Why was Cholkar's personal vow so meaningful, and how did Baba's response validate his devotion?

Cholkar's vow to abstain from sugar was deeply meaningful because it was a secret, personal penance undertaken while navigating worldly difficulties, described as a hard-to-cross "threshold-ghat." His commitment, even to the point of drinking tea without sugar, represented a sincere and sustained sacrifice. As Chapter 15 recounts, Sai Baba validated this devotion in the most profound way. He did not simply accept the offering of sugar; he demonstrated intimate knowledge of the secret vow. By instructing Jog to give Cholkar tea "well-filled with sugar," Baba sent a clear message: "Your vow of sugar has been accepted... Though you kept these secret, all of it is known to me." This divine acknowledgement confirmed that his long, private struggle had been seen and appreciated, stamping his heart with devotion.