The text says Dev feared the Sanyasi would ask for money. Baba later claims he *was* that Sanyasi. Doesn't this imply Baba was initially engaged in soliciting funds, which seems unbecoming, and only later reframed it as a divine test?

The account in Chapter 40 provides a specific sequence of events. Dev reflects that the Sanyasi had first come "for cow protection to get funds" and was given a period of months to return. This initial fundraising visit happened before Dev's Udyapan invitation was sent to Sai. When the Sanyasi later appeared unexpectedly right before the ceremony, Dev's memory of this prior fundraising purpose is what caused his fear of being asked for money. Baba later referenced this moment, noting, "Seeing Me come unexpectedly, didn't you fear in your heart that I would ask for money? I removed that doubt." The narrative presents this not as Baba soliciting funds for himself, but as two separate appearances, the first of which created the "delusion" that prevented Dev from recognizing Baba during the second, promised appearance for the meal.