Can you explain the internal transformation of Kaka Mahajani's friend during his encounter with Sai Baba?

The friend of Kaka Mahajani began his journey to Shirdi as a skeptic, described in chapter 35 as being "averse to idol worship" and a "devotee of the formless." He made a firm resolve not to bow or offer Dakshina, approaching the visit with "clinical curiosity." However, his transformation was swift and profound. When Sai Baba spoke to him, the tone of the voice was so identical to his deceased father's that he was "astonished in his heart." This unexpected and deeply personal connection caused him to "melt inside," completely shattering his preconceived notions and his vow. As chapter 35 narrates, he spontaneously bowed his head at Baba's feet, his intellectual skepticism overcome by a powerful emotional and spiritual experience.