Sadhana Panchakam - Post 24

Sankara says Companionship with the noble ones should be cultivated.

 

Katha Upanishad declares that he who has not desisted from evil ways, who is not tranquil, who has not restrained his mind, not even he who has not composed his mind can ever reach the Self. 

 

Therefore company of the noble ones is recommended. Because as Bhagavat Purana says, saints are forbearing, compassionate and composed. They are friendly to all and inimical to none. Their company is to be sought for avoiding pernicious influence of desires.

 

Saints are those who have sadbhava (sath- bhava),  which Bhagavad Gita explains as sath, the Prime Existence, leading to steadfastness, sobriety and charity in performance of actions, and everything contrary leading to unwholesome actions. 

 

Noble people perform penance so that through that energy people may be enlightened (Bhagavat Purana). In Vivekachudamani, Sankara says, noble people having crossed over the perilous ocean – samsaara, and desiring well - being of the world and helping others to cross over the same. They live like the spring season, therefore one should seek their company.

 

Scriptures lay down that sath, the Prime Existence manifests in forms with essence posited therein, establishes it’s “Will” as the Cosmic Law being the spiritual and temporal principle which keep the manifestation in balance for which are provided dharma, the Perennial Principles, the ordained injunctions for initiating, promoting and culmination of karma - the performance of the actions. 

 

The elements in manifestation are expected to be in consonance with the ordained Will of the Divine and in balance with the Cosmic Law, for fulfilling   the task assigned to fulfill the divine intent and purpose.

 

The elements in manifestation which perform their actions following the ordained injunctions assist in maintaining the spiritual and temporal balance in creation, as Sun and the Moon follow their chartered Path, seasons follow one after another, the rains fall, the rivers flow and oceans filled the cycle gives rise to vapor to turn in to clouds, clouds to pour rains and begin the cycle again. 

 

Life begins with the seed, seed having been sown, becomes plants, the tree the flowers and the fruits bring the seeds again in the fruits to begin the cycle again. 

 

Every element in creation that is manifest is assigned the role when they are born according to their attribute (guna) and inclination (svabhava). 

 

Those who follow dharma - enjoined for them are known as the luminous ones, devas while those who disregard dharma - influenced by the organs of senses are known as non-luminous or asuras. 

 

Seers are, verily the luminous beings, the devas, on earth. Therefore, they take up the task which otherwise the Gods themselves would have to undertake or the Supreme God Himself descends for setting right the wrongs. 

 

Therefore, the vedic seers ever pray for good and noble thoughts to come to him from all side, recommends that human beings should for the sake of Wisdom, approach a Teacher who is learned in scriptures and well established in Brahman, with sacrificial fuel in his hand and Bhagavad Gita endorses saying that one should approach men of wisdom, seers of That Principle, through humble reverence, inquiry and through service, so that they may instruct them of the correct dharma.

 

Swami reveals newer dimension to “satsangh” in absolute terms and says,

 

“Tell me your company I shall tell you who you are. When you associate yourself with ephemeral things, the results also are bound to be transitory. You should develop friendship with Divinity, which alone is true and eternal. 

 

If you pose the question, "Where is God?" some people will say, "He is in me", pointing to their body. Body is not permanent. Hence, this is not a proper answer. (Swami holding a rose) When I say the flower is in My hand, the flower is smaller than Me. 

 

In the same manner, when you say God is in you, you are bigger than God! In fact, the whole world is in the hands of God. Hence, it is not proper to say that God is in you. You are in God. All are in God. The world itself is a manifestation of God. This is the Transcendental Truth. This is the changeless truth. 

 

The word Sivam symbolizes Truth. Here, Truth does not correspond to your body. It corresponds to the changeless and eternal Sath. Today, people go by the physical and worldly meanings and, as a result, spoil their mind.”

  

Love.