Why did Baba perform a seemingly odd ritual with firewood and a flame before the Chavadi procession? Was this just for show?

The source material describes Sai Baba's specific actions before the Chavadi procession but does not explain the spiritual significance or reason behind them. Chapter 37 details that after Tatya Patil helped Him up, Baba would go to a wall where firewood was kept, move His right big toe at that spot, and then wave His hand over a burning flame to extinguish it before setting out. While the text doesn't label this as merely for show, it presents it as a consistent and important part of His routine that immediately preceded the start of the musical procession, suggesting it was a deliberate and necessary step before departing for the Chavadi.