Shri Sai Satcharitra in Englis

English translation of original Marathi Shri Sai Satcharita by Hemadpant

Shri Sai Satcharita (श्री साई सत्चरित्र) is a biography based on the true-life stories of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Authored by Shri. Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant, the original edition of the Sai Satcharitra was published in Marathi on 26 November 1930. A subsequent English edition was soon published in 1944, by Shri. Nagash Devastate (N.V.) Gunaji, translated from the original Marathi composition.

In 1910, when Hemadpant (also known as Late. Govindrao (Annasaheb) Raghunath Dabholkar) came to Shirdi, he observed a miracle by Sai Baba in which baba had prevented the raging cholera epidemic from entering Shirdi by grinding wheat on a grindstone and dispersing them around the borders of the Shirdi village.

Witnessing this event is believed to have inspired Hemadpant to document the leela's of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Hemadpant soon sought the help of "Madhavrao Deshpande" alias Shama who advocated his cause before Sri Sai Baba himself. In 1916, Sai Baba gave his consent, stating,

"You have my full consent to write my life history. Take notes and keep them. If my leelas are recorded, sins committed through ignorance will be dissolved. When my leelas are heard and/or read with love and devotion, the cares and troubles of worldly life will be forgotten."

This event, mentioned in the second chapter of Sri Sai Satcharita, marked the beginning of the Sai Satcharita. Hemadpant wrote the Sai Satcharita at his residence called Sai Niwas in Bandra, Mumbai. Sai Niwas is more than 100 years old today and still carry forward the tradition of Sai Bhakti (Sai Devotion) for numerous Sai devotees across the world. Shri Sai Satcharitra also mentions about Sai Niwas (Chapter 40: Attending Mrs.Deo's Udyapan Ceremony as a Sannyasi with two Others (Trio) and Hemadpant's House in the Form of His Picture) where this divine holy book was written. Sai Satcharita consists of 9450 verses spread over 52 Chapters.

Hemadpant is believed to have begun writing the Sri Sai Satcharita in 1922. He died after finishing the 51st Chapter in 1929. The desk on which Hemadpant wrote the manuscript of the Sai Satcharita is well preserved and is placed in the same room in Sai Niwas on which he sat and wrote the Sai Satcharita. Besides the desk, other memorable, such as Hemadpant’s turban, etc. have also been well preserved.

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