How did the villagers in Shirdi initially perceive Sai Baba, and what was his appearance like?

In his early days, Sai Baba was largely misunderstood by the villagers of Shirdi. As recounted in Chapter 0, he was often considered an ordinary or even a mad Fakir. This perception was influenced by his appearance and behavior; he wore torn clothes and would sometimes assume a fierce form. The text notes, "He looks like a madman. But he is one who has swallowed the universe." Despite this, a discerning person recognized his true worth, stating, "This is a diamond. You don't know its true value." This initial view of Baba as a madman would soon change dramatically.