Yet this lendi ceremony held a spiritual mystery. Sai Baba once explained, "While I pass my stool, I direct my abdals [spiritual agents on the inner planes] about their duties. I call them through the sound of the music during the parade."
Sai Baba was a person of great humor. He would often joke with his devotees and poke fun at their weaknesses. However, until he died, he retained the austere ascetic life of a simple fakir. He would note, "God too is a poor Fakir. Since God is poor, I am poor also."
Sai wore the same kafni until it was so torn and tattered that one of his disciples had to forcibly remove it from him and give him a new one to wear. Even after that, Sai often sat with a needle and thread, patiently repairing it. This was the same garment given to him in his youth by Gopal Rao. Later, when it was completely in shreds, he sewed the pieces together and fashioned a scarf turban which he wore around his head.
Sai Baba blended his unique personality of Hindu and Mohammedan characteristics and had followers of both faiths. He never forbade any Muslim from eating meat and sometimes even ordered orthodox Brahmin priests to eat certain non-vegetarian food against their wish. On occasion, he himself would cook meat dishes and distribute the food to those gathered.
Although his eyes were always intense and lustrous, his nature was cordial. His wit and charm put all at ease as soon as they came in his presence. His personal habits were austere, but his ashram was informal and lively. Arti was held several times of day, along with the singing of bhajans and group readings and discussions on the Ramayana and other spiritual texts and scriptures.
Sai Baba's personality was sweet-tempered and tolerant, although at times he was jalali , or fiery, and would become enraged at someone's failures. As mentioned, when people came for Sai Baba's darshan, it was common for him to demand that they empty their purse or pockets of their money and give it to him as dakshina — a monetary gift to the Master.