From a devotee's perspective in Shirdi, what was the practical and spiritual importance of receiving Udi from Sai Baba, as detailed in Chapter 33?

From a devotee's point of view, receiving Udi from Sai Baba held immense practical and spiritual importance, as detailed in Chapter 33. On a practical level, it was a cherished part of the daily routine in Shirdi. The chapter notes that Baba would not send anyone away empty-handed, giving Udi in the morning, afternoon, and evening. For those leaving Shirdi, receiving the Udi was the definitive sign of Baba's permission and blessing for a happy departure. Spiritually, the Udi was a direct teaching from the Guru. It served as a constant reminder of the impermanence of the physical body and the material world, encouraging a mindset of detachment. As Chapter 33 states, the Udi teaches that the universe is illusory (Maya) and that only Brahman is the ultimate reality, a lesson devotees were to carry with them always.