What was Sai Baba's practice concerning Dakshina, and what was its underlying purpose?

Sai Baba's practice of asking for Dakshina was a unique and central part of his interactions with devotees. As detailed in Chapter 14, He would ask for an offering from nearly everyone who came for his darshan, regardless of their faith—be they Hindu, Muslim, or Parsi. The amount requested could vary wildly, from a few rupees to thousands, and He might even tell a devotee to take a loan to give it. However, the text clarifies that the purpose was not greed. The essence of this practice, under the pretext of Dakshina, was to teach devotees humility and detachment. By commanding even a great millionaire to go beg from the poor, Baba was actively working to dissolve their ego and sense of status, reinforcing that in His eyes, a wealthy person and a beggar were equal.