The text says Sai's Guru asked for two paise, but then claims the Guru was 'desireless'. Isn't this a contradiction? How can a desireless Guru ask for money?

This apparent contradiction is addressed directly in Chapter 19. While Shri Sai's Guru did ask for two paise after shaving his head, the text clarifies that the Guru had no need for worldly money. The request was symbolic. As Chapter 19 explains, the "two paise" he sought from his disciple were not currency but rather the virtues of "Faith (Nishtha) and Patience (Saburi)." By giving these two "coins," Sai pleased his Guru-Mother. The passage emphasizes that one should not doubt the Guru's intentions, as his desire was not for gold but for these essential spiritual qualities in his disciple.