Given that many ascetics and yogis who practiced austerities came for Sai Baba's darshan, how did his own teachings on fasting and moderation create a contrast?

Chapter 32 illustrates a fascinating contrast between the practices of those who sought Sai Baba's darshan and his own core teachings. The text notes that sannyasis, yogis, and those who perform japa and austerities all flocked to Shirdi. Despite this, Baba's personal philosophy was distinctly different. He is described as the 'very image of dispassion' but did not achieve this through self-mortification like fasting. Instead, he taught that excessive fasting is 'terrible' and causes discomfort, while moderate eating is 'truly comfortable.' He believed a peaceful mind was impossible on an empty stomach, thus making spiritual progress difficult. This highlights that Baba's path to detachment was rooted in inner peace and balance, not in the physical hardship of fasting that some of his visitors practiced.