Sagun Meru Naik

Sagun Meru Naik grew up grazing cattle in his village before setting out on years of wandering in search of a spiritual home. He lived with several saints, including Tembe Swami at Narsobawadi and Siddharoodha Swami of Hubli, and went on pilgrimages to Rameshwaram and Pandharpur. Around 1911 he came to Shirdi.

Baba greeted him by saying he had come from a "Mota Darbar", a great court, referring to his time with Siddharoodha Swami. After five months, Sagun asked to leave. Baba told him to stay and promised that God would bless him. He accepted and made Shirdi his permanent home. At first he did small services, such as filling the lamps of the Masjid with oil.

Later he opened a tea and refreshment stall for pilgrims, and sold Baba's pictures, arati books and other devotional items. He said his business prospered from the day Baba promised him protection. Sagun witnessed many healings in Shirdi, including a paralysed girl from Hyderabad who began to walk within eight days of coming to Baba. He served Baba's devotees in Shirdi for decades.