Tribute

“To be instrumenting God’s Will is the greatest of all human endeavours. Sri B N Narasimhamurthy has instrumented the will of the divine ever since he was 21, and continues to do so as he turned 80 this year. His life is a saga of service to the students whom he mentored and guided all his life and continues to do so even now. Unencumbered by marital obligations, he remained dedicated to the cause of selfless service and is an inspiration to the younger generations. An engineer by training but a born philosopher, a prolific writer, a voracious reader with an elephantine memory by nature, I consider it a privilege to offer a few words of tribute to his life’s works and legacy.”

—Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai
Former Chancellor Sri B. N. Narasimhamurthy

Biography

Bestha Narasimha Narasimha (BNN) Murthy was born on 18th August 1945 to Narasimaiah and Gangarajamma Murthy in the small town of Chikkaballapur in Karnataka, India. His father, a revenue officer, was brilliant in mathematics and had a deep interest in astrology, while his mother was a compassionate homemaker who valued helping the needy.

Murthy Anna credits his father for his sharp intellect and photographic memory, and his mother for his compassionate heart dedicated to service. At the age of six, he began studying Sanskrit, a discipline that contributed to developing his remarkable eidetic memory.

Excelling academically, he pursued engineering in Bangalore. During this period, he met Madiyal Narayana Bhat, a mentor who deeply influenced his thinking, guiding him toward Indian cultural values. Bhat also introduced him to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, whose teachings shaped Murthy Anna’s lifelong commitment to selfless service.

Murthy began his career teaching at Manipal Engineering College and later joined the Alike campus under Bhat’s guidance, taking on multiple roles including teaching and administration. In 1971, he was entrusted with developing the Muddenahalli campus, where he actively contributed to its construction, design, and educational activities.

In 1983, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba appointed him as Warden at the Puttaparthi campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He later served at the Whitefield campus for over two decades, mentoring generations of students with dedication and care.

Following Baba’s guidance, Murthy Anna returned to Muddenahalli after 2011. Despite initial uncertainty, a new opportunity arose when his former student, Madhusudan Naidu, invited him to establish a new educational institution in Gulbarga. Accepting the challenge, Murthy Anna played a key role in building what later became the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence in 2019.

Educational Vision and Contributions

The vision behind this institution was to revive the ancient Indian Gurukula system of education while integrating modern academic disciplines. The system emphasized holistic development—combining academic excellence, cultural values, and selfless service.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the institution transitioned to the NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) framework. This approach expanded education to include fine arts, music, Vedic studies, and humanities alongside sciences.

In 2023, a free-of-cost medical college was established to train healthcare professionals dedicated to serving rural and underserved communities.

Under Murthy Anna’s leadership and with the guidance of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, the educational mission expanded rapidly from a few campuses to over 28 institutions, including a university and medical college.

On May 31, 2025, after decades of service, Murthy Anna handed over the role of Chancellor to Sri Madhusudan Sai, marking a significant transition in leadership.

Literary Contributions

Narasimha Murthy is also a prolific writer, having authored several books. His works include volumes of the biography of Sri Sathya Sai Baba titled Sathyam Shivam Sundaram, along with books on spirituality and service such as Santhana Dharma for Universal Welfare and Helpline on the Sathya Sai Path. He is currently working on a biography of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.

Legacy

Very few individuals have left such a profound impact through their dedication, compassion, and lifelong commitment to service. Murthy Anna’s life stands as a testament to selfless service, inspiring generations to work towards a better world.

His journey reflects a harmonious blend of intellect, compassion, and spiritual dedication, making him a truly inspiring and noble soul who has lived a life devoted to the service of humanity.

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