How does the story of Cholkar illustrate the power of pure devotion compared to intellectual pursuits without faith?

The story of Cholkar, introduced in Chapter 14, serves as a powerful example of the efficacy of pure devotion. Cholkar was a poor man from Thane who made a vow to Sai Baba despite having never seen or visited Him, and the Great Guru was pleased with his devotion. This act of pure faith is contrasted with the author's critical view of hollow spiritual practices. The text pointedly asks, "What is the use of: Bhajan without love, reading a book without meaning? Where is God without faith? It's all just exhaustion." This implies that heartfelt devotion, like Cholkar's, is far more valuable than intellectual knowledge or rituals performed without genuine love.