1Sree Sai is truly Brahman incarnate; the greatest among the saints, the Lord Paramount, whose fame has reached every corner of the earth and is the grantor of intelligence and inspiration.
2I surrender to him with wholehearted devotion. I do obeisance at his holy feet. He removes the fear of this mundane existence, and breaks the cycle of birth and death.
3In the previous chapter it had been promised to give a review and then a table of contents or index, before concluding the book.
4Though Pant Hemad said so, it did not happen that way. The table of contents was not drawn up or was overlooked.
5He who starts the book should himself complete it, by giving the table of contents in the end. This is the usual procedure.
6But there are exceptions to a rule; and this can be seen here itself. Nothing happens as one wishes. Only Baba’s wishes are over-riding.
7Hemad died unexpectedly. Everyone was sorrowful. The table of contents was not to be traced; and everyone was confused.
8Annasaheb’s records were difficult to find. His son, Shri Gajanan, made efforts to look and gave me whatever was needed.
9Annasaheb was thrifty and did not waste even a scrap of paper. He worked with grace and tidiness, as was his nature.
10He wrote a chapter on bits of paper and gave them, as is, to the printer. Unnecessary expense hurt him. He could not be compared to anyone else.
11He felt pity for those lifeless, helpless scraps of paper. How would they be uplifted unless they served the lion amongst the saints i.e. Sree Sai Baba?
12Hemad must have felt this way and, therefore, collected these scraps of paper, so that they could also serve. That must have been the exalted intention.
13The last chapter must have been done in the same way, and must have been written on scraps of paper. A lot of thought was given to the problem, yet the index could not be found amongst the bits of paper.
14The matter was told to Gajananrao and others. It was also told to Babasaheb Tarkhad, the Treasurer of the Shirdi Sansthan. All of them were of the opinion that the index should be there.
15Babasaheb fixed a time limit and published this also in the Sree Sai Leela. The time lapsed, yet the index did not come forth.
16Hemad, Govind, was a mine of virtues. He knew the Vedant by heart which was at his command. His book exhibited the Guru’s grace, like ‘prasad’. Incredible was the Guru’s grace.
17Innumerable were the devotees of Sadguru Sai from amongst whom Hemadpant was a gem of a poet. Only someone, who was as knowledgeable as he was, would be capable of writing it.
18The index did not come forth from anywhere. I felt very dejected. I prayed to Duttaguru, Sree Saibaba, and pleaded for his mercy.
19I am dull-witted and insignificant, without studious contemplation or even a trace of knowledge. Being totally devoid of poetic tendency, how could I compose verses!
20But there was one support that I had. When Sree Duttaguru is favourable, even the Meru mountain can be lifted as easily as a mosquito. His powers are great.
21Again I prayed to Umaraman Shiva, so that Sai Narayana would become merciful and give me the inspiration to write the index immediately.
22I do not have the capacity to compose poetry. Sree Gururaya is aware of my limitations. Placing my head at his feet, I shall begin writing the index.
23This part of the book, viz. the index, will be composed by Sai Vakratunda (Ganapati). His grandeur is unparalleled and immense. My mouth is only his instrument.
24In the first chapter is the invocation to the remover of difficulties and the cause of the Universe, to the ornament round the neck of Uma and Shiva – obeisance to Sree Ganesha.
25Obeisance also to the wonderful Goddess of Speech, full of wisdom, Sree Sharada, who entices the world and is the grantor of whatever is desired.
26Obeisance to the Lord Sai, the Family Deity, the relations, the Guru brethren, the saints and virtuous people who are incarnations of God; and surrender to the Sadguru, who is the abode of salvation.
27By narrating the story of the grinding of the wheat and how the cholera epidemic was removed was explained and the powers and greatness of Sai were described.
28In the second chapter, the purpose for writing the book is given, also the naming of Hemadpant, the end of the debate of the necessity of a Guru and the first darshan of Hemad.
29In the third chapter it has been fully explained how the permission was given for writing the book by Sai’s own words and the story about the Rohilla.
30Next, the reason for the appearance of saints and sages, who are ornaments of the Ruler of the World, on the earth, has been explained in detail.
