Chapter 48 begins with a listener's question. What was the question, and how does the chapter proceed to answer it by defining the characteristics of a Sadguru?

Chapter 48 opens with a listener wondering whether Shri Sai is a Guru or a Sadguru. To satisfy this inquiry, the chapter embarks on a detailed explanation of the characteristics of a true Sadguru, allowing the reader to find these signs at the feet of Shri Sai. The text distinguishes a Sadguru from those who merely possess verbal or scriptural knowledge, stating that a Sadguru must have direct self-experience. As Chapter 48 describes, a Sadguru is free from ego, sees the disciple as Brahman, and desires to sacrifice for them rather than receive from them. By laying out these profound qualities, the chapter provides the framework for the listener to conclude that Shri Sai embodies the very essence of a Sadguru.