Mission of Saints
In Sanskrit, Saṃsāra or Sansar is a common word for the world around us. It represent the constant change around us and wandering nature of this world. Every turn in this Sansar is a endless cycle. Whether it is the day and night or life and death. Every Human is got caught in endless loop, where they are born again and again in a endless cycle with no end. They get caught in mundane activities like eating, sleeping, working & procreation without trying to understand how to break the chain and seek Moksha. In Kaliyuga, Even the thought to break the cycle is very difficult and it comes only if there is divinue blessing from Paramātmā. Just like one needs a good boatman to be able to cross a big river to reach the other bank, One needs a guide to navigate through this life to find the righteous path and be able to find blessing of Paramātmā. The mission of a Saints to help one and all to find the righteous path in order to break the endless loop.A human birth is considerd a highest of God's creation because a Human has the ability of knowledge and is able to distinguish the difference between right and wrong. This ability set them apart from animals but in today's world, this knowledge is diminishing hence the need of guide is now more important than ever. There have been many Saints, who have roamed on this earth and there will be many more to come before the end of time. Each Saints are said to come to aid of Human, whenever Human move away from the path of righeousnous and there is a tilt in the scale of Dharma and Adharma toward the later.
Sai Baba is considered more than just a Great Saint, he is incaration of the Dattareya, the avatar of Trimurti. He came at a time when there was much divide or tussle between the Hindus and Mohammedan. Earlier, Kabir came to this earth to bring the same message as Baba to bring both communities closer and the message was accepted for some time. As time passed, people again got caught in their Maya and the divide again came about and there was a need for a new Saint/Avatar to come and show the people the way. During his stay in Shirdi, he came across other Saints, who were trying in their own to bring people closure to Almighty Paramātmā.
Devidas
Devidas came to Shirdi around 1846 (12 years before Baba came to Shirdi with Chand Patil's marriage procession) as a 10 or 12 old year. He stayed at the Maruti Mandir and was a great master in the scriptures and was revered by entire Village. Tatya Kote Patil, Kashinath and many other considered him as their Guru. Baba, in His early days in Shirdi, like to be with Devidas and discuss on the religious topics. Devidas played a major role in handling the Javhar Ali suitation and removing the false Guru from the village. When no-one knew the greatness of Baba, Devidas knew that this was a divinue soul and he transcends all other Saint and he could feel the divinity of Sai Baba. Those who saw Devidas as their Guru, started getting drawn towards Baba seeing their Guru's respect for Baba.
Gangagir
Gangagir was a great Vaishanva Saint from Puntambe, who was frequent traveller to Shirdi & liked to perform Naam Saptaha. Once Gangagir saw Baba at the village well carrying the water in His Pitcher (Water Jugs) for watering the plants in Lendi Baug. Gangagir enquired to others on "Who was this great soul?". On hearing about Baba from other, he stated that Baba was no ordinary person but a precious gem. Similar to Devidas, Gangagir was able to recongize the devinity of Baba on the first sight. He told the villager that Shirdi will become famous owing to Baba and they were lucky to be in the time and place when Baba is roaming on the same ground as them. He asked everyone to not to run around for other Saints when they had Baba in front of them. No trouble would be able to near them if they were at the feet of Baba. Gangagir was Vaishanva, follower of Lord Vishu and when he saw Baba, he felt as he has met Shiva. He felt immense satisfaction and joy watching Baba.After advising the villager, Gangagir followed Baba to the Masjid. Baba invited him into the Masjid as brother who He was meeting after a long time. There was the same joy between both of them similar Vishu meeting Shiva in Vaikunka. Both disscused various topics about the ways of devotees and the difficulties people are facing. People were pulled by the outwardly temptations rather looking inward spirtually. They were more focused in the rituals of celebrating festivals rather understanding the spirt of the festivals. People were trying to copy the manner and style of Great Saints and felt that they themself have achieved greatness. They didn't understand the inner message, which the Great Saints wanted them to understand. People, under the pressure of suffering, were losing their belief on Sharada and Saburi. They continued to discuss the suitation faced by people around them and Gangagir stated that he felt dejected seeing how his words were not heeded by the people around him. Baba felt sad about Gangagir losing hope and told him that their service to humanity was not over and they should not be looking for anything in return for their service to humanity. There will be those who would be believe in them and their message hence it was their job to show those people the righteous path and work for other to come to the light. After such statement, Baba installed new motivation into Gangagir and both parted way to spread the way of Almighty.
Jankidas
Jankidas was another saint, who was residing in Shirdi who quickly became very close to Baba. He liked spending time talking with Him on various spritual topics. Either Baba used to go to Jankidas residence or the latter used to come visit Baba every day and spent time with Him.
Anandnath of Yewala Math
Anandnath Maharaj was a great disciple of Akkalkot Maharaj and he was residing at the Math in the town of Yewala. He heard about Baba and wanted to meet Him. An oppurtunity came when few member from Shirdi visited His Math. As they were leaving back to their village (Shirdi), He conveyed His wish to accompy them back to their village to meet Baba. As soon he came to Shirdi and met Baba, he was able to recongize the greatness of Baba and said to Other “This is a Precious Diamond in reality. Though He looks like an ordinary man, He is not a ‘Gar’ (ordinary stone), but a Diamond. You will realize this in the near future.” Soon he left back to Yewala a very content person.