Analyze the significance of Mhalasapati's greeting and how it defined the saint's identity in Shirdi.

The interaction between Mhalasapati and the visiting saint was a pivotal moment that cemented the saint's identity. As Chapter 0 explains, when the saint, dressed in a kafni and cap, entered the Khandoba temple, Mhalasapati, a local goldsmith, spontaneously welcomed him with the words "Aavo Sai Baba." This greeting was not merely a polite gesture; it bestowed the name that the saint would carry for the rest of his life. The text explicitly states that 'Maharaj held that name "Sai Baba" until the end,' and even in a legal testimony, he identified himself by saying, 'They call me Sai Baba.' This demonstrates how Mhalasapati's initial utterance became the definitive name for one of the most revered saints.