What was Kashiram carrying that he protected so fiercely, and what happened to him immediately after the attack by thieves?

Kashiram was fiercely protecting a small bundle that, to the thieves' disappointment, contained only powdered sugar. As explained in Chapter 0, this bundle was very dear to him because he carried the sugar to feed ants, following the advice of a saint named Janakidas Baba. After he fought the thieves, killing two before being struck unconscious with an axe, the thieves left him for dead. However, he was not dead. Chapter 0 states that he regained consciousness after some time and, having full faith in Maharaj, refused to go to a hospital. He insisted, "Take me to Shirdi," where he was subsequently brought and healed by Maharaj's grace.