What is the spiritual significance of letting go of the ego, according to Sai Baba's teachings in the story of Pundalikrao?

According to the narrative in Chapter 51, the significance of letting go of the ego is paramount for spiritual advancement. The story of Pundalikrao, whose distress over a lost coconut was used as a pretext for a deeper lesson, illustrates this point. Baba's advice cleared his mind, and the text explicitly states, "the more non-egoistic the state, the more authority one gains in the spiritual path, and one will easily cross the ocean of existence." This shows that Baba's teachings emphasize that freeing oneself from pride and ego is the essential key to achieving spiritual liberation and peace.