I heard Sai Baba could be harsh. What happened with Sapatnekar, who was initially rejected, and what did he ultimately realize?

Sapatnekar initially faced harsh rejection from Sai Baba, who repeatedly dismissed him with "Chal Hat" (Go away). This caused Sapatnekar immense distress, but he resolved to stay until he received Baba's grace. The turning point, as detailed in Chapter 48, came when he took an opportunity to hold Baba's feet in a moment of desperation, and Baba placed a hand on him. Subsequently, Baba narrated Sapatnekar's entire life story to a shepherd woman, a miracle that made Sapatnekar realize Baba's true nature. He understood that Baba is a great knower of the inner self, one with the universe, for whom nothing is hidden. This experience filled him with great wonder and etched a deep, lasting respect for Sai Baba in his mind.