How did the author describe his own personality and mindset before he began documenting Sai Baba's life?

In a candid description found in Chapter 2, the author, who would later be known as Hemadpant, portrays his former self quite critically. He states that he was initially mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He was arrogant about his own knowledge, describing himself as having a "bad intellect and a logic-driven mind." Constantly proud of his wisdom and prone to argumentation, he admits that he knew nothing of the greatness of a Satguru. This self-assessment highlights the profound transformation he underwent.