Glory of Satsangham - A Parable
Source: Attributed to Sri Ramakrishna.
The following passage is a retelling
A religious pundit who was dedicated to study, tapas and
other scrupulous religious observances had availed the services of a maid, who
would deliver basic grocery (milk, fruits, and flowers) every day.
This arrangement worked fine in the beginning but slowly the
lady started coming late to the person’s house.
On asked, the lady explained the reason for her delayed arrival
“Sir, one day on the way here, I
happened to walk near a temple where a Satsangham took place, wherein a devout
scholar was expounding the greatness of Jnani's and Bhakta's in Bhagavatham. It was so
inspiring and peaceful, so I stop every day to listen to it. Hence I’m little
late in arriving”
The vain pundit was annoyed. He spoke condescendingly to her
“Lady! Do your duty properly first then you may aspire for all this
spirituality, in your next life! Your coming late is not acceptable, that too
for a wasteful purpose”
The Lady humbly said “Master, why is it wasteful? I find it peaceful”
The Pundit was annoyed at her response. He replied “Unless you have the ability to understand
and retain all that teaching, what use is it, listening to it?!”
The lady nodded, in assent with humility and promised
to come early next day.
She thought to
herself “I’m am an illiterate person and this pundit is a learned man. Similarly
the devout scholar too is an educated, learned man. I’m sure his audience is
learned too. So what will I gain by simply attending that discourse on divine
topics, if I don’t understand all that is being said?! From tomorrow I must arrive on time at Pundit's house”
The next day dawned but she was late yet again and that too for
the same reason. She couldn't' resist the temptation to listen to Bhagavatham.
She apologized for her delayed arrival.
“Swami I’m sorry I couldn’t resist. I had to listen to the Bhagavata Pravachanam.
The peace I get in that gathering is so overwhelming, even though I don’t
understand most of what is being said. Whatever little I understood, thrills my
heart with devotion and peace”
The Pundit thought to himself “Bhagavata is such an exalted
scripture that even learned person like I, struggle to comprehend after so many
years of study. So I must strive to convince this illiterate lady, to give up this futile attempt to comprehend
Bhagavata and instead do her duty of dropping groceries on time
He thought of a way to convince her and then said to her in a commanding tone. “Take your flower basket and come with me to
the pond”
The lady obediently followed.
“Dip the basket and collect water from the pond”
She was surprised at the command, since the water would
naturally flow out of the basket as it was porous with holes. She nevertheless
followed the command.
“Were you able to collect water?”
“No sir the water flowed out through the holes”
“Try again”
She tried again. “Again the same effect sir”
“Now do you understand?”
“Just like the basket with holes can’t retain the water, the
basket of your mind can’t retain the water of knowledge that is delivered in
Satsangham. You do not have the capacity, so quit wasting time at such lectures and gatherings. Instead stick to activities within your ability”
The lady remained silent for a while.
Then smilingly, with folded hands, spoke as follows - “Dear Sir, what you say may be true but it is also true that my basket even though it has holes – is now cleaner than before, because of repeated washing”
Then smilingly, with folded hands, spoke as follows - “Dear Sir, what you say may be true but it is also true that my basket even though it has holes – is now cleaner than before, because of repeated washing”
The Pundit was stunned at the implication!
She continued “Similarly, perhaps by my presence and listening at such Satsangham,
will purify my mind also, by God’s grace? Isnt the peace I feel in such gathering, proof enough that Satsangham is indeed beneficial to me, even though I may not be as learned like others?”
The Pundit was truly silenced. He became introspective. He
realized any place where Bhagavatham was discussed, discoursed is verily
unalloyed Satsangham. Satsangham does not imply a council of scholars getting
together to dive deep into philosophy! Satsangham is constant company of Sadvastu – i.e. Eternal Reality – namely Bhagavan. This maid, had learnt to recognize the divinity in such a gathering and also experience it in the form of peace. Such peace is a sure sign of purity and divine grace. So naturally she was attracted to it. No doubt, she was a purer soul than himself, despite the vast difference in thier erudition.
With folded hands, tearful eyes he said to her in a voice
choked with emotion “Mother, forgive me for my arrogance. I did not realize
till now what a special grace you have received from Isvara. From tomorrow
on wards, I shall also come to the Bhagavata Satsangham. You have taught me the simple truth that God's grace is experienced in the company of devout and humble. Your clarity is truly the outcome of your regular attendance at the Satsangham. Your purity and clarity has influenced to me too.”
This is the glory of Satsangham.
सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।
निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥
Satsangatve
nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam,
nirmohatve
niscalatattvam niscalatattve jivanmuktiH
1.
True test of Satsangham is Nissangathvam (detaching oneself from
notions of false individuality and developing Sraddha and Bhakti. Bhakti to Isvara/Atman and Sraddha on Brahmavidya)
2.
True test of Nissangathvam – is Nirmohatvam -
clarity w.r.t one’s Self, World, Ishwara – clarity w.r.t goal of life and means to it.
3.
This clarity over time ripens into Nischalatattvam – firm abidance in
one’s Svassvarupam as Divine Consciousness – nothing more, nothing less.
4.
This natural free existence is hailed by traditional masters as
– Jeevan Muktih!
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