T Ram Sewak

SUKH

In Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.121, Kakabhushundiji responds to Garuda's third question, "What is the greatest joy?"

Sant milan sam sukh jag nahin .

Shri Ram has proclaimed Sant Sang or Satsang (the company of saints) as the first form of Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 3.35. While Satsang is eulogised throughout Shri Ramcharitmanas, Lord Shiva epitomises it in 7.125, asserting that there is no gain more valuable than Satsang.

But why is it the greatest joy? In Gita 6.20-22, Shri Krishna elucidates that no other gain is superior to the Infinite Bliss attained by seeing the Self by the self, making one satisfied in the Self. He adds that this bliss transcends the senses, and once established in it, one never deviates from Reality. In essence, the joy of union with the Supreme Self (Paramatma) is so complete that nothing else can surpass it.

Bhakti is the incessant longing; the infinite desireless pure love of a bhakt for his Aaradhya, where his ultimate goal is - Union with Him. Shri Krishna proclaims in Gita 18.55 that only through Bhakti can He be known in reality, and having known Him, one forthwith enters into Him. Entering means that through Bhakti, the delusion of dehabhiman (identification with the body) is dispelled, ahankar (ego) is eradicated, and the being awakens into the ever-blissful Brahmatva (Supreme Reality).

Satsang is supreme because Truth is Supreme; therefore, the company of those who guide you to the Truth (the saints) is also Supreme. Sant Milan leads to Katha, Kirtan, Guru Sewa, and Japa, all of which are various forms of Bhakti. Having attained Bhakti through the blessings of the saints, a bhakt remains ecstatically absorbed in His love; his desires and restlessness vanish, making him peaceful, and the resultant bliss he experiences within always keeps him self-delighted. Rightly so, Sant Milan is the gateway to that ultimate Sukh, the Infinite Bliss, the Param Anand! / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com