What is the connection between food and devotion in Sai Baba's teachings?

In Sai Baba's philosophy, physical sustenance is a prerequisite for effective devotion. Chapter 32 explains his teaching that to find God, one should first eat, as it is difficult for the soul to find peace or for one to realize God on a hungry stomach. Baba believed all senses require strength to function, and this strength comes from food. Without the 'moistness of food in the belly,' the eyes cannot see God, the tongue cannot describe His glory, and the ears cannot hear it. Therefore, he taught that only when the senses are nourished can true devotion to God happen, framing moderate eating as a foundational step for any spiritual practice.