HOW IS THE SATSANGAT TO BE KNOWN?

How is the Satsangat to be known? There, only God's
Name is chanted. The One Name is the Hukam (Will of God);
O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding (sggs 71).
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One of the important aspects of Baabaa Nanak's Teaching is one's dedication to the Sangat (Good or Holy Company/Association/Congregation, Satsang, Saadh-Sangat etc.). This gives rise to the following question, "does he define as to what the true "Sangat" is?" Yes. Not any Sangat; but we are urged by Baabaa Nanak to join the Sangat of those who are absorbed in only God's One Name (God-Consciousness, Shabad-Surti etc.). In a verse of Sri Raag, Baabaa Nanak specifies this strict criteria for Sangat, in which he defines as to what the real Sangat is. Although congregational worship is important as recommended by Baabaa Nanak and the SGGS, but as indicated in the following verse, not every congregation can necessarily be called Sangat.

Here we have an irrefutable definition of a true Sangat. By using the word "Eko" here Baabaa Nanak has eliminated any speculation and doubt. Those who meet this criteria are also called the Gurmukhs in the Gurbani. We can label the Gurmukhs whatever we want to (e.g., Mahaatamaa, saint, Saadhoo, spiritual being, Brahm-Giaanee, Jeevanmukta, Baabaa etc.), but the upshot is that the Gurmukh is the fully God-Realized being, completely absorbed in the Name- or God-Consciousness.

According to the Gurbani, the Gurmukh has completely eradicated his false ego-sense (Haume) and related negativity of the mind (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh etc.); he has thus conquered his mind. Whatever comes into contact with both sandalwood and Paaras is uplifted. Similarly, the Gurbani compares the nature of the Saadh-Sangat with that of sandalwood and Paaras— in the Saadh-Sangat, a lowly conditioned Soul is purified, thus uplifted and transformed into Divine Consciousness! In the presence of such Holy Company, one finds energy, integrity, understanding, and persistence to liberate himself from the domain of the false ego-sense (Haume). The Association of the true Gurmukhs can sweep our "filthy" minds clean and remove our doubts. It can open up our closed minds and thus change our conduct. In the Sangat, faith — an important element of Bhagti (devotion) — is developed and strengthened. But the true Gurmukhs are very "rare". Also, they are not easily decipherable from the imitation because such beings have risen above any worldly labels or dogmas. Their greatness get camouflaged by their simplicity and humility. Such True and Wise ones ravel constantly in Universal Consciousness, radiating selfless love and compassion, selfless service (Nishakaam Sevaa) and sacrifice, and deep Peace to all. To recognize such true Sangat, one needs the basic understanding of spirituality (power of discrimination or Viveka, intuition etc.). Although some may chose to live in seclusion dissolved in the Divine Name, but others may chose (as suggested by the Gurbani) to become an offering to the world — selflessly helping rest of us who are groping in the darkness of ignorance. The Gurbani urges us to seek, join and keep the Company of such Sangat.

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

To read Gurbani verses in Gurmukhi, click here to download Gurmukhi font.

Updated on Friday, August 22, 2008 2:37 PM (PST)

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