The Satcharita says Sai Baba 'left his body.' What does this actually mean? Did he really die in the conventional sense?

No, the text explains this event as something far different from a conventional death. Chapter 43 states that Sai Samarth was a Yogi who could die at will. His departure is described as an act of burning his body in the 'fire of Yoga' and merging himself into his previous unmanifest state. The author emphasizes that Baba did not perish but instead took up residence in the hearts of his devotees. The Satcharita even questions the very idea that his body, which was filled with consciousness and imprinted on devotees' hearts, could have truly perished, calling it 'talk the mind does not accept.' He simply transcended the material state to enjoy his true self while keeping his devotees spiritually awake.