Why was Maharaj shouting and showing signs of agitation in Shirdi? What did the people around him think was happening?

As Chapter 0 explains, while the devotee Kashiram was fighting for his life against armed thieves far away, Maharaj was creating a scene in Shirdi. He was observed shouting, swearing, and showing other signs of agitation. The people who were with him at the time immediately understood the meaning behind this unusual behavior. They recognized that a dear devotee must be in great danger and that Maharaj's agitation was his way of spiritually protecting that devotee from harm. The text confirms their interpretation, stating it was impossible for Kashiram to escape alive on his own, implying Maharaj's intervention was the reason for his survival.