Analyze the reasons for Dev's failure to recognize Sai Baba when he appeared as a Sanyasi.

Dev's failure to recognize Sai Baba stemmed from a combination of prior context and clouded perception. As Dev himself later realized in Chapter 40, the Sanyasi had first appeared for an entirely different reason—collecting funds for cow protection—before the Udyapan invitation was even extended to Baba. This initial encounter fixed the Sanyasi in Dev's mind as a mere fundraiser. Consequently, when the same person returned for a meal, Dev could not infer that it was Baba. He also admitted his critical oversight: "Only one word of Baba's—'When I come for the meal, two others will come with me'—I forgot to pay attention to that." This lapse, combined with the pride of his own knowledge, created a delusion that prevented him from seeing the truth that was right before him.