Why should I trust a narrator who describes himself as 'mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical'? That sounds like an unreliable source for a spiritual biography.

The author is transparent about his past character flaws to illustrate his personal transformation. Chapter 2 explicitly states that the writer, who would later be named Hemadpant, was initially "mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical." He also admits to being proud of his own wisdom, prone to argumentation, and ignorant of a Satguru's greatness. By revealing his starting point, he sets the stage for the story of his naming, which he promises will reveal its own appropriateness. This self-description serves not to undermine his credibility, but to frame the entire work as a testament to the transformative power of his Guru, Sai Baba, moving him from a state of cynical intellectualism to devoted surrender.