What is a 'Parayan' and how does performing one serve both the individual and the wider community of devotees?

As explained in Chapter 0, a Parayan, or Saptah, is the devotional reading and study of a detailed poetic Guru biography. When a devotee engages in this practice with a work like the Shri Sai Satcharita, they are performing a direct form of Guru service. This act helps the individual devotee achieve the purpose of their life. Simultaneously, it benefits the community, as the text states that when other devotees also study and perform Parayans, the writer of the biography gains the merit of serving God in humanity (Jan-Janardan) and public service, thus strengthening the entire congregation.