How does the narrative in Chapter 18 reconcile the apparent contradiction between swift grace for one devotee (Sathe) and a long, arduous path for another (the narrator)?

Chapter 18 presents this apparent contradiction to explore deeper themes of faith, envy, and the Guru's unique methods. The narrator questions why Sathe receives grace after a 'seven-day reading' while his own years of effort seem fruitless. The text doesn't provide a direct formula but instead shows Baba's response. As detailed in Chapter 18, Baba doesn't address the comparison directly. Instead, he addresses the narrator's immediate spiritual lapse—his envy and his neglected reading—by sending him on an errand that subtly corrects his course and reinforces discipline. This suggests that the Guru's grace operates beyond simple metrics of time, addressing each devotee's specific inner state and needs at the right moment.