How did Sai Baba spend his final days, and what significant event occurred leading up to his passing?

Chapter 44 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra details how Sai Baba prepared for his departure. Knowing His end was near, He arranged to have the Ramayana read to Him by a Brahmin. For two full weeks, or fourteen days and nights, Baba listened to the recitation with focused contemplation. This period of listening concluded on the day of Vijayadashami, which was the very day He attained the state of bodilessness and left His physical form. This deliberate act of listening to the Ramayana right before his passing is a key event described in this chapter.