 Baba 's dress will be always simple Sai Baba 's real name , his birthplace and date of birth are unknown . When asked about his past , he often gave elusive responses . The name " Sai " was given to him upon his arrival at Shirdi , a town in the West Indian state of Maharashtra . The word " Sai " refers to a religious mendicant . In several Indian and Middle Eastern languages the term " Baba " is an honorific signifying grandfather , father , old man or sir . Thus Sai Baba denotes holy father , saintly father or ( venerable ) poor old man . Some of Sai Baba 's disciples became famous as spiritual figures and saints , such as Mahalsapati , a priest of the Khandoba temple in Shirdi , and Upasni Maharaj . He was revered by other saints , such as Saint Bidkar Maharaj , Saint Gangagir , Saint Janakidas Maharaj , and Sati Godavari Mataji . Sai Baba referred to several saints as ' my brothers ' , especially the disciples of Swami Samartha of Akkalkot . 
