What happened to Kashiram when he was attacked by thieves, and how was Sai Baba involved?

Kashiram was attacked by thieves who wanted a bundle he was carrying, which actually contained powdered sugar for feeding ants. As described in Chapter 0, he bravely fought back with a dropped sword, but was struck with an axe and left for dead. Simultaneously in Shirdi, Maharaj began shouting and showing great agitation, which devotees recognized as his way of protecting a devotee in peril. Kashiram survived and, refusing to go to a hospital, was brought to Shirdi. There, under Maharaj's instructions, Madhavrao Deshpande treated him, and he recovered by Baba's grace, showing how the Savior protects his own.