What does the story of Cholkar mean by the 'threshold-ghat', and what personal sacrifice did he make while being unable to cross it?

In the story of Cholkar found in Chapter 15, the 'threshold-ghat' is a powerful metaphor for the financial difficulties of managing a household. The author contrasts it with a physical mountain pass like Naneghat, suggesting that for a common man, meeting daily expenses and family obligations is an even greater challenge. This 'threshold-ghat' was the reason Cholkar could not immediately travel to Shirdi to fulfill his vow. During this period of delay, Cholkar undertook a personal penance to express his unwavering devotion. He gave up sugar entirely, a substance he now considered 'inedible' for himself. The text specifically mentions that he even drank his tea without sugar, a secret and personal sacrifice he maintained until he finally saved enough to make his pilgrimage to Sai Baba.