The Company You Keep…

The Company You Keep…

Where world becomes a stage and the body a costume to deliver the alloted role man should tread with atmost caution reminds Bhagawan…delivering a discourse on the importance of The Company desired to keep… Bhagawan says, The company you join must be qualitatively and quantitatively greater and higehr than the one in which you are now caught. From Bhagawan’s Divine discoures at Brindavan, Whitefiled, on 7 July 1975.

Kamal Sahani, of the Second B. Com. class of the College spoke now, using fine simple appropriate words, on the human body and the purpose for which it has been given to you. He said that the world is a stage and that the body is a costume that one has to wear in order to act the role that God has allotted to you in the play produced and directed by Him.

This is a correct interpretation. But, when you are allotted a part, your duty is to do it well and earn the appreciation of the Director.

The stage on which you play your role is an infinitesimal dot when compared with the vast unlimited Cosmic space. The time when you strut about the stage in this costume or in any other is also infinitesimal. Deepak of this College acted as Sankaracharya on the stage at the Shanmukhananda Hall, Bombay. But, his Deepak-ness was not lost thereby; even while he was Sankaracharya, he was Deepak. His Sankaracharya-hood was but a temporary phase. So too, the Atma is the Eternal Truth; the body which it dons is temporary and the role it induces is also short. Or, to illustrate this in another way—the time spent in dreams is infinitesimal, when compared with the time spent awake. The ‘waking’ stage is the representative of the stage of wisdom and illumination, of the Atma; the dream stage is the representative of the ’ignorance wisdom’ hazy stage of human life.

The question may legitimately be asked, why or how did this eternal universal Atmic principle take up residence in this temporary, particularised body box? Well. You do not keep diamonds in a diamond casket, do you? If you do, the robber would be doubly benefitted. You keep it in an iron box only. Of course, the iron box or safe will be artistic and charming, for, the container is chosen, to suit the value or sanctity of the thing contained. To drink milk or some such beverage, you select a clean attractive tumbler or cup. But, for a spittoon, inferior metals or mud is felt ample.

The body is a chalice, wherein you collect the nectar of Divine Grace. That is the prime purpose for which it has been gifted, to you. For, without a cup or chalice, casket or jug, how can the nectar be taken? Raso Vai Sah: say the Vedas; “He Is Sweet-Nectar, no less.” And when His Graces is showered, the body is thrilled. The Body has to be kept ever clean and pure, unaffected by dirt, disease, distress, or defeatism. Nara and Narayana, man and God are like iron and magnet. God by His very nature attracts man near, for in man, there is the Divine. When the magnet fails to attract the iron piece, the iron foolishly concludes that the magnet has lost its power! The real fact is: the piece of iron is too thickly covered by rust and dust. It does not realise its own defect; it rushes to blame God (the magnet) or even to deny Him!

The easiest and the most fruitful method of keeping yourself free from dust and rust is the Satsang. The company of the good and the godly will slowly and surely chasten and cleanse the persons prone to stray away from the straight path towards Self-Realisation. Care has to be taken to see that you select and stick to the proper company. A cup of water has no cash value; but, if it is poured into ten cups of milk, it acquires the value that people attach to milk! If on the other hand, one cup of milk is poured into ten cups of water, it loses the value it had and is condemned as useless. So, the Satsang you join must be purer, more venerable, and sticking to higher ideals of virtue and truth than you yourselves. When a smoker joins a group of non smokers, there is every likelihood of his giving up that bad habit; but, when a non smoker falls into a den of smokers, he is certain to become a victim soon! Such is the subtle influence of the company one keeps. The company you join must be qualitatively and quantitatively greater and higher than the one in which you are now caught.

