Analyze the reasons for Dev's 'delusion' which prevented him from recognizing Sai Baba during the meal.

Dev's delusion stemmed from a specific sequence of events that clouded his judgment. He explained his confusion in his own thoughts, as captured in Chapter 40. The Sanyasi (Baba in disguise) had first visited him before the Udyapan invitation was even sent to Shirdi, and the purpose of that initial visit was to collect funds for cow protection. Because this prior context existed, when the same Sanyasi appeared for the meal, Dev did not connect it to Baba's promise. Dev lamented, "if the same person asked for a meal, would it be inferred that it was Baba?" He believed this unfortunate timing is what caused the delusion and made him unable to recognize his Guru.