The source material from Chapter 24 indicates that while Mavshibai's service was physically intense, Sai Baba perceived the pure intention behind it. The text describes her actions as an expression of "guileless love" and notes that she was "absorbed in Sai's name" while performing the service fearlessly. Baba's complete ease and lack of protest—not even saying "hay" or "hooy"—shows that he accepted the devotion behind the act. The passage frames this as Baba "giving and taking excellent service." Therefore, he allowed this intense method because he recognized it not by its jarring physical appearance, which caused pity in Anna's heart, but by its essence as an act of pure, unadulterated love and devotion.
Why would Sai Baba allow a form of service so intense that it was described as 'grinding' and causing his body to 'move up and down'?
📖 Chapter 24