Did Sai Baba ever promise to return after leaving his physical body?

Yes, he did. Before he left his physical form, Maharaj explicitly told his devotees that he would appear again. As Chapter 43 recounts, he stated, "As an eight-year-old child, I will appear again." This was considered the word of a saint and not to be taken in vain. The text further explains that because of this promise and the continuous experiences devotees had, full confidence formed in their minds that he would return. This assurance is rooted in the idea that the karmic bond between Baba and his followers is not for a single birth but spans seventy-two generations, ensuring his continued presence and eventual return.