Who was Devidas and what was his significance in Shirdi according to Chapter 5?

According to Chapter 5, Devidas was a very wise man who had arrived and settled in Shirdi twelve years before Sai Baba's return with the wedding party. He lived a simple, ascetic life at the Maruti temple. His significance stemmed from his role as a teacher; he taught locals like Appa Bhill, making them read the Venkatesh Stotra. His wisdom was so respected that prominent villagers, including Tatyaba and Kashinath, accepted him as their Guru. The chapter further highlights his intellectual and spiritual standing by recounting how he defeated a Fakir in a scriptural debate, driving him away from Shirdi with his superior detachment and knowledge.