What philosophical lesson about the nature of reality and the physical body did Sai Baba convey through the giving of Vibhuti (Udi)?

Through the act of giving Vibhuti, or Udi, Sai Baba imparted a profound philosophical lesson, as detailed in Chapter 33. The sacred ash serves as a powerful symbol, teaching that the entire visible universe is ultimately as ephemeral as ash. The scripture explains that our physical body is compared to 'wood made of five elements,' which exists only to experience its destined enjoyments. Once these experiences are exhausted, the body becomes motionless and returns to ash. Chapter 33 clarifies that Baba gave this Udi to help devotees maintain this awareness, reminding them that Brahman alone is real while the cosmos is pervaded by Maya.