The Transformative Power of Satsanga: Embracing Spiritual Enlightenment in Daily Life

DISCOURSE DELIVERED BY GURUJI ON 21 MARCH 1998

Dhayan Moolam Guru Murthih, Puja Moolam Guru Padam,
Mantra Moolam Guror Vakyam, Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa

The root of meditation is the Guru’s form, the root of worship is the Guru’s feet.
The root of the mantra is the Guru’s words, and the root of liberation is the Guru’s grace

Kabira Ve Nar Andha Hen, Guru Ko Kahte Or
Hari Ruthe To Thor, Guru Ruthe Nahi Thor

Kabir says those people are blind who consider the Guru to be anyone else.
If God is angry, there is still some recourse, but if the Guru is angry, there is no recourse
Kabir Das

Dear Audience,

The supreme significance and meaningfulness of human life is to remember God, because our body surely gets strong by eating good food but our soul remains weak. The food or diet of our soul is “The name of God”. So, let us recite His Name for some moments: “Sriman Narayana Narayana Narayana”

The same word ‘Sriman Narayan’ has been termed as “The Supreme Essence Parbrahma” by the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, and all other scriptures.

Baba Nanak Dev of the Punjab region had studied all four Vedas, the Puranas, Shastras, and Smritis. He also regarded God, Sri Hariji, as ‘Absolute Adorable, The Supreme Element’.

Namu Niranjan Neer Narayan
Rasana Simarat Paap
Bilayannarayan Ghat Ghat Pargas
Narayan Sab Mahi Niwas

Salutations to the pure, water-like Narayan,
By remembering Him on the tongue, sins are destroyed,
Narayan is manifest in every heart. Narayan resides in all

Baba ordains that, “I was a Nirankari Nanak, but when I knew that there can’t be salvation without surrender,” So, I accepted sharanagati and I became Nanak Das. He prays –

Dukh Bhanjan Tera Namji,
Dukh Bhanjan Tera Namji,
Govinda Jai Jai Gopal Jai Jai,
Radha Raman Hari Govind Jai Jai

Your name, O Reliever of Sorrow,
Your name, O Reliever of Sorrow,
Brings relief. Victory to Govinda, Victory to Gopal.
Victory to Radha’s beloved, Hari Govind

All the devotees, satsanga lovers, and Guru devotees! Welcome to all of you for coming here for the sake of God. I am watching Laxmi Narayana within you; as saint, poet Tulsi has said, “The whole world is like Sita Ram, so, accept my salutation.”

My dear! As you know, the human body (species) is rare. We are afraid of this evil age, Kaliyuga (present age) is very bad, this is true too. Because there is no purity, sanctity, or holiness anywhere in this era.

This Kaliyuga is full of dirt and evils; an ocean of sins. Man’s mind is like a fish, as the fish dies without water. So, we are like a fish that is living in the sea of sins. This is true, but my dear ones! You need not worry about it. God has graced you. He is an ocean of mercy. He always showers His kindness upon the creatures. Although we have become lakhpati or crorepati (multimillionaire) in this era, it means we are artificial/fake patis (husbands/owners). The real treasure which God has bestowed/granted upon us is His grace. He has removed our sins committed by our mind. Only the sins made by our physical body would be counted. So, if you decide to perform a yajna in your mind or do any beneficence for others, you will certainly get its reward; but it should be done with true faith and feeling. It is a great grace in this Kaliyuga.

Saint Tulsidas has said that no age or era would come like Kaliyuga. Only one should have true faith and trust in God. For, no relation lasts without true faith in this world. May it be any relation – like husband-wife relation, father-son or friend-friend relation.

The Jeeva (creature) can easily cross the ocean of this world just by eulogizing Sri Rama/Sri Krishna. So, no need to be scared. Don’t find excuses. Just seek the reality. God’s Maya (illusion) is a Nartaki (dancer) which makes every Jeeva dance. The reverse of Nartaki is Kirtana (recitation or praying to God). So, this dancer can be stopped by doing God’s Kirtan.

