After Sai Baba's body became still, why were the devotees so hesitant and doubtful about whether He had actually passed away?

Chapter 44 explains that the devotees' doubt about Baba's passing was rooted in a previous, similar event. The text describes how, after Baba's breath ceased, Hindus and Muslims deliberated for twenty-six hours on the final rites. Their confusion about whether it was true death or a state of Samadhi (trance) stemmed from a memory of an incident that occurred 32 years prior. In that earlier event, Baba had drawn His life force into the crown of His head for three days, appearing to be dead. Just as people began discussing funeral rites, He suddenly returned to His body. As Chapter 44 recounts, this memory made everyone anxious and doubtful, as they wondered if He might rise again this time as well.