How does the author describe his own character before he became a devotee?

Before recounting the story of his naming, the author provides a candid and unflattering description of his former self. In Chapter 2, he admits to being mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He states he was arrogant about his knowledge, possessed a logic-driven mind, and was always proud of his own wisdom, making him prone to argumentation. He also mentions that he knew nothing of a Satguru's greatness and had a 'bad intellect,' setting the stage for a significant personal transformation.