Why was Sai Baba so strongly against fasting, and what did he teach about the connection between food and spiritual practice?

Sai Baba taught that spiritual pursuits should not be undertaken on an empty stomach. As explained in Chapter 32, Baba himself never fasted and would not permit his devotees to do so, believing that the mind of a fasting person is not peaceful, which nullifies any potential spiritual benefit. He posed questions like, 'Without the moistness of food in the belly, how can the eyes see God? How can the tongue describe His glory?' The text emphasizes that all senses require strength from food to engage in devotion. Baba's core teaching was to 'first satisfy the soul of the self' with food before attempting to realize God, although he also cautioned that excessive eating is not beneficial and that moderate eating is the most comfortable and effective path.