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In Sanatan spirituality and philosophy, ‘Satsang’ (companion of truth or company of great men) has been considered as such a life-saving herb, which infuses auspiciousness and divinity even within a person who is almost dead i.e. has become unconscious. Often a person gets entangled in the glamor and illusion of this world and forgets what is his real duty and what is his non-duty. The only medicine that can remove this confusion and give a clear understanding of right and wrong is Satsang.
“Neither do I live in Vaikuntha, nor in the hearts of yogis…” God’s dialogue with Narad ji
In the eleventh canto of Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran, Lord Shri Krishna shares a very unique and ultimate truth with Devarshi Narad:
Nahan Tishthami Vaikunthe, Yoginam Hridaye Na Ch. Madbhakt Yatra Gayanti, Tatra Tishthami Narad॥
That is, “O Narad! I neither reside in Vaikuntha Dham nor in the hearts of yogis engrossed in meditation. I am physically present there, where my devotees together sing my praises (satsang and kirtan).”
God further says that He does not come under the control of big yagyas, recitation of Vedas, rigorous penance, pilgrimage or renunciation of everything as quickly as His devotees who attend satsang come under control. Satsang has that magnetic power which shatters all unwanted attachments and bonds towards the world.
The ‘lake of knowledge’ purifies and calms the mind.
All other material benefits of the world like wealth, position and prestige are transitory (perishable), but the benefit derived from satsang is eternal, which never ends. Its influence remains continuous from the spiritual progress of man till the attainment of God. When a person regularly takes a dip in the lake of knowledge in the form of satsang, the following supernatural changes occur within him:
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Destruction of bad qualities: Suicidal disorders like passion, hatred, greed, attachment, lust and anger gradually disappear.
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Manifestation of virtues: Divine qualities like love, devotion, compassion, sacrifice, humility, patience and virtue are born in the heart.
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Stability of mind: The mind struggling with disorientation becomes calm, soft and stable, due to which the conscience becomes pure.
3 rare gifts mentioned in ‘Vivekchudamani’ of Adiguru Shankaracharya
Aadyaguru Bhagwan Bhashyakar (Shri Shankaracharya) has clarified in his famous book ‘Vivekchudamani’ that three things are extremely rare in this material world, which can be attained by any living being only and only by the infinite mercy of God:
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Manushatvam (getting human body)
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Mumukshuta (Awaking a strong desire to attain moksha or liberation)
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Mahapurushasamshraya (association with great men i.e. meeting satsang)
The scriptures believe that even if someone gets this rare human body and satsang, it is even more rare to be able to use it properly and meaningfully. An intelligent person should never keep ‘kusang’ (bad company), because bad company directly attacks our conscience and diverts us from the path of truth. Lord Gaudapadacharya also says that without satsang, knowledge is impossible, and without knowledge man can never recognize his true nature (Atmaswarupa).
Easy attainment of life’s ‘desire’
Man one day dies while running after his never-ending unsatisfied desires in this mortal world. Throughout his life he is unable to realize what the real ‘abhisht’ (ultimate goal) of his life is. The only ultimate goal of human life is enlightenment and God-realization.
Satsang is the medium which awakens us from this world of illusion and makes us easily realize our real goal. Continuous and uninterrupted remembrance of the name of the Lord is the only sure way to provide mental peace, spiritual satisfaction and true bliss.
