How did Baba guide his devotees from afar, and what does the story about Madhavrao and Shama show us about his methods?

Sai Baba possessed a profound ability to guide devotees and orchestrate events, even when not physically present. Chapter 18 explains that "Whether the devotee is near or in a distant land, Baba is close within," and he would assign tasks to people, giving them his own power to complete the work. The story of Madhavrao and Shama serves as a prime example. While sitting in the Masjid, Baba suddenly sent Madhavrao with a message to go to Shama's house and collect fifteen rupees as Dakshina. He even instructed Madhavrao to sit and talk with Shama for a while. This incident perfectly illustrates Baba's method of using one devotee as an instrument to interact with another, demonstrating his divine play and control over events to guide his followers.