What does the author of Sai Satcharitra say about the role of the Sadguru and one's past merits in Chapter 1?

In the invocations of Chapter 1, the author addresses Sai Nath as the Sadguru and uses a powerful metaphor to describe his role. The text states, 'You alone are our Sadguru, the boat for the river of worldly existence; we are the passengers, show us the other shore.' This illustrates the Guru's function as a guide who helps devotees navigate the challenges of life. The chapter also touches upon the concept of past merits, or karma, by expressing a firm belief that attaining the Guru's feet is not a matter of chance. The author reflects, 'Without some merit from past lives, how could we have attained these feet? This is our firm belief,' suggesting that being with a Sadguru is a result of positive actions from previous lives.