T Ram Sewak

BHAKTI DWAR - SATSANG

Previously, Shri Ram elucidated the various facets of Bhakti in his discourses to Lakshman and Sabari. He now reiterates them to the citizens of Ayodhya in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.45

Bhakti sukha khani, binu satsang prani

Punya santa, satasangati anta

"Bhakti (Devotion) is independent and a mine of all sukh (happiness). However, it can't be attained without the fellowship of saints (satsang). It is challenging to reach the saints and have their company. Only with a stock of merit (punya) can one attain this satsang that ends the cycle of transmigration."

Shri Ram emphasises that bhakti is autonomous, a reservoir of all joy, and reminds us of Navdha bhakti: Sant Sang (Satsang), or the company of saints, is bhakti's first form. Here, He adds that satsang also ends the cycle of worldly existence. Tulsidasji writes in Shri Ramcharitmanas 5.7 that one meets saints only with His grace. Thus, there are two means of meeting saints: one is through actions, that is, the accumulation of merits (punya), and the other is through grace, that is, Hari's (God) grace.

In Gita 10.9-10, Shri Krishna talks of saintly minds as wholly absorbed in Him. They enlighten each other and always talk about Him (satsang). This satisfies and delights them. To those who are steadfast and serve Him with love and affection (bhakti), He gives them buddhi yoga by which they reach Him.

Here, Shri Ram has simplified for us the moksh marg by linking karam yoga and bhakti yoga. He says that one should perform noble deeds (sattvik karma) and earn the merit (punya) that gives you the company of saints (Sant-sang/Satsang). This is the path of bhakti and leads to the discovery of satya (sat). Thus, a bhakt unshackles himself from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksh as his bhakti leads to his unification with his Aaradhya! / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-75

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