What is the significance of performing Parayans and Saptahs, and what kinds of texts are used for them?

The practice of performing Parayans (recitations) and Saptahs (week-long recitations) is an ancient tradition dating back to the Vedic era. As detailed in Chapter 0, these are considered a form of the highest Guru service, which can be salvation-granting. Devotees perform Parayans of great Sanskrit works like the Vedas, Bhagavata, and Ramayana, as well as revered Marathi works such as Shri Dnyaneshwari and Shri Dasbodh. These can be purely spiritual knowledge texts or detailed Guru biographies, and studying them is a way to serve the Guru and achieve spiritual goals.