SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
The Glory, the Importance and the Life-transforming Power of Holy Company and Spiritual Books.
By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
Sri Swami Sivananda Founder of The Divine Life Society
SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE
So Says
Sri Swami Sivananda
A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION
First Edition: 1965
Sixteenth Edition: 1996 (3,000 Copies)
World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000
WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/
This WWW reprint is for free distribution
© The Divine Life Trust Society
ISBN 81-7052-125-4
P.O.
Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
SHIVANANDANAGAR 249 192 Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, India.
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
Thisbookoffers,betweenthecoversofonevolume,thevariedwritingsofH.H.SriSwami SivanandajiMaharajonthesubjectofSatsangaorholycompanyandtherelatedtopicof Svadhyaya or daily study of sacred literature.
Thesecondpartofthebookthrowsmorelightonthesubject.ThereinSwamiChidanandaji Maharajanalysesindetailthesubtleconnectionandthesubtledistinctionbetweenthecompanyof aholymanandthecompanyoftheGuruandpointsoutclearlythecircumstancesunderwhich Satsanga can prove most fruitful for the Sadhaka.
Itisaslightlyabstractsubject,butonewhichisvitalforallspiritualseekers.Itisoursincere hope that the pages that follow will open up a glorious new chapter in the lives of many.
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
BykeepingthecompanyofgreatMahatmas,onebecomesdispassionate.HegetsVairagya. Hedoesnotlikethecompanyofworldlymen.ThenhedevelopsthestateofNirmohatva.He becomesfreefrominfatuationordelusion.Thenhismindbecomessteadyandone-pointedand rests on the Svarupa or Essence. Then he attains liberation or freedom.
From the “Bhaja Govinda Stotram” of Sri Adi Sankaracharya
satsaügatveniþsaügatvaü niþsaügatvenirmohatvam| nirmohatveni÷calatattvaü ni÷calatatvejãvanmuktiþ||
iii
kastaratikastaratimàyàm?yaþsaügaütyajatiyo mahànubhàvaüsevate,nirmamobhavati||
Whocrosses,whoovercomesthisMaya?Onlyhewhoabandonsevilcompany,who associates with large-hearted men and who is free from “mine-ness”.
mahatsaïgastudurlabho.agamyo.amogha÷ca||
Companionshipofthegreatonesisagaindifficultofattainment.Itishardlypossibleto assignhowandwhenmenmaybetakenintothesocietyofthegreat.Butonceobtained,association with the great ones is infallible in its operation.
labhyate.apitatkçpayaiva||
Companionship of the great ones is gained by the grace of God alone.
From the “Bhakti Sutras” of Maharshi Narada
? ,
iv
binusatsaügavivekanahoã| ràmakçpàbinusulabhanasoã||
Theintuitionofwisdomorthepowerofdiscriminationdoesnotcomewithouthaving SatsangawhichisenjoyableorattainableonlybythosewhomLordRamachoosesoruponwhom He bestows His Grace.
satasaügatamudamaügalamålà| sañhasudharahiüsatasaügatipàã||
EventheworstroguesarechangedintovirtuousmenonlythroughtheassociationorSanga of the seers and sages, as Satsanga is itself an ever-beneficial joy-giver.
From “Sri Ramacharitamanas” of Goswami Tulasidasji
Learnwisdomfromthesaints.Theyareyoursaviours.Followtheiradvice.Theywillhelp you, guide you and lead you to your destined goal.
Turnhomeward.EnoughofyourwanderingsinthedesertofSamsara.Thereareafewoases inthisdesertandtheyarethesaints.Drinkdeepfromthemandmarchtothesource,youroriginal home.
Satsangaisthylifeboat.Discriminationisthycompass.Dispassionisthyanchor.OCaptain ofthesoul!SteerthyshipfearlesslyinthisoceanofSamsaraandcrosstotheothershoreof immortal life.
From miscellaneous writings of Swami Sivananda
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CONTENTS PUBLISHERS’ NOTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii The Meaning of Satsanga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 The Power of Satsanga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Satsanga Bhavans: The Need of the Hour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Householders and Satsanga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Who Is a Mahatma?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Svadhyaya or Pious Study of Holy Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The Disastrous Effects of Evil Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 How to Conduct Satsanga: A Talk to Sannyasins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Some Illustrative Stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 A Miscellany of Poems on Satsanga and Svadhyaya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Sannyasins and Regeneration of Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Select Sayings on Satsanga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 The Hindu Scriptures on the Glory of Satsanga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Darshan Yoga or Holy Darshan of Living Mahatmas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Sarva Deva Rishi Bhakta Kirtan Mala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 The Importance of Satsanga and Guru-bhakti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Why Svadhyaya?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 vi
THE MEANING OF SATSANGA
Theword‘Satsanga’isthecombinationofthetwowords‘Sat’and‘Sanga.’‘Sat’means existenceabsolute,whichisBrahman.‘Sat’istheessentialnatureofBrahmanwhichispermanent in things that change, which is the only reality that upholds the world of appearance.
Thesame‘Sat,’withtheaccidentalattributesofomnipresence,omniscienceand omnipotenceiscalledIsvaraorParamatman.Inbrief,‘Sat’referstoIsvaraaswellasBrahman, both ultimately being the one and the same reality.
‘Sanga’literallymeanscompanyorunion.TobealwaysinthecompanyoftheLord,orto beestablishedinBrahman,istheliteralmeaningoftheword‘Satsanga.’But,aslongasignorance orAvidyaremains,thedirectrealisationofBrahmanisimpossible.Whenignoranceisdestroyedby wisdom, the real nature reveals itself. This is the highest Satsanga.
ThenextpossibilityistopleaseGodsomuchbyourunflinchingdevotionthatHehasto sportwithusassumingagentleformaccordingtoourdesire,evenasHedidinthecaseofthe Gopis.ButthemeanstotherealisationofthisblessedendisalsocalledSatsangaorthecompanyof thewise.Themeansbeingessentiallynotdifferentfromtheend,isalsonamedaftertheend. BecausethecompanyofthewiseleadstotherealisationofBrahman(withattributesorwithout attributes),itisalsotermedasSatsanga.Inthissense,Satsangameansthecompanyofthe Satpurushas.Satpurushasarethosewhohaverealisedtruthaswellasthosewhoareaspirantsafter truth.Thosepeoplewhohaverenouncedegoism,greed,lust,etc.,areSatpurushas.Thosepeople whohaveattainedequalvision,balancedmind,unflinchingdevotiontotheLord,areSatpurushas. Thosepeoplewhoareendowedwithpeace,bliss,contentment,simplicity,fearlessness,humility, powerful voice, a face beaming with the glow of saintliness, etc., are Satpurushas.
Grace of God Alone Makes Satsanga Possible
Itisvery,verydifficulttocomeintocontactwithaSatpurushaorasaint.Itismoresoto recogniseasaint.AmanofworldlySamskaraswantstoweighthesaintlinessofasagebyhisown conceptionalbalance,andfindinghimlackinginweight,discardshimasafalsesaintandthereby hedoesnotgettheinstantaneousbenefitarisingoutofthecontactofthesage.But,eventhen,the companyofthesaintexertsaninexorableinfluenceonthepersonconcerned,whichherealises soonerorlater.BhagavanNaradasaysinhisBhaktiSutras:“Thecompanyofthegreatisvery difficult, inaccessible, but infallible.”
Companionshipofthegreatonesisdifficultofattainment.Itishardlypossibletoassign howandwhenmenmaybetakenintothesocietyofthegreat.But,onceobtained,associationwith thegreatonesisinfallibleinitsoperation.LoveofGodisobtainedprincipallyandundoubtedlyby thegraceofthegreatones,orinotherwords,fromthetouchofdivinecompassion.Companionship ofthegreatonesisgainedbythegraceofGodalone,becausethereisnodistinctionbetweenHim and His men.
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ThereisnodifferencebetweenGodandarealisedBhagavata.Bothareidentical.Asageis GodHimself.TheUpanishaddeclares:“HewhoknowsBrahmanbecomesBrahman.”Theglowof a sage is infinite and eternal as that of Brahman.
Light on the Relationship Between God and His Devotee
LordKrishnadeclaresintheGita:“ThesameamItoallbeings:toMethereisnonehateful ordear;butthosewhoworshipMewithdevotionareinMeandIamalsointhem.”Thoughtherays ofthesunfallequallyononeandall,itisthefacesofthediamondsthatdazzlemorethananything else.Thoughamanmaypossesshundredsofroomsinhishouse,hedelightsonlyinhisdrawing roomwhichiswelldecorated.Evenso,thoughGodisequallyforoneandall,Hemanifestsmore vividlyintheheartofasage,whichismadetransparentbypurity,whichisdecoratedbytherare jewels of compassion, mercy, self-control, equal vision and wisdom.
TherelationshipbetweenGodandHisdevoteehasbeendescribedinthreeways.Firstly, botharenon-different,becauseasainthasnoseparateexistenceapartfromtheLord.Thewillofthe Lordisthewillofthesage.Thereflectionofthesunhasmergedintherealsun.Thesalt-dollhas becomeonewiththeocean.Thedew-drophasslippedintotheshiningsea.TheJivahasmergedin the Lord. When the egoism has vanished, there is no difference between the Lord and the sage.
Fromanotherstandpoint,theLordisconsideredtobegreaterthanasaint,becauseasaintis buttheway.OneisnotsatisfiedwiththeDarshanofasage;heasks,“OMaharaj!Pleaseshowme thewaytoGod-realisation.HowamItoconductmyselffortheattainmentofthehighest Purusharthaorliberation?”ThisprovesthattheLordisgreaterthanthesaint.Butthisisarelative standpoint.Apersonstillinbondagemaycomeintocontactwithasage,butitisverydifficultfor himtorealisetheconsciousnessofthesagewhichisnon-differentfromtheLord.Aslongashe doesnotrealisethis,asageappearstobemerelyawaytoacertaingoal.But,inreality,heistheway as well as the goal.
Andasfarasthesageisboththewayandthegoal,heisevenconsideredgreaterthanthe LordHimself.SaintTulasidasjisays,“IhavefirmbeliefthatadevoteeofRamaisgreaterthan Him.” All the saints declare thus unanimously.
ThoughtheLordiseverywhere,withoutthegraceofaGuru,Heisnottoberealised.The saint or Guru alone is the way. There is absolutely no other way leading to escape from Samsara.
SaintsarethelivingmanifestationsoftheLord.Seeingasage,meditatingonhim, rememberinghim,touchinghisfeet,talkingwithhim,etc.,bringaboutasuddeninflowofGod’s graceintotheindividual,bywhichthelatterquicklyattainstheloftypeakofspiritualknowledge.
TulasidasjisingsthegloryofSatsangainglowingterms:“Odearone!Shouldyoukeepthe happinessofheavenandofallthehigherworldsinonepanofthebalanceandthehappinessthat arises out of Satsanga in the other, the latter will outweigh the former.”
ThereisnoboatotherthanSatsangatotakeyouacrosstheoceanofSamsara.Blessedishe whohascomeintocontactwithaSatpurusha,arealisedsage.Moreblessedishewhohascultivated
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AND SVADHYAYA
SATSANGA
unflinchingdevotiontohisfeet.Andthemostblessedishewhohasattainedcommunionwiththe consciousness of the sage.
Incasecontactwithasageisnotpossible,oneshouldtrytobeincontactwithsublime booksliketheUpanishads,theGita,theYoga-Vasishtha,theRamayana,theBhagavata,etc.He shouldtrytotakeresorttoholyplacesandthereengagehimselfindiscoursingupon,orhearingof, thegloryofGod.ThisalsoisSatsangaforhim.Whateverhelpsonetowardstheattainmentofpurity of heart should be considered as Satsanga.
THE POWER OF SATSANGA
TheglowandpowerofSatsanga,associationwiththewise,saints,Yogis,Sannyasinsand Mahatmasisindescribable.Evenamoment’scompanyisquitesufficienttooverhaultheold viciousSamskarasoftheworldlypeople.Themagneticaura,thespiritualvibration,andthe powerfulcurrentsofdevelopedadeptsproduceatremendousinfluenceonthemindsofworldlings. ServiceofMahatmaspurifiesthemindsofpassionatemenveryrapidly.Satsangaelevatesthemind tomagnanimousheights.Justasasinglematchstickburnshugebundlesofcottoninafewseconds, soalso,thecompanyofsaintsburnsallthoughtsandSamskarasofpassionwithinashorttime.The onlypotentspecificforinducingburningVairagyaandburningdesireforliberationisSatsangaand Satsanga alone.
Theassociationwiththeholysagesisquiteenoughtoinstilinasoulwisdomandlove. VidyaoriginatesinthosewhosefaultshavebeenwashedawaybythemightyforceofSatsanga which has independent power of destroying all faults and originating Vidya.
Thosewhohearthelife-givingwordsofgoodmenhavetheirheadsthataretaintedwith evil,purified.TheyultimatelyreachthelotusfeetoftheLord.Thisshowsthatthewordsofgood men have the power of purifying the soul and carrying it to the feet of the Master.
How Satsanga Gradually Leads to the Vision of God
Firstcomeskeepingcompanyoftherighteousandgoodmenandservingthem.Bysuch companyandservice,theredawnstheknowledgeoftheessentialnatureofone’sownselfandofthe divineorsupremeSelf.ThencomesVairagyaoratotaldisgustforeverythingofthisworldandof thenext,withayearningfortheLord.ThisisBhakti.WhenBhaktibecomesstrong,theman becomesthebelovedoftheLord,andbecauseofsuchdearnesstoHim,heischosenbyHim.Then comes the direct vision of the Lord.
VivekanandaattendedtheSatsangaofRamakrishnaParamahamsa.Jnanadevahadthe SatsangaofNivrittinath.GorakhnathattendedSatsangaofMatsyendranath.Thepracticeoffeeling Hispresenceineverything,ofseeingGodineveryfaceandineveryobjectis,initself,agrand sublimeSatsanga.Hail,hailtoMahatmaswhoholdSatsangaandtosinceredevoteeswhoattend them!Veryoften,devotioniskindledbyassociationandtalkwithdevotees.Asflameisenkindled byflame,soheartcatchesfirefromhead.SaysSriKrishna:“ThewiseadoreMeinraptdevotion.
3
THE MEANING OF SATSANGA
WiththeirmindswhollyinMe,withtheirlifeabsorbedinMe,enlighteningeachother,ever conversing about Me, they are satisfied and delighted.”
IntheEast,studentsarealwaysadvisedtoseekthecompanyofholymenandlistentotheir conversation,thusfanningintoflamealittlesparkofloveandearnestness.Onlyastrongsoulcan keepitselfglowinginisolation,andthebeginnerwilldowelltotaketheopportunitythatcomesin his way to strengthen his own aspirations by communion with others who share them.
Indispensability of Satsanga for Those Who Cannot Think for Themselves
Thereareveryfewpeopleinthisworldwhocancorrectlythinkforthemselves,whocando SadvicharaanddependontheirownintelligenceintheirpursuitofTruth.Thesefewpeopleare,of course,theirownGurusorteachers,anddonotrequireanyotherteacher.TheirSatsangaconsistsin their meditation on the Highest Intelligence or Consciousness.
Thosewhocannotthinkcorrectlyandcannotdependontheirownthoughts,feelingsand volitions,whoareswayedbypassionsanddelusions,constitutethemajorityofmankind.Such peoplerequireawiseandgoodGuruorteacherinorderthattheymaybeenabledtoleada well-directedlife.TheirSatsangaconsistsinthecompanyandserviceof,receivingdirect instructionsfrom,andobservingandemulatingtheconductoftheirGuruorteacherwhoiswiseand good.
ItisonlythesincereandearnestSadhakawhoknowstherealvalueofSatsangaor associationwithsaintsandsages.RealSatsangagivestheaspirantinnerspiritualstrengthtoface thestrugglesoflife,overcometemptations,killinnercravings,fillthemindwithpositivedivine thoughts.
Thecompanyofasaintorasagecantransformevilintogood.FaithinGod,inscriptures, attachmentanddevotiontoGod,slowlydevelopinthosewhodoregularSatsanga.Evenasinner hasahopethroughtheSangaofaMahatmaorMahapurusha.RoguesJagaiandMadhai,dacoit Ratnakara, were all transformed into saints by Satsanga.
Satsangaisthegreatestofallthepurifiersandilluminatorsofman.Satsangaistheone panaceaforalltheillsoflife.Thereisnothingsoinspiring,elevatingandsolacingasSatsanga. Satsangaisthesapoflife,theelixirofthought,thejoyofthesoul.Thereisnootherwaytothe attainmentofsupremeblessednessthanSatsanga.Thereisnothingsogreat,soimportant,so indispensable, so delightful, as Satsanga. This is the only way and there is no other.
4 SATSANGA AND
SVADHYAYA
SATSANGA BHAVANS:
THE NEED OF THE HOUR
SatsangaBhavansareagreatneedofthehour.Manypeoplecangathertogether.When peoplejointogetherandsingtheLord’sNameandpray,agreatspiritualforceisgenerated.Thatis thegloryofSatsanga.IfyoushutyourselfupinyourroomanddoJapaandmeditation,youmaynot progresssofast,butifyouformasmallSatsangagroupandallofyoudoJapatogetherandmeditate together,thespiritualforcegeneratedwillhelpyouall.Youwillmakerapidandwonderful progress.WhenyouattendaSatsanga,youwillforgettheworriesoftheworld.Youareinan entirely different atmosphere.
ItisSatsangaalonethatcantransformmaninthesedays.Sublimeideasmustbeconstantly dinned into the ears of man. Then only will his heart be transformed.
Nowadaysthereissuchdishonestyinbusinessthateveryarticleisadulterated.Adulteration offoodstuffsisrampanteverywhere.Manisselfishandhasnosenseofduty.Atthemomentof death,yourconsciencewillprickyou.Youwillhavenopeaceofmindeithernoworatthetimeof deathoreverafterwards.Dishonestykillsyourconscience;itisworsethanAtma-hatya.Itislike killingyourself.Behonest.Haveapurehead,cleanmindandclearconscience.Evenifyouare poor, you will be happy. If you are honest, the whole wealth of the world will belong to you.
Build Satsanga Bhavans Everywhere
Themanisnotrich,becausehehasalotofmoneyinthebank.Onlythatmanisreallyrich whoseheartisrich.Eachvirtueisworthmorethanacroreofrupees.Cultivateacharitableheart. Youarespendingalotofmoneyontheclothesofyourwifeandchildren;giveplentyofmoneyin charityfortheconstructionoftemplesandSatsangaBhavans.Theyaregreatassetstothewhole world.
