What was the significance of the Naivedya and Prasad in the Tarkhad family's daily life as shown in their story?

In the Tarkhad family's story from Chapter 9, the Naivedya (food offering) and Prasad (the consecrated food) were of paramount significance, representing the core of their daily devotion. For the son, the Naivedya was so essential that he was unwilling to travel without a guarantee it would be performed. The Prasad, in this case, the offered sugar candy, was described as the "purification of the food" and was a tangible part of their meal, connecting them to Sai's blessings. The gravity of this ritual is highlighted by Babasaheb Tarkhad's reaction to forgetting it; he was filled with immense grief and repentance, calling it a "great sin." This demonstrates that the offering was not a mere formality but a profound act of love and a cornerstone of their spiritual life.