31And the first arrival of Sai, Avatar of Dutta, Son of Atri, the wish-fulfilling tree, in Shirdi village – all that is described in the fourth.
32The disappearance from Shirdi village and the re-appearance in the company of the well-to-do Patil which surprised all;
33the gathering of Gangagir and other saints, the carrying of water in pots on his own head from afar to create a garden is all fully mentioned in the fifth.
34In the sixth chapter, the big festival of Ramnavami where Bala Buva was the Kirtankar and the renovation of the Masjid is narrated in detail.
35Next is about yogic practices of Samadhi, Khandayog, Dhoti-Poti etc., whether Baba was a Hindu or a Muslim; the unfathomable inner self of a Saint;
36Baba’s dress, behaviour, giving of medicines, smoking of ‘chillum’, caste, ‘dhuni’, lamps, his illness, and service to him - incomprehensible was the sight of all this!
37The seventh by the learned poet excellently narrates matters about Bhagoji Shinde’s leprosy, the medicine for the plague affecting Khaparde’s son and Nana’s Pandharpur ‘darshan’ idea.
38The unique greatness of human birth, the description of the mode in which Sai asked for alms, the service of Bayjabai to the saints and the offering of food to Baba with her own hands;
39how Baba, Tatya and Mhalsapati, all three of them, slept in the Masjid at night and Baba’s excessive love for both of them, which was identical;
40and the mutual love of Baba who was the repository of peace and knowledge, and Kushalchand of Rahta village is all delightfully narrated in the eighth chapter.
41How greatly Tatyasaheb Noolkar, and Tatya Patil, who were great devotees, as well as the English gentleman repented for not following instructions;
42how Baba made an offering to the five elements before savouring the food which had been given as alms, how Baba was qualified to seek alms is cleverly explained;
43and the excellent story of how the famous Babasaheb Tarkhad, the staunch Prathna Samajist, became a devotee of Sai, wholeheartedly, are all given in the ninth chapter.
44Yogeshwar Baba’s bed, of a plank four-hands long and a span in width, hung from the rafters;
45a touching account of when Baba first arrived in Shirdi, how many years he lived there and when he left the mortal coil;
46though calm and desireless within, outwardly demonstrating a demonic nature and Gururaya’s unfailing inclination to lead the people together on a particular path;
47the Sadguru’s tremendous skill in teaching the Ved-shastras and the essence of religion, spirituality and the code of behaviour, and testing the intellects of the devotees as well as the non-devotees;
48Baba’s usual seat, Baba’s knowledge, Baba’s meditation and Baba’s dwelling – his power and his greatness – are fully described in the tenth chapter.
49Baba’s fame everywhere as being the embodiment of Satchitanand, Doctor Pandit’s loving devotion, and the narration of the behaviour of Siddique (Falke);
50his control over the clouds, his incredible power over fire and his protection from strong winds are interestingly described in the eleventh;
51Kaka (Mahajani), Dhumal, Nimonkar, a Mamlatdar and a Doctor — different incidents about each of them were narrated sweetly.
52And the unique Sai ‘darshan’ of the Agnihotri from Nashik, the doubting Muley, a disciple of Saint Gholapram, in the twelfth chapter.
53Bala Shimpi’s malaria was cured by giving curds to a black dog, and Bapusaheb’s (Butti) cholera was eradicated by feeding him walnuts and pistachios;
54the Swami from Alandi, who had pain in the ear, was cured only with blessings, and the diarrhoea that Kaka (Mahajani) suffered from was removed by peanuts;
55The devotee Dattapant from Harda, who suffered from a severe stomach ache, was freed from his trouble by blessings, in front of everybody;
56and one, Bhimaji Patil, had severe cough and tuberculosis. He was cured by an application of ‘udi’ – all this is narrated in the thirteenth.
57Seth Ruttonji, a Parsi from Nanded, a famous businessman who was dejected was granted a son, placing him in the seventh heaven;
58how the saint Mauli Saheb of Nanded, who worked as a coolie and remained incognito, became known thanks to an indication from Sai is the amazing story in the fourteenth.
59The ‘kirtan’ practice of Narada was told by Baba to Das Ganu; and Cholkar was requited for his vow by giving him tea full of sugar;
60a lizard from Aurangabad came and met one in the mosque, and the story of their chirrupings is narrated in the fifteenth.
