Sai has had all His wishes fulfilled. Sai is the adornment of all the saints. Sai is the refuge of His devotees and the destroyer of difficulties of the whirlpool of life.

“Samartha Sai” ! With this ‘mantra’, for those who serve at His Holy Feet, He moves the strings for the deliverance of His devotees from worldly existence. Sacred is His life story.

Therefore, Sai Samartha Sadguru, by becoming the ship for crossing the ocean of existence, will take us all, who have taken refuge in Him, to the other bank.

This ocean of existence is extremely insurmountable. Make Sai’s Feet your boat, which will take us across to the other bank, without fear. Observe the miracle of faith !

By observing such a vow, one does not experience the acute pain of worldly existence. There is no other gain better than this. This itself is the strength, that stands us in good stead.

The experiences, that Baba’s devotees had, when He was in body, have been published in ‘Sai Leela’. Baba got this book written, so that they could recollect them.

‘Sai Leela’ is supremely pure and holy. In it, the ‘Satcharita’ has been published in a serial form, chapter after chapter. Read this as the biography of your own Guru (Gurucharitra) ! It will awaken you and give you advice relating to this and the other world.

In the case of some Gurus, they narrate their own fame to their disciples. After they leave their bodies, an inspiration arises to write a book about them.

When Sai narrated stories of different kinds, they were deep and profound. The listeners became deeply engrossed and forgot their hunger and thirst.

Those who have seen Sai with their own eyes have had their three-fold miseries destroyed. He, Whose power was such, how can He be described in detail ?

Such a Sai, Who was famous for His magnanimity, got this biography of His fame written down for the upliftment of those who were devoted to Him.

After bathing in the holy Godavari and taking darshan of Baba’s Samadhi, listen to this Satcharita ! The three-fold afflictions will be quelled.

Just casually telling the stories about Him leads one to unknowingly embrace spirituality. But, when you glance at this book, a multitude of sins will be destroyed.

Those who desire to end the cycle of birth and death, this wearisome coming and going, should enjoin themselves to the Guru’s feet and constantly remember and chant his name with devotion.

Inadvertence is the cause of illusory knowledge. Inattention to the form of the Atman leads to the endless cycle of birth and death, and is the root cause for the ultimate destruction.

Greed means illusory knowledge. What is not Atman such as the body, mind, senses and to have pride in that, is called death by the wise, after due consideration.

If the ocean of Sai stories is churned, then the narration of Sai’s stories will be sweet and newer nuances will always surface. The downfall of the listeners will be averted.

Those who had seen Baba, but whose eyes were not satiated, for them, listening to the glories of Baba would be a purification and merito-rious.

Whoever is fortunate to have the desire to read (this book), he will have happiness, bliss and contentment.

Listening to the stories told by Baba, they will forget their bodily ailments. And if they concentrate and dwell upon them, liberation from bondage will follow naturally.

The unique presentation of His stories, as also the apt choice of words, would completely absorb the listeners in Him and all would experience perfect bliss.

Just as the ears are keen to listen to the stories, or the eyes are ready to get a ‘darshan’, similarly the mind should be eager to concentrate and get easily absorbed in divine contemplation.

Only those who have good deeds to their credit from their past births will listen to these stories. If someone feels sleepy, God will wake him up.

Those who are uncontrollably engaged in worldly pleasures and who become abject, when these are denied to them, for them the nectar of the stories of the saints will free them from these vices.

Performing yoga and sacrifices, practising meditation and concentration requires great efforts, whereas listening to these tales requires no efforts other than attentiveness.

Let the devout and virtuous listeners listen to this pure story of Sai, by which they will be benefitted; because the powerful five sins will be burnt completely.

Chained as we are to the worldly existence, which conceals from our view the Real Self, we will find that by listening to these stories, the bonds will be loosened; and we will get back the original state or Real Self.

These tales should be remembered throughout life and studied daily. They will free the listeners from worldly affairs and bring peace to all.

In brief, holy is the story of Sai. The hearts will be purified of those who recite and those who listen.

Listening to the stories with love will dispel all worldly afflictions. Sai, the cloud of mercy, will shower grace; and complete and pure knowledge will appear.

