What is the historical context and significance of performing Parayans and Saptahs, and what types of texts are typically used for these practices?

The practice of performing Parayans (devotional readings) and Saptahs (week-long recitations) is described as very ancient, with roots stretching back to the Vedic era. As mentioned in Chapter 0, these devotional readings are a common and ongoing tradition for great Sanskrit works like the Vedas, Bhagavata, and Ramayana. This practice also extends to revered Marathi works such as Shri Dnyaneshwari and Shri Nath Bhagavata. The author notes that these specific examples are knowledge texts, but also states that detailed poetic biographies of a Guru are most suitable for Parayans and Saptahs, highlighting the importance of this practice in devotional life.