Chapter 14 provides details on Sai Baba's practice of requesting Dakshina, or an offering, from those who came for his darshan. This is first mentioned when he immediately asks the newly arrived Ratanji for it. The text explains this was a common custom for Baba, applied to everyone, whether Hindu, Muslim, or Parsi. The amounts requested were not fixed or small; Baba would ask for whatever He pleased, sometimes demanding hundreds or thousands of rupees. If a devotee said they had no more money, He might even tell them to "take a loan." However, as chapter 14 also notes, He would then reassure them not to worry, promising to give them "bags of rupees" in return and instructing them to sit peacefully near Him.
Describe Sai Baba's practice of asking for Dakshina as it's explained in the context of Ratanji's story.
📖 Chapter 14