What was the significance of Sai Baba's portrait in the story of Dixit's journey to Shirdi?

The appearance of Sai Baba's portrait was a deeply meaningful and reassuring event for Kakasaheb Dixit. According to Chapter 51, after Dixit and Madhavrao had finalized their travel plans, Balasaheb Mirikar unveiled a photograph of Baba. This specific portrait had been sent from Shirdi to Nagar for repairs because its glass had broken, and it was coincidentally being kept at Mirikar's house. For Dixit, who was intensely longing for Baba's darshan, the sudden appearance of this 'beautiful and holy photograph' was an overwhelming experience. He was transfixed and filled with 'extreme delight,' interpreting it as a sign that the very one whose darshan he sought had appeared for him. The event was framed as Baba accompanying them when Balasaheb entrusted the portrait to them, saying, 'Go happily to Shirdi in Baba's company.'