Throughyourcharity,theremustbeaGitaBhavanineverytown,ineveryMohalla.Whata wonderfulthingitwillbe!TherewillbeSatsangaeverywhere.InthoseSatsangaspeoplewilllearn ofDharma.Theywillbetransformed.Theentiresocietywillbetransformed.Sublimeideasand idealswillentertheheartsofpeople.Dishonestywilldisappear.Dharmawillreignsupreme. Peoplewillbecome ‘Sarvabhutahiteratah,’ devotedtothewelfareofallbeings,feelingthatthe entire world is one family.
Onelife,oneconsciousness,oneSelf,dwellsinall,justasonesunandonemoonshineover thewholeworld.ButthepowerofMayashowseverythingasdifferent.Thescavengerandthe cobblerareyourownSelf.ItisMayathatmakesyoufeel,“Thismanisinferiorandtheothermanis superior.”Vedantaspeaksofunity.Allareone.Thistruthhastopermeateyourentirebeing.That can be done only through Satsanga.
Youshouldconstantlyhearanddwelluponsuchsublimeideals.SomeVedanticstudentsgo aboutsaying,“Thereisnoworldinthethreeperiodsoftime.”But,ifthereisalittlelesssaltintheir Dalorlesssugarintheirmilk,theywouldbeupset.Thislip-Vedantawillnotdo.Youhavetobe practical Vedantins. You can become practical Vedantins only through constant Satsanga.
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SATSANGA BHAVANS: THE NEED OF THE HOUR
Learn the Principles of Real Life Through
Satsanga
YoumustlearntheprinciplesofreallifethroughSatsanga.Reallifeislivingforothers.You beautifyyourselfbywearingdiamondringsandBenaresSarees.Istherebeautyindiamondrings andBenaresSarees?Seva-bhav,charityistherealdiamond.Youdressyourselfnicelyandsee yourselfinamirrorathousandtimes,doesthatgiveyoubeauty?Beautyiswithin.Infinitebeauty dwellsinthechambersofyourheart. JyotishamapiTatJyotiTamasahParamuchyate,Jnanam, Jneyam,Jnanagamyam,HridisarvasyaTishtitam. Youspendallyourtimeinbeautifyingthis body!Morningyouhaveashave,intheeveningyouhaveanothershave.Thisisallwasteof precious time, precious life. You must learn to utilise time properly, through Satsanga.
Loveall.Embraceall.Bekindtoall.Helpthedowntroddenbrothers.Insteadofhavingsix orsevenshirtsforyourself,giveashirttothepoorman.Thusonlycanyouevolve.Thusonlycan you realise the Atman which is the One Self that dwells in all.
Trytoseegoodineverybody.DonotdeveloptheDosha-drishti,thefault-findingnature. Yourevilmind,yourlowernature,willtrytoignorethegoodqualitiesthatareinamanandtryto seeonlyhisdefects.Youwillhavetocultivatetheeyeofdiscrimination.Humannatureissuchthat mantriestoseeonlydefectsinothers;youwillevensuperimposeeviluponpersonsinwhomsuch evilqualitiesdonotexist.ThroughSatsangaandstudy,youwillhavetoeradicatethisnature.You willhavetocultivatethehabitofseeingonlygoodinothers.Thenonlywillyoubeabletounite withall.Youwillbeabletorecognisethegoodnessinall.YouwillnothaveGhrina,hatred,etc. You will have to cultivate this habit through Satsanga.
Individual Sadhana and Collective Sadhana
Whatspiritualbenefityoucannotgetinfiveyearsofstudy,youcanhaveinoneSatsanga. Youhaveexperienceditnow.Iamnotdeceivingyou.Youactuallyfeelit:AparokshaAnubhuti. WhenyousingKirtanhere,youhaveforgottentheworld.Whatmadeyouforgettheworldandrise above body-consciousness? It is Kirtan of the Lord’s Name; it is Satsanga.
OnlyinSatsangawillyoubevigilant.YouwillenterintoBhava-samadhihere.Butwhen youattempttodoJapainyourownroom,youwillgetanotherkindofSamadhi.....deepsleep!One manwantedtoknowtheeasiestwayofcontrollingandannihilatingthemind.Thepreceptorsaid, “Takericeandsourcurdtoyourbellyful.Liedownonagoodbed,softandcomfortable.Havegood pillowsforyourheadandfeet.Relax.Breathedeeply.Youwillgobeyondthemind.”Thatisdeep sleep.ThatiswhatyouwillgetifyousitaloneinyourroomandtrytodoJapaandmeditation. WhenyouareinSatsanga,youarevigilant,andyougetthehelpofthespiritualvibrationsofthe entire gathering.
(TheauthorwasspeakingataSatsangagatheringinaGitaMandir.Thischapterismade up of excerpts from that speech.)
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
HOUSEHOLDERS AND SATSANGA
Thisworldappearstobeverybeautiful,charmingandattractive.Deliciousdrinks,luscious fruits,fragrantflowers,sweetsandtoffees,teaandcoffee,beautifulwomenandmagnificent gardens,—andthemindisattractedtothem.Themanwhohasnodiscriminationanddispassionis attracted.HelivesinMaya,thinksalwaysofMaya,dwellsconstantlyuponsensualobjects,andis filled with Asubha Vasanas. He leads an Asuric life in this world.
But,reflectforamomentonthetruenatureofthisworld.Withallthesebeautifulthings, thereisaconstantundercurrentofJanma,Mrityu,JaraandVyadhi—birth,death,oldageand disease.Lossofproperty,deathofnearrelativesanddearfriends,dishonouranddefeat,theseare thethingsthatyouexperiencedaily,eventhoughyourunafterthebeautifulobjectsthinkingthey willgiveyouunalloyedhappiness.Youareimmersedinsorrow.Youaresorelydisappointed.You havemisunderstoodthenatureoftheworld.Thisisaworldofpain,sorrowanddeath.Youcannot getrealpeace,happinessorblissinthisworld,fromthesesense-objects.Wherecanyougetthem?
Realise Your Real Nature Through Sadhana and Satsanga and Attain
Immortal Bliss
Behindthesenamesandforms,behindthesefleetingsense-objects,behindtheseperishable phenomena,thereistheSatchidanandaParaBrahman,fullofbliss,fullofeternalpeaceand wisdom,illuminationandenlightenment.AttainthisAtmanthroughstudyofsacredscriptures, meditation,Japa,KirtanandSatsanga.Youwillbefreedfromthetrammelsoftheflesh,from slavery to the mind, from the shackles of transmigration.
Avidya,KamaandKarmabindyoutothiswheelofbirthanddeath.Youhaveforgotten yourrealessentialnature.YouareignorantofyourSatchidanandaSvarupa.Thereforeyoufeelthat happinessliesintheexternalobjectsofthesenses.And,desirearisesinyouforthem.Thenyou exert to obtain them, and Karma results. Karma brings about birth and death.
Therefore,ifyouwanttofreeyourselffrombirthanddeath,freeyourselffromdesires,from attachment,fromAsubhaVasanas,andultimately,fromthisprimordialignorance,develop discrimination,dispassion,serenityofmind.PractisetheAshtangaYogaofPatanjaliMaharshi, BhaktiYogaofDevarshiNarada,JnanaYogaofSankaracharya,KarmaYogaofBhagavanKrishna ortheYogaofSynthesiswhichismostsuitabletothismodernage.Youwillbefreedfrombirthand death.Youwillenjoyeternalbliss.Thisisthegoal.ThisisyourDharma.Youhavetakenbirthhere asahumanbeinginordertoreachthisgoalhereandnow,inthisverybirth.Ifyoudonotstriveto reach the goal, you are wasting your life and neglecting this precious gift of human birth.
Satsanga Guards You Against the Unreal Glitter of Worldly Objects
Forgetnotthegoal.Inordernottoforgetthegoal,Satsangaismostessential.Satsanga keepsthefireofaspirationaliveinyourhead.Itisashieldtoprotectyoufromlapsingintolethargy, fromglidingbackintotheoldgroovesofsense-cravings,fromforgettingyourgoal.Satsangais yourbestfriend,yourspiritualnourishment.Satsangaisgreaterthanyourparents;yourparents gavethebody,butSatsangagivesyouspiritualillumination.Satsangaisoneofthefundamental
7 HOUSEHOLDERS AND SATSANGA
meansforattainingGod-realisation.WherethereisSatsanga,Mahatmasandgreatsaintsassemble. TheyremindyouoftheReality;theyguardyouagainsttheunrealglitterofworldlyobjects;they saveyoufromtheformidableoceanofSamsara.Theirgloriousexampleinspiresyou;their soul-elevatingUpadesaisyourguide.FromSatsangayougetpracticallessonsincontrolofmind, concentration and meditation.
Satsangais,therefore,indispensableforhouseholderswhohavetoengagethemselvesin theirworldlyduties,importantforspiritualaspirantswhoaretreadingthepathofrenunciation,and highlybeneficialevenforadvancedYogisandstudentsofVedanta.Itspirituallyawakensthe householders,inspiresthespiritualaspirants,andsustainsthespiritoftheadvancedYogis.Tothe greatsaintsandMahatmas,Satsangaisapleasure,delight,joyandLoka-sangrahaSeva.Mahatmas wishtosharetheirspiritualexperienceswithstrugglingsoulsandrescuethosewhoarecaughtin thesnareofSamsara.TheyarethesoulofSatsanga.TheverypurposeofconveningSatsangaisto enjoy the company of these Holy Ones.
The Real Satsanga Bhavan is in Your Own Heart
TheSatsangaBhavan,theplacewhereSatsangaisheld,isVaikuntha,Kailasaor Param-dham,inreality.TherealSatsangaBhavanisinyourownheart.TheredwellstheSat,the SupremeReality,thatExistenceAbsoluteorBrahman.ControlthemindbythepracticeofYama, Niyama,AsanaandPranayama.Makethemindone-pointedbythepracticeofPratyaharaand Dharana.ThenmeditateontheSelf,theAtmandwellinginyourheart.Youcanenterintoyourown SatsangaBhavandailythroughself-analysis,introspection,enquiryintothenatureoftheSelf.This willleadtoSelf-realisation,whenyouwillforeverbeonewiththatSat,theinfiniteeternal Existence.
Thisisyourgoal.Forgetnot,Mayaisverypowerful.Withallyourgoodintentions,youwill forgetthisyourforemostduty.Therefore,cometotheSatsangaBhavanandassociatewithsaints andYogiswhowillinstructyouhowtocontrolthemind,howtopractisePranayamaand Brahma-vichara, how to wean the mind from sensual objects, how to fill the mind with Sattva.
Identificationwiththebodyandthemindisthecauseforallsufferings.Inreality,youare Satchidananda-svarupa;identificationwiththisrealSvarupaisthekeytoperennialpeaceand supremebliss. AjoNityahSasvatoyamPurano: thisAtmanisunborn,eternalandancient.Be regularinyourmeditation,Japa,Kirtan,prayer.PeopledoKirtanforsometime,attendSatsangafor sometime;andthentheyleaveoff.Thisisasaderror.Regularityisofparamountimportancein Sadhana.Whateveryoudo,doregularly.Increasetheperiodofmeditationgradually.Donotbe attractedbythetantalisingtinselsofthisworld.Nobodyhasbeenbenefitedbymaterial possessions.Youmayhavecroresofrupeesinthebank,youmayhaveahundredmotor-carsanda dozenbungalows:but,peaceofmindyoucannothavefromthese.Youcanhavepeaceofmindonly ifyouareregularinJapa,meditation,KirtanandSatsanga.OnlywhenyourealisetheSelfwillyou enjoyperennialpeace.ConstructtheSatsangaBhavaninyourownheartthroughregularand systematicspiritualpracticeandrealiseHim,notintheunknownfuture,butrightnowthisvery second. Forget not the goal.
8 SATSANGA AND
SVADHYAYA
LetmeremindyouofthelastwordoftheUpanishads. TatTvamAsi: thouartthatsupreme, infinite,immortalSatchidanandaBrahman.HaveconstantNama-smaran;evenwhenyouare working,mentallyrepeat SriRam,SriRam. SriRamisnotonlytheAvataraofLordVishnu, consortofSita,butHeisomniscient,omnipotentandomnipresentParaBrahman.Constantly meditateonSriRam.Begood.Dogood.Benoble.Begentle.Begenerous.AttainSelf-realisation through Satsanga, Svadhyaya, Japa, Kirtan and meditation. May Lord bless you all!
WHO IS A MAHATMA?
HowtojudgeaMahatma?Thisismostdifficult.AShakespeareonlycanunderstanda Shakespeare.AJesusonlycanunderstandaJesus.Amanofexperiencewhohasmixedwith SadhusandSannyasinsandlivedwiththemforanumberofyearsmayarriveatcertaindefinite conclusionsandmayinfersomething,buthemayormaynotbeaccurateorcorrect.OnlyaJnani with his Divya Drishti can directly see and understand a Jnani.
ASadhumaybephysicallynude.Hemaynotkeepanythingwithhim.Hemaybeusinghis handsasthebegging-bowlandbelivingunderneathatree.Hemayliveinaforest.Yethemaybe thegreatestscoundrel;hemaybethemostworldly-mindedmanwithinternalandexternal attachmentsandallsortsofpassions.Hemaydanceinjoywhenhegetsaneight-annapieceforhis opium-smoking.Hismindmaybefullofdistractionsanddisturbances.Whereas,amanmaylivein abusytownorcity.HemayleadthelifeofabigBabu.Hemaywearfashionabledress.Hemayeat dainties.Andyet,hemaynothavetheleastattachmentorcravingforanything.SriRamanujalived amidstluxuries.Hepreachedalifeofenjoyment.RajaJanakahadhisroyalpleasures,andyethe said:“Mywealthisboundless,butIhavenothing.EvenifthewholeofMithilawereburnttoashes, nothing of mine will be burnt”.
The Mistakes That Householders Make in Judging a Mahatma
HouseholdersmakewrongjudgmentsindecidingthenatureofaSadhu.Theytakeinto considerationonlytheexternalconditionsofaSadhu.Eveneducatedpeoplecommitmistakesin thisregard.Ourpresent-dayuniversityeducationwillnothelponetojudgethespiritual advancement of a Sadhu or a Mahatma. The spiritual line is totally different.
InUttarakasi,ayoungSadhuwashearingthedescriptionofaJnanioftheseventhBhumika whenSwamiDevagiriwasholdingclassesonYogaVasishtha.Heatoncepretendedtobeinthe Turiyatitastate,thehigheststateofknowledge.Hegaveuptakingfood.Hepassedurineand motionintheroom.Thisstateofaffairscontinuedforfifteendays.Whenhisneighboursinquired whatthematterwas,herepliedthathewasintheseventhBhumika.Anintelligentmanwantedto testhismentalstate.Heapplied BichuKatta leavestohisbody.Thiscausedintenseburninglike scorpion-sting.Hecriedbitterly.Headmittedhisfollyandbegantotakefoodasusual.SuchJnanis areinabundanceinthePunjab,Rishikeshandotherplacesnowadays.BewareofsuchJnanis.By applying burning charcoal to their bodies, one can easily test the mental state of such Jnanis.
9
HOUSEHOLDERS AND SATSANGA
YoucanhardlyestimatetheadvancementofaSadhubyasimplecasualtalkforanhouror two.Youwillhavetolivewithhimforalongtime,andthenaloneyouwillbeabletodrawsome accurateinferencesandconclusions.Therehavebeeninstancesofrealisedpersonswhohad elephants,horsesandallroyalparaphernaliawithoutbeingaffectedintheleastbytheirexternal objects.TheyhadalwaysJnanaNishthaandSvarupaSthitiamidstbusyworldlyactivities.Thisis integraldevelopment.ThisisthegistoftheBhagavadGita.ThisisthecentralteachingofLord Krishna.
Whatiswantedismentalnudity.Shavethemindbyremovingattachments,desires,egoism. Youcanlivewhereveryoulike.Atownwillbeadenseforestforyou.Onthecontrary,athickforest willbejustlikeabusycityifyouhavearuffledmindwithpassionsandrevoltingIndriyas.Jnanais purelyaninternalstate.YouwilltoknowyourownSelf.Theexternalmarksarenosurecriterion. SodonotlookintotheexternalthingsofaSadhu.Amanmaytakeanykindoffood,hemaydressin anywayhelikes,hemayparthishairinanymannerhefindsitconvenient.Theseareall non-essentials. Always look into his internal mental state.
Where True Religion Begins
Adevotee,aSannyasinoraYogimayliveonanyfoodhelikes.Hemaydressinanywayhe likes,hemaydresshishairinanymannerhepleases.Hemayliveonfruits,dryleaves,water,oron richdelicaciesaccordingtohisPrarabdha.Hemaylivenakedorinrichgarments.Hemaybeagreat Titikshu or a Tapasvi. But these things have nothing to do with true religion.
Realreligionbeginswhenonehasgoneabovebody-consciousness.Realreligionbegins whenonehasgonebeyondthepettycustoms,mannersandconventions.Theseareallmeaningless socialbindingforthosewhoarestillafterbody-consciousness.Thesethingshavenothingtodofor amanwhohasexpandedhimself.ArealSannyasinoraSadhuisaboveallthesethings.Noneinthe worldcanexpectarealexpandedmantobeaslavetoallthesepreliminarysocialorreligious bondages.Theworldly-mindedpersonsattachtoomuchstressondressingandeating,andassuch arenotabletojudgethemeritsofarealSannyasin.Theylooktohisexternalsonlyandare deceived;andatlasttheyrunafterhiminvain.Theyareunreasonablyprejudiced.Theywastegood opportunities,anddonotderivemuchadvantagefromthecompanyofSadhus.Theyalwaysfind faultfortriflingandpettythings.Theysay,“ThatSannyasiniseatingonions;thisSadhuis smoking;thatMahatmaishavinghisfaceshaved.”Ifyoulookonallthesepettythings,youcan neverbebenefited.ATibetiBaba,agreatlivingYogiofBurdwan,issmokingandhetakesmeat also. What of that! He knows how to convert a Tamasic food into Sattvic food.
Siddhis are no True Criterion of True Spirituality
Anothergreatblunderpeoplegenerallycommitisthattheyjudgetheenlightenmentof SadhusbytheSiddhistheydisplay.Intheworldgenerally,thecommoninclinationistojudgethe meritsandabilityofaSadhuthroughhisSiddhis.Itisablunderindeed.Theyshouldnotjudgethe enlightenmentofaSadhuinthisway.Siddhisareby-productsofconcentration.Siddhishave nothingtodowithSelf-realisation.ASadhumaymanifestSiddhisduetostrongpassionsand intensedesires,andifthatbethecase,heisundoubtedlyabighouseholderonly.Youmustbelieve mewhenItellyouthatSiddhisareagreathindrancetospiritualprogress,andsolongasoneis
10
SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
withintherealmofSiddhisanddoesnottrytoriseaboveitandmarchonwards,thereisnottheleast hopeofGod-realisationforhim.But,thisdoesnotmeanthatapersonmanifestingSiddhisisnota realisedsoul.ThereareseveralinstancesofsuchpersonswhohaveexhibitedseveralSiddhispurely for the elevation and uplift of the world, but never for selfish motives.
