What does the author of the 'Sai Leela' book reveal about his own character before his spiritual journey?

The author provides a candid self-assessment of his former personality. As detailed in Chapter 2, he describes himself as having been mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He admits to being arrogant about his knowledge, having a logic-driven mind that was always proud of its own wisdom and prone to argumentation. This description sets the stage for the story of his transformation and how he received the name 'Hemadpant,' contrasting his initial state with the devotion he later developed.