Saturday, May 30, 2009

Sai SatCharitra Parayan or Parayanam


Aum Sai Ram,


There are many questions regarding the reading or Parayan of Shri Sai SatCharitra. First let us take a look at What is Parayanam and why Sai SatCharitra Parayan?

Parayan is reading of a sacred or holy book in a set number of days. Mostly Sapthah (completing the reading of book in a week) is done. More or less period of time can also be devoted.

Normally books are source of information. When ever we need any information, books has been and is a very reliable source. Though today another alternative internet is also used much for gathering or obtaining information. Websites and blogs are also in the list to obtain any information we need.


There are certain sacred books or holy books which have a totally different quality. These holy or sacred books are not just information providing books. These books have a quality of grace in them. You might read two post already on this subject about Sai SatCharitra and Gospel of Ramakrishna on this blog for the same. These sacred books awakens the spiritual consciousness within us or what is called chaitanya shakti in Sanskrit or Hindi. That is the reason this books have to reread again and again. If we talk about Sai SatCharitra. Every time we read the book is like spending time with Sai Baba or Sai Baba's divine love and grace. So let's keep this in mind and make it a love affair or devotional affair with Sai Baba, rather than getting the sense of heaviness or duty. Words are like heaviness and duty are purposely used as lot of devotees gets themselves burdened for parayan of Sai SatCharitra. It's ironic to make this topic a burden while it is there for removing the burden.

Mostly Sai SatCharitra parayan is done to get free from troubles. Once we have taken this human body, problems, troubles and trials are inevitable. Even Sai Baba, went thorugh troubles and goes through troubles, who is well known for removing troubles and burdens. So mostly when people find themselves in some sort of problem or trouble, when some kind of insecurity gets hold on to them. They read Sai SatCharitra or some devotee recommends the parayan of Shri SaiSatCharitra to get free. So many devotees has found that this remedy works. Just give your problems to Sai Baba and to the parayan of Sai SatCharitra. Suppose some problem is getting on your head and heart. It troubles a lot. Just start a parayan of Shri Sai SatCharitra, surrender your problem to Sai Baba (Do follow this link on left side). Just give your problem to Sai Bab or divine ,and don't suggest a solution from your side. Sai Baba or divine grace knows more about the problem and it's solution. Our solution may not be the right one. So leave it to the divine intelligence rather than using our own limited intelligence, which is in trouble any way. And how can a troubled mind have a right answer or solution to a problem?

Now it is a common fact that we human do not like to go through agony, insecurities, disturbances. So in adverse condition, to seek the freedom from all of the above things we seek refuge in Sai SatCharitra parayan.

Should we forget the parayan of sacred book or holy book, once we are free form the problem? As stated above Sai SatCharitra is one of the few rare books on earth that has the quality of divine grace. When read again and again it gives new meanings of life and devotion. Our spiritual understanding reveals itself when read again and again.

While we read this book certain words and messages penetrate our mind and heart. That particular message is what we need most at this stage. Many devotees unaware of the quality of the sacred book and getting overwhelmed by the needed message underline those messages. This is a mistake. We are in procces of evolution of understanding. So do not underline sacred or holy books. After a year there will be new messages which you don't notice now, but will have much significance at that time. So leave the book as it is, the divine grace underlines the needed message at different times and different points of life.

So it should be done on regular basis. Even reading of Sai SatCharitra's one chapter a day (parayan in 51 days) should at least be done. As we read it, the love towards the book increases. Then the grace from the book itself acts as a magnet and we read it and enjoy the company of the book.

Also when everything seems to right in our life. There is joy and festivity. In this time we should read the Sai SatCharitra and share and surrender our joys to Baba's grace. We should seek freedom from these enjoyments as we seek freedom from the pains. Because the divine joy is beyond both the worldly joy, joy of senses and worldly pain, pain of senses and mind. And seek for the divine Bliss.

I have been getting many mails asking questions about Sai SatCharitra parayan.

Few of them are stated below

please tell me the correct procedure of doing parayans and after its completion can we start again if yes then how much time duration required for next start?

Do we need to fast during the Sai SatCharitra parayan?

Can I read Sai SatCharitra in office ?

Should Sai SatCharitra parayan be done in temple or in front of Sai Baba's image or picture?

Which are the auspicious days and or times we should read Sai SatCharitra?