In Kaliyuga, there is no need to perform big works, yajnas, or muttering mantras to achieve God. This Nartaki/deception will automatically be prevented if you just start meditating on Him. God is the husband of Maya. So, if we praise God, Maya cannot trouble you. She will not go against her husband. So, my dear audience! This Kaliyuga (age) is not so bad. It is too good. If we fall in mud, we will be stained. But if we dip into pure water, we will be able to wash out our dirt and mud too. What is this pure water? That is the name of God. This is the only essence in Kaliyuga. Baba Nanak says –

Ek Bhagati Bhagvan, Jihi Prani Ke Nahi Man,
Jese Sooker Swan, Nanak Mana Hu Tahi Tan

Devotion to God is the only thing for one who has no faith,
Without faith, one is like a pig or a dog; Nanak says, such a person is dead while living
Guru Nanak Dev Ji

The life of a man who does not do the duty for which he has taken birth is worse than a pig or dog; and the job is to remember God, His prayer, His worship, His Psalm.

My dear friends! We will get the fruit of Kirtan when true humanity enters within us. As we put anything antibacterial in a container, its content turns into a different nature. So is the case with a human being without humanity. Anything sacred also becomes impure in bad character. Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnada were all killed by God Rama because they all were wicked powers. So, it is very necessary to bring human qualities within yourselves. My dears, I often repeat one thing again and again. A particular medicine is made for a particular disease. You should not change the medicine again and again. For bringing humanity, first we should bring a change in our eating and drinking habits and in our lives. If we use meat and liquor in our food, then we are no longer human beings. We are just devils/rascals/wicked men. If it is the food for God or deities or man, then give me such an example? Is there any scholar who can tell me that meat or liquor have been the food for man? Actually, it was for the demons only. Man has always been a vegetarian/eater of fruits and vegetables.

Sage Nachiketa, by the order of his father, went to Yamlok (abode of death) and wanted to meet Yamraj (the king of death). Yamraj told him to stay in the guest house. Three days passed in the guest house. On the 4th, 5th, and 6th days, and also on the 7th day, Yamraj said, “Call the guest here.” Nachiketa bowed down and stood silently. Then Yamraj asked Nachiketa, “Do you want to ask anything?” Nachiketa asked him, “What is praan (supreme soul)? What is its color?” Then Yamraj told him that ‘the food grain is life’. Now think, as the food we eat, so will become our life, wit, mind, and body. If our vessel/container is dirty or impure, then even pure things we put in will turn impure. It will ripen the same fruit. As the seed sown in barren land does not grow/does not produce any fruit, so is the effect of good and bad food (veg. and non-veg.).

God incarnates on the earth for the sake of man only. He does not ascend here for celebrating picnic or tour. As God Krishna says in the Gita:

‘Yada Yada hi Dharmasya, Glanir Bhavati Bharata,
Abhyuthanam Adharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamyaham,
Paritranay Sadhunam Vinashay Ch Dushkritam,
Dharma Sansthapnarthay, Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge’

Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Bharata (Arjuna), at that time I manifest Myself on earth.
To protect the virtuous, to annihilate the wicked, and to re-establish the principles of Dharma (righteousness), I appear millennium after millennium
Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4, Verses 7 and 8)

Whenever Dharma (religion) decreases, and Adharma (unreligious activities) increases, then I (Krishna) take birth/incarnate on the earth to protect the good and virtuous souls and to destroy the wicked ones. Here, Sadhu means the virtuous and noble persons and not the persons wearing the monkish/saffron-colored clothes. So, my dear listeners! God protects the virtuous souls.

We should not live for ourselves only, otherwise, there is no difference between a man and an animal. If we live for others, then our being a human being is successful; otherwise, animals and birds are far better than us. It is man’s duty to do benevolence for others. Noble men’s duty is to do mass welfare. Maharshi Ved Vyas composed 18 Puranas (mythologies). He inferred only two things from them:

Paropkaray Punyaya, Papay Perpidanam

Performing acts of kindness is virtuous; causing harm to others is sinful

Means there is no greater deed than munificence and no bigger sin than to oppress or afflict pain on others or sadism either by tongue, mind, or actions. Therefore, have good feelings for others. Whatever you are, you may do beneficence anyway, by any means. It is not necessary to be a very rich person to do good for others. If you are poor, you may also contribute by your body and mind. All are equal in the eyes of God. He will certainly shower His mercy upon all of you.

