How does a person who is suffering in the world come to meet a saint like Sai Baba?

As detailed in Chapter 18, a person often turns to God when they fall into great distress and misery, such as after suffering a major loss that creates a deep distaste for worldly life. The text suggests that until the influence of past negative actions recedes, the name of God may not even come to one's lips. It is at this point, when seeing the soul's weariness, that the Lord lovingly arranges a meeting with a saint. This can also happen through the timely advice of well-wishing friends, who might guide the suffering person toward a capable saint like Sainath, whose fame for helping devotees is widely known.