61A gentleman, well-endowed with wealth and children, came to Shirdi having learnt of Sai’s fame, to acquire knowledge of Brahman;
62one who desires the Brahman should be detached from the worldly life and the greed for wealth should be discarded, as a first step,
63but if he could not give a loan of five rupees to Baba for a short while, even though he had a big roll of money in his clothes, how could he attain the Brahman!
64The method by which Sai taught the lesson was beautiful and Hemad’s words are like ‘prasad’, a mixture of milk and sugar. This enticing story is in the sixteenth.
65The continuation of the earlier story, a detailed discussion of the knowledge of Brahman, total destruction of the greed for money, is the interesting narration in the seventeenth.
66Sathe’s story about the Guru Charitra, the story about Radhabai’s ‘upadesha’, and the favour bestowed on Hemad are skillfully narrated in the eighteenth.
67The detailed narration about this favour, and the in-depth thoughts (of Hemad) according to the lesson taught by Sree Sai are given in the nineteenth.
68Das Ganu commenced the “Ishavasya Bhavartha Bodhini”. In that respect he had some doubts which he asked Baba.
69Baba said that the maid-servant of Kaka (Dixit) would resolve it. The Sadguru’s greatness is extra-ordinary. An interesting narration of it is in the twentieth.
70A virtuous district officer, another learned man Patankar and the third, a brilliant lawyer – all three were granted favours, as mentioned in the twenty-first.
71Mashidmai helps to cross the ocean of existence. It is none other than Dwarkamai. Baba said this to all the people but no one understood its deepest meaning.
72The virtues of Mashidmai were praised; Mirikar and Butti were saved from snake bites; Amir Shakkar’s rheumatism was cured and he was saved from the danger of the snake.
73Hemad was saved from the danger of a bite from the scorpion and others from a snake and untimely death – all these incidents are published in the twenty-second.
74How the doubts of a student of Yoga were removed, how Madhavrao was cured of a snake bite; dhuni; and fire-wood, and the killing of a goat are very interestingly described.
75The respect and glamour of Bade Baba, the lack of obedience to the Guru’s orders, his greed for more irrespective of what was given to him, and his dissatisfied nature;
76Kaka Saheb, the best among the devotees, who had supreme and unswerving faith in the Guru’s orders, and how the Sadguru sported with him is beautifully narrated in the twenty-third.
77Making grains of grams the excuse, Hemadpant was given a lesson that without remembering the Sadguru nothing should be enjoyed (eaten);
78Sai caused a quarrel between Anna Babare and Maushibai, and that uncommon incident of wit and humour has been sung by the inestimable poet in the twenty-fourth.
79A devotee, Damu Anna Kasar, a resident of Ahmednagar, was desirous of doing a big business of cotton and rice.
80There would definitely be a loss in the business. By eating the mangoes, sons will be born said Sai, the Sun of Knowledge. All this is described in the twenty-fifth.
81A devotee named Pant, who was a disciple of another saint, was immediately given an indication, which made Pant overjoyous;
82the son of devotee Harishchandra Pitale, who was suffering from epilepsy was completely cured by only a merciful glance;
83Pitale was given three rupees and was told that he had been given two rupees earlier. Baba told him to worship them. It is a charming narration in the twenty-sixth.
84Kaka (Mahajani) placed the Bhagvat ‘pothi’ in the Lord’s hands, with the hope of getting it back as ‘prasad’ but the Lord gave it to Madhav (Shama);
85the ‘pothi’ of Vishnusahasranam was in the collection of a Ramadasi. Baba took it from there without his knowledge and gave that also to Madhavrao.
86The story how Sai, the cloud of mercy, granted a boon to Shamrao (Madhavrao) by giving him the Vishnusahasranam ‘pothi’ is narrated in the twenty-seventh.
87Lakhmichand Munshi, Chidibai of Burhanpur and the most virtuous Brahmin, Megha, came to Baba’s feet.
88By giving them all a dream vision, gave them experience in the waking state. Incredible are the feats of the Sadguru Mauli. All this is lovingly narrated in the twenty-eighth.
