From the perspective of Dev, how did Sai Baba's non-appearance at the Udyapan ceremony challenge and then ultimately strengthen his faith?

From Dev's perspective, Baba's failure to appear at the Udyapan ceremony was a significant challenge to his faith. He had invited Baba with love and felt blessed by the promise of His attendance. When Baba did not arrive as expected, Dev felt disappointed and that the promise had been broken, writing to Jog, "I waited with great effort, but no experience came." As Chapter 40 recounts, this doubt turned into profound faith when he received the explanation from Baba via Jog. Learning that Baba had indeed come as a Sanyasi with two others, exactly as promised, made Dev feel "Shame, shame!" for his doubt. His eyes "overflowed with a surge of love," and this miraculous fulfillment of the promise solidified his devotion immensely.