DuringthedaysofSriRamakrishnaParamahamsaDev,acertainSadhuapproachedhim andshowedtwoSiddhis:onewasthathecouldroamaboutwithoutbeingseenbyanybody.The otherwasthatlightemanatedfromhisanuswhenhewalked.Thismanaftersometimeenteredthe apartmentsofaladyunseen,misusedhispower,fellinlovewithherandlosthistwopowers.Inthe worldgenerally,thecommonrunofpeopleandeveneducatedpersonsjudgeSadhusbytheir Siddhis only. It is a serious blunder and hence I seriously warn you.
Cramming Scriptures Cannot Make Man a Yogi
Quotingscripturesisalsonotasigntoindicatethespiritualdevelopmentofaperson.Aman mayrecitethewholeoftheVedas,theUpanishads,theBrahmaSutras;andyethemaybethe greatestandmostabominablescoundrel.TherearenowadaysmanywhoposeforbigYoginsand JnanisorJivanmuktasafteralittlestudyofsomebooks.Meretheoryalonecannothelpyouin enjoyingthefruitsofYoga.Mereintellectualcuriosity,enthusiasm,andemotionalbubblingcannot helpyouatallinanywayinYogapractice.Mereposing“IamaYogi”bycrammingafewSutras fromYogaDarshanisnothingbutdownrighthypocrisy.YogaAbhyasaisnotacommercial business.TocheatGod,yourownselfandthepublicbysomefalsedemonstrationinsomeYogic practiceisaheinouscrime.ThereisnoPrayaschittaforthisunpardonabledeception.Thisdeserves the maximum punishment.
Titiksha Alone Cannot Make a Tapasvin
Again,therearesomemeninthegarbofSadhusorSannyasinswhowouldtalkmuchabout HathaYogicKriyasandrunaboutintheworldwithpretendedSamadhis.Onecanliveonairand wateralone,anothercanremainundertheearthforsixmonths,andathirdcanswallownitricacid, glasspiecesandpoisons.Thesearemerelyphysicaltrainingsandarenottherealqualificationsofa Sadhu.
Themindhasthepowertoimitate.GreatpersonslikeSwamiKrishnaAshramleada perfectlyhardlifeeveninGangotri.Manypeoplearetryingtoimitatehimandpassforgreatsouls orMahatmas.YoungmenstudyVivekachudamaniandAvadhutaGitaandpretendtoappearas Avadhutasasdescribedthere,withouthavinganyinternalchange.Themindremainsthesamewith itslikesanddislikes,passionandanger.Poor,ignorantworldlingsaredupedbytheseexternal appearances.Titikshaisbyitselfnosignofspirituality.SriPradyumnaKesava,MunsiffofSitapur, mentionedtometheinstanceofaSadhuwhocouldrollonburningsandatmiddayinsummerfor hourstogetherandyetheusedtofightfortriflingthingswithgreatexcitement.Theseareallmere physicaltrainingonly.Titikshaismental.Vairagyaismental.Sannyasaisalsomental.Amanof strongwillcangiveupallhisclothingatonestrokeandcanliveinwinterinGangotriwithoutthe least trouble, without any preliminary training.
11
WHO IS A MAHATMA?
IfTitikshaalonecaneffectemancipation,evenbuffaloesandfishlivingfortwenty-four hoursinwatershouldgetemancipation.Ifmereshavingofheadcanbringaboutsalvation,even goatsandotheranimalswhosehairsareshornshouldobtainrelease.Ifeatingthecrumbsthatare thrownoutinthegutterandsleepinginadunghillcangivesalvation,evendogsareentitledtoget salvation.Therefore,theconclusionisthatwemustnotbeguidedbymereexternalappearances only, but must look into the inner mental state of the man.
Who Then is a True Mahatma?
Neitherthroughmattedlocks,northroughfierylecturesanderudition,northroughthe exhibitionofmiraclesdoesoneattainperfectionorknowledge.Heinwhomthetwocurrentsof Raga-dvesha,egoism,lustandangeraredestroyed intoto iseverhappyandisaliberatedsageor Jivanmukta.
Saintsarethosewhosemindsareunruffled,whoarefreefromavarice,whohaveconquered desire,andwhohavebroughttheirsensesandinternalnatureundercontrol,whoaredevotedtothe Lord,andwhohavenolongingforanything,whoarethesameinpleasureandpain,whoarefree fromattachment,whohavetheattributesofself-control,andwhoarecontentwithwhatevercomes in their way.
Ifyoufindmercyandhumilityinaperson,thenalonecanyouknowthatthatpersonisa Sadhu.Hisheartwillmeltatthesufferingofothers.Manhasgotasin-hardenedhead;whenthis beginstomelt,theLordmanifestsHimselfthere.TheSadhuneednotdeliverlectureson Panchadasi.HeneednotnecessarilybeabletodelivereloquentdiscoursesontheGita.Hemaynot beabletocommentforthreehoursuponasingleBrahmaSutra.But,asweetaromawillemanate fromhim.Thiswillattractyoutohim.ThiswillgiveyouSantiandaninnerblisswhenyou approachhim.Allyourworriesandanxietieswilldisappearasyounearhim.Hisverylookwill elevateyou.Eachoneofhiswordswillinspireyou,willengraveitselfonthetabletofyourheart. Yournaturewillbetransformed.Youwillturnanewleafinyourlife.Suchwillbehispower.Such is the glory of true mercy and humility.
Satsanga: The Question of Availability
ThereisacomplaintbyhouseholdersnowadaysthattherearenogoodMahatmas.Thisisa lameexcuse.ThecompanyofSadhusisaquestionofsupplyanddemand.Ifthereisasincere demand,thesupplywillcomeatonce.Thisistheinexorablelawofnature.Ifyouarereallythirsty, youwillfindyourMasteratyourthreshold.Youleadahappy-go-luckylife,yourmindisfullof passionandunholyVasanas.Youdonotcareabitforhigherdivinelife.Youwasteyourtimeinidle gossipingandvain,worldlytalks.Youhavebecomeahopelessslaveofpassion,greed,andname andfame.Andyetyoucomplain:“IcannotgetgoodSatsanga.”Blameyourselffirst.Admityour faults.Repentsincerelyforyourmistakes.DoPrayaschitta.Fast.Pray.Crybitterlyinsolitude. MakeyourselfadeservingAdhikarifirst.Thencometome.Ishalltakeyoutothelotus-feetof blessedsoulswhowillputyouintherightpath,guideyouandelevateyoutosublimeheights. These“oversouls”orhighsoulsarewaitingtogetholdoftherighttypeofaspirants.Mahatmasare inplenty.Realseekersarefew.Ifyoubringacharge,“TherearenogoodMahatmas.”Mahatmas also bring a serious charge, “There are no real seekers after Truth.”
12 SATSANGA AND
SVADHYAYA
Goodthingsarealwaysrareinthisworld.Musk,saffron,radium,sandalwood,learned persons,virtuouspersons,heroes,philanthropistsarerare.Whensuchisthecase,whattospeakof saints,Yogins,JnanisandBhaktas!Youwillhavetoequipyourselffirstwiththenecessary qualificationsofself-restraint,celibacy,calmnessofmind,keendesireforliberation,humility, obedience,spiritofservice,etc.,tomakeyourselffitfortheircompany.Ifyougettheircompany, the question of your salvation is solved.
How Householders Should Behave Towards Sannyasins
ThemajorityofhouseholdershavenofaithinSadhusandeveniftheymeetanygood Sadhu,theynaturallyfindfaultwithhisexternalsandputsomanyquestionsastohisprevious name,caste,creed,qualifications,relations,ageandwhatnot.Theyforgettheveryelementary principlesofSannyasins.TheywillneverthinkthatafterbecomingaSannyasi,onehastoforgetall thesethings,andallthemore,thisbodyconsciousness.TheydonotunderstandthataSannyasiis no more a Brahmin or a Sadhu or a professor, or a leader of a particular society, creed or sect.
GrihastisshouldnotputsuchquestionstoaSadhu.Theycantalkonlyonphilosophical pointswithaviewtocleardoubts.ThenandthenalonetheycanbebenefitedbySatsanga.Satsanga istheeasiestandquickestmeanstochangethemindofworldly-mindedpersonstowardsthe spiritualpathandtothoroughlyoverhaultheoldviciousandwrongSamskaras.Liveinthe company of Sadhus. Their company itself is spiritual education.
Asageshouldbeapproachedwithallhumilityandreverence.Ifyouapproachinsucha spirit of humility, he will certainly impart to you the divine wisdom.
HouseholdersshouldapproachSannyasinswithfruitsinhand,wetwithgenuineBhakti.As soonastheymeetSannyasinsandgettheirDarshan,theyshoulddoSashtangaNamaskarwith BhavaandPrema.TheyshouldnottalkanythingthatisworldlyinthepresenceofSannyasins.If theyhaveanyquestiontoask,theyshouldalwayskeepreadytheirquestionandshouldinvariably takecaretoseethatitpertainstospiritualityandGod.Theyshouldnottrytoinventsomefoolish questionforfun’ssakeassoonastheyentertheAshramasofSannyasinsortheirKutirs.They shouldnotwastemuchtime.Householdersmaytakewiththemsomesmallpresentsaccordingto theircapacity.Sannyasinsarevisiblegodsonearth.ThereisnoYajnaorservicegreaterthan servicetoSannyasins.Itisthemostpotentpurifier.BlessedarethosewhoserveSannyasins,for they will soon have peace of mind and purity of heart!
13
WHO IS A MAHATMA?
SVADHYAYA OR PIOUS STUDY OF HOLY BOOKS
IfyoucannotgetSatsangaoflivingMahatmas,youcantakerecoursetothestudyofbooks writtenbygreatsouls.ThiswillconstitutenegativeSatsanga.IfyoustudyVivekachudamani,you arereallyhavingSatsangaofSankaracharyaforthetimebeing.IfyoureadYogaVasishtha,youare really having Satsanga with sage Vasishtha.
Intheevening,fourorfivepeoplecanassembletogetherinatempleoraquietroomandcan studyforoneortwohourseithertheGitaortheUpanishads,theRamayana,theBhagavatam,etc. Slowlyyourmindwillbepurified.Youwillgettasteinthespiritualpath.Womenalsoshould follow this method.
Most Important Books for Daily Reading
Adevoteeshouldstudybookswhichplacebeforehimtheidealsofdevotion,theglory,the sweetnessandtheLeelasoftheLord,thestoriesofsaintsandthepracticeswhichhelphimto cultivate devotion. Devotion develops by the study of such scriptures.
ThemostimportantbooksaretheRamayana,SrimadBhagavatam,theNarayaneeyam,the Gita,theVishnupurana,theAdhyatmaRamayana,theTulasiRamayana(Ramacharitamanas), VishnuSahasranama,SandilyaSutras,theSivaPurana,theDeviBhagavata,theNarada Pancharatram,PracticeofBhaktiYoga,EssenceofBhaktiYoga,BhaktiandSankirtan, Bhaktirasamritam,songsofAlvarsandNayanars,Thevaram,Thiruvachakam,Dasabodha, Tukaram’s Abhangas, Jnanesvari, Bhakti Rasayana, Bhakti Rasamritasindhu, etc.
How the Mind Deludes
Earthlyobjectsyouwant.Butwithallthat,youshouldnevermissadayinmeditation,inthe studyoftheGita,theUpanishads,theVivekachudamani,allfullofspiritualgems.OneSlokawill give you Santi:
Vihaya Kaman Yah Sarvan
Pumamscharati Nisspruhah
Nirmamo Nirahankarah
Sa Santim Adhigachhati
Never forget this.
Theminddeludesyou.“WhenIhavetwocowsofmyown,whenIhaveabeautiful bungalowinMussoorie,Iwillbehappy”:theseareallpoorideas.WewantpeopleofNachiketas’ type,aspiringforsomethingbeyondtime,spaceandcausation.Youshouldhavesuchastrong aspiration,meditationandrenunciation,thoughremainingintheworld,likeChudalai,likeJanaka. EverydayyoumuststudyVivekachudamani,AtmaBodha,TattvaBodha,Panchadasi,Vichara Sagara—alltheseelevatingGranthas—andYogaVasishtha,thebeautifulmonumentalGranthaon AdvaitaVedanta.ThesewillgiveyouSanti. NirmamoNirahamkarahSaSantimAdhigachhati. He only gets grace.
14 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
Benefits of Svadhyaya
Beregularinthestudyofreligiousbooks,Ramayana,Bhagavatha,YogaVasishthaand othergoodbooksforSvadhyaya.IfyoureflectontheideasoftheGitaandfixthemindonthese ideas,thisitselfisaformoflowerSamadhi.GitaisauniquebookforSvadhyaya.Itcontainsthe essenceofalltheYogasandthecreamoftheVedas.Youcandevotehalfanhourtothreehours dailyforthispurposeaccordingtothetimeatyourdisposal.StudyofscripturesisKriyaYogaor Niyama. It purifies the heart and fills the mind with sublime and elevating thoughts.
Svadhyayainspiresandelevatesthemindtohighspiritualaltitude.Itclearsdoubts.Itweeds outunholyideas.Itcutsnewspiritualgroovesforthemindtomoveon.Itreduceswanderingofthe mindorVikshepa.Ithelpsconcentration.ItformsakindoflowerSavikalpaSamadhi.Itserves pastureforthemindtograzeupon.Whenyoustudythesacredbooks,youareintunewiththe authors who are realised souls. You draw inspiration and become ecstatic.
WhenyoucannotgetpositiveSatsangaofMahatmas,Svadhyayaclearsdoubts.It strengthenstheflickeringfaith,itinducesaspirationorstrongyearningforliberation.Itgives encouragementandillumination.Itplacesbeforeyoualistofsaintswhotrodthepath,encountered andremoveddifficulties,andthuscheersyouupwithhopeandvigour.ItfillsthemindwithSattva orpurity;itinspiresandelevatesthemind.Ithelpsconcentrationandmeditation.ItcutsnewSattvic grooves and makes the mind run in these new grooves.
Totranslatethepreceptscontainedinthebooksofthesagesandsaintsintoactionistohave yourafflictedbodysoothed,tohaveyourbruisedsoulhealed,andtosaveyourselffromallkindsof illsoflifewhichareduetoignorance.Spiritualbooksactasconsolingcompanionsunderallvexing circumstances,asidealteachersinalldifficulties,asguidinglightsinthenightsofnescienceand folly, as panacea for evils and as shapers of destiny.
Acquirewisdombydigestingthebooksofsagesandsaints,philosophersandmystics.By wisdom,masterthesecretsofallsciences,knowtheexactnatureofthings,tuneyourlocalised beingorindividualisedpersonalitywiththeworkingsofthedivinenatureoftheLawsofTruth. Wisdomisthekeytotheplenitudeofpowerandjoy.Wisdomannulscountlesssufferings, innumerablesins,cutstherootofignorance,andconfersuponyoupeacefulharmonyandabsolute perfection.
THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF EVIL COMPANY
Theeffectsofevilcompanyarehighlydisastrous.Theaspirantshouldshunallsortsofevil company.Themindisfilledwithbadideasbycontactwithevilcompanions.ThelittlefaithinGod andscripturesalsovanishes.Amanisknownbythecompanyhekeeps.Birdsofthesamefeather flocktogether.Theseareallproverbsorwisemaxims.Theyarequitetrue.Justasanurseryistobe well-fencedinthebeginningforprotectionagainstcows,etc.,soalso,aneophyteshouldprotect himselfverycarefullyfromforeignevilinfluences.Otherwiseheisruinedtotally.Thecompanyof thosewhospeaklies,whocommitadultery,theft,cheating,double-dealing,whoindulgeinidle
15
SVADHYAYA OR PIOUS STUDY OF HOLY BOOKS
talks,backbitingandtalebearing,whohavenofaithinGodandinthescriptures,shouldbestrictly avoided. The company of women and of those who associate with women is dangerous.
VilwamangalattendedoncethenautchpartyofChintamani.HiswholeAntahkaranawas poisoned.HewasthevirtuoussonofapiousBrahmin.Allhisgoodtraitsdisappeared.Hefellin lovewithher.Heruinedhislife.Therearethousandandoneinstanceslikethis.InAndhraPradesh, Vemannaalsowasspoiledbyevilcompanyinthebeginning.Thereisnothingmoredangerousthan evilcompany.Ifthewifehasnoreligioustendenciesandisofaworldlynature,hercompanyalsois tantamounttoevilcompany.Thatisthereasonwhyscripturesspeakveryhighlyofsolitaryplaces in the Himalayas and on the banks of the Ganga.
What Constitutes Evil Company
Badsurroundings,obscenepictures,obscenesongs,novelsthatdealwithlove,cinemas, theatres,thesightofpairingofanimals,wordswhichgiverisetobadideasinthemind—inshort, anythingthatcausesevilthoughtsinthemindconstitutesevilcompany.Whateverinducesinus eviltendencies,impureideas,andlikewise,istobeconsideredasKusanga.Kusangaisanantonym of Satsanga. It means ‘the company of the evil.’
Place,food,water,family,neighbourhood,sight,literature,criticism,livelihood,andthe modeofmeditationorworshiparethetenmostimportantfactorswhichaccordingtotheirnature either serve for us as Satsanga or Kusanga.
Aspirantsgenerallycomplain:“WearedoingSadhanaforthelastfifteenyears.Wehave notmadeanysolidspiritualprogress.”Theobviousansweristhattheyhavenottotallyshunnedevil company.Newspapersdealwithallsortsofworldlytopics.Aspirantsshouldentirelygiveup readingofnewspapers.ReadingofnewspaperskindlesworldlySamskaras,causessensational excitementinthemind,makesthemindoutgoing,producesanimpressionthattheworldisasolid reality, and makes one forget the Truth that underlies these names and forms.
The So-called Friends
Ifyouputanounceofalumintenmaundsofmilk,thewholequantityofmilkbecomesunfit fordrinking.Evenso,evilcompany,evenforafewminutes,willnullifythegoodeffectscreatedby Satsangafortenyears.Evilcompanyisanenemyofdevotion.Giveupevilcompany.Take recourse to Satsanga or company of the saints.
Theso-calledfriendsarerealenemies.Youcannotfindevenasingleunselfishfriendinthis universe.Becareful.Friendscometohaveidletalkswithyouandtheywasteyourtime.Theywant topullyoudownandmakeyoualsoworldly.Donotbecarriedawaybythefloweryspeechofsuch friends.Cutoffconnectionruthlessly.Livealoneatalltimes.TrustinthatImmortalFriendwho dwellsinyourheart.Hewillgiveyouwhateveryouwant.IfyoucannothavepositiveSatsangaof Mahatmas, have negative Satsanga with books written by realised sages, saints and Bhagavatas.
