Are the practices of Parayan and Saptah recent traditions?

No, the preface clarifies that these practices are not recent at all. The tradition of performing Parayans (hundreds of readings) and Saptahs (weekly recitations) is described as being very ancient, dating all the way back to the Vedic era. As mentioned in Chapter 0, it is a common custom for great Sanskrit works like the Vedas and Ramayana, as well as Marathi works like the Shri Dnyaneshwari. This long-standing tradition is considered a form of the highest, salvation-granting Guru service.