATERIALISING THIS OBJECT. THIS IS BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL OF THE PHOTOGRAPH CANNOT BE SEEN TO HAVE BEEN TREATED, AIR-BRUSHED OR ALTERNED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

O.K. SO FAR, BUT ALL THIS PHOTOGRAPH ACTUALLY SHOWS IS A RING UNDERNEATH THE HAND, WHICH IS H ELD IN PLACE BY THE THUMB! IT IS KNOWN THAT SAI BABA IS SUPPLIED WITH THESE KIND OF RINGS BY VARIOUS JEWELLERS IN BANGALORE, ANANTAPUR AND MADRAS. HE KEEPS A STORE OF SUCH JEWELLRY IN A BOX IN HIS INTERVIEW ROOM - ACCORDING TO THE TESTIMONY OF A CLOSE STUDENT KNOWN WELL TO EXPOSÉ ACTIVISTS, BUT WHO DOES NOT WISH TO BE NAMED BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HE IS SURE WOULD FOLLOW FOR HIM AND HIS BROTHER).