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
HOW TO CONDUCT SATSANGA: A TALK TO SANNYASINS
HariOm!AdorationstoBrahman!SalutationstoSriSankara,Mahapurushasand Sannyasins!
ASannyasinisonewhohasrenounced (nyasa) theDeha-adhyasa,body-idea,selfishness, Vasanas,egoism,Abhiman.ThefourKumarasofBrahma(SriSanaka,Sanandana,Sanatkumara andSanatsujata),SriDattatreya,andSriSankaraarethepioneersinthispathofpure Nivritti-marga. They are the fathers for this Order of Sannyasa.
Trend of the Times
Theworldwantseconomic,racial,social,political,psychological,industrialandalso spiritualadvancement.Thespiritualsideshouldneverbeignored.Thatisthebasis.Thatisthe be-allandend-all.Inthesedays,leadersintheKarma-yogicfieldlaystressonactionalone.They havetotallyignoredthespiritualsideoflife.EvenSannyasinsofvariousinstitutionsaredoing socialserviceonly.SomeSannyasinshavescholarlyeruditiononlyandtheycommandalittle respectforsometime.They,too,havethrownasidethemeditativesideoflife.Theyarenotableto producearealandlastingimpressiononthemindsofthepublic,becausetheyhavenotgotthereal spiritual stuff or inner Atmic strength at their back.
Spiritualmen,Yogins,JnaninsandSannyasinsshouldappearontheplatformlikethecomet orthesecond-daymoonofthemonthofKartik,likeLordJesusforashorttime,shouldpourforth theirenergyandturnouttremendousworkanddisappearfromthefield.Theworkofholding spiritualclassesforlongertimesandstartingAshramsbelongstothejuniorSannyasins.Itwillnot suitthetemperamentoffieryspiritualgiants.Theywillinundatethelandwithspiritualwatersor thenectarofdivineknowledgeinashorttime,justastheGangadoesforfourmonthsintheyear.
Temptation of Comfortable Living
NoSannyasinorhouseholdershouldstartanAshramforthesakeofhiscomfortableliving. ManySannyasinsarepureinthebeginningwhentheystartanAshram,Imeanwhentheyarepoor. Whentheybecomerich,whentheyhavegotenoughadmirersandBhaktas,thespiritofselfless servicedwindlesaway,givingplacetoselfishmotivesintheirhearts.Theobjectwithwhichthey startedAshramsgetsfrustrated.Thenitbecomesamoneymakinginstitution.Peoplehaveno attraction.IftheheadoftheinstitutionleadsalifeofVairagyaandabsoluterenunciation,the Ashramstandsasacentreornucleusofperennialpeace,bliss,andjoy.Itattractsmillionsofpeople. The world is always in need of such Ashrams with such spiritual giants as their heads.
SomeyoungSannyasinstakeacourseof nuxvomica seed,swallowahundredandtwenty seedsintwoyears,studyLaghuSiddhantaKaumudiandNyayaforthreeyears,imaginetheyhave becomerealSiddhas,andmixfreelywithworldly-mindedpersons.Thisisaverygravemistake. Nuxvomica producesimpotency.ImpotencyisnotestablishmentinBrahmacharya.Theywillhave adownfallsoon.Thisgoeswithoutsaying.EvenperfectJnaninsandfull-blownYoginsshouldbe verycareful.Theyshouldavoidindiscriminate,promiscuousmixingwithworldly-mindedpersons. ThesightofpairingoffishexcitedadevelopedRishi.Thejinglingsoundsofthebanglesofalady,
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HOW TO CONDUCT SATSANGA: A TALK TO SANNYASINS
thesightofevenborderedorcolouredclothes,causessevereexcitementinthemind.Theyhavegot theirownimpureassociations.Passionisverypowerful.MysteriousisMaya.Beware,Oaspirants!
Itisthetongueandthepalatethatforcetheindisciplinedyoungaspirants,Brahmacharins, andSannyasinstocomeinclosecontactwithhouseholdersunderthegarbofdoingSatsanga.O aspirants!Isitforsatisfyingthetongueyouhaveleftyourparentsandrenouncedpositionand propertyandembracedSannyasa?Or,isitforattainingSelf-realisation?Ifitisfortheformer,you wouldhavedoneverywellbyearningmoneyintheworld.Donotbringdisgracetotheorderof Sannyasa.Ifthetongueisuncontrollable,removetheGeruagarbandgobacktotheworld,dosome workandearnmoney.EvolvethroughKarmaYoga.Nocontrolofmindispossiblewithoutcontrol of tongue.
Whenoneputsontheorange-colouredrobe,hemustrememberthathehasenteredanoble orderoflifeandthatgreatresponsibilityrestsonhisshouldersandthatheisgoingtobecomesoona religiousandspiritualteacherfortheworld.Hemusttryhislevelbesttopossessallthenoble, divine virtues and to lead an ideal life of purity and Vairagya.
Is This Satsanga?
Satsangahasdegeneratedinthesedays.Ithasdwindledintosomekindofmentalrecreation oramusement.MereVedanticgossipingforonehourintheeveningbetweenSannyasinsand householderswithamixtureofsomeidle,worldlytalk,somepolitics,somescandal-mongeringand backbiting,somesillygiggling,guffaw,andnamby-pambysentimentaloutpouringsinvague platitudesislabelledasSatsanga.ThemindsoftheSannyasinwhodoesSatsangaandofthehearers remaininthesamestateevenafteracourseofSatsangaforseveralyears.Thereisnoelevationand spiritual progress.
WhenSadhusandSannyasinsmoveintheworld,theyshouldshowanexemplarylifeof Vairagyatothehouseholders.Theyshouldgetfromthehouseholdersthebarenecessariesoflife only.Theyshouldnotmixwiththemveryfreely.Theyshouldliveinasolitaryplaceoutsidethe villageortown.Theyshouldconductspiritualclassesinaseriousmanner.Theyshouldnottalkon worldlymattersintheinterval.Theyshouldnotbringintoomanystoriesthatexcitelaughter.They shouldnotcutjokes.Theremustbesolemnserenity.Thewholeaudiencemustbespellbound. Theremustbepin-dropsilence.Thenonlythehouseholderswillbeinfluenced.Theywillfeelthey have got something from the Satsanga.
Kheer-Parottah Birds
ThemomentaSannyasinbeginstoaskfromhouseholdersseveralthingsfrequently,he loseshisrespectandinfluence.Heisforcedtoleavetheplaceimmediately.Someshameless Sannyasinsliveasparasitesamongsthouseholdersformonthstogether.Theyare‘Kheer-Parottah’ birds.TheyarenotrealSannyasins.Inthecomingcensusreport,theauthoritiesshouldbevery carefulinforwardingtheirreports.ThesepersonsshouldnotcomeunderthecategoryofSadhus andSannyasins.Theyareprofessionalbeggarsincolouredgarb,likethewolfintheskinofalamb. TheremustbeagenuinerecordoftrueSannyasins.Whatistheuseofswellingthenumberof Sadhusandshowingafigureof74lakhsofSadhus?Youwillnotfindmorethan2,000good
18 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
culturedSannyasinswhoareusefultothemselvesandtothecountryatlarge.ArealSadhuor Sannyasin is like a glorious sun. He shines during day and night.
ASannyasinorSadhucandomoresolidandefficientworkattheverythresholdofhis cottagethanbymovingaboutfromplacetoplaceanddeliveringlecturesonplatforms.Whenthe flowerblossoms,itdoesnotsendanyinvitationtothebees.Thebeescomebythemselves.Evenso, realseekersafterTruthwillflocktotherealSannyasinsattheirverydoor.Sannyasinsneednot moveaboutandadvertise.Inplatform-lectures,thereisonlytemporarystimulationforhalfanhour. Therearesomenoise,fights,quarrels,claps,“hear,hear”soundsfromsomecorners.Onlyreal AdhikarinswillgotomeetSannyasinsattheircottages.Theheartsoftheseaspirantscanbereally piercedbytheinstructionsofSannyasins.Trainingofaspirantsisthehighestservicewhicha Sannyasincando.Eachaspirantwillbecomeaspiritualnucleus,orradiatingorbroadcastingcentre ofjoy,peaceandknowledge.WhenaSannyasinmoves,histimeiswasted.Allsortsofpeoplecome to meet him out of curiosity.
RealSannyasinsarethebeacon-lightsandtorch-bearersoftheworld.Justasthelighthouse sendsitslighttothedistantsteamersinthefar-offsea,soalsotheSannyasinsradiatetheirdivine lighttopeopleoffar-offclimeswhoareimmersedinthemireofdarknessandignorance.Theycan move the whole world.
GlorytorealSannyasinswhohaverenouncedeverything,whoaretreadingthepathof Truth!Hail,hailtoSannyasinswhoarerestingintheirownSvarupa,theBrahmanishthas!Glory, glorytoParivrajakaAcharyas,theBrahmavidyaGuruswhoaredisseminatingtheknowledgeofthe Self far and wide! May their blessings be upon us all!
SOME ILLUSTRATIVE STORIES
I. Rishi Visvamitra and Vasishtha
VisvamitraRishiandVasishthahadadisputeononeoccasion.Visvamitrawasagreat Tapasvin.HecreatedathirdworldforTrisankhuthroughhispowerofTapascharya.Visvamitra saidtoVasishtha:“Tapasisgreaterthananythingelseinthisworld.”Vasishtharaisedhisobjection andsaid,“SatsangaisevensuperiortoTapas.”ThentheybothdecidedtogotoBrahmafor obtaininghisopiniononthispoint.TheyapproachedBrahmaandplacedbeforehimthematterfor hisfinaldecision.LordBrahmasaid,“Iambusywithmyworkofcreation.Ihavenotime.Please approachLordSiva.HehasampletimeatHisdisposal.Hehasgotnootherworknow.Hiswork begins only when Pralaya comes.”
Thereupon,VisvamitraapproachedLordSivaforobtaininghisviewsandfinaldecision. LordSivasaid,“NowIamgoingtoseeoneofmydevotees.Ihavenotimenow.PleasegotoLord Vishnu.Hewillgiveapatienthearingtothissubject.”ThentheywenttoLordVishnu.LordVishnu said,“Icannotdecidethismatter.PleasegotoAdiSesha.HeiseverrepeatingRamaNamathrough histhousandtongues.Heisagreatdevotee.Heistheproperpersontogivethefinaldecision.Heis very wise too.”
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HOW TO CONDUCT SATSANGA: A TALK TO SANNYASINS
Thereupon,theywenttoAdiSeshaandplacedbeforehimtheirviewpoints.AdiSesha replied,“SurelyIwillgivemydefiniteopinion.Pleaseremovetheburdenofthisearthfrommy head.ThenonlyIwillbeabletogivemyviewonthissubject.”Thentheybothasked,“OAdi Sesha!Pleasetellusthewaytoremovetheburden.”AdiSeshareplied,“Pleasegivethefruitof your Tapascharya and Satsanga. I will be relieved of the burden.”
Visvamitrasaid,“Isthatall?NowIgiveyouthefruitofmyTapasofonehundredyears.” AdiSeshawasnotrelievedoftheburdenonhishead.ThenVisvamitrasaid,“NowIgiveyouthe fruitofmyTapasforonethousandyears.”ThenalsoAdiSeshawasnotrelievedofhisburden. ThenVisvamitrasaid,“NowIgivethefruitofmyTapasofmywholelife.”ThenalsoAdiSesha was not relieved of his burden.
ThenVasishthasaid,“IgiveyouthefruitofmySatsangaforasecond.”AtonceAdiSesha was relieved of the burden on his head.
ThereuponVisvamitraputdownhisheadinshame.HedidnotspeakawordeithertoAdi SeshaorVasishtha.HefullyrealizedthatSatsangawassuperiortoTapas.HisprideofTapas tumbled down.
SatsangaisasafemightyboatwhichhelpstheaspiranttocrosstheoceanofSamsara.The gloryofSatsangacannotbeadequatelydescribedinwords.AllscriptureseulogiseSatsangavery highly.IfonetakesrecoursetoSatsanga,hewillgeteverything.Satsangaistheonlypotentmeans tooverhaultheviciousSamskarasandtoinfusedispassioninthehead.Satsangaisaformidable fortresstoprotecttheaspirantsfromtheonslaughtsandtemptationsofMaya.WithoutSatsanga, you cannot have even an iota of spiritual progress.
Satsanga,Santi,SantoshaandVicharaarethefoursentinelswhostandinfrontofthedoor ofMoksha.Satsangaistheseniormostsentinel.Ifyoumakefriendshipwithhim,theotherthree sentinelswillatoncebecomeyourfriendsandyoucaneasilyenterthesupremeabodeofMoksha and eternal bliss.
II. Saint Haridas and the Fallen Woman
OncesaintHaridas,adiscipleofSriChaitanyaMahaprabhu,inthecourseofhis wanderings,reachedavillage.Heusedtoengagehimselfdayandnightinthechantingofthe Lord’sName.ApolicesuperintendentwholivednearbywasdisturbedbyhisKirtan.Inorderto pollutehim,thepoliceofficerdevisedaplan.HesentaverycharmingprostitutetoHaridasforthe purpose.Inthenight,theprostitute,proudofherbeautyandamorousglances,wenttothesaint.But howcanasaintwaverfromhisunflinchingdevotion?Haridasdidnotstophischantingforthe wholenight.Earlyinthemorning,seeingherbeforehim,hesaid:“Pleasecomenextnight.Imaybe abletotalkwithyouthen.”Sosaying,heresumedhiswork.“Whatsortofmanishe?”she wondered, “But tomorrow I will be successful.” Thus thinking, she went away.
Thenextnight,shecameagainwithdoubleenthusiasm.But,againthesamething happened.Shethoughtwithinherself,“Hemusthaveattainedsomethingmorebeautifulthan myself.Thismustbethereason.Otherwise,hewouldhavefallenintothetrapofmybeautyasa
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
mothfallsintotheflame.LetmealsoattaintheBeautyofallbeautieswhichhasintoxicatedthis saint.”
Thecontactwiththesainttransformedher.ShebegantoyearnfortheattainmentofGod. Thesaintgaveherarosaryandaseatandorderedhertodistributeallherwealthamongthepoorand to engage herself in the chanting of the Lord’s Name.
Incourseoftime,theunholywomanbecameaholydevoteeoftheLord.ShehadHis Darshan and attained supreme blessedness. Such is the glory of Satsanga.
III. Shampoo My Waist With Your Feet!
Onceasaint,inordertotesthisdisciple,orderedhimtoshampoohiswaistbyhisfeet.The saint said, “My waist is paining. Will you, my dear disciple, shampoo it with your feet?”
Thedisciplesaid,“Maharaj!HowamItoputmyfeetonyourholyperson?Thatisagreat sin.”
Thesaintreplied,“Butareyounot,inthusdisobeyingme,puttingyourfeetonmytongue?”
Oneshouldlearnalessonfromthisexample.Thediscipleshouldnotexercisehisintellectin carryingouttheordersofhisGuru.Heshoulddiscardimpertinenceandshoulddeveloptrueand lastingdevotiontotheGuru.Oneshouldserveasaintineveryway,servehimphysically,meditate onhim,carryouthisorderswithoutdelay,trytoservehismission,andsoforth.Oneshouldhave unflinchingfaith.Mysteriousarethewaysofasaint.Theservicesthathetakesfromyouarefor yourownbenefit.Hehimselfwantsnothing.Bygivingvariousordersandtestingyouinvarious ways, he makes you a fit vessel for the reception of enlightenment.
Oneshouldnotserveasaintforthesakeofseeingmiracles.Youmusthavespiritualbenefit fromasaint.Oneshouldserveasaintwithbody,mindandsoultogetherforthesakeofattainment ofGod.Servingasaintforthesakeofwife,children,wealthandhonour,orforanyotherselfish motiveisagreatfolly.Thoughthesaint’scontactcangiveyousuccessinallworldlyendeavours, yet it is like giving away diamonds in exchange for stones.
21 SOME ILLUSTRATIVE STORIES
A MISCELLANY OF POEMS ON SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
The Fruits of Darshan of Mahatmas
Even a mere Darshan of great saints Bestows wealth on the devotee, Destroys all his sins, Makes “Sreyas” (all that is good) flow towards him, Gives him name and fame.
The benefits of Satsanga are indescribable. The blessings of sages Will liberate you from Samsara.
Miss Not a Satsanga
The sublime thoughts That never occur to one lecturer Will occur to another. You should not miss that.
A sublime thought May not occur to a lecturer on one day But may occur to him on another occasion. You should not miss that.
Miss not an opportunity To have Satsanga of Mahatmas and saints.
Do Not Judge a Sage
Only a sage can know a sage. He will sometimes appear like a Sarvajna, all-knower. He will sometimes appear like an Ajna, ignorant man. He knows when to act like a Brahmanishtha And when to behave like a fool.
Do not judge him.
If you approach him with the proper Bhava, With faith, devotion and spiritual thirst, He will impart the highest knowledge to you.
If you approach him with a bad motive, He will behave like a mad-man And you will be deceived. Great will be your loss then.
22 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
Who Is a Sadhu?
Many people think that A Sadhu should take only two breads; If he takes three or four breads, he is not a Sadhu. A Sadhu should wear only a small towel; If he wears a shirt or a coat, He is not a Sadhu. What a terrible state of ignorance, Delusion, foolishness and stupidity!
Judge not a Sadhu by these things. Renunciation is a mental state, Sadhuism is an internal growth.
He keeps matted locks and a long beard, He carries a Yogadanda and Kamandalu too, He utters “Sivoham”, “Ram Ram” He wears a bundle of rosaries. He keeps a Gita and Ramayana with him, He sits erect with closed eyes. He does not take food for days together. He is a hypocrite, he is a pseudo-saint. Beware friend, beware comrade. No saint is he, no trace of God he bears. He would cut your throat. He is a scoundrel, he is a rogue. Dark hell waits him certainly.
A pseudo-Sannyasi pollutes The noble order of Sannyasa
By donning the orange-colour robe. He is impudent, deceitful, He is unrestrained, He walks in disguise, He is a counterfeit monk, He is a babbler, He defiles the way. Beware, be cautious, friends!
A Pseudo-saint
Pseudo-Sannyasi
23 A MISCELLANY OF POEMS ON SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
Sanga-Dosha
Sanga-dosha is defect of evil company. Aspirants should be very careful. They should not freely mix with worldlings. They will have a hopeless downfall.
They will begin to imitate the life of worldlings. They will take up again
Those articles which they have renounced. They will come down
To the level of worldlings.
All sorts of worldly Vasanas Will enter their mind.
Therefore they should remain in seclusion
Till they are nicely moulded And attain full illumination.
Baneful Effects of Evil Company
There was a Tapasvin in a forest. He was doing Tapas for several years, He had not seen women, He had not tasted sweetmeats, He lived on the fruits of forests.
