Why did Baba tell the woman he couldn't give her a secret mantra or 'upadesh'?

Sai Baba explained that he could not give the woman a secret mantra, or 'upadesh', because his own Guru had never given one to him. As recounted in Chapter 19, Baba served his Guru for twelve years with a strong desire to receive such an instruction. However, his Guru's method of teaching was through love, protection, and a constant, nurturing gaze, rather than verbal formulas. Baba states this plainly to the woman: "Mother, sitting in this Masjid, I tell you the truth; my Guru did not blow any mantra into my ears, so how can I blow one into yours?" Instead of a mantra, he advised her to simply "pay attention to me, and spiritual wealth will come into your hands," suggesting that true spiritual gain comes from focused devotion, not a secret word.