What was Dev's own explanation for why he failed to recognize the Sanyasi as being Sai Baba?

After learning the truth, Dev felt immense regret and analyzed why his perception was so clouded. In Chapter 40, he blames the sequence of events, which created a delusion. Dev explains that the Sanyasi had first appeared before the Udyapan invitation was even extended to Sai Baba, and his initial purpose was to collect funds for cow protection. Because this first meeting was for a different reason, when the same person returned for the meal, Dev could not connect it to Baba's promise. Dev lamented, "I forgot to pay attention to" Baba's specific words that two others would come with him. He believed his vision would not have been so confused if the Sanyasi had only appeared after the invitation had been sent.