There was a great famine in the country.
Pundits said to the king:
“If the Tapasvin is brought to the Capital, There will be good rain.”
There was great difficulty in bringing him; But some damsels came forward.
They said “We will bring him anyhow.”
They repaired to the forest with musical instruments And a variety of sweetmeats.
They danced and sang, They hung sweetmeats in the trees.
The melody penetrated into the ears of the Tapasvin. He came near the damsels, He ate the sweetmeats,
He was very much attracted towards the damsels.
The damsels said “O Tapasvin! Come to our town.
We will take care of you.”
The Tapasvin agreed.
He came to the Capital.
There was a good downpour of rain.
He was honoured by the king.
Gradually his dispassion waned.
24 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
He marked his gradual downfall. He thought this was due to the Sanga-dosha.
At once he ran to the forest at night, Without telling anybody.
He again did severe Tapas And attained his original glorious state.
What Cannot Scriptures Bestow on You?
Devout study of Srimad Bhagavata
Bestows Bhakti and Vairagya on you.
Intelligent study of Vishnu-purana
Qualifies you for enquiry into the nature of Truth.
Pious recital of Srimad Ramayana
Confers progeny and prosperity on you.
Faithful study of the Mahabharata
Destroys all your sins and makes you pure.
What cannot Svadhyaya do?
Vedas, Puranas and Kavyas
Vedas are like the Master; They command you to lead the divine life. They do not use argument or persuasion.
Puranas are like the good friend; They plead with you to do the right, Using various arguments and Illustrating them with interesting stories.
Kavyas are like the devout wife; They capture your heart And lure you into the life divine. Each one has its own place And is suited to a particular temperament.
SANNYASINS AND REGENERATION OF SOCIETY
SadhusandSannyasinsformthepivotoftheworldorder.Theyarethemostproper authoritiesinmaintainingtheworldpeaceandharmony.Theyaretherealinstrumentsbywhich innumerableaggressivenationsmaybebroughtintoclosecontactwithoneanotherandunited together.RealSadhusandSannyasinswhoalwaysaimatuniversalbrotherhoodundergovast experienceinallstagesoftheirlife.ThelifeofaSadhuoraSannyasinisthemostperilousone.Itis adouble-edgedsword.Unlesslifeisledinthemostrighteousandvirtuousway,aSadhugetslostin the wilderness.
25 A MISCELLANY OF POEMS ON SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
Nowadays,wemayfindsomepersonsgarbthemselvesinochre-coloureddressandroam abouttheworldposingthemselvesasSadhusandbringinghomeill-fametotheSannyasi communityasawhole.Thestipulationsleviedinthescripturesarecompletelyignoredbythese. Theircontactwiththeworldresultsindevastatingcriticismandscandalofthesectionasawhole.
Topreventsuchmisdeedsandpretensions,andtomaketheSadhusandSannyasinstrueand worthyteachersofmankindandtorestorethedignityandprestigeoftheSadhucommunity,ithas becomequitenecessarytobringaboutcohesiveunitybetweenthesesoulsbyefficientorganisation.
Initiation,maintenanceandcontrolofgenuineSadhusandSannyasinsareveryessentialfor the welfare of the whole world.
Conferences,parliaments,meetings,convocationsandguildsshouldnotberestrictedtothe SadhusandSannyasinsoftheHindureligionalone,butshouldembraceallpriests,Fakirsand monksfollowingChristianity,Islam,Sikhismandallreligionsoftheworld.Allreligionsareofthe sameoriginwiththesamefundamentalmottowithoneandonlyonebackground.Thereneedbeno distinctionsintheleadingofpracticallifeofpersonswhohaverenouncedtheirworldlyattachments andwhohavededicatedtheirwholelifeinfindingouttherealandeternalTruthandbringingit home to the masses at large.
AperfectorganisationofalltheseSadhusinallcornersoftheworldwillpromotethe interestoftheseaswellastheworldatlarge.AllheadsofMutts,churchesandotherreligious institutionsandorganisationsshouldjoinhandsandofferconcretesuggestionsfortheefficient working of the organisation.
Organisation of Sadhus
Thisistheneedofthehour.Muchspiritualgoodcanbedoneifthereisaperfect organisationofSadhusandSannyasins.Youwillhaveanewera,anewworld,anewcultureifthis is done.
Thereisahugecryforthisorganisation.EveryhouseholderinIndiatalksofthis.Buthow are we to do this? This is the problem. This is the question.
TheSadhucommunityisaheterogeneousandcomplexone.Therearevariouscultsorsects. ThereareVairagis,KabirPanthis,DaduPanthis,Gorakhnathsects,Nirmalas,Udasis,Dasanama SannyasinswhoarefollowersofSriSankara,SriRamakrishnaMissionSannyasins,Niranjana Akhada Sannyasins, Nagas and others.
RishikeshisacolonyforSadhusandSannyasins.Asthisisawonderfulcharmingplaceon thebankoftheGangawithspiritualvibrations,Sadhushaveselectedthisplacefortheir Tapascharyaandmeditation.AncientRishislivedhereanddidtheirTapas.Uttarakasiinthe Himalayas and Hardwar are other centres where many Sadhus live.
TherearetwoimportantKshetrasinRishikeshwhichdistributefreefoodtotheSadhus. Whereverthereisfreefood,allsortsofpeopleflockandputonthecolouredgarbofanascetic.
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
Hence,somesortofsocialevilcropsupandthesanctityofthepeopleslowlygetsspoiled. Mischief-mongers dwell in such holy places and carry on their work vigorously.
TheheadsoftheSadhusectsshouldhaveanintensedesirefortheorganisation.Onlythen theworkcanbedoneefficiently.Theyshouldmelttheirindividualdifferencesandopinions,sit together,andworkwholeheartedly.OrganisationoftheSadhusisnotaneasytask.Itis,indeed,a stupendous uphill work. It will take some time before it is perfectly organised.
AlltheMandaleswars,alltheheadsofMuttsandreligiousinstitutions,allthereputed SannyasinsandSadhuswhoexerciseinfluenceoverthepublicshouldcomeforwardnowtotakeup this work.
NoindividualSannyasinwillbeabletodothiswork.SriSankarahadthehelpand cooperationofkings.Heorganisedhisownmilitaryforce,theNagas,tocarryoutthepropaganda. So also, this work demands man-power, money-power, police-force and an army of volunteer.
ManyundesirablewickedpersonswithbrutalforcelivenowamidstSannyasins,wearing theorange-colouredrobe.Theymustberemovedruthlessly.Theycreatealotofmischief.The organiserswillmeetwithsevereoppositionfromthesepeople.Theymustbepreparedtomeetsuch opposition.MerelecturingandfieryspeecheswillnothelpintheorganisationofSadhus.Wewant robust,untiring,intellectual,selflessworkers.Wewantalsohelpfromgenerous-hearted,nice people. Then the work will have a successful termination.
Itishightimenow.Thisworkmustbetakenupatonce.Allreligiousheadsmustcooperate now.OnlythenLokasangrahacanbedoneveryefficiently.Onlythenwilltherebearealspiritual upheaval in this world.
ODevas!NityaSiddhas!Willyoupleaseenterintotheheartsofthesereligiousheads, inspire and goad them to do this?
Sannyasins’ Noble Mission
SadhusandSannyasins,asabody,haveauniversalpurposeforwhichtheyexist.Theyare thecustodiansofthespiritualityofthelandandhaveadefiniteparttoplayintheadvancementand elevationofhumanity.Toequipthemselvesforthenobletaskentrustedtotheircare,themonksand Sadhusoftheworldisolatethemselvesinthebeginningfromtherestofmankindasanecessary discipline.Butunfortunately,wehaveallowedthisseparationtobecomeapermanentcondition andthus,toagreatextent,theSadhucommunityhascometoregarditselfasaunitoutsidethepale of the rest of humanity struggling valiantly in the plain and in the cities.
LosingtouchwithothershasconsequentlymadetheSadhusforgettheparttheyhaveto playandneglecttheirworkaseducatorsandenlightenersoftheotherthreeorders.WeSannyasins haveonceagaintobestirourselvesandcommenceplayingourdestinedpartinthenation’slife.We aretobeoneunitedbodydedicatedtothenobleidealofexertingourselvesunselfishlyand wholeheartedlyfortheusheringinoftheneweraofbrotherhoodandpeacethatmustfollowafter the years of savage strife and bloodshed in which the world is now plunged.
27 SANNYASINS AND REGENERATION OF SOCIETY
Everysectionofhumanitywillplayitspartinthereconstructionofthenewworldona worthierbasis.Ifthenewcivilisationistobeanenduringoneandnotmerelyapreludetoabigger war,ithastobebasedonlastingvaluesofaspiritualnature.Theprovidingofthisfundamental spiritualbasistothenewhumanityistheworkoftheSadhus,Sannyasinsandmonksoftheworld.
Theonusofspiritualisingthecominggenerationrestsupontheshouldersofthemenof Spirit,thesaints,SadhusandMahatmas.Theyshoulddothiswithoutfailtokeeptheglorious tradition of this land and to maintain their respected place as a useful unit of society.
ThelaypeoplealwayslookuptotheSadhusforactiveguidanceinmattersofmoraland spiritualimport.Wehave,therefore,tosettoworkbyprecept,actualexampleandactivelife-work. Inbringingtogetherthesaintsofthecountryintoaunitedandharmoniousassociation,letalljoin withenthusiasmandhelpineverywaytomakeitathoroughsuccess.Inviewofthegreatworkthat liesbeforeusall,theSadhusoftheholyplacesinIndia,letusstartwithearnestnessandfaithinthe Almighty.
SuchaSangathanistobeapreliminaryandapreparatorystepforthegranderunionofall thesaintsandMahatmasoftheworldforthenobleworkofLokasangrahainthepost-warworld. IndiaistobemadethegloriousBharatavarshaofKingBharataonceagainandshewillbethe SpiritualMotheroftheworldnotintheory,butactuallyinfact.Theinstrumenttoachievethis divine work is this selfless union.
Tomakeitselfqualified,fitandreadyforthetaskistheinitialworkofthisorganisation.To thisend,thefirstmeasurewillbetotakestockoftheunitedstrengthoftheSangh.Evenaswasdone ontheeveoftheMahabharataYuddha,thiswillprovideanideaofourcapacities.For,verily,we representtheforceofSattvaandgoodforovercomingtheforceofTamasandevilthathastheworld in its grip today.
Sannyasins and Social Welfare
ASadhuorSannyasinshouldbeinvitedtostayineverycollegehostel.Dailyheshouldgive easylessonstothestudentsonethicalandspiritualculture,andalsopracticaltraininginmeditation andworship.HeshouldteachthemtheBhagavadGita,theBhagavata,theRamayanaandthe Upanishads.Onlythentheywillbeproperlymouldedandtheywillpossessgoodcharacter.The conditionoftheboysisdeplorableatthePresentmoment.TheyhavelostfaithinGodandinthe holyscriptures.Theyhavebecomeirreligious.Itisfortheheadsofcommitteesthatrunthe educationalinstitutionstogiveachancetotheyoungergenerationtoevolvespirituallybycoming in direct contact with the Sannyasins, by maintaining such spiritual Sannyasin-instructors.
ASadhuorSannyasinshouldbeaskedtovisittheGovernmentjailsatleastonceaweek.He shouldconductprayersandKirtanamongtheprisonersandmakethemgoodsoulsthroughmoral instructions.Peoplecommitcrimesortheftsmainlythroughignorance.Ifignoranceisremoved throughpropertrainingorVidya,therewillbeneithercriminalsnorjails.Weshallsurelyhavea heaven on earth. Will the Discharged Prisoners Associations or similar societies look to this?
28
SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
IfaSannyasinlivesinatownwherethereisahospital,heshouldbegiventheopportunityto visitthepatientsdailyandcheerthemup.Heshouldofferprayersfortheirrapidrecovery,and conductprayers,Kirtanandcommonmeditationamongstthem.Heshouldspeaktothemaboutthe immortal and diseaseless nature of the Soul that lies within their bodies.
Muchspiritualupliftwhichisthedireneedofthedaycanbedone,iftheabovesuggestions areputintoeffect.ThebandofeducatedSannyasinswhoarepreparedtodoselflessworkinthe worldwillnotbewantingtocomeoutfromtheirretreatsintothebusyworld.Theworldhasonlyto recognise the importance of such a noble band in the welfare of the society.
SELECT SAYINGS ON SATSANGA
What Is Satsanga?
1.TogetoneselfestablishedinBrahmanisrealSatsanga.Companyofthewiseisalso Satsanga.StudyofreligiousbookswrittenbytherealisedsoulsisalsoSatsanga.Satsangaor associationwiththewiseremovesthedarknessoftheheart,leadsyoutotherightpathandcauses the sun of wisdom to shine in your head.
2.Satsangaisassociationwiththewise.Liveinthecompanyofsages,saints,Sadhus,Yogis andSannyasins;heartheirvaluableUpadesaorinstructionsandfollowthemimplicitly.Thisis Satsanga.
God and the Saint
3. God is the great purifier. A saint also is a great purifier.
4. God incarnates as saints and sages when their need is felt most.
5. God works through sages and saints.
6. God reveals Himself in a saint in His full glory, infinite power, wisdom and bliss.
7. The saints are the heart of the Lord and the Lord is the heart of the saint.
8.Itisextremelydifficulttocomeincontactwithasaintandtobebenefitedbyhis company. It is through divine grace only one will get his Darshan and Satsanga.
9. Divine grace works through saints.
10. Saints are the living symbols of religion and are the true benefactors of humanity.
11. The sage or saint or Yogi is a magnet. He is a centre of power and wisdom.
29 SANNYASINS AND REGENERATION OF SOCIETY
12.Asageisasustaineroftheworld.Heisasourceofperpetualinspiration.Heisan instrument through which divine grace is transmitted to the unregenerated men.
13. A sage is the salt which preserves the society from decay and degeneration.
14.Asaintisabeacon-lightinthestormyseaofthisSamsara.Hepreventsmany ship-wrecks in the lives of many human beings.
15.Arealisedsageorsaintisafountainofdelight,joyandillumination.Seekhiscompany and evolve. Serve him with faith and devotion.
16.Asageisafountainofspiritualwisdom.Approachhimwithallhumilityandreverence. He will impart to you divine wisdom.
17.Learnwisdomfromsaints.Theyareyoursaviours.Knowthemtobesaintswhopossess godly qualities.
The Benefits of Satsanga
18.SatsangawithMahatmas,SadhusandtheGuruplaysatremendouspartinthe attainment of quick spiritual progress.
19.Satsangaistheeasiestandquickestmeanstochangethemindsofworldlypersons towards the spiritual path and to thoroughly overhaul the vicious, wrong Samskaras.
20.SatsangaelevatesthemindandfillsitwithSattvaorpurity.Iteradicatesthevicious thoughts in the mind and leads to the attainment of wisdom or Brahma-jnana.
21.WithoutSatsanga,thismindwhichisfilledwithworldlyimpuritiescannotbeturned towards God.
22.SatsangawithsagesisthesurestViveka-inspiringagent.Vairagyaordispassioncannot be attained without Satsanga.
23.SatsangaremovesthedarknessofignoranceandfillsyourmindwithVairagyaor non-attachmentordispassionforworldlyenjoyments.Satsangaisthesunthatdispelsthecloudof ignorance.ItforcesyoutoleadthelifedivineandhavestrongconvictionintheexistenceofGod.
24.ThecompanyofasaintremarkablyhastensthegrowthofSattvicvirtuesintheaspirant, andgiveshimstrengthtoawakenthedormantpowers,andtoeradicateundesirablenegative qualities and various defects.
25.SatsangahelpsagreatdealintheattainmentofMoksha.Thereisnootherway.It removesanddestroysthethreefoldafflictions.ItisanunfailingmeanstoconquerMayaandthis dire mind.
30 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
26.Satsangaisaformidableandimpregnablefortresstoprotecttheyoungaspirantsfrom the temptations and the attacks of Maya.
27.Justasaboatisthegreatestsheltertoadrowningman,soalso,asaintorasageisthe only shelter to the persons who are being drowned in the ocean of worldliness.
28.SatsangaisasentinelatthedoorofMoksha.Ifyoumakefriendshipwithhim,hewill introduceyoutohisotherfriends,viz.,Vichara(enquiry),Santi(peace)andSantosha (contentment) and you will attain Self-realisation quickly and easily.
29. Satsanga is unfailing in its results.
30. Satsanga or association with the wise is the one panacea for all the ills of life.
31. There is nothing so inspiring, elevating, solacing and delightful as Satsanga.
32. Satsanga is the greatest of all purifiers and illuminators of man.
33. Satsanga with a sage even for a minute is much better than rulership of a kingdom.
34.Havethecompanyofsaintswhowillhealyoursores,infusenewlifeintoyou, rejuvenate you, and show you the way to peace and happiness.
35.Followtheteachingsofsaintsandsages,theperfectedbeings,theseersofTruth.Attune yourself with their Spirit.
36.Life,fame,happiness,powerandknowledgewillincreaseinthatmanwhorespects elders and saints, and with faith and devotion prostrates before them.
How Holy Company Transforms
37.Thehumanmindisaveryreceptiveinstrument.Ifyouplaceitinevilcompany,itwill acquire evil tendencies. If you place it in holy company, it will acquire divine traits.
38.Brightidealsinfuseanurgetogrowintotheirlikeness.Evilexamplesalsohaveasimilar effect if the mind is not guarded.
39.Ifyougotoasage,therewillautomaticallycomeafeelingofpurityandpeacewithin you.
40.Justascold,fearanddarknessdepartfromonewhoapproachesfire,sodoesweakness, worldliness and ignorance depart from him who keeps himself near to the saints.
41.Saintsatoncepurifythosewhogonearthem,whereasGangapurgesthesinsofonly those whom its water comes in contact with in ablution.
31 SELECT SAYINGS ON SATSANGA
42. Saints cleanse the sinners at once at the very sight of them.
43.Thesightofasageisdelightful.Tolivewithhimisalwayspeaceful.Toconversewith him is blissful.
44.Themomentthemindthinksofasage,immediatelyallevildesires,basepassionsare brushed aside.
45.Atthetimeofthinkingofsaintlypersonages,themindgetsmouldedintotheshapeof the qualities of which it thinks, and thereby becomes pure.
46.Meditationonthelivesofsaintsisequaltoholycompany.Studyoftheirteachingsis equal to holy company.
47.Tothinkofthelivesofsaints,toliveintheircompany,tohavethegoodfortuneof receivingtheirblessings,istodrawforthuponyourselvesashowerofpurity,inspirationanddivine consciousness.
48.Theverycompanyofsagesandsaintshasatremendoustransformingeffectonthelives oftrueseekers.Itliftsthemuptotheheightsofsublimity,purityandspirituality.Itdoesnotfailto affect even the rank materialists.
