How is Satsangat to be Known

The Gurbani (the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) says that Truth (ਸਚ – Sach) is the ‘Khasamu-ਖਸਮੁ’ — the Divine Master of all of us: the Mool, Source, Creator / Hukam.

  • ਹਰਿ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਹੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਸੋ ਭਗਤ ਜਨ ਚਿਤਿ ਕਰਿ ॥: ‘Hari’ (Mool…) is the Master of all; ‘Bhagats’ (Gurmukhs, Daas, Jan, etc., always) keep Him in their mind (sggs 849).
  • ਇਹੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਖਸਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਬਖਸੇ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਪਾਵਹੇ ॥: Ih Sach Sabhanaa  Kaa Khasam Hai. (sggs 922).

Literally:

Satsangat => Sat + Sangat
Sat = Truth
Sangat = Association, Company
Sat + Sangat => Association or Company of Truth (ਸਚ – Sach) …

The Gurbani defines Satsangat as follows :

  • ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥ : What constitutes a ‘SatSangat’ (a congregation of seekers, SatSangee, enlightened beings)? SatSangat is there, where there is deliberation or discourse on ONLY ONE NAAM (Wisdom / Virtues). Nanak, ONE NAAM is the divine Hukam, the Satguru has given me this understanding. ||5|| (sggs 72).

Here we have an irrefutable definition of the Satsangat as provided by Baabaa Nanak.

By using the term ‘EKO NAAM‘ in the foregoing verse, Baabaa Nanak has eliminated any speculation and doubt. That is, only that Sangat, which meets this criteria of the Gurbani is to be known Satsangat, otherwise, it’s not qualified to be known or called Satsangat!!

  • ਅਵਰੋ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵਹੇ ॥: (Guru Amardas ji) with the blessing of the Gur-Shabad (apart from the ONE Creator) does not know any other, (he) remembers only ‘ONE NAAM‘. (sggs 923).
  • ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੨॥: (Mind of an Enlightened being – Brahm Giaanee – is always attuned to) the ONE NAAM, the ONE CREATOR, whose ONE LIGHT (Universal Energy) pervades the three worlds (i.e. everywhere). ||2||  (sggs 992).

By BECOMING the Gurbani, whose mindset meets this criteria of Baabaa Nanak are also called the Gurmukhs (Bhagats, Daas, Jan …) in the Gurbani.

  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਰਾਚੈ ਨਾਇ ॥: One who becomes the Gurmukh is absorbed in the NAAM. (sggs 1330).
  • ਅਬ ਮਨੁ ਛੂਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲੇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਇਆ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲੇ ॥: Being in the Company of the Guru (i.e. Shabad, Upadesh, Message…) , now my mind has become free (from the attachment of Maya). (sggs 705).

We can label the Gurmukhs whatever we want to (i.e., Saadh, Brahm-Giaanee, Daas, Bhagat, JAN etc.), but the upshot is that a Gurmukh is an Enlightened being; thus absorbed in the Pure Consciousness of Naam, Shabad, Hukam…

Clearly, any Sangat made of the nature of Manmukh-Saakat- Mayadhaaree, etc., is not a Satsangat, but a Kusangat (‘ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ’, evil …). This is the Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ)!

  • ਮਨਮੁਖ ਸੇਤੀ ਸੰਗੁ ਕਰੇ ਮੁਹਿ ਕਾਲਖ ਦਾਗੁ ਲਗਾਇ ॥: Whoever associates with Manmukhs (i.e., Kusang), will have his face blackened (stigma, ਬਦਨਾਮੀ, he will lose his Giaan and Bibek-Budhi...). (sggs 1417).
  • ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਕਤ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਦੂਰਹਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਭਾਗਿ ॥ ਬਾਸਨੁ ਕਾਰੋ ਪਰਸੀਐ ਤਉ ਕਛੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਦਾਗੁ ॥੧੩੧॥: Kabeer, don’t do Saakat’s company (Saakat: a mind ridden with vices/Bikaar; run far away (from Saakat thought process: negative, ignorant and egoistic…). If you touch a vessel stained with soot, some of the soot is bound to stick to you! ||131|| (sggs 1371).
  • ਮਾਇਆਧਾਰੀ ਛਤ੍ਰਪਤਿ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਛੋਡਉ ਤਿਆਗਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Mayadhaaree… (sggs 811).
  • ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ ਬਹਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਦੁਖੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥੧੧॥: (Corrupt minded people) always sit in bad company and suffer. They always do the same deeds from which only sorrow comes out. (sggs 1068).

