What was the real purpose behind Sai Baba's interaction with Pundalikrao regarding the lost coconut?

The story of Pundalikrao's lost coconut serves as a profound lesson on the spiritual path. According to Chapter 51, the loss of the coconut was merely an excuse for Sai Baba to offer advice. The true purpose was to clear Pundalikrao's distressed mind and free him from the play of ego. The narrative emphasizes that this interaction was designed to make him 'free from pride and guiltless.' The essence of this story is that the more one can achieve a non-egoistic state, the more authority they gain in their spiritual journey, which allows them to more easily 'cross the ocean of existence.'