The text says Sai is 'loving toward devotees.' How does Balasaheb Deo's story begin to illustrate this principle?

Chapter 41 introduces the principle that Sai is deeply loving toward His devotees, actively warding off their difficulties to grant them self-bliss. The story of Balasaheb Deo is immediately presented as the primary example, or 'wager,' of this truth. Deo's difficulty was not material but spiritual; he was unable to connect with the sacred Dnyaneshwari despite his strong desire. This internal block caused him great distress. By detailing this specific struggle and Deo's eventual surrender to Sai's will, the narrative sets the stage for a divine intervention. It illustrates that Sai's love and protection extend to the subtle, spiritual obstacles that prevent a devotee's progress, preparing the reader to see how Sai would resolve this issue and bestow the 'addition of devotion.'