What were Annasaheb Dabholkar's initial beliefs about Gurus, and what caused them to change?

According to the account Annasaheb wrote about himself, which is referenced in Chapter 0, he initially had no devotion or love for a Guru. He used to believe that the concept of making a Guru was a fraud and proudly argued there was no need for one, taking great pride in his own sense of doership. However, this perspective was completely shattered the moment his eyes met Sai Baba's. This encounter triggered an internal spiritual realization that made him fully convinced that one cannot cross the ocean of life without the guidance of a Sadguru.