How did Sai Baba prepare for His passing, and what happened immediately after, as detailed in Chapter 44?

According to the detailed account in Chapter 44, Sai Baba consciously prepared for His Mahasamadhi. Knowing His end was near, He arranged to have the Ramayana read to Him by a Brahmin, listening with focused contemplation for two full weeks. On the day of Vijayadashami, after the two weeks of listening were complete, Baba attained the state of bodilessness. Immediately after His breath left His body, Chapter 44 notes that Laxman-mama performed worship and Jog performed the Aarti. This was followed by a 26-hour period where the Hindu and Muslim devotees began to deliberate on how to conduct the final rites and where to place His Samadhi.