Why is the telling and listening of Sai Baba's stories so significant, and what is Baba's own involvement in this process?

The significance of telling and listening to Sai Baba's stories is a central theme in Chapter 36 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra. The text explains that these stories are not mere tales but are the "very water of self-bliss" that remove worldly misery and bring happiness, purifying the ears of the listeners and the mouths of the speakers. Sai Baba's involvement is direct and profound; it is said that he loves his own stories very much. Chapter 36 clarifies that he uses the listener and speaker as a "mere pretext" to provide memories of his life and deeds, thereby fulfilling the desires of his devotees. In this way, the playful Sai himself takes over and orchestrates the narration, ensuring his qualities and teachings are heard by those who seek him.