Why did it take Cholkar a long time to get to Shirdi, and how did Baba acknowledge this?

Cholkar's journey to Shirdi was delayed by his worldly circumstances. Chapter 15 describes that for a man with a family, the "threshold-ghat," or home expenses, is very difficult to cross. This financial hardship created a long delay in his ability to fulfill his vow. Sai Baba explicitly acknowledged this struggle when he revealed his knowledge of the situation. Baba's words to Cholkar confirmed that He knew everything, stating, "The state of your mind at the time of the vow, and the penance of the long delay— Though you kept these secret, all of it is known to me." This showed Cholkar that his patience and the hardship he endured during the delay were not unnoticed by Baba.