Why did Sai Baba start demanding a lot of Dakshina from Kashiram when he was already facing financial problems?

Sai Baba's actions towards Kashiram were a profound spiritual lesson, not a simple transaction. According to Chapter 0, Kashiram had developed a sense of pride, believing he had the 'power to give' because he would offer his money bag to Maharaj and feel bad if Dakshina wasn't accepted. To dismantle this ego, which was an obstacle to his spiritual progress, Maharaj began demanding Dakshina precisely when Kashiram's finances started to decline. He even instructed Kashiram to borrow money after his own was gone. This entire Leela was orchestrated to make Kashiram fully realize his own powerlessness, ultimately leading to the removal of his pride and the restoration of his prosperity.