I'm curious about spiritual practices. What was Sai Baba's specific stance on fasting, and did he encourage his devotees to do it?

Sai Baba did not encourage fasting and, in fact, actively discouraged it. As explained in Chapter 32, Baba himself never remained fasting and would not let his devotees do so either. He believed that the mind of a fasting person is not peaceful, which negates any potential spiritual benefit. The text states that God is not attained on an empty stomach and that one must first satisfy the soul with food. This teaching is highlighted through the story of Mrs. Gokhale, who came to Shirdi intending to fast for three days, a resolve that was contrary to Baba's principles. The scripture explicitly says that the trouble of fasting and penance "doesn't work with Sai."