T Ram Sewak SANT - SANG Shri Ram elucidates the nine different forms of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 3.35, Prathama bhagati santan kara sanga
- Posted: December 22, 2024
- Updated: 06:07 am
T Ram Sewak
SANT - SANG
Shri Ram elucidates the nine different forms of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 3.35,
"Prathama bhagati santan kara sanga "
"The first form of bhakti is company of the saints"
For those who wish to tread the path of bhakti but are still determining where to start, Shri Ram pronounces sant-sang as the first step.
But who is a sant, and what are his qualities? This question has been answered a few times in Shri Ramcharitmanas in 1.5-7, 3.45-46, 5.41 and 7.36-41.
In everyday parlance, santsang and satsang are used interchangeably. Some may doubt it because, literally translated, the two words appear different. Satsang appears as a much higher concept; sat means truth, that which is real.
Shri Ram clears the fog by explaining a sant's qualities. HE says sants are those men of virtue who have conquered desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and envy. Their disposition is such that even if someone harms them, they continue to be good in return. They neither identify themselves to their body nor have any awareness of it. These holy men are free of all attachments and, with complete surrender and love, are constantly soaked in HIS bhakti. They have realised their real self and discovered sat(satya) - the ultimate truth. Hence, their company is satsang.
We find reflections of this proclamation in Gita 2.55, where Shri Krishna describes such a person as stithpragna and in 14.25 as someone who has transcended all the three gunas.
Bhakti Marg is opening up the esoteric path of reaching HIM. Making the journey simple, easy, and devoid of any rituals or knowledge of the scriptures. Shri Ram makes it very simple for us. Just being in the company of sants would be enough to reach HIM. The ambience and their aura would be sufficient for a seeker to imbibe the spirit of surrender and love, immerse in HIS bhakti and
discover satya. / DAILY WORLD /
Namami Ramam Musings-23
The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com
.gif)