For procedure of Sai satcharitra first reading about Sai SatCharitra and ways of worshiping Sai Baba will be of much help.

Basically there is no super highway or one correct procedure for the prayan of Sai SatCharitra. If we consider it as time spent with Sai Baba and we are reading it for the divine love. Divine love does not have any procedure. Do a mother asks a procedure to love her child? Do a lover asks a procedure for spending the time with beloved? No love itself guides. So let the love guide.

Below however are some points that may be helpful in beginning, as love develops those things might fall away on their own.

1. Since the book is sacred and should be considered as Sai Baba himself. We can worship Baba and the book (Sai SatCharitra) before starting the parayan. Light the oil lamps and aggarbatti (incense stick) Ask for the divine love and grace to remove the obstacles.

2. Reading the book at the place of worship. In the temple. In Shirdi prayan hall, is better as the divine vibrations in that places gives additional force. But these opportunities have to grabbed when we have them. Otherwise reading the book wherever we are also has great significance.

3. Fasting during the parayan. In Sai SatCharitra Sai Baba himself never suggested to fast(remaining hungry or eating specific food like fruits and faral) . If the hunger of stomach is knocking on the doors of mind, how can we put our awareness on divine energy. The Sanskrit word for fast is upvaas. If we look for the meaning or explanation of upvaas, it consists of two words. Up (pronounced oop) meaning near and vaas meaning staying or residing. So when one is near God or divine or one stays near the God or divine grace, it means upvaas. So reading of Sai SatCharitra itself is upvaas. When one is in deep love or even deep pain (eg when some close relative or loved one dies) there is no apptitude for food. One does not feel like eating. So if we are looking for upvaas or fasting let it be through deep love. Let us pray for the divine love so deep that thought for eating food does not come to our mind for long periods of time. In chapter 32 of Shri Sai SatCharitra Sai Baba himself describes this state.
"All my sense-organs, including the mind, had left their places and and come to stay in my eyes alone, for the purpose of meditating on Guru."

"When thus meditating on the form of Guru, the working of the intellect ceases. Therefore ultimately, only make an obeisance to Him, observing speechless silence."
So this is the state of upvaas. Not just the hunger but all sense-organs with the help of grace leave their places. Even the most subtle sense organ the mind is stunned and ceases to the bliss of divine presence. It is a state that can never be described. We have to reach that state of speechless silence. And prayans of Sai SatCharitra and asking for Sai Baba's grace for that Sat Chit Anand will certainly help.

About remaining hungry and not real upvaas in the same chapter 34 of Shri Sai SatCharitra it says.
" If the bodily organs do not receive morsels of food they become enfeebled and forget to function efficiently."

"Unless the hunger is appeased with food, how can the eyes find God? How can the tongue sing His praises? And the ears hear them?"

" In Short, only when all the bodily organs have the strength can God be worshiped properly. But when they become emaciated for the want of food, they cannot progress towards the spiritual goal."


And soon a warning follows


" But eating in excess is not beneficial, either.Eating in moderation is what benefits truly. Fasting immoderately always brings on great sufferings."
There are certain days on which the spiritual activities gets a great wind. So auspicious days suggested in Hinuism like RamNavmi, Gurupoornima, Dassera, Shivratri and such should be spent in as much reading as we can. Also early morning hours (sunrise time) and evening (sunset time) are more ideal. But that does not mean we should wait for these days and times. Like a true lover anytime is best to be with the beloved.

After the parayan is complete Aarti of Sai Baba is done. The prasad is distributed. Many a times poor and hungry or hungry animals are fed which so dear to Sai Baba.

Any question left out. Kindly put your questions in the comments of this post.

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64 comments:

Unknown said...

Within How Many days we need to complete it

sai devotee said...

i know this is wierd but is it alright to continue reading during periods for females.
i dont feel like discontinuing during periods out of immense peace it gives me. no offence meant.

Sai is infinite love said...

This is a pure message.I like this.Thank you for sharing.The power of Sai that flows through this book is beyond words.I love Sai Baba

Anonymous said...

thank you for this information..i enjoy the peace and joy i get from reading sai satcharit...is it ok if i read it while going in the bus to my college?

Alpesh Patel said...

Yes its perfectly ok to read Sai SatCharitra while going in bus to the college or wherever. I carry it with many a times. Even holding this books gives me very good and strong vibrations (grace) from it.

