What was Dev's reasoning for not recognizing Sai Baba when he appeared as a Sanyasi?

Dev's failure to recognize Sai Baba stemmed from a specific sequence of events that created a "veil of Maya" or delusion. In Chapter 40, Dev reflects on his mistake after receiving Jog's letter. He explains that the Sanyasi had first appeared to him *before* the formal invitation for the Udyapan was even sent to Baba. This initial visit was for the purpose of collecting funds for cow protection. Therefore, when the same Sanyasi later returned asking for a meal, Dev simply saw him as a guest who had previously come for a different reason and did not connect him to Baba's promise. Dev lamented that he forgot to pay attention to Baba's specific words: "When I come for the meal, two others will come with me."