How did the author describe his own personality and mindset before he truly understood a Satguru's greatness?

In Chapter 2, the author, who would later be known as Hemadpant, provides a candid self-assessment of his former character. He describes himself as having been mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He confesses to being arrogant about his own knowledge and wisdom, possessing a logic-driven mind that was always prone to argumentation. The text states he had a "bad intellect" and knew nothing of a Satguru's greatness. This description highlights his initial skepticism and intellectual pride, setting the stage for a significant personal transformation through his experiences with Sai Baba.