How Can an Association (Sanga) Please the Supreme Lord?

Whenever we set a goal, we naturally want to achieve it quickly and efficiently. Yet, we often find that it is very difficult to achieve goals on our own. When we walk alone on the path, the journey seems long and the goal very distant. But when we are in a group or a team, our participation and contribution become consistent and effective.

For example, if we wish to exercise, a solitary reaper often tends to give up much earlier. But if even one more friend joins us, we motivate each other and are able to achieve the goal we have set for ourselves; if not for ourselves, at least for the other person's sake. That is the power of association.

The Bhakti path: the path of "pure loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord", is also very similar. Alone we perish, but together we strive.

Understanding Bhakti: Pure Devotional Service

Bhakti's definition can be inferred from Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī's Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.1.11):

anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

Translation: "When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Kṛṣṇa favorably, as Kṛṣṇa desires."

In essence, Bhakti is all about unmotivated, uninterrupted service to Kṛṣṇa with no hidden agendas. The only agenda in our mind is to please Kṛṣṇa, because that is the ultimate purpose of our life.

What Activities Please Krishna Most?

Now the question arises: what activities are most pleasing to Kṛṣṇa?

In this regard, there are many instructions in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. But today, let us take one that is especially relevant and spoken directly by the Supreme Lord to the Pracetās, the sons of King Prācīnabarhi, in the 4th Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.30.8

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
varaṁ vṛṇīdhvaṁ bhadraṁ vo
yūyaṁ me nṛpa-nandanāḥ
sauhārdenāpṛthag-dharmās
tuṣṭo 'haṁ sauhṛdena vaḥ

Translation: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: 'My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation — devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.'"

The Lord is extremely pleased with mutual friendship among devotees and is willing to offer any benediction to them.

True Association: The Six Symptoms of Love

Merely cohabiting or cooperating with devotees does not constitute association (sanga). True sanga is one where a friendly mood exists, where there is clear evidence of prīti (loving affection).

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, in his Nectar of Instruction, emphasizes these loving exchanges and symptoms among devotees:

Nectar of Instruction - Verse 4

dadāti pratigṛhṇāti
guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati
bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva
ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam

Translation: "Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasāda, and offering prasāda — these are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another."

The Ideal Satsang: Where Love Flourishes

One place where all these symptoms are easily visible at once is the Satsang.

A Satsang is where everyone lovingly receives each other, accepts and offers prasādam, discusses spiritual subject matters from the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam confidentially and submissively, and learns about who we truly are, who God is, what our relationship with Him is, how to manage the mind, how to remain steady through ups and downs, and how to stay firm amidst adversities. Everything we need to know about life, we get here.

The most ideal sanga is one where no one is discriminated against based on caste, creed, religion, race, or appearance, where one proactively takes care of another, even if they have just met. It is where everyone feels welcomed, loved, cared for, and appreciated.

That is what our Vedic wisdom inspires us to strive for. That is Kṛṣṇa's family, vāsudhaiva-kuṭumbakam.

Welcome to Our Zenith Krishna Conscious Sanga!

Credit: The content and concepts are inspired from wonderful teachings of ISKCON preachers, serving in the mission of Srila Prabhupada to spread Krishna Consciousness. This article is inspired from session by Balaram Shakti Das Prabhu's Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture on the 4th Canto, 30th Chapter.