What does the story of Hemadpant's friend teach us about the role of karma and the power of a Guru in overcoming suffering?

The story of Hemadpant's friend, whose son passed away despite the presence of his Guru, illustrates a profound point about karma and destiny. As recounted in Chapter 2, Hemadpant was deeply troubled by this event, leading him to question the very purpose of having a Guru if they couldn't prevent such a tragedy. The narrative suggests that suffering is tied to the irresistible force of karma, stating, "Every living being is governed by the system of Karma; destiny is everywhere irresistible." This experience initially made Hemadpant doubt his trip to Shirdi, as he reasoned, "What can Gurus do against Karma?" This poignant episode from Chapter 2 highlights the idea that even a Guru's power might not override the workings of past karma, a concept that caused the author great restlessness.