From a devotee's point of view, why was it considered essential to make an offering when visiting Sai Baba?

From a devotee's perspective, making an offering was a crucial part of showing proper respect and completing the act of worship. Chapter 14 highlights the sentiment that arose among people: 'How can we go for a saint's darshan empty-handed without Dakshina?' This demonstrates a cultural belief that visiting a holy person requires a token of reverence. The text further reinforces this by associating different offerings with specific blessings, such as an increase in life from rice grains and great abundance from Dakshina. For a devotee, giving Dakshina was a way to correctly perform Guru-worship and to receive spiritual and material benefits in return.