Bagat Mahlsapathy and Baba!

Saibaba came to Shirdi alongwith a marriage party. The marriage party returned but Saibaba choose to stay in Shirdi. It was Bakat Mahlsapathy who welcomed Saibaba first in Shirdi with the words "Ya Sai". This name struck him permanantly. Also Mahlsapathy became his devotee initially and Shama and others joined thereafter. Mahlsapathy was a poor man from 'goldsmith' caste. He had three daughters. He used to sleep in the Masjid alongwith Tatya Patil and Saibaba. Once Baba directed Mahlsapathy to go and sleep in his house. But Mahlsapathy did not heed Baba. Saibaba forced him again and he had to relent. Saibaba told him that 'daughters are like tamarind fruit whereas a son is a mango fruit'. Mahlsapathy had a son subsequent to the command of Baba. Mahlsapathy being poor was unable to make both ends meet. But Baba never allowed him to earn. However Baba looked after his welfare spiritually. Once a Sait named Hansraj desired to give Mahlsapathy a huge sum. But Baba had not allowed him to accept the amount. Baba had in his mind the spiritual upliftment of His Bagat rather than the material welfare. Mahlsapathy too evinced much interest in spiritual path shown by Baba and he devoloped much detachment towards material life and world. Thus Saibaba ensured his spiritual progress. Sairam, Saisaran.