Who was Mhalasapati and what was his significance to Sai Baba and the other devotees?

Mhalasapati was a devotee who shared an extremely close relationship with Sai Maharaj. As mentioned in Chapter 0, he was a key part of Maharaj's nightly life, staying awake with him all night in the Masjid on alternate nights. Their time together was filled with affectionate conversations. The text describes Mhalasapati as highly advanced and completely selfless. His significance extended to the wider community of followers; after Maharaj, he was considered a place of rest for other devotees, providing them with guidance and joy, making him a central figure in the Shirdi community.