Why does Chapter 11 advocate for devotion to a manifest (Saguna) Guru?

Chapter 11 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra advocates for devotion to a manifest (Saguna) Guru for several practical and spiritual reasons. The text argues that as long as a worshipper has a physical body, a Guru in a physical form is suitable and necessary for devotion to truly blossom. This is because a tangible form provides a focal point for worship. As described in Chapter 11, a devotee can place their head at the Guru's feet, exchange words of love, and perform acts of worship with items like sandalwood and grains. The chapter concludes that understanding and developing love for the Saguna is a much more accessible starting point, and this firm devotion is what ultimately leads to the realization of the formless (Nirguna).