How did the author describe his own character and mindset before he became a devotee and started writing the book?

In Chapter 2, the author, who would later be known as Hemadpant, provides a remarkably candid self-assessment of his personality before his transformation. He describes himself as being mischievous, talkative, cynical, and highly critical. He admits to having a logic-driven mind and being prone to argumentation, always proud of his own wisdom. He confesses that he was arrogant about his knowledge and possessed a "bad intellect." Crucially, he states that at that time, he knew nothing of the greatness of a Satguru. This self-portrayal serves as a stark contrast to the surrendered devotee he would become, highlighting the transformative power of Sai Baba's grace.