Lets explore Shirdi - Sathe Wada

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SATHE WADA

Just behind the Gurusthan was this Sathe Wada. Baba told Hari Vinayak Sathe:

"Pull down the village wall and build", meaning to build a residential

building there, and to include the village wall. So he bought the land and

built the Wada (Ref. ESS, Ch. IV). This Wada was the sole resting-place for

the pilgrims who flocked there. Then Dixit Wada was built, and then Butti

Wada. Of these, Sathe Wada was most useful to all in the early days. Sathe

states in Devotees' Experiences that he built this Wada in 1908 or so at

Baba's bidding. When the construction was going on, the walls had to be

raised, and some of the branches of the Neem tree had to be cut off. No one

dared to touch it, but Baba said "Cut off so much as interferes with the

construction. Even if our own foetus lies athwart, the womb must be cut".

Still none dared, then Baba came Himself and cut the obstructing branches.

This Wada is replete with history as it housed Dada Khelkar and Megha (Ref.

ESS, Ch.XXVIII). Megha loved Baba whom he considered to be Shiva. Megha

worshipped Baba in the Masjid and in this Wada. He prayed to a big picture

of Baba given to him by Dixit. Once Baba gave him a dream vision, Baba said

"Megha, draw a trident" and disappeared. Surprised Megha woke up only to

find few Akshata thrown by Baba on him but the door was locked. So he ran to

Baba to ask Him permission to draw the trident. Baba said "I require dor to

enter, I have no form or any extension, I live everywhere, I carry on as the

wire puller, all the actions of the men who trust Me and merge in Me".

Following this Baba presented him with a Pindi (Shiv Ling) given to Him by a

Ramdasi Devotee. Kapardhe stayed in this Wada and wrote the memorable

'Shirdi Diary'. As all the devotees who stayed there were likeminded they

had a daily routine. They got up early in the morning for Kakad Arati, and

then came out of the Wada to take Darshan of Baba when He went to Lendi Bagh

and on His return. They also attended the Noon Arati and Sej Arati. There

were regular reading sessions in the evenings when they read Ramayan, Eknath

Bhagvat, and Yoga Vasistha and discussed it. They also had Bhajans usually

sung by Bhishm. He composed the "Sai Sagunopasan" when he stayed here.

This Wada was bought by Navalkar and then by the Sansthan,

 

 

(Adopted from Ambrosia In Shirdi by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, this book can be read

at http://saileelas.org/books/ambrosiainshirdi1.htm and this book is a

virtual guide on Shirdi with

lots of rare photos on Baba)