Given the author's initial cynical nature, what specific circumstances led him to visit Shirdi?

The author's journey to Shirdi was not born from faith but from a combination of destiny and external persuasion. Chapter 2 explains that despite being a "staunch debater," he saw Sai Baba's lotus feet "purely by chance." He credits this to a "past life connection with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar," without whom he believes he never would have gone. The trip was specifically fixed due to Kakasaheb's insistence. However, the author's resolve was tested when his mind changed on the day of departure after hearing about a friend's son who passed away despite all efforts, an event that made him reconsider.