Why did Sai Baba stop giving out medicine and what did he offer people instead?

Initially, Maharaj was known for giving medicine to people free of charge. However, he later changed this practice. As he personally explained to the writer, whom he called 'Kaka,' 'I used to give medicine to people before. Later, I stopped giving medicine and started saying "Hari Hari", and while saying Hari Hari, I met Hari.' This statement, found in Chapter 0, suggests a spiritual evolution in his methods of healing. After ceasing to give medicine, he began to give only Udi, or sacred ash. The text confirms that people would benefit from this ash, which he had also given out previously.