89A group of ‘bhajan’ singers from Madras gathered at Shirdi to witness the spectacle of generosity and giving of charity by Baba, the guileless Shankar;
90the way in which the examination of Raghunath Tendulkar’s son and his pension problems were resolved are the pleasant ‘leelas’ of Baba; and
91how Dr. Captain Hate, who was a very loving devotee of Sai’s feet, was given an early morning dream vision is the graceful story in the twenty-ninth.
92A person named Kakaji Vaidya, a devotee of Saptashrungi Devi, was given a dream vision by the Devi, to have the darshan of Sai, the foremost amongst the saints;
93Shamrao had taken a vow to the same Devi, so to fulfil that vow Shama went to Vani after thirty years; and
94how Sai spoke “come to Shirdi” in the dreams of both, Seth Kushalchand of Rahata and the Punjabi Brahmin, Ramlal, is narrated in the thirtieth.
95Vijayanand, a Madrasi sanyasi, set out for Manas Sarovar. Baba, Sree Hrishikesh personified, held him back at his own feet;
96and the upliftment of the distinguished devotee Mankar, who hovered over Sai’s feet like a bee over honey, and the afflicted, cruel tiger is beautifully narrated in the thirty-first.
97The story about four virtuous people wandering in the woods, in search of God, and the darshan given by Gururaya to one (Baba) as he had shed his ego;
98the unusual episode of the fasting lady Gokhalebai and another similar story told by Sai himself, are sung by Hemad in the thirty-second.
99A friend of Narayan Jani was suddenly stung by a scorpion, while the daughter of another devotee was suffering from high fever;
100how the difficult labour of Chandorkar’s daughter frightened her and how unhappy and worried everyone was;
101the staunch devotee Kulkarni Saheb, the ‘bhajan’ singer Bala Bua really understood the efficacious power of the ‘udi’;
102and the enchanting story of the ‘dakshina’ of Haribhau Karnik, a devotee full of faith and religious feelings, which teaches a lesson, are all in the thirty-third.
103The great distress of the Malegaon doctor on account of the bone abscess of his nephew, the difficult illness of the staunch devotee Dr. Pillai from guinea-worms;
104the torment of Bapaji of Shirdi (Shama’s brother) on account of the bubonic plague of his wife, and the epilepsy of the young girl of Irani, which greatly troubled her;
105the gentleman from Harda who was in great pain due to stones in his bladder and the difficult labour of a lady from Bombay, of the Kayasth Prabhu caste;
106the complete removal of the above-mentioned maladies or troubles by the mere application of the ‘udi’ without loss of time, are interestingly described in the thirty-fourth.
107A friend of Mahajani, who totally believed in the Formless, became a devotee of the Form, after only one darshan;
108the greatest of Gurus turned grapes with seeds into seedless ones immediately and gave them to Dharamsi Jethabhai Thakkar, a solicitor from Bombay;
109a Kayasth gentleman from Bandra who could not sleep at ease and Bala Patil of Nevasa both had experiences of the ‘udi’ which are given in the thirty-fifth.
110Two gentlemen from Goa had separately taken different vows – one for getting a job and another for finding a thief;
111both had forgotten their vows but Sai Samartha made them remember. Who can describe the fame of him, who had the knowledge of the past, present and future and was omnipresent!
112The wife of Sakharam of Aurangabad rushed to Sai’s feet for the boon of a son. How her wish was fulfilled by giving a coconut is the story told, with a purpose, in the thirty-sixth.
113Hemad describes the ‘Chavadi’ celebrations and festivities, after seeing them himself, in an interesting narration in the thirty-seventh.
114After putting different ingredients a variety of items were cooked in the ‘handi’ (cooking-pot) and distributed as ‘prasad’ lunch to all – a pleasing narration of it is in the thirty-eighth.
115The elucidation of the verse from the Gita, ‘Tadviddhi Pranipatena’ is told to Chandorkar to remove his false pride about his knowledge of Sanskrit; and
116the king among saints gave a dream vision to Bapusaheb Butti instructing him to build a temple – that is the narration in the thirty-ninth.
117Deo gave a feeding to the Brahmins in honour of his mother’s completion of vows, for which he invited Baba by writing a letter.
