How did the author describe his own personality before his transformation, and how does this relate to Sai's teachings on argumentation?

In Chapter 2, the author, who would later be known as Hemadpant, provides a stark self-assessment of his former character. He describes himself as mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He admits to being arrogant about his knowledge, possessing a logic-driven mind, and being prone to argumentation. This personality is the exact opposite of what Sai Baba advises. Baba warns that a mind for argumentation is filled with ignorance and Maya, leading only to unhappiness and preventing self-knowledge. The author's candid description of his past self highlights the profound transformation he underwent by following the Guru's path, moving away from a life of false logic to one of faith and surrender.