It's better to read Sai SatCharitra or do the naamsmaran rather than doing something else, with our daily activity like traveling, or cooking, or resting.

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram Anonymous,

Read last four lines of the post for the answer to your query.

Anonymous said...

Can we go ahead with the parayan even during menstrual cyle?

Anonymous said...

pls enlighten me ,i want to read sai satcharitra 3times cotinuously do i start the second saptha the same day i finish one saptha or do i have to start it the next day .pls also tell if i can read start reading it any day or do we have to startreading it on thursday or friday & end it on thursday or friday

Alpesh Patel said...

Second saptha of Sai Satchartira parayan can be started on same day you finish the previous one, after performing the aarti. usually it is started on following day and not the same day we finish parayan.

Normally devotees chose Thursday as starting day, but as suggested in the post, we should not wait the for the Thursday if we feel like or pulled towards reading or start reading any other day than Thursday. Also if we complete one payrayan on any other day then Wednesday, it would be better if we start from the very next day, rather than waiting for Thursday.

The word saptah means week (7 days) so if you are doing saptah, let it start from Thursday and finish on Wednesday.

Om Sai Ram.

Unknown said...

om sai ram.........
i am going to start prayan today.wish to seek baba's blessing.pray for me alpesh sir.i need baba's blessing.

OM SAI RAM........

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram Kumud,

Sai SatCharitra is oozing with Baba's grace. Just read it with love and gratitude. Baba's grace and love will be with you.

Anonymous said...

I have nobody in my house to perform Baba's pooja hence being thursday even though i had my menses i performed the same . Pls advice if it is ok to do so ? OR we should not do so as no where i have read in Baba's book anything related to this.

Your advice would be helpfull

Anonymous said...

om sai ram,

I am married and i am praying for a child do let me know if there is any specific adhyayam to read for it.

thank you

Anonymous said...

Can i start saptaha parayan from any day of the week ...

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram,

Performing pooja in home temple, during menses has not been suggested by Rishis and Sages since centuries. So it is better not to do that. What we can do is remember his name with love all the time during that time and always.

I do not know about specific adhyayam or chapter for those seeking child. What is required is reading the sacred book with love and ask for His grace for a child. Many childless couples have been blessed with a child, by praying to Sai Baba from the depth of heart.

Yes saptaha can be started any day if the heart wants to start the saptah on any day, why sould we wait for Thursday?

Anonymous said...

i am in the middle of sai satcharitra parayana and i have menstrual period can i continue reading the chapters from where i left it after my periods or can i do sai satcharitra parayana online reading while menstrual peiods with out touching the book?

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram,
i would suggest that you continue chapters from where you were after the periods are over. During that period you can continue with Chanting Sai Baba Name – Naamsmaran

Anonymous said...

Om Sri Sai Ram,
I am starting to read this book today...I started it earlier but discontinued due to some personal reasons...Hopefully Baba will forgive all my sins and for discontinuing...I am reading this book for my sister...

Anonymous said...

i do sai manokamana vatra and also done saisatcharitra.the reading was discontinued becoz of some reasons.may my dear god my sai wil forgive my fault in both doings,i did manokamana 9 vatra of sai successfully.also finished reading on dussera.please bless my family om sai.please raise ur hands as u know what i want.help me god.om sai ram

Anonymous said...

I am willing to do Shri. Sat Sai Charithra Parayanam in Shirdi i.e. 7 days Parayanam can you please suggest the procedure to be followed.

With Regards,

N.Y.Kanti

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram N. Y. Kanti,

Shirdi Sai Sansthan has built a parayan Hall. You can got there daily. Light an incense stick and do Parayan.
There is another way which the writer prefers and have been doing with every Shirdi visit. After 11 p.m. you can go to Dwarkamai, in the outer courtyard you can do parayan. May be attend Kakad Aarti in early morning.

Anonymous said...

sairam!!
alpesh garu i want to do sai satcharitra parayana. can we have non-veg during that period??

please help me b'coz i need to taste it while cooking for my husband

Anonymous said...

Om Sairam
i have been devotting Shirdi Saibaba from last couple of days,but i don't have his photo. I am in UK,is there any chance that i could get his photo and udi??
It will be really great if i could get that.
Thanks.

meena dhanda said...

hi

I have a doubt, is sai satcharitra snd guru charitra one and the same plz guide me.....I purchased Guru Charitra.....

