Chapter 15 states that only those with 'immense merits' get Sai's darshan, yet also uses the analogy of persistent kittens. How do these two concepts work together in the chapter?

Chapter 15 presents a multi-faceted view of attaining divine grace. It opens by suggesting a prerequisite, stating that only those whose 'immense merits have borne fruit' can attain the vision (darshan) of Sai. This implies a foundation of past positive actions. However, the chapter then introduces the analogy of the kittens, whose loving persistence is what ultimately causes the mother cat to relent and provide milk. As presented in Chapter 15, these ideas are not contradictory but complementary. The 'immense merits' can be interpreted as the cause for the devotee's good fortune to be in a position to seek Sai, while the persistent, loving effort, like that of the kittens, represents the active 'means to the supreme goal' that a devotee must undertake to actually receive that grace and vision.