118On that day, three eminent persons wearing the garb of sanyasis came and had their meals with the Brahmins! It is difficult to understand the sport of Gururaya!
119After giving a dream vision to Hemad, Baba came for lunch in the form of a portrait – that is the lucid narration in the fortieth.
120The poet narrates the story of the portrait at length to the devotees. The Sadguru’s greatness is inconceivable. The narration is enchanting and witty.
121Assuming the Rudra avatar and becoming red as a blazing coal, Sree Sai showered a volley of abuses on Deo angrily.
122The Lord Sai said: “Read the Sree Dñyaneshwari regularly” and even gave instructions in a dream about the method of reading. Hemad narrates this in the forty-first.
123The application of the Tripundra by the devotee Date[1]; the early warning about Sai’s leaving the body; averting the deaths of Ramchandra (Patil) and Tatya (Patil Kote); and
124the story of Sai Sadguru’s leaving the body which caused deep sorrow among the listeners and disturbed Hemad also — these are the holy stories in the forty-second.
125The story about Baba’s leaving the body which was certainly incomplete in the previous chapter is completed by Hemadpant in the forty-third, and forty-fourth.
126Once when Kaka Saheb Dixit was reading the Eknath Bhagvat, with Kaka (Mahajani) and Madhav, had some doubts;
127Madhav Rao clarified the doubt but Dixit was not convinced or satisfied. Anand Rao Pakhade narrated a dream and that removed the doubts;
128Sai Samartha gave an explanation why Mhalsapati could not possibly sleep on a plank hung from the rafters — all stories skillfully told in the forty-fifth.
129Baba’s deeds are wonderful! He remained fixed in one place but roamed everywhere, showing people his miraculous appearances. Strange were his travels to Kashi and Gaya.
130The gem among saints told Shama to go and attend the wedding celebrations of the son of Chandorkar, and Shama saw Baba at Gaya in a portrait at that time.
131The earlier life story of two goats was narrated himself by Sai, the three-eyed one – pleasing, sweet, holy and deep is the story narration in the forty-sixth.
132Similarly a story about a snake and a frog, or a greedy money lender and a borrower and their previous lives is told by Sai, who is truly Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar.
133Enmity, murder and debt have to be repaid and for that there is re-birth – that is the nectar-like story that Baba imparts in a heart-warming narration in the forty-seventh.
134One staunch devotee Shevade and the manner in which he faced his advocate’s exam and the other a disbelieving Sapatnekar who was granted grace is in the forty-eighth.
135Hari Kanoba, a resident of Bombay, and Somadev Swami, who had a malicious mind, came to Shirdi to test the saint, with pride in their hearts!
136As soon as the ‘darshan’ was taken, they were told what their intentions were and both were right away ashamed. They were attracted to Sai’s feet and their sins of many lives were obliterated.
137While sitting near Baba, Chandorkar’s mind was disturbed and his emotions were aroused by seeing a beautiful woman. This story is narrated in the forty-ninth.
138Raghunath’s son (i.e. Govindrao Dabholkar) gives in detail the meaning of “Tadviddhi Pranipatena” giving arguments in support and justification, in the fiftieth.
139How Dixit Hari Sitaram, the devotee Balaram Dhurandhar and an advocate named Pundalik of Nanded, arrived initially at Shirdi
140each one’s story is marvellous! Hearing them the listeners were amazed and their devotional feelings were aroused. All this is narrated in the fifty-first.
141After reviewing the book, Hemad asked for a boon — that the wickedness of the evil-minded be destroyed and that the virtuous are protected.
142Surrendering at the Sadguru’s feet and offering him his head and his pen, the book is completed and his objective is achieved in the fifty-second.
143Govindrao completed the series of chapters of Sree Sai Satcharita in this manner. I lovingly bow to his feet and also to the Guru, who is the Mother of the whole universe.
144Giving the summary of each chapter is itself called the ‘Avataranika’. It is the right or virtuous path for those desirous of attaining liberation.
145It may be scornfully neglected considering it to be a ragged border for a beautiful mantle, or robe. But this humble one appeals to the clever listeners to hear it once.