Thanks in advance

Meena

Alpesh Patel said...

Guru Charitra and Sai SatCharitra are different.

Om Sai Ram

Anonymous said...

om sai ram...baba i want to read sai satcharitra in 2 days...please be wid me...baba aap tho jab jante ho na ki meri shadi hai or mein physicaly thik nai hu...baba please aapna hath mujhpar bnaye rakhna..baba hum shadi ke baad shirdi jarur aaynge agar aapne bulaya or agar meri shadi ho gye...baba please i want ki shadi ho bus aapka aashirwad chaiye...baba forgive me...i promise i always read sai satcharitra every month...

Anonymous said...

om sai ram , one of my friends suggested me to read this book and i downloaded the hard copy of it from the net . now i want to start reading it from thursday , so what i want to know is , is it ok if i read this book anytime in the evening or there shd be fixed time daily and one more thing do i have to do aarti daily after completing vishram. every single day iam supposed to read it until vishram right, pls reply pls.

sandhya said...

Om sai ram,sir actually i got a dream that some one gave me baba parayanam book to me to complete , some one is distibuting the book and in my dream i thought that it will be tough for me to complete it but ok i will do it i said...Then later i thought of doing parayanam and have started sai baba nithya parayanam ...On the first day after completing 1st day parayanam i got menses later i contunied the parayanam as in the book they said that we can read the book but do not perform puja during menses but i did both unknowingly .....I performed parayanam to make my wish come true ,Will my wish come true sir ??? Will baba fulfill my wish or not?? BABA i am where much afraid about this, without ur permission no one cannot do anything so i hope u will fulfill my wish my god ..please forgive me my god my baba for the mistake.......

Anonymous said...

i was thinking of doing 7 day parayan coz of problem in my life... but didnot have book but on thursday somehow while browsing net i downloaded the sai satcharitra book, and i started reading it but that day i was having my menses, i read 7 chap but didnot perform any rituals... on next day my periods got over but i continued reading book without performing ritual.. now m thinking of completing the book in 7 day as have already read 17 chap... will it be called as a parayan... or should i stop reading it and start from beginning... reading book while in meanses is not allowed or allowed coz i didnot touch the book as i have the soft copy....

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram,

It is better to have a book. You can ask for a hard copy book in the language of your choice for free, please see Free Sai SatCharitra

Better start reading a hard copy from beginning, till than you can continue reading soft copy. Parayans are best with the book in the hands.

Unknown said...

can i finish the sai satcharitra in oneday? ( I mean can start and finish it on the same day?)

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram Ushaji,

Yes, we can finish reading Sai SatCharitra in 1 day. There are many readers who do this. The writer has been able to do that number of times with Baba's grace!

Anonymous said...

I am doing saibaba parayanam for a week. And, I got my periods on the last day (thursday). I was planning on going to baba temple and distributing prasadam..etc but now I don't know what to do. Is it ok to go or just send someone instead of me? plz tell me. my bad luck

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram,

Why should you consider bad luck after completing parayan for a week.

Just follow your heart. If you wish to send someone to Baba temple and distribute prasad etc. It's ok. Later on you can visit temple and maybe attend Sai Baba Arati. Or when ever you get ready you yourself visit temple, attend Arati and distribute Prasdam etc.

purnima said...

can we pray, or go to baba mandir or read Sai SatCharitra during periods

Anonymous said...

can i go to baba mandir during periods

Anonymous said...

can read sat sai charitra during periods and pray to baba. i am great trouble in family life what should i do

sowmya said...

OM SAIRAM,
SINCE I AM WORKING I FIND IT BIT TOUGH TO COMPLETE PARAYAN IN 7 DAYS CAN I START DOING FOR 2 WEEKS INSTEAD OF 1 WEEK?

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram Sowmya,
Yes, you can select any number of days to complete Sai SatCharitra, depending upon the intensity within you.

Anonymous said...

Om Sai Ram,

I have marital problems, my husband has some other lady in his life and does not want to leave her. Please let me know what to do? And help me and my family.

Anonymous said...

i was not able to complete baba parayanam in 7 days

Alpesh Patel said...

@Anonymous,

Om Sai Ram,

Then continue reading and complete it with love and devotion towards Baba. Love and devotion is more important than the counting of the days.

anjilachandra said...

om sai rram
I am really have this feelings to read the sai satcharitra and managed to download from the sai babas grace
all i wish that get the devine love and blessing fromm baba and guide me if i am doing anything wrong

karu said...

