What happened when Dr. Pillay was suffering from a severe case of guinea-worm, and what does it teach about Sai Baba's view on suffering?

When Dr. Pillay was afflicted with severe pain from guinea-worms, he became bedridden and fell into despair, even asking Sai Baba for death as an escape. As detailed in chapter 34, he sent a message questioning why he had to suffer so much despite living a pure life. Sai Baba's response teaches us that suffering is an unavoidable consequence of past karma (Prarabdha). Baba sent word, "There is no escape without suffering." However, it also shows that Baba did not believe suffering should be endured alone or with despair. He rejected Dr. Pillay's wish for death and instead offered to share the burden, proposing to condense what might have been ten lifetimes of karmic suffering into just ten days, which they would endure together. This illustrates that suffering is a debt to be paid, but with a Guru's grace, the payment can be made manageable.