By: Babhru Dāsa
There is simply no higher benediction within the material atmosphere than sadhu-sangha. To have the association of those whose hearts are flowing like a river to Lord Hari, the ocean of rasa, is a treasure beyond all others.
For the bhakti-sadhaka, the value of being situated in the company of shuddha-vaishnavas is incomparable. In such company, one’s heart blissfully dances. Even to see a vaishnava for a fraction of a second, is said to give a person limitless good fortune. Evidence for this in scripture is profuse,
“Therefore, O completely sinless ones, I ask you to kindly tell me what the supreme good is. After all, even half a moment’s association with pure devotees within this world of birth and death is a priceless treasure for any man.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.30
So what to speak of being perpetually in their divine company? Hearing sweet hari-katha from their lips, rendering service to those of higher quality, making friendship with those of similar status, and showing compassion and mercy to those who are of a lower platform? All these things constitute powerful service to Lord Hari, and will surely and swiftly carry one to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face very soon. Certainly wherever these things are taking place, Lord Hari resides. There is no doubt of this.
In truth, Lord Hari resides nowhere else. Sri Govinda, the personification of sweetness, has placed Himself under lock and key, and who holds this key? None but His devotee. One can search through the entire universe, through each and every splendid temple, through every holy place, but alas! In almost every circumstance, one will be unable to find Him. After all, Krsna is yogeswara, the master of mysticism, and one of His powers is anima-siddhi (becoming smaller than an atom.) So if he does not want to be found, how on earth will one find Him? It is not possible.
Knowing all these things, how can the sadhaka make sure that they will never enter into the miserable condition of being bereft of sadhu-sangha? It is very simple and easy. The sadhaka who has such association counts their blessings day and night. When they arise in the morning, they contemplate thus, “Today is such a wonderful day, and I can see and make friendship with the direct associates of Lord Hari! Oh how humbled I am!? I have done nothing to deserve such a thing, but nonetheless, my destiny has unfolded in this way. Today I will try my best to act with the utmost sadhacara, and chant the divine names of Govinda with all sincerity. If I can do this, I will remain in a humble state of mind and my love for Krsna and His followers will grow day by day! In this way, I will perpetually remain in their company and spend my days and nights in great paramananda.”
On the contrary, association with worldly-minded people is the greatest poison for a sincere bhakta. To engage in mundane talks, to exchange superficial sentiments with them, to even be in their presence, is simply an energetic black hole. Simply put, there is no time for such dealings. And if one is drawn to be in such association for an extended time, in most cases, ones “devotional creeper” will be severely compromised. Whatever ones growth may have been in the past, by receiving the toxic sludge of bad association, the tender bhakti creeper will wilt, slink back to the ground, and recede. Quite possibly to the point of near non-existence. Although, something may still be there, but downgraded to a very rudimentary idea. The bhakti creeper may become unseen due to being buried amongst the weeds of anarthas. Unfortunately, depending on the amount of terrible aparadhas committed, it is difficult to say how long such an effect will last.
It is a very sad situation, when ones mind gives up thoughts of Lord Hari. Feeling so much sadness in His heart, Sri Krsna is oftentimes even forced to help such a person forget Him. Feeling so much sadness in His tender heart , He will give permission for Durga-devi to use her illusory power to cover the lost soul’s mind and intelligence. To solidify their illusion, She may even give them immense sensory delights, wonderful amounts of wealth, and all other things that materialists wish to acquire.
Amazingly, by such acquisition, the lost sadhaka may even believe them to be blessed by Lord Govinda. They believe material success to be non-different than success in bhakti. And thus seeing no problem will not care to really contemplate their sorry situation. The idea of rasa has been lost to them, and the idea of love divine has become a thought of fantasy.
And how does one find themself in such lamentable situation where no sadhu-sangha is available, where only mundane talks can be heard, and where the bright effulgent energy of seva-devi is nowhere to be found? The only way this can occur is due to having committed severe aparadha. Repeated offenses to the holy name, pervasive offenses to the sadhu, and ghastly offenses to Sri Krsna. It is the most terrible fruit of aparadha, to lose the opportunity for sadhu-sangha and it is the truest indicator that something has gone very wrong in one’s spiritual life. And as said before, one’s mind is understood to be truly covered in the clouds of illusion when they authentically feel there is no need for sadhu-sangha and they are happily situated.
After all, most people of the world believe they are happy, and it may be true in a highly superficial way. But this is not the happiness that a servant of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda is after. They are after bhakti-ananda, undying ecstasy, absorption in rasa, and the exhilarating fervor that is born from sincere connection with the internal potency of Sri Krsna, namely the swarupa-shakti. It is a categorically different type of happiness.
With all of this being said, we must conclude that this precious human birth is meant for one thing, and one thing only, namely to find Lord Krsna. Unfortunately, it is the common situation of this world, that the living entities have no interest in the supramundane reality of love divine. It is a very sad thing, but it is true. Sri Krsna tells this very strongly in the following way,
“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” – Srimad Bhagavad-Gita 7.3