Why is the story of Chand Patil and his lost mare considered a pivotal moment in the history of Shirdi?

The story of Chand Patil is fundamentally important because it marks the end of Sai Baba's period of obscurity and his return to Shirdi, the place that would become the center of his mission. As Chapter 5 explains, Baba had been 'hidden' for some time, and this chance encounter was the very event that brought the 'gem' back into the light. The loss of the mare was the divine pretext that led Patil, a fortunate Muslim man, to the exact location of the Fakir. Baba's subsequent miracles not only revealed his sainthood to Patil but also forged a connection that resulted in Baba accompanying Patil's wedding party back to Shirdi. Therefore, this narrative functions as the crucial link explaining how Baba reappeared and began his long, public ministry in Shirdi.