What did Sapatnekar do to finally receive a sign of grace from Sai Baba after being repeatedly rejected?

After being repeatedly dismissed by Sai Baba with "Chal Hat" and feeling scorched by the threefold afflictions, Sapatnekar reached a point of deep distress. However, instead of leaving, he made a firm personal determination to stay at Shirdi with a steady mind until he received Baba's grace. One night, feeling sleepless, he saw an opportunity when Baba was alone on his cushion. As detailed in Chapter 48, Sapatnekar resolved to act, approached with a choked heart, and held Baba's feet, placing his head upon them. This act of desperate surrender was the turning point, as Baba immediately placed a comforting hand on him just before the miracle of the narrated life story began.