Why was the sudden appearance of Baba's portrait so emotionally significant for Kakasaheb Dixit?

The sudden appearance of Sai Baba's portrait was deeply significant for Kakasaheb Dixit because of his intense longing to visit Shirdi. As Chapter 51 explains, the idea of his spiritual journey to Baba was seeded by a conversation with Nana in Lonavala. When Balasaheb Mirikar unveiled the portrait, Dixit was 'overwhelmed with joy' and his eyes were 'transfixed.' For Dixit, this was not a mere coincidence; it felt as if the Guru he longed to see had manifested his image for him right on the way. The text states he felt extreme delight because 'the one whose darshan he longed for, his very image appeared for him to see,' making it seem as if Sai himself had come to Mirikar's house on this pretext.