What circumstances led Damodar Savlaram Kasar to become a devotee, and what tradition did he start in gratitude?

According to Chapter 0, Damodar Savlaram, also known as Damu Shet Kasar, was very sad because he did not have a son from either of his two wives. Following a suggestion from Govindrao Sapkar, he visited Maharaj to seek a blessing. Maharaj gave his blessing, and a son was subsequently born to him. This event solidified his faith completely. Out of gratitude, as recounted in Chapter 0, he took a vow to bring a new flag to Shirdi every Ram Navami and to feed all the Fakirs who gathered there for the occasion. The text notes that this vow of his is a tradition that was still ongoing.