Baba, Please show grace on me as we are trying for KIds from couple of years.

Anonymous said...

Om Sai Ram! Can we read Sai charithra if someone in the family passes away. I meant during the 12 day period.

Anonymous said...

completed the satcharitra parayana today by the grace of Saibaba! Please let my prayers reach you without delay and my brother gets his life in order and God give him strength and stability. Will bring him and his family to Shirdi( God give him a child soon. Thank u Om Sai Ram

Anonymous said...

hi,
i am not getting a job from 2 years i dont know what to do .
i completed parayan also but i got a job in a fake company and i am not sure how long i will work in cmpany.
i beleive baba will help me but why soooo late to bless me
i should do something more

Anonymous said...

OM SAI RAM,

SRI SAI SATCHARITHRA PARAYAN STARTED I AM COMPLETED 3 TIME

swathi darmasagaram said...

Hello evryone
OM SAI RAM..
am writing this post to thank BABA for giving such a wonderful year.. i completed parayanam of sri sai leela amrutham ( telugu sri sai charitra by Sri Bharadwaj ) 11 times , it has given me immense peace and it made me even closer to baba his almighty.. I did parayana of sai charithra to ask forgiveness for the mistake i did and to remove all the misunderstanding between my loved one and me and to do our marraige with everyone's acceptance.. Hope baba will listen to my prayer and give me the most wonderful gift of my life..
I was blessed by baba after parayana.. i got to see wonderful mesmerizing almighty baba in my dream and he warned me and also consoled me..Thank you baba for your blessing on me..
Baba has protected me and guided me through out my life .. even for the minute things of ma day to day life i will say baba please and try to ask for his almighty's guidance ..I want to thank baba for saving me from a major accident 3 days back..

Thank you baba and always protect and guide us all..

Wishing everyone a very Happy New year..

OM SAI RAM

Anonymous said...

One of my friend started reading parayanam in telugu today but he is not able to read it properly in telugu, so can he read the book in english from where he has stopped today for tomorrow onwards and complete the entire book reading in english?

NEERAJ VISHEN said...

Om Sai Ram
Today is the first day when i have started by fast on thrusday and try to start Sai SatCharitra(if i got todaY) . I have great respect and trust on SAI BABA .

Aplesh you are doing great job dude....
Sai Baba Bless You :)

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai,

Thanks Neeraj, It all happens due to Baba's grace. i am just an instrument.

Anonymous said...

Om sai Ram
I started reading Sai satcharitre from Thursday i.e (29th march 2012).
Unexpectedly i got my periods today.
I got scared really is it something like Baba doesn't want me to read his book?
and i want to continue reading after periods.Should i start it from fresh or continue it from where i left?

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai Ram,
You can continue from where it is.

Jayaram said...

Hi Patel ji,
This is Ram. After smoking can we attend for aarati? If we dont have time to do bath?

Alpesh Patel said...

Om Sai,

I don't think you need to take a bath after smoking. You can attend arati, do naamsmaran or do worship or do pranayam after smoking.

Anonymous said...

Can satcharitra be read when any family member is dead ?

Alpesh Patel said...

@Anonymous : It depends upon the individual. Look into your conscience, if you feel attracted towards it and it feels good, you may read.

snigdha said...

I am reading satcharitra for the first time this thursday(30th), hope baba will forgive if any mistakes and give his blessings!!! Om Sairam!!!

Unknown said...

Completed Sai Satcharitra today by the Grace and Ashirwaad of Saibaba. Please listen to my prayers.

Unknown said...

Completed the Sai Satcharitra today by the Grace and Ashirwaad of Saibaba. Please listen to my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Jai Sairam, can I start reading Sai Satcharitra anyday of the week? or do I have to start on a Thursday? jaisairam thank you

Anonymous said...

Hello sir, i started parayana on thursday and completed 16 chapters... its my 14th day cycle and spotting has started which could be due to stress or strain while doing aasana's.. but i am not sure.. i want to know if i should continue or restart after this mess again... pls reply..

Unknown said...

Jai sai ram
I had done many times saptha prayan but my wish is not completed what should I have to do next pls suggest me I m in big trouble I don't have much time pls pls help me

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