How did Babasaheb Tarkhad realize he had forgotten to offer the Naivedya, and what was his immediate reaction to this mistake?

Babasaheb Tarkhad's realization came at mealtime. As Chapter 9 recounts, it was his daily habit to consume the offered sugar candy as 'Prasad' when he sat down for his meal after returning from work. The cook would typically serve this on his plate. On the day he forgot the offering, he sat down to eat and noticed the Prasad was missing. This absence immediately made him realize his error. His reaction was one of extreme remorse and guilt. The text describes him as being filled with repentance, bowing to Sai's image with tearful eyes. He felt it was not a mere mistake but a 'great sin' and, choked with grief, he prostrated before the photograph and begged for forgiveness.