How did Sai Baba explain the existence of suffering when his devotee Dr. Pillay was in extreme pain?

When Dr. Pillay was suffering terribly from guinea-worm pain, he questioned why he had to endure such a state despite living a pure life. In his message to Baba, Dr. Pillay himself acknowledged the principle of karmic debt, stating, "the fruits of past actions (Prarabdha) never fail." As chapter 34 recounts, Sai Baba affirmed this concept in his response. He sent a message back to the doctor explaining, "There is no escape without suffering," confirming that one must experience the consequences of past actions. However, instead of letting his devotee despair, Baba offered compassion and a way to manage the suffering, demonstrating that while the principle of Prarabdha is firm, a Guru's grace can alter the experience of it.