Satsang Anandrao Pakharde

Satsang Anandrao Pakharde

Anandrao Pakharde in 1910 was a famous businessman. In those days, very few Maharashtrians used to go for business. He lived on Lamington Road and being an astute businessman, he bought a bungalow in Vile-Parle, Nehru Road in 1914. Vile-Parle was then a desolate place with only four houses. There was no electricity or water supply. The family used a lantern and drank well water. This state of affairs induced him to form the property owners’ association. He was President of the association for many years. He diligently worked to make the suburb
of Vile-Parle into a modern beautiful place. A crossroad near his home has honored him by naming it Pakharde Chowk. Dixit lived next door and they were friends. Dixit being a devotee of Sai Baba, often spoke of his leelas. It was Dixit who was instrumental in Anandrao’s going to Shirdi. In Sai Satcharita Chapter 45, his name is mentioned. His beautiful leela of his dream vision of Baba is given.

Dixit used to read the eleventh chapter of Eknath Bhagwad daily as advised by Baba. Shyama and Kaka Mahajani were present and were listening intently to the reading in Mahajani’s residence in Chowpatty, Bombay . Pakharde went looking for Shyama, the day before; he had a dream vision in which he saw Baba seated on a splendid bejeweled throne. In front of Him stood Pakharde and Shyama, when Shyama said, “Anandrao, bow at His feet.” Anandrao said that, that was his intense desire, but Baba’s feet were underwater. “O Deva, do take out Your feet from the water”, said Shyama. Baba did so and Pakharde at once clasped His feet. Baba blessed Pakharde and added, “Give a dhotar with a silk border to my Shyama, and you will enjoy peace and happiness.” So, Pakharde had brought the dhotar and gave it to Dixit to hand it over to Shyama.

Anandrao had a painting of Baba that he prayed to. It is a family heirloom, as it was with him since Baba’s sojourn in Shirdi. One does not know whether Baba gave it to him.

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)