How was Sai Baba's near-samadhi in 1886 averted, and what was the significance of this event according to the text?

Sai Baba's three-day Samadhi in 1886, which could have been his final departure, was averted primarily through the wisdom and actions of his devotee, Mhalasapati. Chapter 44 explicitly states that "Mhalasapati’s wisdom averted this ill-fate (Kuyoga)." While Baba instructed that a Samadhi be dug for him, Mhalasapati instead guarded the motionless body with unwavering faith for three days. The significance of this event was profound. The text speculates that had this "evil timing not been averted," devotees would have suffered separation from Sai Baba thirty-two years earlier than his eventual Mahasamadhi. Averting this premature departure ensured that followers would continue to have the "good fortune of Sai" for many more years.