Sloth, a wandering mind, attachment to sense-objects and indulgence of the palate - these are the obstacles, which come in the way of listening. Steer clear of these and the listening will become a happy experience.

You do not need ceremonies to complete the rituals, you do not need fasting to torture the body, you do not need to visit the tirthas. It is sufficient to listen to the story.

Genuine love and awareness of the core of devotion will easily lead to the attainment of the highest good; and incorrect knowledge and the knowledge of the two-fold nature will be destroyed.

You need not make efforts for other means. Let us listen to the Saicharita ! It will exhaust all karmas, of the past and the present life, which results in rebirth. Not the least effect will remain of them.

 This being the life story of a saint, it is naturally pleasing, in all respects. The eating habits of saints, their everyday behaviour and even their casual remarks are enchanting.

This is not a life-sketch or biography. Sai Maharaj, the cloud of mercy, showered this because of His love for His devotees, as a means of remembering Him and obtaining bliss.

Such are the stories of these great saints, who talk about the worldly life, but place one on the path of salvation. The stories deal with material and spiritual life at the same time.

This must have been their underlying purpose, that one should lead a happy life; but should always be careful and thus this body should be fruitfully utilised.

Those who do listen to the stories of Sai with love, they will be effortlessly benefitted. Their devotion at Sai’s Feet will increase and they will obtain happiness and prosperity.

This collection of stories will remind those who are full of affection for Sai, of His Lotus Feet, at every step.

It describes that, which is impossible to put into words; and that, which is beyond the senses, it makes possible to enjoy. However, much you may drink this nectar in the form of these stories, it is difficult to be fully satisfied.

The deeds of saints are impossible to comprehend. Their glories are beyond description. Who is capable of fully putting them in words ?

If these stories are regularly heard, Sai’s image will perpetually remain before our eyes, our minds and our hearts; and we will remember Him and meditate upon Him day and night.

One would perceive Him while waking or dreaming, while sitting, resting or eating. Wherever one goes about, either in society or in the jungle, He would seem to be walking beside him.

If thus He is with us day and night, one would be absorbed in divine contemplation; and when this happens everyday, the mind will be one with the Supreme Energy.

One may eat the ‘shira-puri’ of faith and devotion, as much as one can, but one will never be satisfied even if one eats till one is gorged.

If you partake of this nectar in the form of the life story with patience and faith, loving devotion will spring within you and the listeners will be gratified.

The devotees will easily achieve the Supreme State of existence. The listeners will be full of devotion and freedom from attachment. For those, full of faith, they will receive happiness and peace; and for all, in general, contentment.

Listening to these stories from the mouth of the Guru will eradicate the troubles and anxieties pertaining to the world. Bliss will be born in the minds of the listeners and knowledge of the soul will dawn upon  them.

Whether the Baba’s words may or may not be uttered jokingly, they could never be meaningless; because in every word, that Baba spoke, there was a store of profound meaning.

Whatever Baba said, these were not mere words, but the seals of destiny. Not one word would ever be futile. It would accomplish its task at the proper time.

Listening to these interesting stories, makes an impression and stamps upon the mind the Guru’s words. The doership of all acts - good, bad - or non-action - will disappear. Faith will be established at the Guru’s Feet.

The fear of the worldly existence is very great. It is maya that is responsible for this insurgence. By listening to the stories, it will be annihilated and give permanent happiness.

This Saicharita is like drinking nectar. Listen to it attentively, concentrating on the Feet of the Guru ! Hear the continuation with attention !

Therefore, with full concentration, oh listeners, listen to the explanation with faith ! By listening to the Sai Satcharita, let your mind be inclined towards devotion.

Along with the narration, you will feel contented. Your wayward mind will find peace. Agitation will disappear and you will achieve happiness.

Hail, hail to Thee, Sai Sadguru ! Hail, hail to Thee, the Wish-fulfilling Tree, which grants absorption into the essence of Brahman ! Hail, hail to Thee, the Ocean of Self-knowledge ! Create in us respect for the story.

That You made us drink the nectar of Your life story and awakened us from our slumber, is due to Your grace. Isn’t this something extraordinary ?

