known indian spiritual master regarded saint according individual beliefs revered hindu muslim life remained uncertain hindu muslim consequence stressed importance surrender true having path divine consciousness lead disciple jungle spiritual training people world love things sole concern realization self taught moral code love forgiveness helping charity inner peace devotion god guru gave distinction based religion teaching combined elements islam gave hindu mosque lived practised muslim rituals taught words figures drew traditions buried known god associated islam said trust prayer shall answered god king background dress simple real birthplace date birth unknown asked past gave elusive responses given arrival town west indian state word refers religious indian middle eastern languages term signifying grandfather father old man sir denotes holy father father poor old man disciples famous spiritual figures saints priest temple revered saints referred saints brothers especially disciples early years according book arrived village years old led life sitting tree sitting recounts reaction villagers people village wonder struck young practising hard heat cold day associated night afraid presence attracted curiosity villagers regularly visited inclined including considered mad threw stones left village little known indications met saints worked claimed army indian rebellion generally accepted stayed years disappeared year returned permanently suggests birth year return year returned time adopted famous style dress consisting knee length piece cloth cap testified dressed like athlete sported long hair flowing end spine arrived head shaved wrestling match took cloth cap articles typical clothing attire contributed identification muslim reason initial indifference hostility predominantly hindu village years lived tree long periods jungle manner said withdrawn undertook long periods meditation eventually persuaded residence old dilapidated mosque lived solitary life surviving begging receiving hindu muslim visitors mosque maintained sacred fire referred gave sacred ashes guests left ash believed healing powers performed function local treated sick application ashes delivered spiritual teachings visitors recommending reading sacred hindu texts insisted remembrance god expressed cryptic manner use symbols fame began spread mumbai numerous people started visiting regarded saint power performing avatar built temple teachings practices opposed persecution based religion opponent religious christian hindu muslim encouraged pray chant god read holy scriptures told muslims study study texts impressed philosophy encouraged people follow lives advised followers lead moral life help love living discrimination develop important features character devotion guru waiting patience love criticised teachings emphasised importance performing duties attachment matters content regardless situation personal practice observed worship procedures belonging islam kind regular rituals allowed practice chanting readings muslim festival times occasionally reciting enjoyed listening accompanied twice daily interpreted religious texts islam explained meaning hindu scriptures spirit philosophy numerous elements main hindu spiritual paths influenced teachings encouraged charity stressed importance sharing said relationship connection goes men creatures come drive away receive treat respect god certainly pleased water bread hungry clothes naked strangers sitting resting anybody wants money inclined bark like dog worship movement began 19th century living local priest believed 19th century followers small group inhabitants people parts india place importance counted major hindu places pilgrimage temple situated temple built believed gave built temple visited pilgrims day religious festivals number reach especially revered states august unidentified time donated costly diamonds million temple trust officials revealed movement spread caribbean countries canada united_states australia malaysia united_kingdom germany france singapore notable disciples left spiritual heirs appointed disciples provide formal initiation despite requests disciples achieved fame spiritual figures died offered daily paid visit times years claimed disciples claim performed making river entering state lighting lamps water removing limbs sticking body sick appearing beaten beaten preventing mosque falling people helping way gave vision people form krishna gods depending faith according followers appeared dreams gave advice documented stories april wellington new_zealand christian developer developing new subdivision acres land digging field found solid object feet ground stopped digging immediately lifted object ground developer seeing solid object statue deity halted digging got statue cleaned called identify deity sure statue roughly feet tall happened sitting posture soon water started coming place found statue slowly turned small pond statue small wooden rests floating pond place apparently developer decided leave particular spot untouched develop area religions life hindu saint declared spiritual diamond saint called jewel greatly revered met bestowed title guru greatly respected known revered group belonged known according posthumous follower widely praised regarded muslim attitude prevalent revered prominent cited popular non religious figure born family met world war december named met minutes event considered significant life life story makes mention lord life story numerous references credited advent perfect masters declared highest master universe spiritual hierarchy culture sacred art architecture temples india temples located countries outside india including united_states netherlands kenya cuba canada pakistan australia united_kingdom germany japan mosque lived life size portrait artist mumbai numerous monuments statues depicting serve religious function marble sculptor named buried film television subject feature films languages 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Sai Baba of Shirdi