Satsang: by Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian

         The word “SATSANG” is a combination of two Sanskrit words, namely: 

‘Sat’ meaning ‘Real’, ‘Existence’ or ‘Good’ and ‘Sang(a)’ meaning ‘Union’ or ‘Contact’.  

So, it means the ‘union or contact with Reality’ or ‘association with good people or Saints’ etc.  Any assembly of people where chanting or recitation of scriptures or hymns in praise of various deities is done has come to be called Satsang.

         The Masters of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), Rev. Lalaji Maharaj, Rev. Babuji Maharaj, Rev. Chariji Maharaj and Shri. Kamlesh D. Patel have stressed that ‘Satsang’ means the ‘eternal connection or union with the Ultimate Reality’.  Although the group meditation where hundreds or thousands of abhyasis of SRCM assemble together in one place in the presence of the Master or the Preceptors / Prefects permitted by him is known as Satsang, the Masters of Sahaj Marg have always said that Satsang is not an affair lasting for one hour or few hours in a day.  It is a continuous process.

 

         Is there any reference to such Satsang in ancient scriptures like Vedas?  I do not think so.  There are many occasions where we find saints or spiritual aspirants, Gurus etc. join together where discourses are given, assemblies being held. But the Satsang we experience in Sahaj Marg is quite revolutionary, far higher than all those available in literature.  One must read the last hymn of Rigveda called Aikamatya Sukta to have an idea of how we should conduct ourselves in Satsang.

         The credit for an organised way of conducting Satsang goes to Shri Ramachandraji (1873-1931) of Fategarh, affectionately known as Lalaji Saheb.  It was He who invited and included those having spiritual thirst to join him. He showered the divine energy, ‘Transmission’  which is called Pranahuti, on all of them, without distinction.  He also transmitted to many during nights even without the knowledge of the aspirants, which the lineage of Gurus in Sahaj Marg continued.

         In the spiritual gatherings / Bhandaras or during Satsang, the divine energy is transmitted either by the Master or by the Preceptors / Prefects permitted by him.  Such a phenomenon was unknown in earlier days.  Also the equality given to people without the barriers of colour, caste, creed, religion, nationality, sex etc. is unique in Sahaj Marg.  It is like the Sun or Moon shedding its lustre on all without any discrimination whatsoever.

         We do not find much role given for women in spirituality in ancient literature, though occasionally we find reference to some female saints like Gargi and exalted women like Maitreyi, Katyayani, Anasuya and a few others, but in Sahaj Marg, under the banner of SRCM, we have many women who are not only abhyasis but also Preceptors who conduct Satsangs where hundreds of men and women meditate. 

         It is due to the tireless work of Shri Ram Chandraji (1899-1983) of Shahjahanpur, affectionately known as Babuji, the ablest disciple and successor of Rev. Lalaji Saheb that women were also made Preceptors and were permitted to conduct Satsangs.

         When many spiritual aspirants join together and meditate, it has its own positive effect in the environment. This can be clearly felt by anyone visiting such places where Satsangs are held.  Also this promotes the feeling of brotherhood, sadly missing in today’s social life.

         There is also no room for higher and lower, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, white and black etc. in these Satsangs.  All are equal before God, so too before the Masters of Sahaj Marg.

         So, apart from spiritual purpose, we can see the social revolution brought by SRCM through Satsangs.

         Rev. Parthasarathi Rajagopalachariji Maharaj (1927-2014), popularly known as Chariji, worked tirelessly and established Satsangs in thousands of places in more than hundred countries.  He said once, “In Satsang, the Master is there, you are there, the transmission is there and yet the most important thing is ‘link with God / Master’ and if it is not there, then you will not get full benefit”.

         Satsang is not a place where we assemble to meet each other, exchange ideas, gossip or even to listen to the discourses.  It is to train one to go deeper into oneself into the Self, says Shri Kamesh D Patel, the President of SRCM.  He goes to the extent of telling that even if you sit at home and link yourself with Him, it is Satsang. This is in deed a great boon for many - housewives, elderly people, physically challenged and others. It is also worthwhile to know that Kamlesh bhai has kindly declared that those who have completed 15 years of age can commence their spiritual practice (sadhana) under SRCM. This will help students to derive the benefit directly so that during the course of their examinations, they can remain at home at meditate and continue their study.

     Such is the uniqueness of Satsang in Sahaj Marg.