May the devotees enjoy the nectar of Your story as the Chatak (bird) savours the rain drops from the clouds. May all Your devotees savour them and be happy always.

Let the devotees, as they hear Your pure story, break out in perspiration all over their bodies, fill their eyes with tears of love, and have their breath caught in their throats.

Let the listeners and their families be overcome with emotion, have horripilation, and cry and sob often.

Let their hostilities and their differences, small and great, vanish. Let them realise that this is a sign of the grace of the Guru dawning upon them.

It seems as if Sai Himself is playing the part of the great characters in these books; and the narrator and the listeners see Sai’s image before them, every time.

He, Who is the highest form of well-being is that Sai - the store of all attributes ! He is fortunate, who hears about Him and speaks of His glories, being an act of religious merit, his life being purifying.

Sai Himself narrates this story. He is the reader and the listener. He is the writer and the One Who gets it written. It is He, Who makes it comprehensible.

Sai Himself is the actor in this story, it is He, Who is the sweetness in the story, it is He, Who is the listener and the narrator and it is He, Who enjoys its bliss.

Then, the privilege and pleasure of listening to this story, can it not help in attaining spirituality ? Those devotees are fortunate, who appreciate and enjoy it.

Listeners are like thirsty ‘Chatak’ birds. Sai Samartha is the Cloud of Self-contentment, Who pours showers in the form of His life story to quench the thirst.

In reality, Sai Himself manifests in the form of the narration of the life story and the inspiration. But, is He different from the listeners ? Nay, the listener is also not separate from Sai !

Seemingly, it appears like a simple biography. But, this whole drama is played by Sai. He Himself becomes the actor and lovingly stages the powerful drama.

This is not a simple story, but a treasure trove of joy. It is the best, nectar like sweet meat for one’s self, which should be enjoyed with faith and devotion, by one who is exceptionally happy.

Wonderous and great is Guru’s grace. His greatness should always be remembered by us. Therefore, He has served the devotees by toiling over this book for their pleasure.

This is not a story, but ‘Somakant’, from which the stories of Sai ooze like nectar from the moon, which the thirsty devotees, like the Chakor, may drink to their fill.

The path of the Satcharita is simple. Wherever it is read, it becomes Dwarkamai and Sai definitely appears there.

There itself are the banks of the Godavari, there itself is the nearby pilgrimage place of Shirdi; there itself is Sai together with the Dhuni, Who removes all difficulties, as soon as He is remembered.

Where the Sai Charita is regularly recited, Sai resides there always. If the ‘Charita’ is repeatedly read with full faith, it pleases Him, in all respects.

Whatever is missing or additional in the stories, believe that everything is inspired by Sai and read the Sai Satcharita without finding faults !

This is not a story, but a drink of eternal bliss, which increases the thirst for more. To pacify that thirst, another story will follow.

The listeners will be pleased on hearing that, it destroys the distress of this mundane existence and grants a state of happiness.

One who is fortunate enough to desire his own well-being, he should be ready to listen with reverence to the narration of Sai’s stories.

We do not need the scriptures. Just this one religious work on Sai is enough. Irrespective of the number of sins committed, He is our protector from all the difficulties.

If it is not possible to read consistently the entire book, just concentrate and fill your heart with the chapters on devotion to the Guru ! Listen to them everyday as a rule !

Read this biography regularly at any time of the day ! Shri Hari together with your Gururaj, will certainly meet His devotee.

Goddess Lakshmi will permanently abide in the home, where it is read regularly. At least if one week’s reading of the whole book is done, poverty will be driven away.

Sai, Who is the treasure house of all virtues, is the grantor of liberation to His devotees. His stories destroy all the sins of Kaliyug. Listeners should hear them.

 The bliss of heaven is a mere trifle compared with the story of such a saint. Who would ever care to raise his head and look there, leaving aside the prompt benefit of this true story.

On hearing the Saicharita, the listeners and the narrator are both purified; the ears of the listeners are purified and so also the mouth of the narrator.

Whosoever reads this book within seven consecutive days, with love and faith, after proper ablutions, his calamities will be removed.