Now, one should decide his target after becoming a human. If you put a diamond or gold on a shelf and do not use it, then it is like an ordinary stone. It has no value until used. So, set your target. There are two main targets, viz., spiritual and materialistic or physical. The materialistic target means earning a lot of money while the spiritual target leads you towards God. So, if you choose M.T. (Materialistic Target), then lust, anger, ego, attachment, and greed arise in a man. He remains entrapped by these vices. Hence, decide for what you have come into this world. If we do not move towards this target, we are no longer human beings.

I do not say that you should become free from worldly things or get detached like me (Baba) or dissipate your property and do not run your business. Actually, we do need these things – house, clothes, vehicles, business, etc. But this is not our sole aim. God Krishna says to Arjuna, “Do battle as your duty but don’t forget me (Krishna) also.”

People often complain that, “Baba, we should do psalm/prayer or we should do our business?” But my dear ones – follow Krishna’s order. Arjuna was Krishna’s great dear disciple. So, when Arjuna became Sharnagat (surrendered), then God Krishna started preaching him knowledge. So, a business or profession cannot be defined as Karma (action). It is just a means of our livelihood, a source of our living and not true karma. The true objective (karma) is to remember God, to chant His name to go for the Divine Abode. If a man aims to adopt materialism, then there is no difference between a man and an animal. An animal also does the same activities as a man does. We get the bliss automatically after having achieved God. If we follow materialism, we become the subject of birth and death again and again; this process/cycle of birth and rebirth goes on. So, we require the spiritual inclination to cut off the bondage of this chain. Firmness is essential to set the target, to achieve God. Therefore, we keep fasting to bring firmness in our resolution. Keep fasting for the sake of God, whomsoever God you worship, there should be firmness in your performances.

Some ladies have fasting in the month of May/June. They do not drink even water in such a hot season, while doctors say that one should drink 10-12 liters of water a day during those hot summer days. So, how is that possible to remain without water? My dear friends! It is possible due to having firm faith in anything. They do all the domestic work and their duties also, and that too without taking water. One should decide one’s goal, then have firm faith in God. Mira had firm faith in God Krishna. Mira could see Krishna by her own eyes directly.

So, if we are good human beings and we have an aim/target to meet God, we will certainly reach our destination. If you, sitting here at Faridabad, ask somebody how far Delhi is, and you do not move at all, you can never reach Delhi. So, you will have to move forward with a resolution in your mind to reach your goal. An example in this context: four persons were drunk by taking Bhang (a drug made of cannabis sativa). They got in a boat at the bank of the Yamuna river near Mathura. They said, “Today is full moon day, we have taken a good quantity of Bhang, our mood is fine, so let us see the Taj Mahal by riding in the boat.” Taj Mahal is just 25 km far from Mathura. Then they started rowing the boat. They rowed the boat the whole night. The morning came, and people started coming there to take a bath. The drunkards asked the passersby which city it was. The people replied that it was Mathura. It was Vishram Ghat itself where the drunkards had taken the Bhang. The drunkards were surprised to know that it was the same place and they did not move at all. The whole night they rowed but in vain. The reason was that the boat was tied with a stake. They did not untie the rope and so, they remained at the same spot in a drunken mood.

Hence, my dear devotees! What I mean to say is that we all have five vices within us, viz. – Kama, Krodha, Mada, Lobha, Moha (Lust, Anger, Ego/Pride, Greed, and Attachment). Until we get rid of them or leave them, these vices, which act like intoxicants/drugs, will not let us move forward or towards spirituality. Life remains tied with the attachment rope. So, we are unable to go anywhere. I also think many times to go somewhere leaving this Ashram, but can’t go due to attachment. We have supposed this world as Vishram Ghat (resting spot). We have considered the comforts of materialism as our sole aim and we are rowing our boat at this Vishram Ghat only. My dears! This boat of life will remain stayed here only. It cannot move towards the Divine abode. So, loosen your rope of attachment and reach your destination. After deciding the aim, we have to think which way the boat is going. If we untie the rope, it starts moving in the direction of the current. So, there is a need to remember the name of God, to follow the guidelines of the holy books and the saints, so that it (the life boat) may move in the right direction. The boat has a hole in it at a certain level because without the hole, the boat will sink otherwise. So, the able boatman keeps on throwing out the extra filled water in it. The boat has one hole but we (the people) have ten holes in our body (life boat). Now, think, how can the life boat cross the sea of the world without an able boatman. So, what is it? And who is this able boatman?

