I've heard that Sai Baba used to ask for money (Dakshina). Doesn't that diminish his saintliness? What does Chapter 35 say about this?

Chapter 35 of the Sai Satcharitra directly addresses this very skepticism. It acknowledges the perspective of those who believe that saints should not accumulate wealth and that asking for Dakshina diminishes their saintliness. The chapter voices this doubt, stating, "When saints begin to accumulate wealth, their saintliness is diminished." However, the narrative's core message is that one should not rely on hearsay but should seek direct experience. Chapter 35 describes individuals who arrive in Shirdi with this exact criticism, resolved not to give any Dakshina. Yet, upon having Sai's darshan, their intellectual pride and preconceived notions dissolve, and they willingly surrender, implying that the experience of Sai transcends such materialistic judgments and reveals a deeper truth.