A corpse does not have a life force whereas a living being has a life force. Now, we have to wonder what is that power due to which we are living? If that power were not in our body, then our eyes could not see, ears could not listen, hands and legs could not work. So we should ask, what is that power? Saints and spiritually enlightened persons tell us time and again to come to satsang, because one is inspired to do devotion. Practising devotion after initiation, one develops knowledge and detachment, which are most essential to make life meaningful and successful.
It is said that St. Narad was always on the move and never stayed at any place for long. One day he reached Vrindavan. He heard the sound of a lady crying. He approached that lady, who was young and beautiful and found two men lying before her. St. Narad asked her why she was crying. The lady said, “These two men are my sons. They have become so feeble and old. I am afraid they will soon die.”
St. Narad thought, ‘This lady is so young but her sons are so old!' He was puzzled as to how this could be possible. When he inquired further, he found out that she was ‘Devotion' herself and the two sons were ‘Knowledge' and ‘Detachment'. Devotion said that as soon as she reached Vrindavan she became young, but her two sons suddenly became feeble and old. Narad Muni prayed to the Almighty for their well-being, and then he got a divine message to give them satsang. As they heard satsang, they were rejuvenated.
This is just a story but there is a hidden meaning in it. If we have devotion, but are not attending satsang, then knowledge and detachment cannot grow in us. By attending satsang, you get the company of the wise. It is said, “ Pratham bhakti santan kar sanga, doosari rati mam katha prasnga …” Why has it been said that we should associate with saints? I'll give you a small example in this regard. Suppose a mahatma is invited to a house for satsang. That day, the entire house is thoroughly cleaned. The husband says to his wife, “Please keep your temper and do not get angry, do not make a fuss.” The wife replies, “You also behave properly. Don't get annoyed and talk rubbish. Accept what you are taught.” Such changes start taking place automatically. Efforts are made to make improve ourselves and indeed our purpose is that we should transform ourselves into divine personalities. But this is possible only if we acquire Spiritual Knowledge, attend satsang, serve in the Guru Darbar and continuously meditate.
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