In every Ardaas in Gurdwaras, we always say: ‘ਸੇਈ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਮੇਲ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਿਲਿਆਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਚਿਤ ਆਵੈ’ – Kindly cause to meet only those by meeting whom (i.e. Jan, Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat) Your NAAM gets inseminated in the mind! I short, we are as good as the company we keep!

  • ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਦਿਸੰਦੜਿਆ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਵੰਞੈ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਅਸਾਡੜੇ ਸੇਈ ॥: Our (real) friends are those seeing whom (i.e., keeping whose friendship) wicked intellect is dispelled. (sggs 520).

Off course, this will require commandment towards this target of life. And, to meet this ultimate purpose of life, the Gurbani asks us to keep aimed at the target with the sword or arrow of the Guru’s spiritual Wisdom.

  • ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥: (So long there is breathPraan) accomplish the task (of God Realization) yourself ( i.e. with self-efforts: Shabad-Vichaar …). ||20|| (sggs 474).
  • ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥: (O Human being!) You have been blessed with a human body. This is your only opportunity to unite with the Creator. Other worldly deeds (e.g. Karamkaand, rituals, formalities, concocted concepts etc.) are of no use to you in realizing God. Therefore join the holy congregation (i.e. Satsangee Jan, seekers) and lovingly remember the divine Naam (Virtues / Wisdom). ||1|| (sggs 12).

9 comments

  1. There are two important references in Gurbaanee as
    1..Gurjoti and
    2..Prabhjoti
    There is a very close inter-relationship between Gur and Prabh. And in these context s
    Satsangati is reference for the company of Gurjoti and Sadhsangati is the reference for the company of Prabhjoti.
    Bhul chuk maaf

  2. Highly aware gentlemen, for the benefit of my ignorance, is Satsangat the same as we sometimes refer to as sadhsangat? your clarifications most welcome! thank you Jio

  3. Thank you Bhai Sahib Jee for taking the time to share Shabad-Vichaar. Welcme to the Gurbani Blog!
    As about quotations, the Gurbani is full of many more and very apt ones in this context, but all cannot be given from a space point of view.

  4. The article is;-How Is Satsangat To Be Known
    ਜਹ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤਹ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਬਣਾਈ ॥
    Where the True Guru is – there is the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation.
    1.ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ- We(Gursikh) have nothing to do with ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ because ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ ਬਹਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਦੁਖੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ
    2.ਸੰਗਤਿ- We(Gursikh) have to do ਸੰਗਤਿ because ਵਿਚਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਵਸੈ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
    3.ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ-We(Gursikh) have to do ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ because ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਜੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੁ ਤਰਿਆ

    Bhul-Chuk Maff Karni Ji

  5. I think it can be company of any one in society that can bring out the best gurmat qualities in yourself

    Thank you Bhai Sahib Ji for sharing your Vichaar!

  6. Sash Sangat doesn’t have to be the company of the holy or wise as always presumed. OR, the congregation/sangat at gurdwara.
    I think it can be company of any one in society that can bring out the best gurmat qualities in yourself.
    These can be satogun actions/ thoughts that can help incite increased Awareness of your own spirituality. Example could be homeless, deprived, beggars …etc..like the hungry sadhus that Guru Nanak ji came across. Spending some reasonable time feeding and donating to some village or place where beggars and homeless have gathered, -in my opinion, would be the satsangat company.
    In turn this association would help me elevate in the steps of gurmat conduct and spiritual awareness.

  7. Harvinder ji ,Many are surprised as no one has ever paid attention to this aspect of Gurbaanee words. Can you refute this with evidence from within Gurbaanee?

  8. Bagga ji, Please don’t mind BUT I am always surprised rather repelled by your Irrelevant explanations.

  9. It is very important to understand the true meaning of the word Eko Naamu” (“ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ”)
    Generally we understand the meaning of this word as being ONE but in SGGS ji this word is very well clarified in Baanee Sukhmani as
    “EKO EKu.EKu Pachhane It Ut Ki Sojhi Jaane”
    This is EKO is to be known as EKu.EKu ………….A PAIR
    This observation of words as A PAIR in SGGS ji yet to be understood in its right context.

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