The Satcharita says Sai Baba 'left the body.' Does this mean he died in the ordinary sense?

No, the text argues that Sai Baba's departure was not a death in the ordinary sense. Chapter 43 clarifies that as a perfected Yogi, Sai Samarth could die at will. His leaving the body is described as an act of consciously burning the body in the 'fire of Yoga' and merging himself into the unmanifest. The author questions, 'Who will believe these words?' regarding his death, suggesting it's a misunderstanding. The text emphasizes that Baba, being a 'mass of bliss' and devoid of bodily impulses, simply transcended his material state to attain his previous unmanifest form, while still remaining present in the hearts of his devotees and keeping them spiritually awake.