Why did Maharaj start demanding excessive Dakshina from Kashiram, even to the point of forcing him into debt?

Maharaj's seemingly harsh demands for Dakshina from Kashiram were actually a profound spiritual lesson. As explained in Chapter 0, Kashiram had developed pride in his ability to give, feeling upset on days Maharaj did not accept his offering. This pride was considered an obstacle to his spiritual progress. To remove this ego, Maharaj began demanding so much Dakshina that Kashiram exhausted his funds and had to borrow. This entire 'Leela' was designed to make Kashiram realize he did not truly possess the 'power to give,' thereby purifying his devotion and ultimately leading to his financial and spiritual recovery.