What does it mean when the Satcharitra says Sai Baba 'merged into the unmanifest'? Does this mean he is gone forever?

The phrase 'merged into the unmanifest' signifies a transition, not an end. Chapter 43 explains that this was a voluntary act for Sai Baba, who is beyond conventional birth and death. He used his yogic power to burn his physical body and transcend the material state, returning to his true, formless, unmanifest self. The text strongly refutes the idea that he is gone, stating, 'Who will believe these words?' It clarifies that even in this unmanifest state, he enjoys his true self and 'always keeps the devotees awake.' He remains firmly imprinted in the hearts of his followers, and to say that his conscious form has perished is something the mind should not accept.