The author of the Satcharitra says he was a cynic. So what made him finally decide to go to Shirdi?

The author's journey to Shirdi was a result of several factors, despite his cynical and argumentative nature. Chapter 2 explains that a past-life connection with devotees like Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar was a key element of his destiny. It was Kakasaheb's strong insistence that initially fixed the trip to Shirdi. However, the author's resolve was tested, and his mind changed on the day of departure due to a tragic event. He witnessed a close friend's only son die from a fever in Lonavala, despite every human remedy and even the presence of the friend's own Guru. This profound failure of both worldly and spiritual intervention likely shook his logic-driven worldview, paving the way for his visit.