How does the text explain the tiger's fate using the concepts of karma and past lives?

Chapter 31 suggests the tiger's life and death were intricately linked to past karma. The author speculates that the tiger was perhaps a debtor from a previous life, and by dying at Sai's feet, the debt was finally paid and he became 'debt-free' (Verse 144). Another possibility raised is that the being in the tiger's body was someone meritorious who, in a past life, insulted a devotee of Hari out of pride. This resulted in a curse that led to the 'cruel birth' as a tiger, but a counter-curse ensured it would find salvation at a saint's feet (Verse 153). Through Sai's darshan, its 'sin was burned,' suffering ended, and the 'iron chain of attachment' was broken, leading to liberation from the karmic bonds (Verses 154, 156).