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How to read Sai Satcharitra in 7 days: Meaning, benefit of chanting

Wondering what are the benefits of reading Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days ? The Sri Sai Satcharitra is an authentic account of the life of Sai Baba of Shirdi and the teachings and miracles associated with Him. For the same reason, it is believed that reading Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days can make any sincere wish come true.

[READ: How do you light Deepam, Sri Venkateswara temple in Sydney]

To describe the benefits of Sri Sai Satcharitra is not possible as our minds are clouded by ego, biases and other negative traits.

There are many miracles that devotees have experienced while reading this holy book. A 'Sai Leela' that I personally knew of was about a lady who began chanting it because her son-in-law was an alcoholic and he used to beat her daughter. Unable to bear seeing her daughter with bruises, the pious lady began chanting the Sai Satcharitra. After 7 days, her son-in-law saw a dream where Sai Baba of Shirdi kicked him so hard that he woke up in pain and he remembered His parting words, "Stop drinking alcohol and don't ever raise your hand on your wife."

When we read the Sri Sai Satcharitra, we learn to keep our hearts pure. This is the most important aspect of refining ourselves on the spiritual path.

A pure heart is the seat of the Guru's grace and omnipresence and this is when miracles unfold around us.

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How do you read Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days?

  • Start reading 9 Chapters each day.
  • Taper it down slowly.
  • Maintan deha shuddhi and manas shuddhi.
  • Don't rush through the chapter while reading towards the end.
  • Do not eat non vegetarian food while reading this holy book.
  • Do not drink alcohol or smoke or gossip or criticise people behind their backs while you are reading this.

    Are there any rules to read Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days?

    These are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Have a daily bath before you begin reading the Sri Sai Satcharitra at home.
    • Try to do daily reading at the same place such as in front of your puja room.
    • Light the lamp, offer a prayer to Lord Ganesha first and mention the sankalpa.
    • Offer few flowers, dakshina and prasad daily - this need not be elaborate - you can offer something simple such as fruits, milk, sweets, etc.
    • Read each Chapter with Bhakti and understand its deeper meaning.
    • Try to involve children and elders or even neighbours to join in and listen.
    • The dakshina can be collected and given at the nearest Shirdi Sai Baba temple.
    Can we read Sri Sai Satcharitra sitting on bed?
    The puja room in your home is the best place to read the Sri Sai Satcharitra. If your health is in a precarious state and you require bedrest, then you can read on the bed. However, if it is possible to sit on a chair and read in front of your puja room, that would be better.


    Can we read Sri Sai Satcharitra without taking a bath?
    As mentioned earlier, it is important to have a bath before undertaking a spiritual activity. However, if there is no provision to take a bath at all, then go ahead with the reading of Sri Sai Satcharitra.

    [READ: Success is about your capability to withstand pain, longer]

    What happens when you read Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days?

    • Sincere prayers create a divine atmosphere around you
    • Peace of mind and positive energy
    • Purity in thoughts, words and deeds
    • Inner healing and spiritual transformation
    • Earning divine blessings and grace of Shri Sainath

    Let me share my personal experience. I was 18 years old when I first began the 'parayanam' or reading of the Sri Sai Satcharitra at home. It was a time when my dream was to publish my first book on Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, my Guru.

    Therefore, I undertook reading the Sri Sai Sathcharitra for 7 days with a prayer that my book is accepted for publication. Simply put, while my first attempt at reading was sincere, it was also an amateurish attempt as my mind was constantly restless and I wanted everything to be completed on time, which meant that there were Chapters that I rushed through.

    After reading Sri Sai Satcharitra in 7 days, the outcome was that I published three books at one go! That is Shri Sainath's Kripa!

    But still, when I began reading the Sri Sai Satcharitra the first time, I was more focused on reading it correctly and ensuring the flowers, the puja and the dakshina are arranged well. Imbibing and reflecting on the teachings of the Sri Sai Satcharitra came about in subsequent readings.

    Recently, after a gap of more than 15 years, I began reading the Sri Sai Satcharitra at home. The experience has been humbling and overwhelming as I began to reflect on the miracles and the teachings in every Chapter of the book. Every time we read the Sri Sai Satcharitra, we will find the answers to several riddles and troubles that affect our life.

    After completing the last day's reading and offering prasad, we had a visitor at home. He came to meet my parents and my mother offered him the prasad, which he gratefully accepted.

    Few days later, he came home and told my parents, "The prasadam you gave was so powerful. It was a medicine for me. I was about to collapse on the day I came to your house. After having the prasadam, I felt full of divine energy and my depressed state of mind became suddenly positive. I wanted to share my experience with you."

    If this is the experience of a person who has only tasted the prasadam and not read the Sri Sai Satcharitra, imagine what the amazing divine experience and protection for the person who is reading this every day!

    As rightly written by Swami Purnamaritananda Puri in his book dedicated to his Guru - AMMA, there are many interesting pearls of wisdom related to the Guru's compassion. The title of his book is 'Unforgettable Memories':

    "The Guru alone can teach us how to turn those obstacles into stepping stones. For the disciple who has renounced the world and taken refuge at the Guru's feet, there is nothing like an 'obstacle.' All experiences become aids to spiritual growth."

    When we listen to the miracles and teachings of Shri Sainath, our hearts are cleansed and there is no space for negative thoughts. Only divine feelings remain.

    We learn to let go of the egoistic feeling of "I" and "My" - which are the major stumbling blocks to our own happiness.

    The life of Sainath teaches us to be simple, sincere and loving in our actions.

    Our Lord Sainath does not hesitate to put his hand into the fire to save a child from falling into the fire. The power of the Guru's grace is that He protects His devotees like a mother protects her child. Have faith in the Guru, in the rememberance of Lord Sai's name. Bow to Shri Sai, Peace be to all.

    Most importantly, we can experience peace of mind and spiritual transformation through regular reading of the Sri Satcharitra.

    Bow to Shri Sai, Peace be to all.

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