TATYA AND PROGENY

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Progeny

Tatya was childless for a long time after his marriage, but felt that he could

have children if he married a second time. But as he remained childless for a

long time with his second wife, he married yet again.

His third wife, too, did not bear him any children. He was disappointed, and

thought that he was not fated to have children so made preparations to adopt

the son of his friend, Ramachandra Patil. He arranged for the adoption ceremony

and taking the adoption papers went to Sri Sai Baba for his blessings. When Baba

saw the papers he said, "Why do you need to adopt anyone? You will get children

yourself." Tatya had an unshakeable belief in Baba’s words and immediately

stopped the adoption ceremony. But he did not get any children for a long time

even after this. Finally he went to Baba and said "My God! You said that I

would get children and hence I had stopped the adoption ceremony. But a long

time has passed since then and I am still childless. What do you want me to do

now?" Baba replied, "Tatya, if you get children you will lose your wealth.

Choose whether you want riches or children." Tatya, who was yearning day and

night for children, replied "Let the riches go if

they go. I want children." Baba smiled and said, "Alright then, you want

children rather than wealth. You will get as many children as the litter of a

sow. Go now!" Later, when Tatya was 55 years old, all his wives started bearing

children and he ultimately produced a large family. Today his family, including

grandchildren and great-grandchildren, number over a hundred. But as Baba had

stated, his prosperity vanished and Tatya had to face many financial problems.

However, by the grace of Sri Sai Baba, he passed away without a care in 1945,

without being in debt to anyone. (These details were given by Sri Tatya’s son

by his second wife, Sri Uttamrao Kote Patil)

Sri Tatya Kote Patil’s samadhi is located between the entrance gate to Lendi

garden and the power-house of Sri Sai Baba Sansthan. Tatya was widely regarded

as the light in the eyes of Sri Sai Baba. Perhaps his samadhi being adjacent to

the power-house giving light to the whole of Shirdi is the divine will of Sri

Sai Baba and not entirely a coincidence.