How did Sai Baba's philosophy on eating prioritize physical needs as a foundation for spiritual practice?

Sai Baba's philosophy, as detailed in Chapter 32, established a clear hierarchy where physical needs, specifically nourishment, were a necessary foundation for spiritual practice. His teaching was that one should "first satisfy the soul of the self" by eating. He believed the idea of finding God on a hungry stomach was unimaginable because a mind disturbed by hunger cannot be peaceful. Baba's own routine was described as first tying "bread to the waist" before contemplating spirituality. This contrasts sharply with ascetic practices that involve deprivation. For Baba, moderate eating was comfortable, while excessive fasting was terrible. This demonstrates his practical approach, viewing the body and its senses as essential tools for devotion that must be maintained with adequate food.