The scripture says Baba 'burned the body in the fire of Yoga' and 'merged himself into the unmanifest.' What does this mean for his devotees?

This description signifies a profound spiritual truth for devotees. As explained in Chapter 43, this act was not a destruction but a conscious transition. By burning the body in the fire of Yoga, Sai Baba demonstrated his complete mastery over the physical form and its limitations, including death. Merging into the unmanifest means he transcended the material state to return to his true, formless nature as the Supreme Brahman. For devotees, this is a powerful assurance that his presence is not gone but has become all-pervading. He now resides in the hearts of his devotees, and from this unmanifest state, he 'always keeps the devotees awake,' continuing to guide and protect them. His power is not diminished but has become one with the entire cosmos.