T Ram Sewak

SANT

Kakabhushundiji further delineates the pivotal role of saints (Sant) in helping the seekers on the Bhakti Marg in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.120. He states:

ram dhira chandan samira

birati mari jaya bichari

"Bhakti becomes easy to attain with Satsang and the blessings of the Saints because they distil the spiritual knowledge in the scriptures with their Gyan (knowledge) using the divine stories (Katha) to extract and distribute the nectar of Bhakti. If Shri Ram is the infinite ocean, then the saints are like the clouds who spread the showers of HIS Bhakti on all."

In Navadha Bhakti, Shri Ram designates Satsang as the first form, fondness for HIS Katha as the second, Guru Sewa as the third and HIS Bhajan as the fourth form of Bhakti. All four forms are interconnected.

As delineated previously, Bhakti is received as 'prasad'. However, the Bhakt has to be ready to receive HIS grace and develop deep receptivity, which is awakened in Satsang with the blessings of the Sants. Satsang is the indispensable medium through which Divine grace flows, ignorance is eradicated, and Bhakti blooms. The saints are like mirrors that help you to see HIS presence within yourself.

Furthermore, Kakabhushundiji uses the water cycle analogy to illuminate the role of the saints, likening them to the clouds and Shri Ram to the ocean. Just as the clouds take water from the ocean, showering and nourishing all beings and the earth, with the water finally merging into the ocean. Similarly, through the Kathas of Shri Ram and Satsang, the Saints shower HIS Bhakti on all Bhakts, nurturing their Shraddha (faith) and Samarpan (surrender), thus facilitating their ultimate assimilation with HIM!

In Gita 9.14 and 10.9, Shri Krishna also emphasises that the saints spread Bhakti through their constant devotion, mutual enlightenment, and joyful discussions about HIM. The Saints embody the essence of Bhakti; they don't teach it, they make you soak it up through Satsang! / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com