Sai Satcharitra
Om Sai Ram, Sai Satcharitra is the Holy Book of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. Baba blessed the author of this book , when still in body, and told him that He will write His own autobiography and the author is only a instrument. Baba assured Self realization and Bliss to the readers. Sai Satcharitra is Sai Baba Himself as it potentially contains all that the Sai Avatar represents.
Govind R. Dhabolkar, known as Annasaheb Dhabolkar or Hemadpant is most notably known for being the author of the beloved work, the Sai Satcharita. He lived in Bandra, Mumbai. He was a self-made man who studied only upto the fifth grade and passed the public service examination and went onto hold senior posts with the Government.
He was a Government servant until 1936 where he was a resident magistrate. Before retiring in 1916, he was lucky to have contact with Baba. He was a poet at heart and he began the most notable work in 1922 and completed it in 1926. It was Baba who called him Hemadpant, after a well known 13th century poet.
When Hemadpant heard miracles of Sai Baba the delight he got, burst forth into poetic work. So, he made up his mind that he should collect these stories and treat the publication as his upasana of his Guru. It would be especially valuable to those who could not see Baba. Baba’s teachings and expressions were the outcome of his boundless and natural self-realisation and Baba himself (so Dhabolkar thought), put this idea into his mind to collect and render them as Baba’s life or chronicles. Then, he wanted permission for the work.
Baba was moved and blessed Annasaheb by giving him udhi and placed his blessing hand upon Dabolkar’s head. He said, “Let him make a collection of stories and experiences, keeping notes and memos. I will help him. He is only an outward instrument. I should write myself my life, and satisfy the wishes of my devotees. He should get rid of his ego. Place (or surrender) it at my feet. He who acts like this in life, him I will help most. What of my life’s stories? I serve him in his house in all possible ways. When his ego is completely annihilated, and there is no trace left of it, I myself shall enter into him and shall myself write my life.
Hearing my stories and teachings will create faith in devotees’ hearts, and they will easily get self-realization and bliss. But let there be no insistence on establishing one’s own view, and no attempt to refute others’ opinions of any sort”.
Baba's Bhakts have always believed that reading Sai Satcharitra brings Baba's blessings and helps the devotee in some miraculous ways - good luck or removing problems etc. It is believed doing one full reading (Parayan) of Satcharitra in 1 or 7 days leads to significant blessings from Baba and helps devotees in fulfilling their desires.