Chapter 36 states that Sai Baba is "distant and detached from his name, he causes various events to occur." How can this seemingly paradoxical statement be understood from the text?

This paradox highlights a key aspect of Sai Baba's nature as detailed in Chapter 36. The text portrays him as the ultimate cause, the one who orchestrates events and shows devotees various forms, yet he does so from a position of complete detachment. He is the "incarnation of the knowledge of Truth" who acts as a witness, but is also "indifferent to the 'I am He' (So-ham) attitude." This suggests a state of action without ego or attachment. As Chapter 36 implies, he is the prime mover but remains unaffected, similar to a pure witness. This divine play, or 'leela', allows him to engage with the world and his devotees without being bound by the events he sets in motion.