This book is woven with the threads of spirituality; it is full of stories of Krishna and the Brahman; it abounds with the essence or nectar of the unity of Brahman and Atman and it overflows with the unparalleled joy of non-duality.

This is Eknath’s poetry, which is as pleasing as the garden of India. It is the Vrindavan of thirty-two parts (chapters). The wise and the ignorant savour this sweet and pleasing dish made from milk.

Listening to this Satcharita or reciting it regularly will result in the Feet of Sai Samartha, removing all the difficulties without any delay.

Those who are desiring wealth will get it; those who are upright in their conduct and dealings, will have complete renown. The results will depend upon their faith. Without devotion, you will not have the experience.

Reading the book with reverence, Sai Samartha is propitiated. He destroys ignorance and poverty and grants knowledge and untold prosperity.

This book was written due to an indication by Sai; and it was His secret desire. Blessed is that devotee, who is attached to His Feet.

One should make it a practice to read at least one chapter of this Satcharita everyday, with a calm and concentrated mind. It will bring immeasurable joy and happiness.

One who desires his own welfare should really read this book. He will be obliged by Sai, through all the cycles of life and he will  remember Sai with overwhelming joy in birth after birth.

The book should definitely be read at
one’s own home on Sai’s festivals, such as Gurupournima, Gokul-ashtami, Punyatithi and Ramnavami.

One’s status in the next birth is determined by the desires of the mind in this one. The shastras also support the belief that one is born again according to one’s tendencies at the time of death.

Shri Sai is the support of His devotees. Without Him the impediments in our way are not destroyed. What is the wonder in finding that the mother has tender feelings for her children ?

Yet, if one has an acute desire for liberation, then perform only virtuous deeds always. Practise the nine forms of devotion, including listening to His stories etc. and one will be purified from within.

By making Hemad the instrument He wrote His own life story for the upliftment of his innumerable devotees. Is this not an unparalleled deed ?

The book is a five-wick lamp, studded with gems to wave round the King among saints ! The chapters narrate the stories, which are wicks of oil, the light of which brings detachment and peace.

The book is maya, which entices the world. The chapters are arms, raised high, and the meaning of the stories are bracelets (worn on the upper arm) decorating the body, ready to embrace Sai, Brahman Incarnate.

The ‘Sai Satcharita’ is the universal sovereign amongst books. The chapters are pleasing, clever minstrels, narrating faith, knowledge, the Vedantic beauty and its vast glory.

The book is formidable as the span of the Ganges. The chapters are the compact ‘ghats’ of just proportions. The flow of stories is sweet as nectar and vast, by the Guru’s grace and formidable greatness.

It is not just a book, but wish-fulfilling tree, which, the people engrossed in mundane existence, find barren, but for the seekers of liberation, it gives only the actual experience of liberation.

This alone can be called a real memorial, which destroys the darkness and tribulations of the mundane existence and saves from the hell of greed and illusion. It is certainly a giver of peace.

– Late Govind Raghunath Dabholkar

alias Hemadpant Translated in English by      

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Shri Sai Satcharita in Bengali, translated from Hindi, was recently released in the Sai Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi. Trustee Shri Ashok Khambekar, Executive Officer Shri Bhausaheb Wakchaure and translator of the Bengali book Smt. Sumona Bakechi were present on the occasion.

The ‘Shri Sai Satcharita’, originally written in Marathi by late Shri Raghunath Govind Dabholkar alias Hemadpant, with the blessings of Shri Sai Baba, was first published in book form in November 1930. Commemorating this year as the 75th year of the first edition, the Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) appeals to all the Sai devotees, who have in their possession the copy of the said first edition, to come forward and give it to the Sansthan for digitizing. The Sansthan shall take every care to receive this copy of the sacred book, get it scanned and return it intact. All incidental expenses incurred in the process of securing the copy of the sacred book till they are returned after digitizing shall be borne by the Sansthan. The Sansthan appeals to all those in possession of the copy of the above cited first edition, to first send a requisition together with a copy of the inside title page. All those who respond to this appeal should furnish their names with complete postal address and superscribe the cover with 1^st edition and all communications with regard to this sacred book should be sent to the Executive Officer, Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi), Shirdi - 423 109, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra State.

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