49.Byassociationwithsaintsevenforashorttime,theaspirantsacquirestrongfaithinthe Lord.
50.Thesageisverysilent.Hespeaksafewwords.Thesewordsproduceatremendous impression.Theygiveanewlifeandjoytoallwhounderstandhimandhismessage.Inhispresence alone all the doubts of the aspirants are cleared, though he remains mute.
51. The company of saints generates love for God. The love for God brings salvation.
52. One moment of company with the holy builds a ship to cross this ocean of life.
How to Benefit from the Company of Saints
53.Jivanmuktasortheliberatedsagesareeverreadytohelpthosewhoarestillclimbingto reachthepeakofwisdom.Thisistheirworkinthisworld.Itisthedutyoftheaspirantstoseektheir aid and have a receptive attitude.
54.Tobenefitfromthecompanyofsaints,youhavetoprepareyourselffirst.Donotgowith anypreconceivednotionorprejudice.Gowithanopen,receptivemind.Gowithoutexpectations. Approachthemhumbly,respectfully.Assimilatewhatappealstoyou.Ifsomeoftheirteachingsdo notappealtoyou,donotformahastyopinion.Ifyoudonotlikethem,youneednottakethemto head.Whatmaybesuitabletoanothermaynotbesuitabletoyou.Yet,withregardtobroad fundamentals, there can be no difference of opinion.
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
55.OneshouldpossesstherightdesiretocrosstheoceanofSamsaraandtoattain Knowledge of Brahman through Satsanga.
56.Whenyougobeforeasage,donotaskhimquestionsoutofmereinquisitiveness.Sitin hispresencehumbly.Observehim.Listentohimwithoutprejudice.Askhimonlysuchquestions about which you really need clarification.
57. Ask him only pertinent questions. Do not draw him into politics or public bickerings.
58.Meditateinthepresenceofasage.Youwillgetinnerlightwhichwillclearyourdoubts.
59.AnintelligentmanonlywillunderstandandrealisetheTruthinthecompanyofasage.
Service of Saints
60.TheeasywaytoreachGodistoliveinthecompanyofsaintsandpractisetheirteaching.
61.Thewordsofasageenliventheheartandclearthedoubtsofignorance.Trytoprofitas much as you can by their instructions.
62.Withoutthegraceofsaints,youcannotknowthesecretsofdivinelife.Youcanacquire their grace by sincere practice of their precepts as well as by doing personal service to them.
63. Service to the saints is the door to Moksha.
64. It is very difficult to attain the good fortune of serving the saints.
65. Association with saints comes when the seeker is nearing his salvation.
66. The Lord is enthroned in the heart of a man who has unselfish devotion to saints.
The Lives of Saints
67. Lives of saints are the compass-needles on your voyage to Moksha.
68.Abookwhichtreatsofthelivesofsaintsisaconstantcompanionandpricelesstreasure for you.
69.Constantstudyofthelivesofsaintswillenableyoutoleadasaintlylife.Youwill imbibe their noble qualities.
70.Youwillbegraduallymouldedinthespiritualpath.Youwilldrawinspirationfrom them.
71. There will be an inner urge in you to attempt for God-realisation.
33 SELECT SAYINGS ON SATSANGA
72.Rememberthegreatsaintsandsages.Youwillbeinspired.Theyarenotdead.Theyare more alive today than ever before.
73.Bewareofbadcompany;evenasobermanbeginstodrinkinthecompanyofa drunkard.
74. Anything that brings impure thoughts in the mind is bad company.
75.Evilcompanyisverydangerous.Itleadstotherousingupofpassion,anger,hatred, delusion, loss of memory and loss of discrimination. Therefore, shun evil company ruthlessly.
76.Thecompanyofmenwhoassociatewithwomenisthedoorleadingtoworldlybondage.
THE HINDU SCRIPTURES ON THE GLORY OF SATSANGA
The Yoga-vasishtha
Sage Vasishtha says to Sri Rama:
“SatsangaservesasaboattocrossthisterribleoceanofSamsara.Thecompanyofsages evenforamomentishighlybeneficial.EventheDarshanofMahatmasdestroyssinsandelevates themind.Thecompanyofvirtuouspeopleproducesthefreshblossomofdiscrimination.The companyofsageswardsoffalldisastersanddestroysthetreeofignorance.Sagesprescribethebest rulesofconductforaspirantsandteachthemthecorrectmodeoflife.Thecompanyofthevirtuous shedslightontherightpathanddestroystheinternaldarknessofman.Thecompanyofsagesisthe unfailing means to conquer Maya and this dire mind.
“Contentment,Satsanga,enquiryandSantiarethefourfoldmeansofattaining Self-realisation.Thosewhoareinpossessionofthesefourfoldmeanshavecrossedtheoceanof Samsara.‘Contentment’isregardedasthebestgain,‘goodcompany’astherightcause,‘enquiry’ asthetrueknowledge,and‘Santi’asthehighestblissofman.Allprosperityandsuccessattendon himwhoispossessedofthesefourfoldmeans.Assoonasoneofthesevirtuesisdeveloped,itwill servetoweakentheforceofthefaultsofyouruncontrollablemind.Thecultivationofvirtuesleads tothesuppressionanderadicationofvices;butthefosteringofvicewill,onthecontrary,conduce totheincreaseofvicesandsuppressionofvirtuousqualities.Themindisawildernessoferrorsin whichthestreamofourdesiresisrunningwithatremendousforceamidstitstwobanksofgoodand evil.
“Therefore,ORama,controlyourmindbravelyanddevelopdiligentlytheabovefourfold means for your conduct in life.
“HewhopractisesregularlyAtmicenquirywillneverbeafflictedbythepainsandmiseries ofSamsara.Hewillhavealwaysequanimityofmindandequalvision.Hewillbeeverpeacefuland
34
SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
THE HINDU SCRIPTURES ON THE GLORY OF SATSANGA
joyful.Mayawillneverapproachhim.Hewilleverengagehimselfinmeditationonthe Imperishable and Self-luminous Atman.
“OneshouldstudybooksonAtma-jnana,keepcompanywiththesages,developthe fourfoldmeansandrightconduct,controlthesenses,andeverengagehimselfinthepracticeof Atmic enquiry till Knowledge of the Self dawns in him.”
Srimad Bhagavata
Lord Krishna says to Uddhava:
“IamnotsoeasilyattainablebyYoga,Sankhyaordiscrimination,Dharma,studyofthe Vedas,Tapas,renunciation,liberalgifts,charitableacts,ritessuchasAghnihotra,fasts,vows, Yajnas,secretMantras,resorttopilgrimages,YamasandNiyamas,asbySatsangawhichputsan end to all attachments.
“Itisonlybyassociationwiththewiseandtherighteous,thatmanywhowereofaRajasic orTamasicnature—suchasVritra,sonofthesageTvashtri,Prahlada,theDaityas,theAsurasand theRakshasas,Gandharvas,Apsaras,Nagas,Siddhas,Charanas,GuhyakasandVidyadharas,many beastsandbirds,andamongmankindVaisyas,Sudras,womenandoutcasteswhoareofthelowest birth, have attained Me.
“Vaishaparva,Bali,Bana,Maya,Vibhishana,Sugriva,Hanuman,Jambavanthebear, Gajendratheelephant,Jatayuthevulture,Tuladharathemerchant,Dharmavyadhathefowler, Kubjathehunchbackedperfume-seller,theGopisinVraja,thewivesoftheBrahmanasengagedin sacrificesinBrindavan,andothers—allthesedidnotstudytheVedas,didnotsitatthefeetofgreat menoflearningforthesakeofknowledge;theydidnotobserveanyvowsorfasts;theydidnot perform Tapas; but they attained Me through the association with saints and Sadhus.
“Throughlovealone,developedthroughthecompanyofsaints,theGopis,andeventhe cows,trees,beasts,serpents,andothersofdull-wittednature,becameperfectedandeasilyattained MewhomonedoesnotattainbymakinggreatendeavoursthroughYogaorSankhya,charity,vows, Tapas,sacrifices,teachingandstudyoftheVedas,orrenunciation.WhenIwastakenbyAkrurato MathurawithBalarama,theGopis,withtheirheartsgiventoMethroughintensedevotion,were greatlyafflictedatheartonaccountofMyseparation.NothingbutMecouldgivethemanydelight orinterest.FortheGopis,thoseverynightswhichtheyspentlikeamomentwithMe,theirmost belovedone,whileatBrindavan,becameinmyabsence,likeYugas.Withtheirheartsandminds fixedonMe,throughintenseloveandattachment,theywerenotconsciousoftheirbodiesortheir relativesorwhatwasnearoratadistance,justassagesdonotknownamesandformsinthestateof Samadhi or superconscious condition, like the rivers merged in the waters of the ocean.
“TheignorantGopis,whowerenotawareofMyrealnatureasSupremeBrahman,tookMe astheirbelovedparamourandyettheyattainedMe,theSupremeBrahman,byhundredsand thousands,throughthepowerofSatsangaorholyassociation.Therefore,OUddhava,abandon injunctionsandprohibitions,thecourseofPravrittiKarmaandNivrittiKarma,whatisyettobe studiedorwhatisalreadystudied;riseabovetherulesandcounter-rules.CarenotforSrutisor
35
Smritis,forbiddingsandforbiddings;takerefugeinMealonewholeheartedlyandwithall devotion—theAtmanofallbeings.Thoushalthavenofearfromanyquarter,fromanycauseor causes.”
DARSHAN YOGA OR HOLY DARSHAN OF LIVING MAHATMAS
1. H.H. Sri Swami Krishna Ashram (Jnani), Gangotri.
2. H.H. Sri Swami Adwaitanandaji Maharaj (Jnani), Gujarat.
3. H.H. Sri Swami Svayam Jyoti Maharaj (Jnani), Parivrajak, Broach.
4. H.H. Sri Swami Vishnudevanandaji Maharaj (Jnani), Kailash Ashram, Rishikesh.
5. H.H. Sri Sri Ma Anandamayee, Varanasi.
6.H.H.SriBalaYogi,Mummidivaram,RazoleTaluq,nearRajahmundry,EastGodavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
7. H.H. Sri Prabhu Datta Brahmachariji Maharaj, Allahabad.
8. H.H. Sri Hari Babaji, Brindavan.
9. H.H. Sri Avadhoot Ramanandaji Maharaj, Uttarakasi.
10. H.H. Sri Swami Brahm Perkashji Maharaj (Vedantin), Rishikesh.
11.H.H.SriSwamiOmkar,PresidentandFounder,ShantiAshram,ViaSankhavaram,East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
12.H.H.SriSwamiKuvalayanandajiMaharaj(Yogi),Founder,LonavalaAshram, Lonavala, Bombay.
13. H.H. Sri T.L. Vaswani (alias Dadaji), Poona.
14.H.H.SriKrishnaPremiVairagi(aliasMr.Nixon),UttaraBrindavan,Pannanwala, Almora.
15.H.H.SriSankaracharyaPeethadhipathisofSringeri,Dwaraka,Puri,Kanchipuram, Joshi Mutt, etc.
IoweanapologytotheseMahatmasforinsertingtheirnamesinthisbookwithoutobtaining theirpermission.Ihopetheywillexcuseme.MyoneideaisthatthethirstyaspirantsafterTruthwill
36 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
behighlyinspiredbythemerereadingofthenamesofMahatmas.Soundhastremendouspoweron themind.Thebodygoesawaysoon,butthenamelivesforalongtime.AnoccasionalDarshanofa Mahatma,aglimpseofhisfacefilledwithpeaceandBrahmicGlow,willundoubtedlyinspirethe spirituallyhungryMumukshus.Aman’scareertakesanentirechangeatthesimplesightofa Mahatma.MahatmasshouldnotbemiserlyingivingtheirDarshantothirsty,dispassionate aspirants.
SARVA DEVA RISHI BHAKTA KIRTAN MALA
Thars or Mettu:
Bhajo Radhe Krishna, Bhajo Radhe Krishna,
Bhajo Radhe Shyama
Bhajo Radhe Shyama
Universal Kirtan
1.Bhajo Lord Jesus, Bhajo Khuda Khuda,
2.Bhajo Lord Buddha, Bhajo Arhat,
3.Bhajo Lord Confucius, Bhajo Lord Mahabir,
4.Bhajo Vahiguru, Bhajo Guru Arjun,
5.Bhajo Saint Joseph, Bhajo Saint Mathews
6.Bhajo Mansoor,
Bhajo Lord Mohammed
Bhajo Allah Allah
Bhajo Tatagatha
Bhajo Bodhisattva
Bhajo Lord Shinto
Bhajo Lord Tirthankaras
Bhajo Nanakdeva
Bhajo Guru Govinda
Bhajo Saint Francis
Bhajo Saint Patrick
Bhajo Shams Tabriez (Bhajo Zoroaster)
Ancient Rishis
1.Bhajo Nara Rishi, Bhajo Padmabhava,
2.Bhajo Sakti Parasara, Bhajo Suka Brahmarshi,
3.Bhajo Sankaracharya, Bhajo Hastamalaka, Bhajo Suresvaracharya,
4.Bhajo Atri Bhrigu, Bhajo Gautama Kasyapa,
Bhajo Narayana Rishi
Bhajo Vasishtha Muni
Bhajo Vyasa Bhagavan
Bhajo Govinda Pada
Bhajo Padmapada
Bhajo Trotakacharya
Bhajo Sadguru Deva
Bhajo Utsa Vasishtha
Bhajo Durvasa Angirasa
37
DARSHAN YOGA OR HOLY DARSHAN OF LIVING MAHATMAS
5.Bhajo Sanaka Sanandana, Bhajo Sanatsujata, Bhajo Sanatkumara
6.Bhajo Yajnavalkya, Bhajo Agastya,
7.Bhajo Kapila Muni, Bhajo Valmiki Rishi, Bhajo Rishi Kanada,
Bhajo Ashtavakra
Bhajo Uddalaka
Bhajo Visvamitra
Bhajo Patanjali Rishi
Bhajo Lord Manu
Bhajo Rishi Jaimini
8.Bhajo Prajapathi, Bhajo Lord Yama, Bhajo Bharadwaja
Bhajo Nachiketas
Saints of the Past
1.Bhajo Sankaracharya, Bhajo Madhvacharya, Bhajo Nimbarkacharya,
2.Bhajo Sadasiva Brahman, Bhajo Madhusudanswami,
3.BhajoGourangMahaprabhu, Bhajo Ramananda,
Bhajo Ramanujacharya
Bhajo Vallabhacharya
Bhajo Gorakanatha
Bhajo Vidyaranya
Bhajo Sreedhara Swami
Bhajo Ramaprasad
Bhajo Samartha Ramdas
4.Bhajo Thayumanavar, Bhajo Appar Sundarar, Bhajo Pattinathar
5.Bhajo Tiruvalluvar, Bhajo Jnanasambhandar,
6.Bhajo Tyagaraja, Bhajo Vemanna,
7.Bhajo Ramalingaswami, Bhajo Totapuri,
8.Bhajo Vivekananda, Bhajo Sai Baba,
9.Bhajo Gorakumbar, Bhajo Chokamela,
10. Bhajo Kanakadasa, Bhajo Jnanadeva,
11. Bhajo Muktabai, Bhajo Namadeva,
12. Bhajo Raghunatha Rai, Bhajo Trilingaswami,
13. Bhajo Kalikambliwala, Bhajo Tulasidas, Bhajo Damaji,
14. Bhajo Narasi Mehta, Bhajo Nandanar,
Bhajo Manickavachakar
Bhajo Sundaramurti
Bhajo Kannappa Nayanar
Bhajo Purandaradasa
Bhajo Potana
Bhajo Dhanna Bhagat
Bhajo Ramakrishna
Bhajo Rama Tirtha
Bhajo Upasani Baba
Bhajo Sena Nayi
Bhajo Ravi Dasa
Bhajo Nivrittinath
Bhajo Sopanadeva
Bhajo Ekanatha
Bhajo Tukaram
Bhajo Mukunda Rai
Bhajo Pavahari Baba
Bhajo Vijayadas
Bhajo Kabirdas
Bhajo Surdas
Bhajo Dadukavi
Bhajo Potana
38
SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
1.Bhajo Prahalad, Bhajo Parasara,
Bhaktas
Bhajo Narada Rishi Bhajo Pundarika
2.Bhajo Vyasa Bhagavan, Bhajo Suka Muni, Bhajo Ambarisha
Bhajo Saunaka
3.Bhajo Bhishma Pitamaha, Bhajo Vibhishana, Bhajo Rugmangada Bhajo Hanuman
4.Bhajo Lakshmana, Bhajo Satrugna, Bhajo Bharata Bhajo Jatayu
5.Bhajo Gouranga,Bhajo Dhruva
6.Bhajo Chaitanya Deva, Bhajo Dhruva Uddhava, Bhajo Nityananda Bhajo Akrura Sudama
Chiranjivis
1.Bhajo Aswathama, Bhajo Markandeya, Bhajo Kaka Bhusandi Bhajo King Bali
2.Bhajo Vyasa Bhagavan, Bhajo Hanuman, Bhajo Narada Rishi Bhajo Jambavan
Historical Personages
1.Bhajo Raja Janaka, Bhajo Raja Yudhishthira, Bhajo Harischandra
Bhajo Raja Gopichand
2.Bhajo Raja Bhartrihari, Bhajo Raja Bharata, Bhajo Sikhidhvaja
Bhajo Raja Nala
3.Bhajo Raja Arjuna, Bhajo Karna Sibi, Bhajo Nakula Sahadeva Bhajo Dadhichi
4.Bhajo Vidura, Bhajo Sivaji, Bhajo Kalidasa Bhajo Asoka
Lady Saints and Devotees
1.Bhajo Kausalya Devi, Bhajo Yasoda Mata, Bhajo Devaki Devi Bhajo Devahuti
2.Bhajo Savitri, Bhajo Ahalya, Bhajo Nalayini
Bhajo Anasuya
3.Bhajo Sabari, Bhajo Satyabhama, Bhajo Draupadi Bhajo Madalasa
4.Bhajo Chudalai Rani, Bhajo Maitreyi,
Bhajo Sulabha Devi Bhajo Arundhati
39
SARVA DEVA RISHI BHAKTA KIRTAN MALA
5.Bhajo Mukta Bai, Bhajo Mira Bai, Bhajo Kunti Tara, Bhajo Andal,
Bhajo Sakkubai
Bhajo Maitrayani
Bhajo Mandodari
Bhajo Avvayar
Hindu Gods
1.Bhajo Vishnu Bhagavan, Bhajo Prajapati,
Bhajo Padmanabha
Bhajo Lord Siva
2.Bhajo Lord Krishna, Bhajo Lord Ganesha, Bhajo Lord Rama
3.Bhajo Lord Hari, Bhajo Kurma Rupa,
4.Bhajo Narasimhamurti, Bhajo Parasurama,
5.Bhajo Kalki Avatar, Bhajo Dakshinamurti, Bhajo Dwarakadhisa,
Bhajo Karttikeya
Bhajo Matsya Rupa
Bhajo Varaha Rupa
Bhajo Lord Vamana
Bhajo Balarama
Bhajo Dattatreya
Bhajo Hariharaputra
Bhajo Pandarinatha
1.Bhajo Virat Purusha, Bhajo Isa Mahesa,
2.Bhajo Brihaspati, Bhajo Vayu Bhagavan,
3.Bhajo Indra Vahni, Bhajo Nirriti,
4.Bhajo Kubera Isa, Bhajo Vidhyadharas,
5.Bhajo Gandharvas, Bhajo Guhyakas,
6.Bhajo Ashtavasu, Bhajo Rahu Ketu, Bhajo Kuja Budha, Bhajo Sukracharya,
Bhajo Hiranyagarbha
Bhajo Antariksha
Bhajo Aryama
Bhajo Trisanku
Bhajo Pithripati
Bhajo Varuna Yama
Bhajo Mitra Deva
Bhajo Yaksha Kinnaras
Bhajo Siddhacharanas
Bhajo Vinayakas
Bhajo Navagraha
Bhajo Surya Soma
Bhajo Brihaspati
Bhajo Sanischara
Hindu Goddesses
1.Bhajo Lakshmi Devi, Bhajo Parvati, Bhajo Gayatri Devi,
2.Bhajo Dakshayani, Bhajo Chandi Chamundi,
3.Bhajo Kali Mata, Bhajo Sita Janaki,
Bhajo Vani Saraswati
Bhajo Uma Gauri
Bhajo Sandhya Devata
Bhajo Durga Devi
Bhajo Mahishasuramardhani
Bhajo Valli Daivanai
Bhajo Radha Rukmini
* * *
40 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
4.Bhajo Gangarani, Bhajo Kasi Visalakshi,
5.Bhajo Katyayani, Bhajo Jagadambika
Bhajo Kanchi Kamakshi
Bhajo Madurai Meenakshi
Bhajo Mahamaya Bhajo Annapurni (Bhajo Bhumidevi)
THE IMPORTANCE OF SATSANGA AND GURU-BHAKTI
By Swami Chidananda
Thetwosubjects,SatsangaandGuru-bhakti,areinter-connected,forinaway,thedevotion tothespiritualPreceptorisaspecialisedformofSatsanga.Itisaspecialisedandintenseformof Satsanga.
