Satsang

With minds absorbed in Me, with very life surrendered to Me, enlightening one another and speaking of Me always — they are satisfied and they rejoice.

All that brings happiness in life is achieved through the grace of the company of saints. The more we attend congregations, the more our life becomes enriched with saintly qualities. Our heart begins to absorb love and humility, which are the sources of all kinds of happiness.

So long as we do not find the company of saints, virtues will not enter our life and we will fail to move higher. If we stay in the company of unenlightened people and continue to be guided by selfishness, we are not going to attain any peace.

Satsanga or association with the Guru is an armour and fortress to guard you against all temptations and unfavourable forces of the material world.

Wisdom does not dawn without the company of saints. And whosoever finds the company of saints becomes wise. He starts appreciating the difference between good and bad.

Satsang, Guru, and the Formless are three names of one and the same Reality. If one of these is given up, then slowly all three are lost. As one moves away from satsang, one's love for the Guru also diminishes; and as love and faith in the Guru lessen, remembrance of the Formless too begins to fade. Satsang is held to be the first step on the path of devotion; the holy one who attends satsang daily naturally grows in love for the Guru and faith in the Formless.

The congregation is Paras which turns life into gold, provided only that no wall of ego, no wall of falsehood, creates obstruction.

The bushes that grow near Sandal also get the same fragrance. Paras, the touch-stone, comes into contact with iron and converts it into gold. Similarly, a person who seeks the company of saints becomes a saint, becomes a devotee of God.

There is no suffering in this world as severe as poverty, and there is no greater blessing than being in the company of saints.

Listen, great sages, I am truly blessed today. Your presence has wiped out my sins. It's extremely fortunate to have the company of saints, for such communion breaks the cycle of birth and death without much effort.

The Lord of Raghus, the congregation of holy men, the sage Vasiṣṭha, and the lord of Mithilā, all were faint with love and admired in their heart the surpassing glory of Bharata's brotherly affection and devotion.

Let him who wants to bathe in this lake, brother, practice Satsanga (association with saints) diligently.

Engage in constant satsanga and study uplifting books like the Yogavasishtha and the Upanishads.

Satsanga. Without being impressed with a clear idea of the nature of the mind, you cannot control it. A sublime thought checks the mind and a base idea excites it.

Eliminate selfishness. Selfishness is a significant obstacle that clouds one's understanding. Remove it through selfless service, charity, studying Vedantic literature, and Satsanga (association with the wise).

Therefore, cultivate Sattva Guna through the practices of Japa, self-inquiry, Satsanga, meditation, a light Sattvic diet, Tapas, and self-study.

Hate the sin, but not the sinner. No one is forever a rogue or a prostitute. When they are in the company of saints, they will change and become virtuous.

Satsanga is the safest means to attain bliss or liberation. One should make every effort to never miss this opportunity.

Regular practice of Satsanga yields unfailing results. Keeping company with righteous and good men, and serving them leads to spiritual growth.

Satsanga greatly aids in the attainment of liberation. Even a minute of satsanga with a sage is far more valuable than ruling a kingdom.