What is the purpose of an incarnation like Sai Baba, and how does their impact on devotees differ from a magical object like the philosopher's stone?

According to the scriptures, the incarnation of saints like Sai Baba is purely for the sake of others, as they have no self-interest. Their mission, as detailed in Chapter 4, is to lift the distressed, perform the work of religion, and awaken faith, ending their incarnation once their specific work is fulfilled. While a philosopher's stone merely turns iron into gold, saints are considered even more extraordinary. The text explains that rather than a simple transformation, saints give their own form, which means they impart Self-realization to their devotees, helping them discard the feeling of duality and realize their own divine nature as Brahman.