What was the author of the Sai Satcharita like before he met Sai Baba, and what circumstances led him to Shirdi?

Before visiting Shirdi, the author describes himself as cynical, critical, and proud of his own wisdom, with a logic-driven mind prone to argumentation. Chapter 2 reveals that he knew nothing of a Satguru's greatness. It was purely by chance, through a strong destiny and a past-life connection with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar, that he came to see Sai Baba's lotus feet. In fact, it was due to Kakasaheb's insistence that the trip to Shirdi was arranged. Even then, on the very day of departure, his mind wavered after hearing about a tragic event where a friend's son died despite all remedies and the presence of a Guru.