Why were people confused about whether Sai Baba had actually died, and what happened immediately after he passed?

The confusion surrounding Sai Baba's passing stemmed from a past event. Chapter 44 recounts that after Baba's breath left his body, Hindus and Muslims began deliberating for twenty-six hours on how to handle the final rites. The doubt about his death was so prevalent because of an incident 32 years prior, where Baba had seemingly died. During that time, he had drawn his life force into the crown of his head for three days before suddenly returning to his body. This memory made everyone question whether his final passing was a similar trance or actual death, causing significant anxiety and uncertainty among his devotees.