Why did Sai Baba discourage fasting for spiritual gain?

Sai Baba strongly discouraged fasting because he believed it was counterproductive to spiritual pursuits. As Chapter 32 explains, Baba himself never fasted and would not permit others to do so, reasoning that the mind of a fasting person is not peaceful, which nullifies any potential spiritual benefit. The text emphasizes his teaching that God is not attained on an empty stomach and that one must first "satisfy the soul of the self." This practical approach prioritized a stable and nourished body as the foundation for a calm mind capable of devotion, rather than engaging in difficult austerities.