Satsanga with a Mahatma and Satsanga with the Guru
Satsangaiscompanyoftheholy;itisthecompanyofanysaint,anyholyman,any Mahatma,anydevotee.Satsanga,inthisgeneralsense,maybemomentary.Forinstance,Yatris come,peoplecomeonleavetosacredplaces,andthentheytaketheopportunityoftheirpresencein aholyplacetomeettheholypersonsinthatplaceandhavethebenefitoftheirSatsanga.So,such kindofSatsangaismomentaryincharacter.But,whentheseekerapproachesasaintforSatsanga, andlateronheestablishesapermanentrelationshipwiththatsaintandbeginstoregardthatsaintas hisspiritualguide,ashisGuru,thenthisSatsangaassumesaspecialaspect.Itbecomespermanent, andinadditiontoregardingandreverencingthatpersonasaholyman,asamanofGod,thedevotee hasspecialreverenceforhimamountingtoworshipandadoration.AndespeciallyinIndia,it amountstoworshipwhichisgiventoGodHimself,becausedeificationoftheGuruisadeeply significantaspectofthemysteriousrelationshipbetweentheseekerandtheperfectedsaintthrough whomheistryingtoattainSalvation.Sowhenthisrelationshipisestablishedwithasaint,thenyou dothatSatsangawithintensedevotion,absolutesurrenderandanoverwhelmingspiritof dedication. You try to nullify your personality.
Only the Receptive Can Benefit by Satsanga
Ofcourse,thishastobedonewhenyouapproach any saint.Ifyouapproachasaintandif youhavetobenefitbyhim,ifyouhavetoattainsomethingorgainsomething,youhavetoput yourselfinthepositionofareceiver.EvenintheworldofVyavahara,letussupposeyouwishto knowsomethingfromahighlylearnedperson.Supposingyougotohimsaying,‘Iknow everything;’thennaturallyyouwillhavenoearstowhateverthatmanmayhavetosay,and therefore,evenifyougotothehighestscholar,themostlearnedman,youwillcomebackwiththe sameoldideaswhichyouhadwithyou.Youwouldbethesameman.Youwouldnothavegained evenagrainoftheknowledgethathepossessed,becauseyouhaveneverhadthefeelingof inadequacythat‘thereissomevoidinme;letmego;hepossessesthat.’Untilandunlessthisfeeling isthereinamanwhoapproaches,hecannotbeareceiver,andeventhoughtheotherpersonisthere togiveinthespiritofthegiver,themanwhowentcomesbackempty-handed,becausehehasnot
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SARVA DEVA RISHI BHAKTA KIRTAN MALA
fulfilledtheconditionsofareceiver.Itissowhenyouapproachanyperson,anditisallthemoreso whenyouapproachasaintandtrytotakehimasyourGuru.Therefore,Satsangawithasaint becomesdiscipleshipwhenthesaintbecomestheGuru;andyousitatthefeetoftheGuruina special sense, as a disciple.
The Basis of Guru-disciple Relationship
NowwhatisthebasisofthisGuru-disciplerelationshipwhichisheldinsuchgreat importanceintheHinduspiritualworld?Igiveforyoutorememberthreewords,whichifyoukeep inmind,youcangetsomeglimpseofthespiritualpsychologywhichisbehindthisimportant featureofthespirituallife.Thefirstwordis‘Upanishad,’thesecondwordis‘Upasana,’andthe third word is ‘Satsanga.’
Howdoyouderivetheword‘Upanishad’?Itmeans‘sittingnearaperson’whoisillumined, sothatwemayreceivefromhimtheknowledgewhichillumineshim.Soitmeanssittingneara perfectmaster,aseerofwisdom,andtryinghumblytodrawthatknowledgefromhim.Itis knowledgerevealedthroughsagesatwhosefeettheseekerssatwithdevotion,receptivityand humilityandthusbecamereceiversofthatknowledge.ThatisthecontentoftheUpanishads,that which is got by sitting near a seer and learning from him.
‘Upasana’means,moreorless,thesamething.Whereas‘Upanishad’isthewordwhich givesusthesecretcluetothemethodofgettingknowledge,tothetechniqueofattainingwisdom, similarly,devotiontotheLord,worshipoftheLordisdescribedbytheterm‘Upasana.’‘Upasana’ meansworshiporadorationoftheLordanditmeansliterallyinSanskrit,‘havingyourseatclose by.’Itmeans‘sittingnear,’‘sittingbesidetheDeity.’Thisshowsthenecessityofestablishinga closecontactwiththesupremeobjectofworshipthroughwhichyouwishtoderiveenlightenment.
‘Satsanga’alsosimilarlybringsoutmoreorlessidenticalsense.Itmeans‘beingin companionshipwithTruth,’andsimilarly,‘beingincompanionshipwiththosewhohaveattuned theirconsciousnesstotheabsoluteUltimateReality,whohavemadethemselvesoftheformofthe SupremeTruth.’ BrahmavitBrahmaivaBhavati.AmanwhorealisestheultimateTruth,becomes himselfanembodimentofTruth,thevisibleexpressionofTruth;andtherefore,saintsandsages, menofRealisation,aretheveryembodiments,theveryvisibleexpressionsinmanifestation,ofthe Truthuponwhichtheirconsciousnessisforeverbased.SowhenyouhaveSatsanga,itmeansyou sitinclosecompanionshipwithTruthorwiththesupremeembodimentofTruthwhichthesaintis.
Thesethreethings—Upanishads,UpasanaandSatsanga—haveeverbeenthevery sheet-anchorofourspirituallife.Atthehighestpinnacle,attheveryfountain-sourceofourspiritual culture,wehavetheUpanishads.Intherealmofdevotion,wehaveUpasana.AndSatsangaisa specialformwhichthistechniquehasassumedinthisage,inKaliYuga.Theysaid,“Thegreatest thinginKaliYugaandtheonlyeffectivemethodofcrossingthisoceanofSamsara,thisseaof delusion,isSatsanga.”Itistheboatthattakesthesoulacrosstheseaofthisphenomenalexistence, andthereforegreatimportancehasbeengiventoSatsanga,especiallyinthisKaliYuga.Theysay, NamaandSatsangaarethetwofactorsuponwhichthehopeofmankindrests.Thehopeofthe seeker,themainstayoftheaspirant’sspirituallife,hangsuponthesetwinfactorsofNamaand Satsangainthisironage.So,startingwiththeUpanishad,andlateroncomingtoUpasana,this
42 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
THE IMPORTANCE OF SATSANGA AND GURU-BHAKTI
supremetechniqueexistsinthefieldofSamsariclifeintheformofSatsanga.Itisofparamount importance to the aspirants in their journey towards the Ultimate Reality.
The Importance of Right Approach
Nowthen,ifSatsangaisthesupremefactorintheunfoldmentofone’sspiritual consciousness,whyisitthateachandeveryaspirantthatcomestoaGurudoesnotreceivethesame illuminationandthesamemarkofillumination,thesamefruitionofhisSadhanauponthepathof Yoga?LordKrishnalivedandhadhiswonderfuldivinelifeinDvaparaYugaandHewasthe visiblemanifestationoftheSupremeLordandamongthepeoplewhoconstantlymovedwithHim whohadHiscompany,whospoketoHimandhaddealingswithHim,thereweresomewhohadthe intimateknowledgeofHisDivinenatureandbecameblessed,andthereweresomewhoremained unchangedandtheyperishedinthegreatwarwhichwasLordKrishna’sownmaking.Whatisthis wonderfulthing?Itis,inoneword,the approach. TheapproachoftheJiva,theapproachofthe individualsoul,isthefactorthatdecideswhethertheSatsangaofaseekerbecomesfulfilledin realisationorfruitlessinitsbarrenness.For,whentheKauravasapproachedKrishna,their approachwasoneofDosha-drishti.TheywereblindtoallthegoodthatwasintheLordandtheir entirevisionwasfocussedupontheseeming,apparentdefects.TheLordmoveswithHis Yoga-MayaandYoga-MayaisthemysteriousindefinablePrakriti.Ifourattentionisfocussedupon Prakriti,thenthelightoftheAtmanislostuponus.Christcamewithhiswonderfullife,andthere wereahandfulwhorealisedhisgoodness,andtheyhavebecomeimmortal;andlostinoblivionare thecountlesspeoplewhowereinstrumentalincrucifyingHim.Theysawinhimapoliticalagitator, amanwhohadblack-magic,amaninleaguewiththedevil.Thatwastheviewofthevastmultitude ofpeople,and,therefore,forthemtheSatsangaofChristwasnotthere,itwasnon-existent.Even so,itisthemodeofapproachofthesoulthatdecidesthebenefitthathecanderivefromthe Satsanga,andwehavetheclassicalexampleofthemodeofapproachofDuryodhana.Inone instanceintheMahabharata,thegreatVyasarevealstheanatomyofDuryodhana’spersonalityand, at the same time, the anatomy of Yudhishthira’s personality.
The Classic Example of Yudhishthira and Duryodhana
Krishnasendsboththesepeopleuponamission.ThemissionthatHegivestoYudhishthira is,“Youtrytogoandgetamantotallybad,completelydevoidofanyvirtue,completelyfullof vices;”andHecallsasideDuryodhanaandsays,“Youtrytogetapersonwhoisfullofvirtues, devoidofanydefects.”Bothofthemgoontheirmission,andafteraperiodoftime,theybothcome backtoKrishnaandapproachHimseparately.Andwitheach,Krishnamakesthisenquiry:“Have youcomeback?Haveyoubroughttheman?Whereisthemanyouwentoutafter?”Lookatthe replies.Duryodhanasays,“Ihavetriedmybesttofindamanfullofvirtuesanddevoidofdefects, buttryasmuchasIcould—Ihavegoneeverywhere—Icouldnotfindamanwhowaswithout defect.Everyoneisfullofdefects.Ifhehasonevirtue,hehasadozenevils.Andaftermakinga thoroughsearch,Ifindthatthemanwithouttheleastdefectisnootherthanmyself.Iamtheman, andthereforeIhavecometoyou,andthereforedowhatyouwantwithme.”Krishnasmilesand says, “This is very good. I am really glad to see a man with all virtues and no vice.”
YudhishthiracomesandKrishnaasks,“Whereisyourman?”Yudhishthiraanswers....his answerhasbecomeimmortal;itshowstheman.Hesays,“OLord,evenintheworstfelon,evenin
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themanwhomtheworldcallstheworst,Ifindqualitieswhichareworthyofbeingemulated,Ifind traitswhicharegood,andtherefore,tryasmuchasIcould,Icouldnotfindanypersonwhowasfull ofdefects.Eachonehasgotsomegoodpoint.Itisimpossibletofindamanfullofdefects,andI analysedmyselfandIfindthatIamsofullofdefects,imperfectionsandvicesthatIcannotfinda moresuitablemantopresenttoyou.Iamtheonlypersonwhocanfulfilthedescriptionyouhave given me. So I have presented myself before you.”
Use and Misuse of the Fault-finding Faculty
Thesearethetwomethodsofapproach.Yudhishthira’sapproachwastheapproachofthe aspirantinwhomthefault-findingnatureisdirectednotoutside,butwithinhimself.Fault-finding istheworstcankerthatdwellsinhumannature.Itisuniversal.Butthen,theseekersformaspecial classbythemselves.Theyarenotoneamongthemany.Theyareadistinctfraternitywhohave beguntoseetheimportanceofcorrectingoneselfandnotcorrectingtheworld,whohavebegunto seetheimportanceofanalysingoneselfandtryingtoimprove,andnotanalysingtheworld,forif youaregoingtoanalysetheworld,thousandsoflivesarenotenoughtofindoutitsdefects.Fora Viveki,theworldisfullofimperfection.PerfectionisintheDeity,inParabrahman.Perfectionis notintheworkofPrakriti.PrakritiistheveryantithesisofBrahman.IfBrahmanissupreme perfection,Prakritiisallimperfection.IfBrahmanisLight,Prakritiisalldarkness.Theworldof PrakritiisApoorna,fullofDoshas.Therefore,thousandsoflivesarenotenoughifwegetourselves caughtinfault-finding.So,thisfacultyhastobedirectedtowardsoneself.Thenonlyone’slifegets transformed,andinfinitescopeisopenedouttoyoutoimproveyourselfandbecomebetter.But,if thisfacultyisturnedoutside,theentireworldbecomestoyouateacherofevil.For,thatuponwhich youconstantlyfixyourmindbecomesthesustenanceofyourpersonality.Yourpersonalityfeeds upon,andgrowsanddevelopsinto,thosethingswhosementalpicturesthemindholds.Thisisa psychologicalfact.Ifyoualwayscontemplateonperfection,ifyoucontemplateonbeauty,ifyou contemplateonpeace,yougrowintothelikelinessofperfection,beautyandpeace.Ifyouhold beforeyourselfthoughtsofimperfection,uglinessandgloom,youwillfindeverythingso.Ifyou alwaysthinkofthebitingcoldoftheHimalayas,thebeautyofthesnowswillbelostforyou.You seethebeautyoftheFullMoonday,butifatthesametimeyouarethinkingoftheothersideofthe moon,thatcircleofintenseblackness,blacknesswillbeinyourmindandheartandnottheradiance oftheFullMoon.Thefault-findingnatureisthegreatestobstacle,becauseitforevertiesdownthe seekertohislowerPrakriti,tohisdefectivePrakritiandhetakeswithhimtothefeetoftheGuru, intothesanctuaryofYoga,intothepurespiritualpath,thatnatureofthemindwhichhasmadehim evertieddowntothelowersensuallifeofdefects;andifthismindistakentothesacredsanctuary ofYoga,insteadofbecomingthereceiveroflight,hewillbecomethehuggerofdarkness,forhe hastakenholdofhisPrakritiandhewouldnotallowhimselftoletgooutofit,andwhathappens? ThelightoftheGuru,thelightofYoga,iscompletelybarredoutofhishead,becausehis impregnablewallofDosha-drishtiiswithinhim,and-therefore,towardoffthatdanger,the ancients gave him the Upadesh:
Yasya deve parabhaktih yatha deve tatha gurau, Tasyaite kathita hyarthah prakasante mahatmanah.
TothatgreatsoulinwhomthereisextremedevotiontotheHighestDivinity,God,and equaldevotiontotheGuruasthereistoGod,tothatsoulallthetruthsofthescripturesbecome
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THE IMPORTANCE OF SATSANGA AND GURU-BHAKTI
revealed.Andtherefore,deificationoftheGuruhasbeenspeciallyputasaconditionprerequisite forapproachingthespiritualpreceptorinordertoavoidthisgraveerrorofDosha-drishtiinthe aspirant.Ifthiserrorisremoved,theironwallisremovedbetweentheseekerandtheperfected sage,andthegraceoftheGurubeginstoflowtothedisciple.Youimmerseastoneintheseaforten thousandyears,yetattheendyouwillfindthatthestoneisthesamestonewhichitwasten thousandyearsago.Themillionsoftonsofwaterthatflowedonitdidnotchangeit,becauseithad madeitselfcompletelyimpervioustotheinfluenceofwater.Itisthisnatureoftheaspirant,where heissatisfiedwithhisownlittleknowledgeandlittlepersonality,withallitsself-assertivenature, withallitsRajasictendencyofclingingtoitsownpre-conceivednotions,toitsownpet conceptions—itisthisthatisthegreatestbartothefruitionofSatsangaintothehighest Sat-darshan.Aslongastheaspirantwouldclingfirmlytohisownoldnatureandrefusetoadmitthe needofachangeinhimself,solongtheSatsangabecomesabsolutelybarrenofresult.Theaspirant musteffectachangeofattitude.Hemustaccept,“Iknowless,theGuruknowsmore;Iknowless, andthesainthassomethingtogivemewhichIdonotknow.”Thatattitudeisthegreatestrequisite for the fruition of Satsanga.
