Why did Sai Baba, a desireless saint, ask for money from his followers? What was the philosophy behind Dakshina?

A doubt may arise as to why a completely fulfilled saint like Sai Baba would need money. The texts clarify this apparent contradiction. For Baba, material items like pebbles and diamonds, or copper coins and gold coins, were all of the same value. The practice of asking for Dakshina was not about accumulating wealth but served a higher spiritual purpose. As detailed in Chapter 14, the essence of this philosophy was to use the request for offerings as a pretext to teach His devotees to choose humility. He would ask for Dakshina from everyone—Hindu, Muslim, or Parsi—to break down their ego and attachment to worldly possessions.