The source text describes two separate incidents involving snakes. What do the stories of Mirikar and Bapusaheb Buti reveal about the nature of Sai Baba's protection?

The events described in Chapter 22 involving both Mirikar and Bapusaheb Buti powerfully illustrate Sai Baba's protective compassion and foreknowledge. In Mirikar's case, Baba proactively sent a companion, Shama, to help avert a 'great misfortune' from a snake. In Bapusaheb Buti's situation, after an astrologer predicted danger, Baba verbally reassured him, challenging the fatalistic prediction and instilling courage before Buti also encountered a snake. Both narratives show that Baba was fully aware of impending dangers and intervened in different ways—sometimes by arranging physical help, other times by providing psychological strength—to protect his devotees.