What was the author's personality like before he met Sai Baba?

Chapter 2 describes the author, who would later be known as Hemadpant, in a self-critical light. He admits that he was initially mischievous, talkative, cynical, and prone to criticism. He describes himself as having a logic-driven mind and being arrogant about his own knowledge and wisdom. The text states he was a "staunch debater" who was always proud and prone to argumentation. He knew nothing of the greatness of a Satguru and had a "bad intellect." It was only through a past-life connection with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar that he was even set on the path to Shirdi, despite his argumentative nature.