‘Mahajan yen Gata Sa Panthah’

The path followed by the great souls is the right path
Mahabharata,(Chapter 317, Verse 90)

The path followed by the great men, sages, saints, and accomplished persons is the real path and they are the able boatmen who help in crossing the life river. Many educated people argue that satsanga is not useful. “Where does God live? Who is God? How is He? Why should we waste our time in attending Satsanga or listening to the discourses? We can listen or watch it on TV, radio.” Actually, we (the people) are considering the useless things as good and vice versa. What a pity! We falsify the reality and do not accept the reality. Nothing will go with us. These worldly externals should not be our targets. This type of target is false. The only target is God. Although …the worldly materials are required for us to run our life. So, we need money too, but the mouth which does not recite/chant the name of God is foul. Hearing the story of God removes the sins. The soul feels blissful – such are the words of the Vedas and Puranas.

Darash Parash Majjan Aru Panna
Harai Paap Kah Ved Purana

Seeing, touching, bathing, and reading scriptures
remove sins, as stated in the Vedas and Puranas
Ramcharitmanas

My wise devotees do not know that the human body emits a kind of radiation (rays). So, if you (the audience) come in direct contact with the sages/saints, then the rays have a magical effect on the audience. The deities/Gods have more powerful rays. God Himself is complete brilliance/refulgence. He is such a glow that the sun, the stars, and the moon all are shining with that glow. The people of different religions call Him by different names. So, see Him (the divine light) in all forms. The God is supreme light. The moon was created by the Eyes. So, this supreme radiation can be obtained only by attending the satsangas. TV can not provide you with that kind of rays/radiation. TV can give us only the words and make us see the faces of the speakers, but not the kind of radiations, sweetness, and tender sentiments of satsangas.

In this Kaliyuga (age/era), we people have started thinking that satsanga has no importance. Many people say that …(satsanga) is not organized on Sundays or on holidays and that too between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., because they watch TV programs till 11:00 a.m. Surprise! It is unfortunate. The people have considered the satsangas so useless and a trifling thing that they cannot leave their TV programs and other ordinary jobs. Is it such a cheap and inferior thing? That they can’t spare their time for this great cause. Moreover, a number of people give their pleas that only the sinners attend the satsangas. Why we? It appears that God Shiva is the greatest sinner because He demands only one boon from God Vishnu:

‘Baar Baar Bar Mangahu, Harashi Dehu Sri Ranga
Pad Saroj Anpayani Bhagati Sada Satsanga’

Again and again, I beg, O Lord Ranga, please grant me this: the constant company of your devotees and unwavering devotion to your lotus feet
Ramcharitmanas

Sri Ranga means God Narayana who exists in all the three Lokas (worlds). He is pervasive in every atom of the things/objects/bodies. So, God Shiva demanded only one thing again and again from Narayana that was the service for the Lotus feet of God, His devotion, His shelter. God Shiva was not an ordinary person. He was the creator of all four Vedas and a great ascetic. Even then he wanted only God’s shelter. Many people here attending satsanga remain worried about their shoes lest somebody should take them away. This means shoes are more important than satsanga/God. But my devotees! You …cannot attain your goal without a Guru/satsanga (company of pious people).

