What is considered the greatest spiritual practice, and how does it compare to other forms of devotion like pilgrimages or charity?

Chapter 49 presents a clear hierarchy of spiritual practices. While penance is considered greater than pilgrimages, vows, sacrifices, or charity, and singing the name of Hari is greater still, the text declares that the meditation on one's own Guru is the greatest of all. For the devotees of Sai Baba, this means that Sai alone is their object of meditation, their form of worship, and their secret treasure. This highlights the supreme importance of the Guru-disciple relationship and focusing one's entire devotional energy on the Sadguru.