Based on the experiences of various devotees, what was Sai Baba's relationship with Lord Vitthal and the worship of Vitthal?

Sai Baba demonstrated a profound connection to Lord Vitthal, often identifying Shirdi itself with holy places like Pandharpur. As Chapter 4 recounts, Baba encouraged devotion to Vitthal through multiple instances. He promised Das Ganu that Vitthal would manifest in Shirdi during a Name-week, a promise that was fulfilled. He confirmed Kakasaheb Dixit's meditative vision of Vitthal, playfully calling him 'Vitthal Patil.' Furthermore, He intervened in the life of Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar, reminding him of his duty to continue his late father's tradition of worshipping the family's Vitthal idol. Through these events, Baba showed that Vitthal was not a distant deity but a living presence accessible through faith, echoing the sentiment, 'This is the direct Lord of Pandhari.'