As Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often reminds us, the main purpose of the Sai Avatar is to draw the attention of mankind to the Divine Oneness that permeates Creation. The ancients knew this Truth but then, mankind also tends to quickly forget the Truth. And that is why, from time to time, the Lord has to incarnate, as Krishna explained to Arjuna. In the Shirdi Avatar, the Lord adopted a very novel strategy to promote the Spirit of Oneness. Baba conducted Himself in such a way that the Muslims thought He was a Muslim while the Hindus believed He was a Hindu. In the process, Baba drew both communities to Him. Thus, in 1897, Gopalrao Gund, got the idea of celebrating the Muslim festival of Urs. Together with other Hindu devotees like Tatya Patil and Madhav Rao Shinde (Shyama), Gund got Baba's approval to celebrate the festival. Thereafter, the annual celebration of the Urs festival became a routine affair. Interestingly, it was celebrated on Rama Navami day, and naturally, it was the Muslims who took the leading part. From 1912, the Urs was combined with Rama Navami celebrations. In this manner, in many different ways, Baba drew not only Hindus and Muslims to Him, but also the Parsis, and even the English, who then ruled India.

In the beginning, the Masjid was Baba's residence. Later, He adopted one more location, the Chavadi. In fact, one night He slept in the Masjid, and the next night He spent in the Chavadi. This alternation went on till the very end. From 1909, devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi. The distance between the Masjid and the Chavadi was small; yet, Baba's journey from one residence to the other was quite an event. The book Sai Sat Charita describes in great detail Baba going in procession from the Masjid to the Chavadi. Baba would walk accompanied by Tatya Patil and Mhalsapathi. While Patil walked on the right holding a lantern, Mhalsapathi on the left would be holding the hem of Baba's garment. Nana Nimonkar held the umbrella. In the procession would be Bhajan singers, and the crowd would raise the name of the Lord. There was a spot before the Chavadi, where Baba stood for a long time giving Darshan, His face glowing with extra-ordinary lustre. On reaching the Chavadi, Aarathi would be offered. The painting above is based on a famous photo taken during one of Baba's movement from one residence to the other.

Lakshmibai Shinde she was one of the very few ladies who was privileged to serve Baba. To Lakshmibai fell the honour of bringing food [Bhakri and milk] daily to Baba, at the appointed time. Others too would send food, but Baba would not touch any of it till Lakshmibai's offering came; He would patiently wait till then; such was His Love for Lakshmibai. When the end drew near, Baba called Lakshmibai to His side and affectionately gave her nine rupees. Lakshmibai was quite well to do. Why then did Baba give her money, and what was the significance? Lakshmibai did not understand but faithfully treasured the nine coins till the end of her life and never gave them away. Our beloved Swami has explained that Shirdi Baba gave Lakshmibai nine rupees to remind her that there are nine paths to reach God, the Navarasa Bhakti Marga of the scriptures. As Swami often recalls, these are Sravanam [listening to His Glory], Keertanam [singing His Glory], Vishnu Smaranam [chanting His Name], Pada Sevanam [service to the Lotus Feet], Archanam [ritual worship], Vandanam [offering salutations], Dasyam [being the servant of the Lord], Sakhyam [being the friend of the Lord], and Atma Nivedanam [surrendering to the Lord].