Smt. Zarine, the author of this remarkable translation, has entrusted that Sri Sainath’s devotees will make use of this Book for their daily prayers — and inspire their families to do likewise. This sacred work arrives at a time of an unprecedented upsurge of devotion to Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, a wave of love and faith that is quietly sweeping across the entire world. [Preface by Author, 30th October, 2003.]

The Shree Sai Samartha SatCharita (SSSS) stands as a labour of devotion, scholarship, and grace — a living bridge between the timeless wisdom enshrined in Marathi verse and the hearts of seekers who read and pray in English.

The Original Work and Its Early English Versions

• The Marathi Original: The foundational text was composed in Marathi by Govind Raghunath Dabholkar, lovingly known as Hemadpant. Written in the classical ovi (verse) metre, this monumental work spans 53 chapters and contains over 9,000 verses. It is universally regarded by devotees as the “Gita for Sai devotees” — a scripture that captures Baba’s life, teachings, miracles, and the very essence of surrender and faith.
• N.V. Gunaji’s Adaptation: Among the earliest English renderings, N.V. Gunaji’s widely circulated book serves as an adaptation from the Marathi original. While not a word-for-word translation, it opened the doors of the Satcharita to English-speaking devotees across the world and remains a cherished reference to this day.
• Smt. Zarine’s Word-for-Word Translation: This specific edition of the Satcharita is a precise, Word to Word English translation by Smt. Zarine. Her approach was one of deep personal immersion: despite not knowing Marathi herself, she was lovingly guided by teachers — Mrs. Mohini Varde and Mrs. Usha Tembe — who helped her absorb the spirit and nuance of each verse before rendering it into English. The result is a translation that honours the original text’s devotional depth while making it fully accessible to all.
• A Collaborative and Scholarly Effort: Zarine’s translation was never a solitary undertaking. She drew upon the wisdom of Sanskrit scholars such as Dr. Moreshwar Paradkar, who assisted with difficult passages, and incorporated the works of devoted scholars including the Marathi prose version by Lt. Col. M.B. Nimbalkar. With his kind permission, the Chronological Index of Baba and His Devotees’ Events has also been reproduced in this Book — a priceless reference for any serious student of Sai Baba’s life.

The Role of Spiritual Guidance in Translation

• Gurudev Sivanesan Swamiji’s Vision: The entire translation effort was set in motion by the grace and vision of Gurudev Sivanesan Swamiji. He saw clearly that for Shirdi Sai Baba’s universal message to truly reach every corner of India and the world, the sacred Satcharita must speak in the languages that people live and pray in. His blessings and direction gave this work its divine sanction and purpose — not merely a literary project, but in his vision, a vehicle for Baba’s grace to flow into the homes and hearts of devotees everywhere.

Purpose and Impact of These Translations

The deepest purpose of these translations is the spiritual upliftment of every devotee who might otherwise be separated from Baba’s teachings by the barrier of language. By rendering the Sri Sainath Stavanamanjari, the Satcharita, and related sacred texts into English, these devoted translators have made available a ‘treasure trove of joy’ — a means by which seekers may ‘cross the ocean of existence’ with Baba’s name on their lips and His wisdom in their hearts.

Today, the Shree Sai Samartha SatCharita (SSSS) is used by devotees in daily puja and prayer, in group parayan (recitation), and as a companion for personal reflection. It carries within its pages not just the story of a saint, but the living presence of Sai Baba Himself — who promised: ‘Whoever reads my Leelas with faith and devotion, I shall be ever with them.’ May this Book be a light on your path.