Who was Devidas, and what was his role in Shirdi as depicted in Chapter 5?

Chapter 5 introduces Devidas as a wise individual who had settled in Shirdi twelve years before Sai Baba arrived with the wedding party. He played the role of a teacher and spiritual guide in the village. For instance, he taught Appa Bhill using a slate and made him and others recite the Venkatesh Stotra. His wisdom was so well-regarded that prominent people like Tatyaba and Kashinath considered him their Guru and fell at his feet. His spiritual standing is further emphasized in this chapter by the account of him defeating a visiting Fakir in a scriptural debate, using his profound sense of detachment.