Why did Baba refuse to give a 'secret mantra' to the woman who asked for one, and what did he offer instead?

When a woman sought a secret mantra, or 'upadesh,' from Sai Baba, he responded by telling her a story about his own discipleship. As recounted in Chapter 19, Baba explained that despite serving his own Guru devotedly for twelve years, his Guru never whispered a mantra into his ear. Instead, his Guru's grace was conveyed through a constant, loving gaze. Citing this experience, Baba told the woman, 'my Guru did not blow any mantra into my ears, so how can I blow one into yours?' Instead of a mantra, he offered her a different path, advising her to 'just pay attention to me, and spiritual wealth will come into your hands,' emphasizing devotion and focus over a specific verbal formula.