What is the primary purpose of the first chapter of Shri Sai Satcharitra?

The first chapter of Shri Sai Satcharitra, titled "Mangalacharan," serves as a series of auspicious invocations. As detailed in Chapter 1, the author follows the traditional practice of bowing to various deities at the start of a task to ensure its obstacle-free completion. The chapter begins with salutations to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, the Guru, the family deity, and ultimately, Sadguru Sainath. The explicit purpose mentioned is the removal of all obstacles and the fulfillment of the desired goal, which in this case is the successful writing of the Satcharitra.