SAT SANG
The greatest of all aids to Self-realisation is the presence of a Realised Man. This is called Sat Sang which means literally `fellowship with Being'. Even here Bhagavan would sometimes explain that the real `Being' is the Self and therefore no physical form is needed for Sat Sang. Nevertheless, he often dwelt on its benefits.Association with Sages who have realised the Truth removes material attachments; on these attachments being removed, the attachments of the mind are also destroyed. Those whose attachments of mind are thus destroyed become one with That which is Motionless. They attain Liberation while yet alive. Cherish association with such Sages.
That Supreme state which is obtained here and now as a result of association with Sages, and realised through the deep meditation of Self-enquiry in contact with the Heart, cannot be gained with the aid of a Guru or through knowledge of the scriptures, or by spiritual merit, or by any other means.
If association with Sages is obtained, to what purpose are the various methods of self-discipline? Tell me, of what use is a fan when the cool, gentle south wind is blowing? The heat of mental and bodily excitement is allayed by (the rays of) the moon; want and misery are removed by the kalpaka tree; sins are washed away by the sacred water of the Ganges. But all these afflictions are altogether banished by the mere darshan of the peerless Sage.
Neither the holy waters of pilgrimage nor the images of gods made of earth and stone can stand comparison with the benign look of the Sage. These purify one only after countless days of grace, but no sooner does the Sage bestow his gracious glance than he purifies one.1
It should be mentioned that these five verses were not actually composed by Bhagavan but translated from Sanskrit for inclusion in his Supplementary Forty Verses. The statement in the second verse that such grace cannot be gained with the aid of Guru is using the word `Guru' in its lower sense of `teacher'; otherwise it would have the same meaning as `Sage' and the comparison would be pointless.
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