There are precious gems of wisdom within your hearts, which require excavation, in order to be of any benefit to you. Intelligence is the instrument you have to use, in order to gain them. At the very start, you will encounter a boulder barring your way—that is the Body Consciousness, the Ego. Desires are the loose rocks that have also to be dug out and kept aside. Then, you come to a bed of sand—good thoughts, good words, good deeds; when this stratum is reached, you are nearing success. If you keep on in Satsang, every day, your hearts will maintain their purity unimpaired; but, if you seek one, only off and on, it will be difficult to win grace or partake of it, for, the vessel will be tarnished and untidy. In your own households, you must have noticed that a vessel in daily use is bright and clean; but, vessels stored and used only now and then will have to be scrubbed with great vigour to become bright.

Yeh Draft Ready Hai:

The Company You Keep – A Sacred Lesson On Influence, Character, And Inner Growth

The Company You Keep… is a powerful reminder that the people, thoughts, habits, and environments around us quietly shape our life. A person may feel independent, but the mind is easily influenced by what it sees, hears, and follows every day. Good company lifts the heart upward, while careless company slowly pulls it downward.

Human character does not become strong by accident. It is formed through repeated choices. The friends we choose, the conversations we enjoy, the books we read, the entertainment we consume, and the examples we admire all leave impressions on the mind. These impressions slowly become attitudes, and attitudes become actions.

The Company You Keep… teaches that satsang, or noble company, is very important in spiritual life. When we stay close to truthful, disciplined, loving, and service-minded people, their qualities inspire us. Their words encourage purity, their conduct gives strength, and their presence reminds us of higher values.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized the need for good thoughts, good words, and good actions. Bad company may first appear attractive, easy, or entertaining, but it can weaken discrimination. It may make wrong things look normal and noble things look boring. Therefore, a seeker must be careful and alert.

The Company You Keep… becomes meaningful when we honestly observe how we feel after spending time with certain people or habits. Do we feel peaceful, inspired, and closer to God? Or do we feel restless, negative, angry, jealous, and careless? This simple observation can reveal whether that company is helping or harming us.

Good company does not mean only sitting with saints or scholars. It also means living with uplifting thoughts, devotional music, sacred books, prayerful atmosphere, honest friends, and service activities. Even one noble idea kept in the mind can become a form of good company.

The Company You Keep… also reminds us that wrong company does not always come as people. It may come as gossip, addiction, laziness, pride, violent entertainment, constant comparison, or negative thinking. Anything that reduces purity, discipline, compassion, and remembrance of God should be handled with caution.

A devotee must learn to be friendly with all, but inwardly attached only to what is good. We should not hate people who are weak or mistaken, but we should not blindly copy their habits. Compassion is necessary, but discrimination is also necessary. Love others, but protect your own inner path.

The Company You Keep… finally teaches that the strongest company is the company of God. When the mind remembers the divine name, the heart remains protected. Prayer, namasmarana, bhajan, meditation, and seva keep the devotee close to the Divine. This inner company gives strength even when outer surroundings are difficult.

The influence of company is especially important for youth. Young minds are energetic, sensitive, and easily shaped. Good friends can encourage discipline, study, respect, service, and devotion. Bad friends can lead toward wasteful habits, disrespect, and confusion. Therefore, choosing company is choosing direction.

A person who wants spiritual growth should spend time with those who encourage goodness. Such friends do not flatter our weaknesses; they help us become better. They remind us when we are careless, support us when we are weak, and celebrate our progress without jealousy. Such friendship is a blessing.

We should also try to become good company for others. Our speech should not spread fear, gossip, or bitterness. Our actions should not encourage wrong behavior. If our presence brings peace, hope, honesty, and kindness, then we become instruments of divine influence.

The mind itself should become a sacred gathering place. Let truth sit there, let love speak there, let patience guide there, and let God’s name shine there. When the inner company is pure, even outer difficulties cannot easily disturb the heart.

In the end, The Company You Keep… is a sacred reminder to choose wisely what we allow near our mind and heart. It asks us to seek noble company, avoid harmful influence, and remain close to God through devotion and service. When company is pure, character becomes strong, life becomes peaceful, and the soul moves closer to divine grace.

From Shirdi to Puttaparthi