What does the story of the tiger reveal about karma, past lives, and liberation from rebirth?

The narrative in Chapter 31 provides a profound example of karmic resolution. The text speculates that the tiger was a meritorious soul from a past life who, due to insulting a devotee, received a curse that led to its 'cruel birth.' By dying in Sai Baba's presence, the tiger's past karma was resolved, its 'sin was burned,' and the 'iron chain of attachment' was broken. This event demonstrates that the tiger was a 'debtor from some past life,' and by dying at Sai's feet, the debt was paid, freeing it from the cycle of rebirth and allowing it to attain salvation.