Why did Cholkar have to struggle financially and give up sugar for so long? If Sai Baba is all-knowing and merciful, why didn't he make it easier for Cholkar to fulfill his vow sooner?

The narrative in Chapter 15 frames Cholkar's struggle as a common worldly problem, describing the difficulty of crossing the "threshold-ghat," or home expenses. While the text doesn't say why Baba didn't intervene financially, it does place value on the period of sacrifice. Baba explicitly acknowledges "the penance of the long delay," suggesting that Cholkar's patient endurance and personal sacrifice were a significant part of his devotional path. The story implies that the hardship and the subsequent miraculous revelation served to make the experience more profound, deeply confirming Cholkar's faith in a way that an easier journey might not have. The delay itself became a testament to his resolve, which Baba ultimately recognized and rewarded.