The text states that Sai Baba 'merged into the unmanifest.' What does this concept imply about his existence and his relationship with devotees now?

Merging into the unmanifest, as described in Chapter 43, signifies a transition from a manifest, physical form to a formless, all-pervading state of being. It was not an end but a return to his true, unmanifest nature as Brahman. For devotees, this means Sai's presence is not lost; in fact, it has become universally accessible. The chapter explains that he 'stayed in the hearts of the devotees' and that by 'merely remembering his name, no news of birth or death remains.' It further states that even in this unmanifest state, he 'always keeps the devotees awake,' implying a continued, active role in their spiritual lives, proving his influence is unbroken.