‘Binu Satsanga Bibek Na Hoi
Ram Kripa Binu Sulabh Na Soi’

Without the company of the wise, true discernment does not arise. And without Lord Ram’s grace, even that is not easily attained
Ramcharitmanas

Therefore, no prudence occurs without satsanga. Now, you will ask, what is the difference between prudence and knowledge? I would say there is a big difference in these two things. Knowledge is such a thing which even the animals and the birds have, even the small insects like ants have knowledge, but prudence is not found in every man. Only a few people are prudent. Knowledge is an ordinary small thing. Everybody can have knowledge by reading books. I can be a scholar to make arguments, I can be proud. A man can become proud and debatable by having a good amount of knowledge or riches, but he cannot be prudent to do good for others or to achieve God by possessing these things. So, prudent (Bibeksheel) people are better than those having erudition/knowledge.

So, the only accessible route to God is Satsanga. One needs not to spend much money for this sake. It needs not big Yajnas or donations as these performances make a man proud. God is not achievable through pride. Once Garudaji (Vehicle of God Vishnu) got haughty and said that if he had not gone to Rama, then He (Rama) …would have died when He was tied with Nagpash. So, he (Garuda) had saved Rama. God Brahma said to Garuda, “Do not tell this thing to any other.” But Garuda did not follow Brahmaji’s words and went to God Shiva as he wanted his appreciation for his work and so told Him also the same words. God Shiva too warned him not to utter his boasts to anybody else. But again, he did not pay any heed to Shiva’s words and told Him instead, why should he not converse about his great work. Then, he reached Sage Narada. Naradaji asked him the reason for his impatience and perplexion. Then, Garuda narrated to Him all about his approach to Brahma, Shiva & other Gods; and he also asked why he should not tell about having saved God’s (Rama’s) life. Then, Narada told him that first, he would remove his ignorance, ego, and infatuation, otherwise, he would have to fall into hell. But how, he asked? Sage Naradaji then replied to him the way that—

Tabahun Hoi Sab Sansaya Bhanga
Jab Bahu Kal Karia Satsanga

Even then, all doubts are dispelled only when one has long association with the company of the holy (satsanga)
Ramcharitmanas

Means Garuda! Now, you should attend satsanga for many years. Then only your infatuation will be waved off. He did so; and his ego vanished. So, this is the greatness of satsanga. Until you get detached from moha, you will not be able to reach God.

The influences of our previous birth have an impact on our lives; otherwise, this Jeeva (soul) is true and pious. As it is a part of Supreme God. – ‘Ishwar Ansha Jeeva Avinashi’. So, Jeeva changes its form/body only. But then, why do we need satsanga? Often the scholars put up these arguments. This is necessary because we are tied with the result of our previous birth’s actions, and the vices like kama, krodh, mada, lobha & moha (lust, anger, arrogance, greed, and infatuation) have been linked with us. We are not able to leave these vices. This Jeeva cannot be stainless without quitting them; only a pure and stainless man can achieve God.

Here is a story: Some tribal people took away a king’s son. They began to bring him up in their own village. After a course of time, the prince became quite a robust and strong man. On the other hand, the king and the queen both went on weeping due to their son’s disappearance. They turned almost blind. In the meantime, a saint arrived there and he said that the king’s son was alive. The king asked him where his son was. The saint told that the prince was in a tribal colony. Then, the king ordered his servants to bring his son back as soon as possible. At this, the saint started to say to the king, “lest your son should refuse to accept you as his father, what will you do then?” The king said, “yes, it might be possible.”

Then what is the way? The saint told that he (the saint) would go there first; He would try if the Prince might agree with him. Then the saint went up there and imparted the discourses for many days; he went on saying that he (the prince) was the son of a king. At this, that young man (the prince) uttered angrily, saying, “Oh Baba! keep quiet, don’t chatter, get lost from here otherwise I will kill you.” The saint said, “Do whatever you like, but I am telling you the truth.” After that, the saint went on saying the same words off and on. One day the boy thought over this, “the saint is not causing me any harm; He is saying the same thing again and again. There is something sure about it.” Then he asked, “Oh Baba! tell me the name of my father.” Baba said, “I won’t tell, but you are the emperor’s son.” Now, the boy started coming to Baba and asked the name of his father. The saint angrily said, “I am not your father’s servant, I won’t tell, do whatever you like.” At this, the boy got too curious and restless. He insisted on and began to weep; “Baba, tell me the name of my father, or I will die by eating poison.” Then the saint Baba agreed and took him to the king. The king and the queen became very happy after meeting the boy. Now, you might have understood the meaning of this context. My devotees! The lust, anger, arrogance, attachment, and greed are the tribal men (nomads). This jeeva is trapped in the tribal’s colony. Who is this universal king? He is the same absolute Supreme God. We, all people, are His sons. We have forgotten that Emperor after having been trapped in Kanjar’s village and got ready to break Baba’s neck; as these babas/saints are hypocrites and sanctimonious; God is stone. They do nothing; and so many other blames. Even then these babas deliver the satsangas for the welfare of mankind. It is your choice whether you follow it or not, but it is true.

