Sai Mahabhakta Late Daji Saheb Patwardhan alias Krishnarao Madhavrao Patwardhan's brief experience is recorded in Sai Sagar Magazine, Volume 3, No.4, January- March 2013 issue compiled by Dr.Vinny Chitluri in Baba's Divine Manifestation.

Around 1914, Shri Sai Baba's fame had spread far and wide. He had innumerable devotees within Maharashtra and even some sceptics. Daji Saheb Patwardhan was a non believer and a "doubting thomas" but later turned out to be an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba.

Daji Sahed Patwardhan's ancestors resided in Miraj in Sangli District and were conferred the title of Sarkar, as they had high political standing. They were affluent and owned vast acres of agricultural land. They had a huge wada where he and his entire family lived. Daji's grandfather Harbat Baba Patwardhan was a saintly person, and his family was spiritual, and devoted to Lord Ganesha. Daji was also very much devoted to Lord Ganesha. Daji was a voracious reader, and he had read all the epics of great saints of those times. However, he read them not with much devotion, but with an analytical mind, and he often wondered if the leelas therein really happen. At that point of time, a dear friend of his asked him to accompany him to Shirdi as he wished to meet the great saint Sai Baba.

Daji was declined to go, as he had heard that Baba was a Muslim fakir, who had numerous Hindu followers. These followers, according to what Daji had heard, were mostly Brahmins, and Baba had cast some magical spell on them and had drawn them towards Him. He had heard that Baba stayed in a dilapidated masjid, begged alms, and had a Tulsi Brindavan in the masjid. But, what troubled Daji most was that people actually believed that Baba had lit lamps with water, so he decided to see all this for himself. Daji decided that he would test Baba and prove that He was a charlatan. In May 1914, Daji set out to Shirdi. In those days it was not as easy to reach Shirdi as it is nowadays. It was very long and tedious journey. From Miraj, Daji travelled by train to Pune, where he had to catch another train which to him to Manmad and then to Kopergaon. Daji got off at Kopergaon, and began the third leg of his journey by Tonga to Shirdi. By that time Daji was thoroughly tired from his long, tedious journey and his clothes were dirty. He wished he could have a bath and put on a fresh set of clothes. With this thought in his mind, he exited the railway station.

There was a stream of river near the station, but it was very deep of about 60 feet. Daji was suffering from a kind of depression at that time. Daji looked into the river stream. At that time Daji was a strong young man, 20 years old, and an expert swimmer. Without giving much thought about it, he jumped into the stream. The villagers saw this and exclaimed, "The Brahmin jumped into the river stream nd gave up his life". Daji found that he was sinking, and desperately thrashed his hands about. But the more he struggled, the deeper he sank. In desperation, he struggled to come up and take a breath, but to no avail. He now realised that he would soon lose his life as he was drowning.

At that very moment he thought of Sai Baba and silently prayed to Him. "Baba I came from such a far off place to test you, and you taught me a great lesson. Now without meeting you, you are sending me to heaven. I have recently got married, and I don't even have children yet. My wife will become a young widow; at least consider that and save my life. If you save my life, I will worship you with devotion for the rest of my life". As soon as Daji said this, he found himself standing on a ledge of stone which prevented him from sinking deeper. Then taking the aid of the rim of the river stream he slowly came up. The villagers gathered there helped pull him to safety. Daji joined his hands together and thanked Baba for saving his life. Then he took a tonga and proceeded to Shirdi. As soon as Daji enered the Dwarakamai, Baba greeted him, "Arre! Brahmin, at least now do you have faith?"

Daji Saheb Patwardhan and his wife Smt.Satyabhamabai Patwardhan

Daji went forward, prostrated before Baba and clasped His feet. He became ardently devoted to Baba and from then on, Daji considered every day that he woke up in the morning as a gift from Baba.

Daji Sahed Patwardhan passed away in the year 1952. His Exact date of death is not known. Daji's Grandson Shri.Pradeep Patwardhan is living in Miraj and leading a peaceful life.

Pooja Room of Descendants

Saibaba's Portraint in Descendant's Home

(Source: Sai Sagar Magazine, Volume 3, No.4, January- March 2013 issue compiled by Dr.Vinny Chitluri in Baba's Divine Manifestation, Photo Courtesy: Shri.Pradeep Patwardhan, Grandson, Miraj, and Shri.Pranav, Nirmal District, Telangana)