Baba never disclosed His antecedents. Whenever asked about it, He gave mystifying answers and evaded any query. There are a few scattered clues, which conjure up to a less than  satisfactory account. On one occasion Baba  Pathri in the Nizam's state. At another time He said that his Mama (Uncle) had brought Him to Shirdi from Aurangabad. On one momentous occasion he said that while still a child of tender age his parents handed him over to the care of a fakir who brought him up.

Dasganu, a close devotee researched on this matter. He concluded on the basis of legends at Selu that the wife of a fakir, who had taken the custody of young child at Pathri, brought him to Gopal Rao Deshmukh of Selu. Gopal Rao was the Provincial Governor of Jintur with the military capacity of his own. Young Baba, left under the care of this Gopal Rao, spent the most impressionable part of his life at Selu with His master.

Gopal Rao was a saintly figure deeply devoted to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati temple. He was highly evolved soul with a direct communion with his Ishta Devta  (desired deity)  Lord Venkateshwara (therefore he was called Venkusa). Gopal Rao used to go round visiting Holy places when once he was at the tomb of Suwag Shah at Ahmedabad, a remarkable incident occurred. The tomb actually perspired with joy and communicated that the Gopal Rao was formerly Ramanand of Kashi and his former disciple Kabir would be coming to him soon. It was after this, that the fakir’s widow brought young Baba to him and Gopal Rao recognized him as Kabir.

The young boy was completely devoted to His master and the master in turn gave Him all his grace and spiritual knowledge. Young Baba being favoured by the master evoked considerable jealousy among the master's relatives and some of them resolved to kill young boy by hurling brickbats at Him. The master saved his dear disciple by taking it on himself and declared his departure from the  body, transferring all his spiritual and yogic powers to this young heir. Before leaving the body, the masters waved his hand westward to the young boy, and bade Him leave Selu and proceed along Godavari River. Shirdi lies close to the banks of the Godavari due west of Selu, and Baba by slow degrees moved on from place to place and finally arrived at Shirdi.