Based on these passages, describe the general role and defining characteristics of saints in the world.

According to the excerpts from Chapter 4, saints play a crucial role as spiritual guides and supporters of humanity. They are described as truly embodying the principle of "The World is My Family" and acting as the support for the distressed. Their defining characteristic is a state of profound inner peace and wisdom, having conquered the difficulties of worldly existence. The text notes that saints like Sai Baba have no love for perishable things, being focused solely on the attainment of the Supreme. Their importance is considered extraordinary, even greater than a philosopher's stone, because they don't just transform things, but instead bestow their own form, Self-realization, upon their devotees, leading them to ultimate liberation.