Why did Sai Baba ask his devotees for Dakshina if he was a desireless saint?

The practice of asking for Dakshina, or offerings, was not for Sai Baba's personal gain but for the spiritual benefit of his devotees. As Chapter 14 explains, a doubt might naturally arise as to why a fulfilled saint would need money. The text clarifies that for Baba, pebbles and diamonds held the same value. The core purpose was to teach humility and to guide devotees toward using their wealth for religious merit rather than spending it on trivial desires. By asking for Dakshina, Baba was providing a means for devotees to practice detachment and purify their intentions regarding their accumulated wealth.