What was the underlying spiritual lesson in the story about Pundalikrao and the lost coconut?

The incident involving Pundalikrao's lost coconut was more than a simple event; it was a profound spiritual teaching from Sai Baba. As Chapter 51 explains, the loss of the coconut was just a pretext for Baba to deliver advice that would soothe Pundalikrao's distressed mind. The true essence of the story is that the entire situation was a play of ego, designed to free Pundalikrao from pride and guilt. The text emphasizes that the more one can achieve a non-egoistic state, the more authority one gains on the spiritual path, making it easier to navigate the challenges of life.