From the perspective of the residents of Shirdi, how does Chapter 42 describe the era of Sai Baba's physical presence and the impact of his departure?

Chapter 42 paints a poignant picture of the experience of Shirdi's residents. The text explicitly calls them 'Blessed, blessed,' highlighting the immense good fortune they had in enjoying the happiness of Baba's company for more than half a century, which was an 'extremely joyful' period. This description of long-term bliss, as mentioned in the chapter, serves to underscore the profound significance of his departure. By first establishing the depth of their joy in his presence, the chapter implicitly conveys the immense void and the end of a divine era that his Mahasamadhi on Vijayadashami must have represented for the people who lived with him.