According to the text, why did Sai Baba choose to take a physical body and live in Shirdi?

The text in Chapter 43 explains that Sai Baba's incarnation was not for his own sake but was driven entirely by his compassion for his followers. It states that he took a physical form with the 'sole desire for the welfare of devotees' and 'for the sake of the devotees’ protection.' His appearance in Shirdi was a result of being 'gathered by the past merits of devotees.' Once his perceived task for the devotees was complete, he chose to leave the body. This highlights that his entire manifested life was an act of grace undertaken for the salvation and benefit of those who were devoted to him.