So, a saint acts as an agent to carry a man near God. He (the saint/Baba) can tell His name and address; God can be approached this way and that way. This is the effect of satsanga. Satsanga is not a story. My dear ones! A number of religious scholars come to this city and tell the tales but I am only His slave. I am telling you the essence only. I can also explain to you the Ramayana or Bhagavat’s story in a few days. So, what I am saying to you is not the fable. It is the truth told by the saints. Therefore, satsanga is very essential to be attended, as prudence is awakened by satsanga. God cannot be attained without prudence. It is the prudence only that shows us the right or the wrong.

Now, you will ask me how the prudence should come? The answer is – the moment when the prudence enters the body, one feels renunciation and detachment. It does not mean that we should leave our home. When a man gets detached from the worldly things in spite of becoming prosperous or erudite, he gives credit to God for everything/every achievement. Saint Tulsidas got prudence through a couplet uttered by his wife:

Jitana Het Haram son, utana Hari Son Hoi
Chala Jay Bekuntha Ko, Roki sake Na koi

As much love one has for worldly pleasures, let that much be for Hari (Lord). Then one will go to Vaikuntha (the abode of Lord Vishnu), and no one can stop them
Kabir Das

Today, husband-wife quarrel every day, even then no prudence wakes up. Tulsidas left his home, went into the forests and wrote a world-famous scripture, ‘The Ramcharit Manasa.’

My dear ones! When Vivek (prudence) arises, Akchhayavat (indestructible tree) establishes. This Akchhayavat never perishes under any circumstances. This is called firmness. One should be firm after deciding the goal. Firmness is the prudence which is the essence of all the scriptures. This is the supreme essence for which we have come into this world to attain God. So, first renunciate yourself, as a Bank Manager does not have any attachment with the money deposited or withdrawn. He always remains neutral. So, is the case with a person whose prudence or judiciousness is awakened.

My dear friends! Satsanga is not a listening thing only, but to imbibe it also. As we become happy by getting salary and not by just words, so is the case with satsanga. Get delighted by listening to it. You will certainly be benefited by satsanga.

Satsanga has a unique effect on our lives. If it were not so significant, God Shiva Himself would have never demanded this. Once, God Shiva went to Kumbhaj sage. Next time He went to sage Bhardwaj. He had adopted this (satsanga) in His life. Why? Because He knew the importance of satsanga. As a cow eats grass, wanders here and there, drinks water wherever she gets. Sometimes, people beat her also but she gives us sweet milk, which is ambrosial. The milk has so many qualities naturally. When the sun rays fall on the backbone of the cow, then a kind of golden chemical is prepared in her body. This chemical increases the intellect, splendor, and vitality in a man. Similarly, these saints/babas wander from place to place like a cow, study the different scriptures, imbibe the essence, contemplate it, and then deliver it to you in a simple language. Whatever you give us to eat and drink, we just take it and remain satisfied with that only, otherwise we keep fast, if not get anything to eat.

My dear ones! You get such words from us that your beneficence is sure by their unique effect. So, the saints or babas are like that cow which provides the nectar-like essence to the world. I tell you the greatness of satsanga again and again. Here goes on a story – There was a thief; a satsanga was going on nearby him. The thief was about to die. He, before dying, told his four sons not to hear/attend satsanga at all. Never let any brahmin see the door of your house; do not donate anything; then only my Pranas (life) would end/leave my body; give me the word. All four sons promised; and the man died. After some time they (the sons) went to steal at the king’s palace. They stole a big money and ran away from there. The king’s men followed them. The thieves ran in different directions. One of them ran towards the city. There a satsanga was going on, along the way. He joined it.

