Why did the devotees feel that Baba had left them, and how did they reconcile with his absence?

The devotees felt a deep sense of repentance, believing their own actions caused Baba to leave. Chapter 43 expresses this sorrow, stating, "We did not bring this saying of Baba’s to mind; we fought as much as we liked. By harassing devotee after devotee, we lost Sainath." They felt that their petty vision and infighting pained him. However, they found solace in the understanding that his presence is eternal. The text asserts that saints do not truly come or go but merge in bliss. Devotees reconciled with his physical absence by holding faith that he continues to give visions and experiences in a hidden form, and that he would return as promised, solidifying the continuous bond of love between them.