How was Sai Baba initially perceived by the villagers of Shirdi, and what was his appearance like during that time?

In his early days in Shirdi, Sai Baba was largely misunderstood and considered an ordinary or even a mad Fakir by the local people. As detailed in Chapter 0, this perception stemmed from his unconventional behavior and appearance. He wore torn clothes, would sit in various places like by a stream or under a Neem tree, and would sometimes assume a fierce form. This conduct made him seem mad to the general public, though some recognized his true worth, describing him as a "diamond" even if he was on a dunghill.