How did the author, Hemadpant, describe his own character before his transformation, and how did this contrast with Sai's philosophy?

In Chapter 2, the author, who would be named Hemadpant, paints a very unflattering picture of his former self. He admits to being "mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical," with a "bad intellect and a logic-driven mind." He was arrogant, proud of his own wisdom, and prone to argumentation. This personality is the complete opposite of the ideal devotee described by Sai Baba. Sai specifically warned against a mind for argumentation, stating it is full of ignorance and Maya, and that such a person is unfit for self-knowledge. Sai's path required dissolving the ego, whereas the author's initial state was one defined by intellectual pride and a critical, dualistic mindset.