What does the story of Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar teach us about Sai Baba's view on family rituals like Shraddha?

The story of Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar, as recounted in Chapter 4, reveals Sai Baba's deep respect for ancestral and family rituals. When Bhagwantrao, the son of Baba's friend, came to Shirdi, Baba pointed out his negligence. He noted that Bhagwantrao had not only stopped the worship and food offerings (Naivedya) to the family's Vitthal idol but had also skipped the Shraddha, or death anniversary rites, for his father. Baba stated that by doing this, Bhagwantrao was keeping both Vitthal and Baba himself hungry. This incident illustrates that Baba saw a profound connection between honoring one's ancestors through rituals like Shraddha and one's spiritual well-being, implying that neglecting these duties had spiritual consequences.