Posted on: 02 Jun 2021
[Ms. Thrylokya asked: Shri Adi Shankaraachaarya said that Satsanga (companion of God and devotees) would lead us to Jeevanmukti (Salvation). But Bhakt Prahlādā and Vibhiishana were exceptions to this statement because they were in the companion of demons. Similarly, Jesus said that a rich man can never reach God. But Purandara Dāsā was an exception who gave away all his riches to become a servant of God. A Sadguru always says the truth but these practical examples appear to stand opposite to the preaching. Kindly correlate them. -At Your divine lotus feet, Thrylokya]
Swami replied:- Yes madam! I will correlate anything with any other thing because the only divine talent of God Datta is correlation! Satsanga means remaining immersed in the real love of God constantly and this can take place whether the devotee is in association with others or not. If the devotee is alone, his/her divine memories give the divine company. Even if the associating company opposes, the devotee is not distracted and continues in the immersion of divine memories of God. If the associating company is congenial, such company will be benefited by the devotee. In demons also, there were some, who are devoted to God. Demons are not atheists and hence, atheists are worse than demons. Purandara Daasa became poor by donating all his riches to poor people. Hence, what Jesus said is not wrong because it applied even to Purandara Daasa and because of such application only, he became poor. I add one more point in this context, which is that instead of becoming poor by hasty donation to poor, one can retain his wealth and use it in the service of God, which also includes helping the deserving poor through patient analysis. In hasty donation, you have no time to discriminate deserving poor and undeserving poor. The only category that should be immediately helped with all hasty speed is the category of beggars suffering with hunger for food, suffering for not having cloths, suffering for diseases without medicines.