The Ego and Its Destruction
Nowwegototheveryrootofthespiritualknowledgeofthescriptures.WhatisJnana Yoga?WhatisBhaktiYoga?WhatisKarmaYoga?WhatisRajaYoga?Theveryrootofthewhole questionofspiritualrealisationandemancipationliesinthetheoryofignorance.Theysay, ignoranceistheroot.Howdoesignorancemanifestintheindividualsoul?AsAhankara,asegoism. Therootofthewholeproblemistheegointheindividualsoul,andthemomenttheegoisremoved, whateverisshinesforthinallitssplendour.Thatisyouressentialnature.ThatisSatchidananda.To removetheegoistheprimepurposeofallYoga.“WhenshallIbefree?When‘I’ceasestobe.” Whentheego-senseceasestobe,thereiscompleteannihilationofI-nessandmine-nessandtheJiva attainssalvation.HeenjoysAtmicconsciousness.KaivalyaMokshaisthenandthereforthebeing inwhomthesenseof‘I’getscompletelyannihilated.Itisnotnecessaryforhimtogointoahigher realm.Thenandtheresalvationisattainedbyhim.ThebartoKnowledge,Atma-jnana,isthe ego-sense,andego-sensemanifestsvariously.Itmanifestsasignorance,clingingtothebody,‘Iam thisbody,’‘Iamthemind,’‘Iamthesenses.’ Adhyasa isthemistakenidentificationofthe all-perfectSelfwiththebody,mind,Pranasandsenses.So,remove Adhyasa byidentifying yourselfwiththesupremeall-pervadingTruth.Againandagainhammerintothemindtheidea,“I amtheAtman.”ThatistheprocessofVedanta.Therefore,breakthisaspectofegowhichisthereas Adhyasa, false identification.
Asemotion,asattachment(thisismine, Mama,MamaIti) egomanifestsitself.Inorderto removethismanifestationoftheegoasattachment,theysaid,“AttachyourselftotheLord.”Thisis PremaMarga. TvamevaMataChaPitaTvameva,TvamevaBandhuschaSakhaTvameva;Tvameva Vidya,DravinamTvameva,TvamevaSarvam,MamaDeva-deva. Thoualonearteverythingtome. Thereisnoattachmentforanythingonthisearth.Allmymindiscompletelytiedtothatwhichismy own,mynearest,mydearest.Thatisthesublimationoftheegoinitsexpressionasattachment,as love, as affection.
Andthen,thisegoisalsofoundinanotheraspectofpersonality,assuperimposition, super-arrogation,pride,takingcreditforeverything, Abhimana—“Ihavedonethat,Iamamaster
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oftheVedas,Ihaveattainedproficiencyinthatscience.”Ineverythingmanbeginstotake Abhimana,andentertainthefeeling,“Iamthedoer,Iamthepossessorofeverything.”Crushthis Abhimana. “Iamnothing,Idonothing.EverythingisbeingdonebytheLord. Hari isthe Kartha. EverythingisbeingdonebythepoweroftheLord.Iamonlyaninstrument.” NimittamatramBhava Savyasachin, saysthegreatscripture,Gita,whichshowsmanhowtoactwithoutdoershipand attachment.Therefore,completelydedicatingyourselftotheLord,saying,‘Iamnotthedoer,Iam onlyaninstrument,everythingisbeingdonebyHim,’youshouldworkintheworld.ThisisKarma Yoga.
Thus,JnanaYogaremovesthemanifestationoftheegoas Adhyasa orfalseidentification, BhaktiYogasublimatestheegoasemotionandattachment,andKarmaYogadestroystheego as Abhimana. WhatdoesRajaYogado?Forallthesemanifestationsoftheego,mindistherootcause. Therefore,destroythatmind.Whatisthefirstmanifestationofthemindonthesurface?The subconsciousmindisfulloflatentSamskaras.Thereyoucannotgo.Whatistheprimeaspectofthe mindwhichmanifestsitselfonthesurface?Theconsciousmind,theVritti,ideation,mentation. ThesubtleVasanawhichislatentinsideasimpressionbecomesmanifestasidea.Assoonasthe ideacomes,chopitoff.Immediatelysmashitandputitdown. Yogaschitta-vrittinirodhah. Yogais thedestructionofthemodificationsofthemind.Completelyannihilatealltheideasthatariseinthe mind,andthatisdonebydeepmeditation,completeconcentration.Manyideasgooncroppingup inthemind.Makethemlesser,makethefieldoftheVasanaslesser,andthenmakethemintoone idea,andultimatelythatideaalsoshouldgo.RajaYogaisthetechniqueofcompletelyrootingout themind,whichisthefieldforthemanifestationoftheegoinallitsvariousaspectsasAdhyasa, Mamata,attachment,Abhimana,etc.,andwhenthemindisdestroyed,theegowillgoaway.Thatis Raja Yoga. Asana, Pranayama, etc., are only preparations for concentration and meditation.
So,whatimportanttruthallthesethingsreveal?Thegreatenemyofmanistheego.The greatenemyofmanisthesenseof‘I,’withallitscountlessramifications.Everythingthatholdshim downtoignoranceandSamsaraisnothingbutthevariousVikarasoftherootcause,Ahankara,and allbranchesofYogaultimatelyaimonlyattheremovalofAhankara,andAhankaraisremovedif Satsangaiscarriedout.Satsangaisawonderfultechniquewherethisrootprocessisautomatically workedoutbytheinfluenceofahigherpersonality,providedyouhavefullyunderstoodthe importanceofit.Yogameansthecompletepulverizationanderadicationoftheegoinallits aspects.Providedanaspirantapproachesasagewiththisknowledge,whatwillhedo?Hewill alwaysbeontheguardtoseethathisegodoesnotassertitself.Hewillneverdotheblunderof going to the Guru with his ego intact and clinging to it.
An Illuminating Story
Thereisastoryofaperson,aKathavachak,doingKathainaDurbaralltheyearround.The kinggotinterestedingettinghimselffreedfromSamsara.Hesaid,“Hemustbeabletofreemefrom thisSamsara,Ihavegotnopeaceofmind.Perhapshewillgivemeknowledge.”Onthenextdayhe saidtotheman,theKathavachak,“Iwantknowledge.Givemethesecretofgettingoutofthis Samsaricbondage.”TheKathavachaktrembledinfear.Hewasinadilemma.Hedidnotknow whattodo.Thekingsaid,“IfyoudonotfreemefromSamsara,yourjobwillgoandyourheadalso alongwithit.”TheKathavachakwenttohishouse,dejected.Hehadawisedaughter,whowas perhapsaYogabhrashta.Sheaskedhim,“Whyareyousogloomy?”Hereplied,“Mychild,mylast
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
THE IMPORTANCE OF SATSANGA AND GURU-BHAKTI
dayshavecome.Thekingisaskingmetodotheimpossible.Thekingasksmetogivehimthat knowledgewhichwillfreehimfromSamsara.WhatdoIknow?Idonothavethatknowledge myself.IamdoingKathaonly,andthattootorunthishousehold.ThekingwilltakemyheadifIdo notgivehimtheknowledgetomorrow.”Thegirlsaid,“Donotworry.Yougoandtellthekingthat theanswerwillbegiven.”Hesaid,“Allright”,foradyingmancatchesanystrawinordertosave hislife.Thegirlagedeightortenyearssaid,“Takemetothepalacetomorrow,whenyougo.”The fatherwenttothepalacewiththegirlthenextday.SheaskedhimtostarttheKathaasusual.But hardlyhadheproceededwithhisKathaforfifteenminutes,whenthesilenceoftheDurbarwas brokenbyaloudwailingnoise.Allpeoplewerewonderingwhowascrying.Thegirlwascryingat thetopofhervoice,“Pleasereleaseme,pleasereleaseme.”Shewasfasteningherselftightlytoa pillar.Allpeopletriedtodisentangleherfromthepillar,butcouldnot;shewasholdingthepillar tightlyandcrying,“Releaseme,releaseme.”Thekinggotangryandheasked,“Whatasillygirl youare!Whatdoyoumean?Youareyourselfcatchingholdofthepillarandyouareaskingusto removeyou.”Immediatelythegirlburstintolaughter.Thekingasked,“Whyareyoulaughing?” Thegirlreplied,“Iamlaughing,becausethatisexactlywhatyouareaskingmyfathertodo.You arecatchingholdofthepalace,youareattachedtothepalace,toyourproperty,yourstatus,andyou wanthimtoreleaseyoufromsomethingwhichyouyourselfareclingingto.”Thekingwassatisfied withtheanswerofthegirl.Helearnedalesson.Amandoesnotgetreleasedbyanother.Hehasto release himself.
Satsanga Becomes Fruitful Only When the Ego is Shed
Youhavetoletgowhatyouareclingingto.Soitdependsupontheaspiranthimselftoletgo hisclinging,whichbelongstohislowerself,whichbelongstotheoldunregeneratenature.Ifhelets gothatclinging,thenimmediatelySatsangabecomesfruitful,Guru-bhaktispringsfromthatheart. Untilthen,thereisnoGuru-bhakti,becauseheisdevotedtohimself,heisdevotedtohisownlittle views,tohisownlittle,so-calledprinciples.Thereisnoprinciple.Thereshouldbeno‘yourown’ and‘myown.’WhatisGuru’sopinion,thatshouldbeyouropinion.Biblicallysaying,“Empty thyself,andIwillfillthee.”Thisistherootmeaningofthisutterance:emptyyourselfoftheegoand whatallitmeans.Andwhatallitmeans?Youhavetheclassicaldescription:Kama,Krodha,Lobha, Moha,Mada,Matsarya.Allthesethingshavegatheredroundtheego.Thesearethespokesandthe egoisthewheel’shub.So,firstofall,youwillhavetogiveupclingingtoyourlowerself,your principles.Yousay,‘myunderstanding’.Yourunderstandingiswrongunderstanding,forifthe seekerhadrightlyunderstood,hewouldbeasaint.AllunderstandinghastobeofferedtotheGuru andwehavetoemptyourselvesandsay,“Givemeunderstandingasyouwouldwishmetohave.” Everymanhasgothisownnotions.RightunderstandingcancomeonlyfromtheGuru.Ourwrong understanding,ourimpropervisionhastoberemoved,andaslongasthewrongunderstandingand visioniskeptinmind,thereisnoroomforcorrectvisionandcorrectunderstandingtocome. Thereforetheysaid, “SatsangatveNissangatvam.”Nissangatvam ofwhatyouhaveinyourmind. Itisverydifficulttorenounceoneself.Onecanrenouncewealth,wife,worldlylife,property, house,society,everything,butextremelyhard,extremelydifficultitistorenounceoneself,anditis essentialiftheseekerhastobenefitfromSatsanga,ifhehastobecomearealdiscipleanddevelop Guru-bhakti.ItisonlyatthemomentwhenyourenounceyourselfthatSatsangabecomeseffective, itbeginstooperate,youbegintohavecontactwithTruth.CompanionshipofTruthcomestothat manwhorenounceshimself,becauseitisuntruthtoconsideroneselfasthislittleself,thispetty
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personality.Themomentherenouncesthis,thencompanionshipwithTruthstarts.Forhim, Satsanga begins. For him only, Guru-bhakti is possible.
This,inshort,istheessenceofSatsanga,therenunciationofone’sownselfandstarting companionshipoftheTruththatiswithinusandthatismanifestastheSatguruandasthesaint.As wehavesaid,allsaintsareembodimentsoftheSupremeTruth.Therefore,inordertolivethedivine life,onehastodietoone’sownself.Renunciationoftheinnerself,thislittlepettyself,isthesecret ofthefruitionofSatsanga.Yudhishthirahadthatrenunciation,Radhahadthatrenunciation,the disciplesofChristhadit.Butthosewhodonothavethat,eventhoughtheylivewiththeseAvataras, live without any fruit, because they live in companionship with their own little self.
WHY SVADHYAYA?
By Swami Chidananda
WhenthehighestTruthiswellsaidinasinglephrase“TatTvamAsi”(ThatThouArt), whereistheneedforendlesslecturingandhearingonspiritualmatters,andforwritingandreading on the fundamentals of Sadhana?
OnesimpleBrahmaSankalpaproducedthesecountlessuniverses.Whenthetimecomes,in thetwinklingofaneye,youwillrealisetheSelfandattainliberation.Whileyouareinadarkroom, yougropeinthedarkandalmostendlesslysearchforthetorch.Youstumbleovermanythingsand knockyourheadhereandthere.Atlast,yougetthetorchwithinyourgrasp.Nomoreofthis gropinginthedarkness,nomoretrialsandtravails;instantlythereislightintheroom.Itisthe search that takes a long time. It is the preparatory step in Sadhana that takes a considerable time.
Need for Constant Light
Andthen,evenwhenyoufeelthattheTruthiswithinyourgrasp,yououghttobevigilant, tillitbecomespartandparcelofyourconsciousness,tillyouactuallyliveinit.Itisnotenoughif merelythelightofTruthilluminesadarkcorner;youmustliveinIt.Wheninaroomyoulightthe lamp,darknessvanishes;butifyouputthelightout,thedarknessreturns.Tillthesunrises,thereis needforaconstantflameoflightintheroomtokeepitillumined.Similarly,inthedarkcavernof yourheart,thereisalamplit.ItisBhaktioralittleunderstandingoftheomniscience,omnipresence andomnipotenceofGod.Thisgivesyousufficientlighttoseethingsclearlyandunderstandthe natureofthisuniverse,theSelfandGod.But,ifyouputthislightoutbynegligenceorwilful indifferencetoSadhanainthefalsebeliefthatyouhaveattainedthegoal,youwillagainbe envelopedbythedarkness.YoumustkeeptheflamebrighttillthesunofSelf-realisationarises withinyou.Then,therewillbelightandlightaloneeverywhere.Thedarknesshasvanishedfor ever.Lightbecomespartoftheverynature.Darknessdarenotapproachyou.WhatwasSadhana donewitheffortpreviouslybecomesSvabhavaorsecond-naturenow.Bhaktiistheaspirant’s Sadhanaandthesaint’sSvabhava.Righteousnessistheaspirant’sSadhana,thesage’sSvabhava. Atnotime,therefore,thesethingsaregivenup.TheaspirantstudiesandhearsthedivineLeelasof
48 SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA
theLordasanecessarypartofhisSadhana;theSiddhalistenstothemwithgreatjoy,ashenaturally loves to listen to the Leelas of the Lord.
To Keep the Mind Fully Alive to the Ideal, Read Scriptures Daily
If,foramoment,theaspirantrelaxeshisvigilanceandfallsintoaspiritualorethical slumber,thenthelowerpullassertsitself,andimmediately,theallegianceshiftsfromthehigherto thelowerself.If,atthattime,hecomesintocontactwithsensualobjects,theretakesplaceasetback inhisspirituallife.Therefore,hisalertvigilanceandspiritualawareness,thestateofbeingalways awakened, has necessarily to be kept up at this stage.
OneofthewaysofdoingthisisSvadhyaya,studyofscriptures.Oneofthemostpowerful methodsofkeepingthemindfullyalivetotheIdealisreadingofscripturesandthelivesofsaints daily.For,whenyoureadthelivesofsaintsandspiritualbooks,ahostofpowerfulandpositive ideasrushtoyourmindandatonceyourmentalpowersaresharpened.Theyatonceinspiretheman andlifthimandenablehimtoconquerthelowerforcesinhiseverydaylife.Therefore,Svadhyaya should not be given up even for a single day in the life of the Sadhaka.
Be for Ever a Student
Studyofscripturesbearingthesacredtruthspropoundedbymenofwisdom,andlisteningto theLeelasoftheLord,arenevertobegivenupbysincereSadhakas,atwhateverstageofspiritual evolutiontheymaybe.AreyoumoreadvancedthanSriSukadevawhowasabornsageand Parivrajaka?AreyoumoreadvancedthanthegreatsageswhoassembledatNaimisaranyatolisten toSrimadBhagavatabeingnarratedbySriSuta?Learnalessonfromtheseillustriousexamplesof greatsages.BeforeveraSadhaka.Beforeveranaspirantthirstingafterspiritualknowledge.Befor everastudent.Heandhealoneisanoldmanwhofeelsthathehaslearntenoughandhasneedforno moreknowledge.Heisamandeadwhilealivewhodoesnotfeelacompellingeagernesstolistento thestoriesoftheLord’sLeelasortospiritualdiscourses.Youcanstaveoffoldageandevendeath itselfbypreservingwithinyoutheyouthfulzealandadevouteagernesstolearnmore,topractise more,andtorealisemoredeeply,thegreatspiritualTruthwhichisinexhaustible,inspiteofhaving been extolled and expounded by millions of saints, sages and seers from time immemorial.
Svadhyaya Prevents ‘Back-sliding’
Moreover,forgetnotthatonallsidesyouaresurroundedbymaterialisticinfluences.Ifyou areslackevenforaday,theevilforcesaroundyouwouldfindtheiropportunityandplayhavoc. Theballdroppedonthetopofthestaircasetakeslessthanasplit-secondtoreachtheground, whereasittookmuchlongertotakeitup.Inamomentofheedlessness,muchcouldbelost.Lifeis short,timeisfleeting;youcannotaffordtoloseaninchofthegroundthatyouhavegainedwithso much effort, in your battle against this formidable foe Satan, Maya, Mara or the evil mind.
The Twin Saviours—Satsanga and Svadhyaya
Sidebysidewithyourwork,youmustdoJapa,meditation,studyofscriptures,Sat-vichara andSat-vyavahara.Donotletthismonkey-mindhaveaminute’srespite.ItisherethatSatsanga
49 WHY SVADHYAYA?
andspiritual-literaturecometoyourgreataid.Theyareyoursaviours.Howmanysublimethoughts arebroughttoyourverydoorsbythescriptures!Studythepagesofthescripturescarefully. Underlinethesentencesthatstrikeyouashavingadirectbearingonyourlife.Reflectoverthemin yourleisuremoments.Thuswouldyoufindthatyouareabletosurmountmanyobstaclesandjump overmanypitfalls.Istheminddisinclinedtoreadthesepassagesoverandoveragain?Thatis Maya’spotentweapontoputyoutosleep.Beware!Areyounottakingthesamefoodoverandover again?Youwillhavetogoonreadingandre-readingtheself-samespiritualsentencesoverand overagaintilltheyareindeliblyengravedonthetabletofyourheart,tilltheybecomepartand parcel of your inner nature.
Repetition Augments Inner Strength
ThenwillafortressofNirodhaSamskarasbeerectedwithinyou.Repetitiongivesstrength. Repetitionpushestheideasintotheinnermostchambersofyourheartandmind.Thentheideaswill percolateyoursubconsciousmind.Theevilthoughtslurkingtherewillbescorchedandannihilated. Youmaynotevenknowwhatwondershavebeeneffectedwithinyou.Suchisthesalutary influenceofrepeatedlystudyingthesamespiritualtext.Thatiswhyourancestorsinsistedonour ceremoniouslyreadingatextliketheGita,theRamayana,ortheBhagavataregularlyeveryday, withfaithanddevotion.Theywillaugmentyourinnerstrength.Yourwillwillgrowstronger.When thustheentireinnernatureistransformedintodivinenature,thenasingleefforttomeditatewill leadyoutoNirvikalpaSamadhiandsuperconsciousness.YouwillthenrealiseGodinthetwinkling of an eye.
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SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA