Sai Blessed Plenty of Children to Tatya Patil
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. I want children." Baba smiled and said, "Alright then, you want children rather than wealth. You will get as many children as the litters 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 to Saipatham personally 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
