Why did the darveshis have conflicting emotions after their tiger died in front of Sai Baba?

The darveshis experienced mixed feelings, as described in Chapter 31. On one hand, they were sad-faced because the tiger was their primary means of livelihood and their family's sustenance. Its death meant the loss of their income. On the other hand, they were also pleased at heart. They understood the spiritual significance of the event, recognizing that the diseased creature had attained liberation by dying at the feet of a holy saint like Sai. Verse 142 notes they were sad yet also looked pleased, and verse 157 reiterates their pleasure at the tiger attaining salvation.