What role did Madhavrao Balwant Deshpande play in Maharaj's life and among his devotees?

Chapter 0 explains that Madhavrao Balwant Deshpande, a school master, was one of the few people who developed a close relationship with Maharaj during the early days when most people kept their distance. He would visit the Masjid, prepare the chillum, and gradually grew close to Maharaj. In time, Madhavrao left all other pursuits to dedicate himself to serving Maharaj and the devotees who came for darshan, doing so without any compensation. He became such a trusted figure that many devotees considered him a great support and would not take action on important matters without first seeking his advice.