Could you describe the manner in which Sai Baba would ask for Dakshina? Was there a standard amount?

There was no standard amount; Sai Baba's requests were entirely at his discretion. As detailed in Chapter 14, he would ask for Dakshina from everyone who came for his darshan, regardless of their religion. The sums he requested could range from one or two rupees to hundreds, thousands, lakhs, and even crores. If a devotee gave the requested amount, he might say, 'Bring more,' and if they claimed to have no more, he would tell them to 'Take a loan.' This unpredictable method demonstrates that the purpose was not the money itself but a test of the devotee's faith and a lesson in humility.