The Purpose behind getting the life stories and teachings of the great sages and saints written by their chosen devotees and the philosophical significance. 

In this chapter, a detailed explanation about the purpose of documenting the teachings and leelas’ of the sages, saints and the divine incarnations has been explained by Sai Baba through various anecdotes.

Sant Jnaneshwar Maharaj, the incarnation of Lord Shree Krishna himself, has stated that the Lord loves those who write about the lives of the saints. The saints themselves have a unique method of getting their teachings and life stories written through their chosen devotees. Even the devotees long for the devotion of The Lord and to accomplish His purpose in life. The saints inspire the work, and the devotees are only an instrument in the hands of the divine for serving their purpose.

  1. For instance, In the 17th century, Mahipati – the Hagiographer wrote the biographies of the prominent Hindu Vaishnava Saints – Jnaneshwar Maharaj, Tukaram, Namdev, and Bahina Bai. He wrote four biographies viz Bhakta Vijaya, Santa Vijaya, Bhakta Leelamrut, Santa Leelamrut and Jnaneshwari. 
  2. In the 18th century, Das Ganu’s service was accepted – He wrote Bhakta Leelamrut and Santa Kathamrut, in which the lives of modern saints are described. In chapters 31, 32, 33 of Bhakta Leelamrut and in chapter 57 of Santa Kathamrut, the divine glories and sweet life stories and teachings of Saibaba has been well depicted. They have been published in the Sai Leela Magazine – 11 and 12, Volume 17.
  3. Similarly, Sai Baba’s wonderous Leela’s are described in a small book named – ‘Shri Sainath Bhajan Mala’ written by Mrs Savithri Raghunath Tendulkar of Bandra, in the form of Padas, Poems and Abhangas. She is none other than my KrsnaGuruji’s great grandmother.
  4. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was written by his devotee Mahendranath Gupta, also known as ‘M’ in the 19th century. This Gospel describes the final days of the Great Saint.
  5. Likewise, Krishna Dvaipayana, also known as Vyasadev or Veda Vyas, classified the Vedas. He is none other than Lord Shree Krishna Himself who manifested to get the life, teachings, incarnations, and leelas’ of Lord Shree Krishna written by ‘Ganesha’ known as ‘Shrimad Bhagavad.’

The philosophical significance of writing the scripture – The question might arise when so many books regarding Sai Baba are extant, why should this ‘Sai SatCharita’ be written? The life of Sai Baba or any of the great saints is like the infinite ocean whose breadth and depth cannot be measured. Everyone can dive deep into the ocean and take out the precious gems of knowledge (jnana) and devotion (bhakti). The life stories and teachings of these great saints are full of profound truth. They will bring happiness and peace to the people who are afflicted with sufferings and miseries from their material worldly existence. Through the teachings, the saints bestow knowledge and wisdom both in the material and spiritual domains. These divine beings or the ‘Gurus,’ through their leelas’ remove the materially worldly imperfections and perfect the spiritual knowledge of every aspirant, disciple and devotee. Saibaba put the people on the path of ‘Righteousness’ (Dharma) while helping them unravel their true ‘Purpose of Life’ (Swadharma).

With the Grace of my KrsnaGuruji, I have been able to pen this most wonderful story from Sai SatCharita in a string of words. Thank you for reading, and do watch out for my next blog about “The naming of the Author.”