146Just as a black mark is put on the forehead of a plump, lovely child to ward off the evil eye, Bal (Deo) has applied this black mark in the form of this ‘Avataranika’ to this robe.
147The beautiful book is like a well-flavoured meal and the chapters are like the different items. Buttermilk is necessary for digesting such a meal, if heartily partaken. This ‘Avataranika’ is written for that purpose.
148The book is the ever-fruitful, wish-fulfilling cow and each of the chapters are holy and pure. The ‘Avataranika’ is the necklace of black beads put round the neck to avert the evil or malignant eye.
149So be it. I will explain to the best of my ability the method that Pant Hemad uses for the compilation of the chapters. Listeners should hear it with respect.
150At the outset, there is praise for the Sadguru and then there is narration of the Vedant, description of Sai as Brahman Incarnate, followed by narration of experiences.
151To begin with, Hemad was well-versed in shastra and literature; and with the propitiation of Sadguru Sai he was overnight turned into a genius, so that he could create this book like a well-flavoured meal.
152He, who experiences its sweetness and goodness, will find that the cycle of birth and death has ended; and the legacy of the liberation will certainly be received.
153How can the grandeur of the book be described when it has Hemad’s lucid language and the sacrament of Sai. Truly, it is the mixture of milk and sugar cane juice.
154There may be many authors but they do not have the authority of sacramental language for which a real Sadguru is needed, who is the Support of the universe, and the Consort of Rama.
155Even if the shastras are studied such a book cannot be written, without the Guru’s Grace. This is absolutely true.
156Who can describe Sree Sai Satcharita! How incomparably worthy is the book! For which an author like Hemadpant was found! It is the supreme good fortune for seekers of liberation.
157As long as the book exists on this earth, its fame will spread amongst the people. Govindrao has given a timely abundance of wealth for the seekers of liberation.
158Twice blessed is this surpassing book! which is the outcome of Sai Sadguru’s favour. It will be honoured by seekers of liberation and it will overcome their poverty of thought.
159Because of the store of good deeds done in innumerable past lives, Govindrao got this opportunity to do this service for Sai, which bore sweet fruit in the authorship of this book.
160Hemad Pant was a staunch devotee, poet and fond of the knowledge to be gained from the Vedant. He was devotedly attached to Sai’s feet, day and night.
161The subject of Vedant is very deep. Without the combination of detachment, devotion and knowledge and the grace of the Guru, it is impossible to write such a book.
162These are not chapters but sockets of gold in which the priceless gems of the stories have been studded and from which sparks of knowledge and meaning have been drawn by Govindrao with an immense effort.
163The different chapters are the fragrant garlands of flowers offered to the neck of Sree Sai Sadguru by Govind, the loving child, to the best of his ability and with pure devotion.
164The various chapters are pure pots of gold which are filled with Sree Sai Satcharita, like the waters of the Ganges, by the son of Raghunath, to drive away the pride of the seekers of liberation.
165In the canopy of the battlefield of various books, the son of Raghunath has raised victory pillars of the chapters for destroying the demons of evil feelings, deceit and false pride, with the sword of his intellect.
166The 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.
167The 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.
168The Sai Satcharita is the universal sovereign amongst books. The chapters are pleasing, clever minstrels, narrating faith, knowledge, the Vedantic beauty and its vast glory.
169The Sai Satcharita is the market place for spirituality and each chapter therein is an emporium. The stories of the experiences are the objects fully stocked there, arranged neatly by the greatest among the poets.
170The 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.
171It is not just a book but a 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.
172This 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.
173The author, Govindrao by being a bee at the lotus feet of Sai Sadguru, always savours the newly drawn sweet honey.
174His surname was Dhabholkar and he was engaged in serving the British government. He was learned, full of humility, well-behaved and well-qualified.
175Rakhumabai was his wife, virtuous, devoted and full of good qualities, dedicated to her husband and always submissive. She had confirmed faith in Sai.
176Dapoli, near Vengurla, was the original place of domicile of the poet. Later on Kelva was the village, for the family forefathers.
177In ‘Shake’ 1781 (1859 A.D.) on the 5th day of the dark fortnight of Margashir month, the blessed and meritorious Govind was born to Lakshmi, the wife of Raghunath.
