What is the meaning behind the analogy of the mother tortoise that Baba uses?

Sai Baba uses the analogy of the mother tortoise in Chapter 19 to explain the nature of his Guru's grace and protection. He describes how a mother tortoise on one bank of a river can nurture her young on the opposite bank with her loving sight alone, without any physical contact or verbal instruction. Baba relates this directly to his own experience, stating that his Guru protected him with a 'merciful glance' in the same way. This metaphor illustrates that a Guru's spiritual nourishment and protection are not dependent on physical proximity or explicit teachings like a mantra. The power of the Guru's loving attention is sufficient to bring happiness and contentment to the disciple.