Narada Bhakt Sutra on Holy Association

Bhaja Govindam

सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।
निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥
Satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam,
nirmohatve niscalatattvam niscalatattve jivanmuktiH.- 9

Through the company of the wise or the good, there arises non-attachment;
from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion;
where there is freedom from delusion, there is abidance in self-knowledge,
which leads to freedom while alive.

Explanation by Rev. Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj

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Explanation by Swami Tejomayanandaji Maharaj



Quotes - Swami Vivekananda

‘Association’

The rain drop from the sky: If it is caught in hands, it is pure enough for drinking. If it falls in a gutter, its value drops so much that it can’t be used even for washing the feet. If it falls on hot surface, it perishes.

If it falls on lotus leaf, it shines like a pearl and finally, if it falls on oyster, it becomes a pearl. The drop is same, but its existence & worth depend on with whom it associates.”

Always be associated with people who are good at heart.
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After so much austerity, I have understood this as the real truth— God is present in every jiva; there is no other God besides that, ‘Who serves jiva, serves God indeed

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One moment of company with the holy makes a ship to cross this ocean of life." 

Such is the power of association.
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This is the gist of all worship — to be pure and to do good to others.

 He who sees Shiva in the poor, in the weak, and in the diseased, really worships Shiva; and 

if he sees Shiva only in the image, his worship is but preliminary. 

He who has served and helped one poor man seeing Shiva in him, without thinking of his caste, or creed, or race, or anything, with him Shiva is more pleased than with the man who sees Him only in temples.