178He belonged to the Goud Saraswat Brahmins caste and to the Bharadwaj gotra. He died at the age of seventy in Shake 1851, on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of Ashad month.
179In ‘Shake’ 1844 (1922 A.D.), in the month of Chaitra, he commenced writing this book and completed upto the fifty-second chapter by Shake 1851 (1929 A.D.), in the month of Jeshtha.
180Govindrao had only one son and five daughters of which four were married. The son was also married and was studying medicine; and the unmarried daughter was also doing the same.
181Now I shall mention the procedure of recitation (of the book), as well as the easy method of doing a reading within seven days, as laid down in the Gurucharitra or other such books. Listeners are requested to pay attention.
182Do the recitation with a pure heart and devotion, completing it in one day or two days or three days. Sai Narayan will be gratified.
183Otherwise, complete it easily in a week and you will have immense good fortune on a continuing basis. Sai will fulfil the heart’s desire and the fear of the worldly existence will be destroyed.
184Begin the recitation on a Thursday, in the early morning after a bath. Sit on your ‘asan’ (seat for prayer), after quickly completing your usual routine.
185Make a pleasing, large canopy with banana plants, ‘kardali’[2], and beautiful cloth covering over it and let it be well-decorated.
186In it, let there be a raised platform (for the book) and decorate all the four sides of it with colourful ‘rangoli’[3], which are pleasing for the eyes.
187Making an image of Sai Sadguru or taking a beautiful picture of him, place it carefully on the high platform. Make obeisance to him with love.
188Tying the book in a silken cloth, place it near the Sadguru. After worshipping both with ‘panch upachar’[4], commence the reading.
189Observe the holy vows[5] for eight days, having only milk or fruits or roasted grain of any one kind, eating only once or having only one meal.
190Facing the east and keeping the image of the Sadguru in the heart, do the recitation of the book with a calm mind and with joy.
191During the seven days, read the first eight chapters on the first day, then the next eight on the second day, followed by next seven on the third day. Then eight, six, eight and seven chapters on the following four days, and only ‘Avataranika’ on the eighth day.
192On the eighth day, at the end of the observance of vows and of the offering of ‘naivedya’ to Sai Narayana, feed friends, relatives and Brahmins with delicacies and give ‘dakshina’ to them to the best of one’s ability.
193Inviting the Vedic Brahmins, have them chant the Vedas at night, offer them sugar flavoured milk and give them a respectful send-off, after they are well satisfied in body and mind.
194Finally, after doing obeisance at the Sadguru’s Feet, offer him appropriate ‘dakshina’ and send that to the Treasury (of the Shirdi Sansthan) to augment the funds of the Sansthan.
195Lord Sai will be gratified thereby, and he will bless the devotee. The snake in the form of the worldly existence will be destroyed and the treasure of liberation will be revealed to him.
196Listeners, may you feel at home with the Saint. You may forget the ‘Avataranika’, but keep an eye on the meaning of the book. This is the earnest request of this humble one, at your feet.
197Virtuous listeners, be very merciful to this humble one till the end of time. I place my head at your feet. Baba’s Bal prays thus to you.
198Whatever is very deficient, attribute it to me. Take the essence, you listeners, and act in such a way that the mind is resplendent.
199Obeisance to Sai, the son of Shiva (i.e. Ganesha); obeisance to Sai, seated on the Lotus (i.e. Brahmadev): obeisance to Sai, the killer of the demon Madhu (i.e. Vishnu). Obeisance to Sai, the five-faced Lord (i.e. Shiva).
200Obeisance to Sai, the son of Atri (i.e. Datta); obeisance to Sai the killer of the demon Paka (i.e. Indra); obeisance to Sai, the lover of the night (i.e. the Moon); obeisance to Sai, the Lord of Fire.
201Obeisance to Sai the Consort of Rukmani, Obeisance to Sai the Sun of the Mind; obeisance to Sai the Ocean of Knowledge; obeisance to Sree Sai, Dñyaneshwara.
202The ‘Avataranika’ is the verbal ‘pushpanjali’ (offering of flowers). Similar is the obeisance of glorious names which I have prayed offering them at the feet of the Guru. Mother Sai be gratified.