What was the significance of devotees bringing books to Sai Baba in Shirdi?

Devotees brought books to Sai Baba because they believed that if he touched a book, it would be blessed, and reading it afterward would lead to the acquisition of merit and supreme welfare. As described in Chapter 27, devotees would bring various sacred texts, such as the Five-Jeweled Gita, Santaleelamrut, or pictures of the ten avatars. They would give the book into Baba's hands with the hope of receiving it back as a consecrated 'prasad' or blessing, which they felt would deepen their spiritual practice and understanding.