The source mentions a 'punishment by the cane' that was 'clearly beneficial.' How does the Patil's story explain this contradiction?

The contradiction of a beneficial punishment highlights the mysterious and compassionate nature of Sai Baba's grace as described in the provided text. According to Chapter 13, the Patil experienced an act that felt like a punishment, yet it was this very act that cured him of his disease and sorrow. He was so overwhelmed by this positive outcome that he felt reborn and placed his head at Baba's feet in total surrender. The text suggests that the methods of saints can be 'inconceivable and unfathomable,' turning what appears to be a negative event into a profound blessing. The Patil's story serves as an example of how grace can work in non-obvious ways to remove worldly entanglements.