Why should I trust these stories if the author himself admits he was a cynical and argumentative person? This sounds like a flawed source.

It is a valid point to consider the author's initial disposition. As described in Chapter 2, the writer who would become known as Hemadpant was initially 'mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical.' However, the text frames this as part of his journey and emphasizes that Sai Baba is the true author. When approached for permission, Sai Baba stated, 'He is merely a pretext; I myself shall write my own story!' The condition was that the writer must dissolve his ego and surrender, at which point Sai promised, 'I give full assistance.' This suggests the work is a product of divine will, not the author's initial cynicism.