Chapter – 4 – Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Bala
Kanda – The splendor of Sadhu Sangama/the association with the Santhbrindh
Mahathma
The fruitfulness of the rarest birth achieved
as a human is the attainment of Dharma/righteousness, Arththa/wealth, Kama/desires,
and Moksha/free from dualities of grief and joy, respect and disrespect,
happiness and sorrow. The association
with the ascetics, Sadhu Santh Mahathma would provide the fruitfulness of life and
commendable rewards of the dip in the king of holy Theertha/Prayag instantly, like
the crow transformed into a Cuckoo, and the Raven into a swan. Maharishi Narada who was born to a servant
maid in his previous birth has achieved the association of the Santh Mahathma,
engaged in the relentless service of them, thus attained the birth of
illustrious Sage. Maharishi Balmiki who was a hunter in a previous life had the
fortune to meet the Saptharishis, took shelter in the Ramanama, and achieved the
birth of ‘Adhikavi’ and Ghatasambhava/Sage Agasthya who was born at the touch
of Varuna, have described their lives and the transformation they have achieved
with the association of the saintly people. The Jalachara/aquatic animals,
Sthalachara/animals on the Earth, Nabhachara/humans whoever attained the
association of ascetic has achieved an abundance of fruitfulness in their
lives, they have achieved wisdom, purity, prosperity, serenity, and liberation from
the repeated cycles of birth, hence the Veda and scriptures highly eulogizes
the Sadhu Samagama/association with the ascetics. The attainment of
Parmaraththa Thaththva/all the material matters have impermanent nature, hence
the happiness derived out of the attachment to these material matters and infinite
Nama Roopa Dhrishya has impermanent nature too. The Jeevathma is Paramathma, soul/Athman is
eternal, changeless, free from affliction, pure, unblemished, and has neither
birth nor death, hence the attachment to the imperishable Paramathma
Parambhramam is blissful. The achievement of Paramarththa Thaththva is unattainable
without the association of the Santhbrindh Mahathmas, and the achievement of
the association with the ascetics is impractical without the grace of the
Supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra. The association with the Santh Mahathma is the root of bliss elevates the Jeeva from the grief and sufferings of worldly
existence caused by the ignorance and illusion, it makes the life of the
Sadhaka fruitful with the achievement of contentment and bliss/free from the
sufferings of dualities. It is the same as the association of the deceitful and
wicked changes the life of a Jeeva, the association with these noble souls
transforms the ignorant Jeeva into pious and fortunate. The Jeeva who has
achieved the purity and serenity of the mind with the association of these noble
souls, will not lose their nobleness even if they fall into the wicked
association, they would keep upright the virtues like the serpent hold the gem
on its forehead. The benefits of ‘Sadhu Santh Samagama’ was highly eulogized by
illustrious Rishis and Sages, like Maharishi Valmiki, Lord Bhrama, Vishnu, and
Shiva, hence I have little to describe it. Although I am an unworthy Jeeva, I shall make fullest efforts to describe the glories of the association of Sadhu Santh Mahathma,
it would be like the street vendor speaking about the precious gems.
Suni Samucchi Hi Jan Mudhitha Man Manjjahim Athi Anuraga | Lahahim Chari Phal
Acchath Thanu Sadhu Samaj Prayaga ||
Bhajjan Phal Pekhiau Thathkala | Kaka Hohim
Pika Bakau Marala || Suni Acharaja Karai Jani Koyi | Sathsangathi Mahima Nahi
Goyi || Balmika Naradha Ghatajoni | Nija Nija Mukhani Kahi Nija Honi ||
Jalachara Thalachara Nabhachara Nana | Je Jad Chethan Jeeva Jahana || Mathi Keerithi Gathi Bhoothi
Bhalayi | Jab Jehi Jathan Jaham Jehi Payi || So Janab Sathsanga Prabhau |
Lokahu Bedh Na Aana Upau || Binu Sathsang Bibeka Na Hoyi | Ramakripa Binu Sulabh Na Soyi || Sathsangatha
Mudha Mangala Mangala MOOla | Soyi Phala
Sidhdhi Sab Sadhana Phoola || Sad
Sudharihim Sathsangathi Payi | Paras Paras Kudhath Suhayi|| Bidhi Bas Sujana
Kusangath Parahi | Phani Mani Sama Nija Gun Anusarahim || Bidhi Hari Hara
Kabi Kobidha Bani| Kahath Sadhu
Mahima Sakuchani || So Mo San Kahi
Jath Na Kaise| Sak Banika Mani Guna Gan Jaise ||