What are some established methods for fostering devotion and community around a spiritual teacher like Sai Baba, based on historical examples?

One significant way to build a community and foster devotion is through the creation and study of detailed biographical texts. As mentioned in Chapter 0, a Sadguru can accept service from devotees through books in two ways: either by creating great works themselves or by having their biographies written by devotees. These biographies can then be used for study and devotional readings, known as Parayans or Saptahs. This practice not only serves the Guru but also helps other devotees achieve the purpose of their lives, creating a shared spiritual practice. The text highlights that such detailed, poetic biographies are crucial for this purpose, as shorter works are less suitable for extensive devotional readings.