The topic/context of the fable was – the angels or the deities are immortal. They move above the earth; they have no shadows because they have no earth element in their bodies. So, they are effulgent, do not walk on the earth. The thief heard this all in the discourse and had a view of baba also. After a while, he went away from there. In the meantime, the king’s detectives had discovered the thieves’ house but they needed some proof.

For this, a woman detective put on the guise of Kali deity and approached to the door of the thieves’ house. She knocked at the door in disguise and called the thieves by their names. Three of them came out. They saw that a four-armed Kali deity was standing before them. She said, “O fools! You committed a big theft but you did not offer me even a bit out of that. I will finish you all.” The three brothers (as the fourth one was still sleeping) began to say, “Mother, we have made a big robbery; and you deserve to be offered much out of that booty; It would need some time for this purpose. If we had done it at once, people would have raised their doubts. Therefore, wait a little more.” She said, “No, no,

I will not wait any more. You should offer me tomorrow itself.” The three brothers said okay. In the meantime, the fourth brother also came out there, lighting a lantern. He moved the deity around. He observed that her feet were touching the ground and her shadow was also lying on the earth. Then, he went in, brought the sword and cut off the head of the guised detective. When other three brothers asked him what he had done? He replied that she was not a deity as he had heard in satsanga that deities/angels do not have shadows, feet not on the ground. I did see that she had shadow as well as feet on the ground. It meant that she could not be deity. She had been sent by the king to arrest us. If our theft would be proved, we all four brothers would be hanged. Now, we are saved, our money is also saved.

So, my dears! Such is the strange influence of satsanga. The fourth brother had learned the words said by some preceptor in satsanga and applied them at the right time and he could be able to save the lives of his brothers and himself. Now, you may see the magical effect of attending the satsanga. They (the brothers) condemned the promise done by them to their father at the time of his death. After that, they organized a satsanga katha (fable) headed by the same saint. They relished the satsanga katha and became the devotees of high order. Dear devotees, this is the story of Bhakta Mala.

The greatness of satsanga is illustrated in Bhakta Mala. So, when so many thieves and dacoits might become the great devotees by means of satsanga, then why not we and you? We are neither thieves nor so big sinners. But a little bit stealing we do surely. We are a bit thieves as we are eating and drinking everything given by God but we are not remembering His name. I am also included in you. I am a big thief, you are small thieves, because we are not uttering His name in spite of getting a human body.

Bade Bhag Manush Tan Pawa
Sur Durlabha Sab Granthahi Gawa

With great fortune, one attains a human body,
Which all scriptures declare is rare even for the gods
Ramcharitmanas

We are highly fortunate to get this human body. A man cannot create or produce this human body by paying money or by performing yajanas or by giving big charities. It is obtained by the grace of God without paying him anything in return. God has given us everything free of charge. Light, heat, air, water, and food grains, all free of charge. We do not have to pay the bills for any of these things. Our government or the concerned agencies cut off the connections of electricity/water for non-payment of the bills. But my dears, see! God has blessed us the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and Lakes, the Rivers, Oceans, Mountains, and trees without charging any amount of money from us. No tax, no fee. So many minerals are being excavated from the earth but no tax for land. God opens the milk booth/factory for us, 72 hours before taking the birth of the child. This milk has all the qualities, hot in winter, cool in summer, free of cost, servants free, to bring up the child. Still, we the ingratitude and dishonest, do not even thank Him for His kindness and gratefulness.

When we perform Aarti to God, we chant –

Tan Bhi Tera, Dhan Bhi Tera, Man Bhi Tera
Tera Tujhako Arpan Bhagvan, Kya Lage Mera

This body is Yours, this wealth is Yours, this mind is Yours,
Offering it all back to You, O Lord, what is truly mine?

