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| - Sai Baba of Shirdi (1835 – October 15, 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, is commonly said to be a Fakir by the Muslim followers, and a divine incarnation by the Hindu followers. Some of his Hindu devotees believe that he was an incarnation of Shiva. Many devotees believe that he was a guru. There are many stories and eyewitness accounts of miracles he performed. He is a well-known figure in many parts of the world, but especially in the north of India, where he is much revered.
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abstract
| - Sai Baba of Shirdi (1835 – October 15, 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, is commonly said to be a Fakir by the Muslim followers, and a divine incarnation by the Hindu followers. Some of his Hindu devotees believe that he was an incarnation of Shiva. Many devotees believe that he was a guru. There are many stories and eyewitness accounts of miracles he performed. He is a well-known figure in many parts of the world, but especially in the north of India, where he is much revered. Little is known of the early years of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Even his name is unknown as Sai Baba is not an appellation in the usual sense. Sai is a term of Persian origin, usually attributed to Muslim ascetics, meaning holy one or saint. Baba, on the other hand, is a Hindi term attributed to respected seniors and holy men, and literally means "father". It is generally concluded that the etymology of Sai Baba means "holy father", "saintly father". The Sri Sai Satcharitra refers to the occasion in which this "name" was supposedly attached to him. Mhalsapati, the pujari of the small Khandoba temple situated on the outskirts of the village, seeing the young man come to Shirdi with a wedding party, addressed him with the words, Ya Sai, meaning, Welcome, Saint. Following Mhalsapati's example, others also addressed him so, to the extent that he generally became known as Sai. The term Baba was probably added later on as he grew older.
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