Why did Sai Baba ask Dada Kelkar, a devout Brahmin, to go buy meat, especially on a fasting day?

The incident with Dada Kelkar is presented as an example of Baba testing a devotee's faith and obedience. As Chapter 38 describes, Dada Kelkar was an elderly, devout Brahmin who was perfect in his conduct and had great respect for Vedic duties. Baba's order for him to personally go and fetch meat on Ekadashi, a fasting day, was a profound test. The text suggests that this was a way for Baba to teach the principle that true Dakshina, or offering to the Guru, is not merely wealth or grain, but the complete and unquestioning performance of the Guru's command. His steadfastness in the face of this novel order demonstrated the strength of his devotion.