But if some babaji/saint begs for bread, then you abuse him, call him by several insulting names/adjectives. It is the insult of God. Much of the money is filled in the shelf but not even a bit out of that in the name of God. What a travesty?

Only God is the husband/owner of Laxmi (the Goddess of wealth), you can’t. If you will try to become Her husband (owner), you will be beaten badly by God. So, use that Laxmi/money for the service of God, as she is His wife. So, are we not thieves? I am myself a big thief because I am collecting the donation given by God as well as by you. But my friends! It is all for an objective, for a purpose. Let me remove your doubts. I am using that all for constructing this Ashram, this temple. This, I am doing for God, for you not for myself. If you too, make such a target or goal, then certainly it may cause the welfare of India as a whole. Others’ welfare should be the motive of every man.

My dear friends! I am not wasting your time. The greatness of satsanga is really peculiar. So, all of you should attend satsanga and fix up some of its value in your heart. An example here: Two horses made of Gold were on sale. Both were of the same kind, same weight, same make. The price of one of the horses was rupees five thousand, the other horse was for rupees fifty thousand. The buyer asked the difference between the two horses? He further asked, the specialty of the other horse? The trader/seller replied that both the horses are made of pure Gold by the same workman. But see the difference—the trader then put in a big straw into one of the ears of the first horse carrying the price for Rs. 5000/- and took it out from the other ear. Then he put the same straw into the ear of the second horse carrying the price for Rs. fifty thousand, but the straw went into the stomach of the horse, instead of going out from the other ear. Means the second horse assimilated the thing in his heart but the first one made the stuff out after putting it in. So, my friends, try to become the second horse. Imbibe the good things in your mind. Listen to the religious discourses attentively leaving/forgetting the worldly useless things. Follow the ideal references and examples in your real life. God will certainly adopt you. This is the essence of satsanga.

Summary

In this discourse delivered on 21st March 1998, Guruji emphasizes the importance of satsanga (spiritual gatherings) and the essential role of the Guru in spiritual growth. He discusses how the human body is a rare and precious gift from God, and its true purpose is to remember and worship the Divine. Guruji highlights that in this Kaliyuga (current age), devotion through satsanga and the guidance of a Guru are the most effective ways to achieve spiritual liberation. He underscores that without satsanga, one cannot develop true discernment (prudence), which is necessary for realizing God and overcoming the five vices: lust, anger, arrogance, greed, and attachment. Guruji also addresses the misconceptions people have about satsanga, urging them to prioritize spiritual gatherings over worldly distractions.

Guruji further explains that just as a pure container preserves the quality of its contents, a pure mind and body are essential for spiritual progress. He emphasizes that the material world should not be the sole focus of life; instead, one should strive for spiritual goals. Guruji narrates several stories to illustrate the transformative power of satsanga and the importance of having firm faith in the Guru’s teachings. He concludes by urging devotees to internalize the lessons learned from satsanga and apply them in their lives, as this will lead to spiritual growth and ultimately, liberation.

Important Points

1. The human body is a rare and precious gift, meant for remembering and worshipping God.
2. Satsanga (spiritual gatherings) is essential for developing prudence and realizing God.
3. The guidance of a Guru is crucial in spiritual growth and overcoming the five vices.
4. True discernment (prudence) arises from satsanga and is necessary for spiritual progress.
5. The material world should not be the sole focus; spiritual goals are paramount.
6. Firm faith in the teachings of the Guru leads to spiritual liberation.
7. Misconceptions about satsanga should be dispelled, and its importance should be recognized.
8. Pure mind and body are essential for preserving spiritual wisdom and making progress.
9. The transformative power of satsanga can lead to significant changes in one’s life.
10. Internalizing and applying the lessons from satsanga is key to spiritual growth.
11. God’s grace is essential for overcoming the influence of past actions and achieving liberation.
12. The story of the prince and the saint illustrates the importance of recognizing one’s divine origin.
13. Materialism leads to entrapment, while spiritual focus leads to liberation.
14. The analogy of the horses highlights the importance of internalizing spiritual teachings.
15. Serving others and contributing to the welfare of society is a noble and essential duty.