How did Sai Baba's lifestyle, particularly regarding food and physical discipline, reflect his teachings?

Sai Baba's lifestyle was a direct reflection of his teachings on inner purity over external penance. As detailed in Chapter 23, He consciously chose not to practice fasting or the strenuous labors of Hatha Yoga. By subsisting on small amounts of food collected as daily alms (Madhukari) and showing no preference for taste, He demonstrated perfect detachment from sensory indulgence. He maintained His body because He saw it as a vehicle for liberation, not something to be punished. His own peace was his ornament, not garlands or ashes. This simple, ego-free existence served as a living instruction for His devotees, showing that true spirituality lies in humility and love, not in extreme physical austerities.