Sai Baba: Faqir of Shirdi

This book is an informative sequel to the same authors Sai Baba of Shirdi: A Biographical Investigation. The inter-religious dimensions of Sai Baba are again emphasised. His identity as an independent faqir is outlined. In nearly forty chapters, many aspects of Sai Babas life are probed. His contact with Hindu and Muslim devotees achieves further profile. There are details about such factors as his begging rounds, his avoidance of initiation, his complex temperament that is often misrepresented, and his affinity with bhakti. Features included are the Notebook of Abdul Baba, the Shri Sai Satcharita of Govind Dabholkar, the Shirdi Diary of Ganesh Khaparde, and the 1920s memoir of Hari Dixit. In relation to a major controversy, Kevin Shepherd also offers a critical assessment of the Sufism theory conceived by the late Dr. Marianne Warren. Also covered are saintly entities with whom Sai Baba had diverse contact, namely Bane Miyan of Aurangabad, Gadge Maharaj, Meher Baba, and Upasani Maharaj.