Shirdi Sai Baba created a garden and took care of it himself. Through this experience of tending the garden he has showed us the way to nurture and be nourished. He shows us the unconditional love and that he loves us, the real us, "the soul" and that our relationship with him is special. He makes us understand the beauty and joy of connecting with nature which means connecting with our own higher self, higher consciousness. Self realization is indeed God realization.
Now let
us read about the Samadhi Mandir from the Sai Satcharitra
Garden
tended by Shirdi Sai (From Sai Satcharitra Chapter V – English Version)
Baba went to
Rahata (3 miles from Shirdi) and He brought with Him small plants of merrigold,
Jai and Jui, and after cleaning a small area nearby, he planted and watered
them. 
A devotee, by
name Vaman Tatya, supplied Him daily with two unbaked earthern pitchers. With these Baba Himself used to water the
plants. He drew water from the well and
carried the pitchers on His shoulders.
In the evening, the pitchers were kept at the foot of the Neem
tree.
As soon as they
were placed there, they were broken as they were made of raw earth and not
baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two
fresh pitchers. This continued for 3
years, and with Sai Baba’s toil and effort, there grew a garden.
On this site, at
present, stands the big mansion – Samadhi Mandir of Baba, which is now
frequented and used by so many devotees.
Now let us read about the Samadhi Mandir from the Sai Satcharitra
Construction of the Samadhi Mandir (From Satcharitra
Chapter XXXIX & L chapter 39 in English version)
Baba never made
any fuss about the things, which He wanted to accomplish, but He so skillfully
arranged the circumstances that the people were surprised at the slow but sure
results attained. The construction of
the Samadhi Mandir is an instance.
Shriman Bapusaheb
Buti, the famous multi-millionaire of Nagpur, lived in Shirdi with his
family. Once an idea arose in his mind
that he should have a building of his own there. Some time after this, while he was sleeping
in Dixit’s wada he got a vision. Baba
appeared in his dream and ordered him to build a Wada with a temple. Shama, who
was sleeping there, also got a similar vision.
When Bapusaheb
awakened, he saw Shama crying and asked the latter, as to why he was in
tears. The latter replied that in his
vision, Baba came to him and ordered distinctly: “Build the Wada with the
temple! I shall fulfill the desires of all.” On hearing the sweet and loving
words of Baba, I was overpowered with emotion, my throat was choked, my eyes
were overflowing with tears and I began to cry”. Bapusaheb was surprised to see that both
their visions tallied. Being a rich and
capable man, he decided to build a Wada there and drew up a plan with Shama
(Madhavrao). Kakasaheb Dixit also
approved of it. And when it was placed
before Baba, He also sanctioned it immediately.
Then the
construction work was duly started, and under the supervision of Shama, the
ground floor, the cellar and the well were completed. Baba on his way to and from Lendi, also
suggested some improvements.
Further
work was entrusted to Bapusaheb Jog; and when it was going on, an idea struck
Bapusaheb Buti’s mind that, there should be an open space or platform and in
the centre, the image of Muralidhar (Lord Krishna with the flute) be
installed.
Buti asked Shama to refer this
matter to Baba and get His consent. The
latter aked Baba about this when He was just passing by the Wada. On hearing Shama, Baba gave His consent
saying, “After the temple is complete, I will come there to stay”. And staring at the Wada He added, “ After the
Wada is complete, we shall use it, we shall live, move and play there, embrace
each other and be happy”. Then, Shama
asked Baba, whether this was the auspicious time to begin the foundation-work
of the central room of the shrine. Baba answered in the affirmative. Then
Shama got a coconut broken there and started the work. In due time the work was completed and an
order was also placed for making a good image of Muralidhar. But before it was ready, a new situation
turned up.
Baba become
seriously ill. Bapusaheb became very
sad, and dejected, thinking that if Baba passed away, his Wada would not be
consecrated by the holy touch of Baba’s Feet, and all his money (about a lakh
of rupees) would be wasted away. But the
words, “Keep me in the Wada”, which came out of Baba’s mouth just before His
passing away, consoled not only Bapusaheb, but one and all.
In due time, Baba’s holy body was placed and
preserved in the central shrine meant for Muralidhar, and Baba Himself became
Muralidhar, and the Wada thus became the Samadhi Mandir of Sai Baba. His wonderful leela is unfathomable.
Blessed and
fortunate is Bapusaheb Buti, in whose Wada lies the holy and the pure body of
Baba.
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