Laxmi Bai

Laxmibai Shinde was a well-to-do woman of Shirdi who served Baba day and night with deep love. Every day she brought him bhakri and other food. Often Baba would take the food and give it to a dog or another hungry animal. When she was hurt by this, Baba explained that the dog was also himself, and that whatever she gave to any hungry creature reached him.

The Satcharitra tells how Laxmibai once fed a dog that came to her door while Baba was hungry, and Baba told her he had eaten and was satisfied. Through her, Baba taught all devotees to see him in every living being.

On 15 October 1918, just before he took Mahasamadhi, Baba took coins from his pocket, five rupees and then four, and placed nine rupees in Laxmibai's hand. Devotees understand these nine coins as the nine forms of devotion (navavidha bhakti). Laxmibai treasured them for the rest of her life as Baba's last gift.