THE SIGN OF THE TRUE SATSANGAT

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.

• ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥: Satsangat kaisee jaaneeai || Jithai eko naam vakhaaneeai || Eko naam hukam hai Nanak satigur deeaa bujhaai jeeou ||5||: Eko naam hukam hai Nanak satgur deeaa bujhaai jeeou: How is the Satsangat to be known? There, (only) God’s One Name is chanted. The One Name is the Hukam (Will of God); O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding ||5|| (sggs 72).

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.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਾਧ ਸੇਈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਏ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਆਪਿ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ॥: Gurmukh saadhh seyee prabh bhaae kar kirapaa aap milaavai: The Gurmukhs are the Holy, pleasing to God; in His mercy, He blends them with Himself (sggs 881).
• ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਕਉ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਭਾਈ ਜਿਨ ਏਕੰਕਾਰ ਅਧਾਰ ॥੧॥: Saadhsangat kaou vaariaa bhaaee jin ekankaar adhaar ||1||: I am a sacrifice to the Saadh-Sangat, O Siblings of Destiny; they take the Support of the One and Only Lord ||1|| (sggs 608).