Was Sai Baba a philosophical teacher who gave lectures on complex scriptures like the Upanishads?

Based on the available information, it seems this was not his primary method. Chapter 0 explicitly states that 'Maharaj did not openly explain profound Vedanta subjects or give discourses on Upanishads.' His approach was different. The text describes his advice as being 'primarily ethical.' His method followed the Sadguru's practice of first 'Purifying the disciple's ground and then sowing the seed of knowledge.' Therefore, his public teachings focused on general ethical principles, which were considered foundational for spiritual progress, rather than on complex scriptural exegesis.