The text mentions Baba gave 'advice through stories' and addressed matters on people's minds. How did this work if he wasn't giving direct lectures? Was this advice actually effective for everyone?

Sai Baba's method of teaching was subtle yet powerful. Instead of giving formal discourses on Vedanta, his advice was primarily ethical and delivered through storytelling during his daily sittings. As detailed in Chapter 0, these stories contained explanations regarding various matters that were on the minds of the people present. This approach followed the Sadguru's practice of purifying the disciple's ground with general ethical principles first. While a large proportion of devotees came with worldly desires, Maharaj would satisfy their initial wishes and then skillfully turn their minds toward their ultimate welfare. The text suggests that the advice received through direct experience with him was even more valuable than his verbal counsel.