61.1 In the Samvat year 1881, on Shrãvan vad 7 [17th August 1825], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a decorated bedstead in the eastern veranda outside the west-facing rooms of Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He had tied a golden-bordered, white shelu around His head and had covered Himself with another white shelu. He was also wearing a white khes and a garland of mogrã flowers. A sabhã of paramhans, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
61.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “A person who possesses three characteristics can be called a firm satsangi. What are these three characteristics? The first is to strictly follow the niyams prescribed by his ishta-dev – to such an extent that he would never abandon those niyams even at the cost of his life. The second is to have extremely firm nishchay in Bhagvãn, so much so that he would never diverge from it even if others or his own mind was to raise doubts. The third is to be loyal to those Vaishnav bhaktas who worship their ishta-dev – just as parents are loyal to their children, a son is loyal to his father, and a wife is loyal to her husband. A person who possesses these three characteristics completely can be called a firm satsangi.”
61.3 Then continuing, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “When someone comes and sits at the front of a sabhã of bhaktas, others think, ‘This person must be a great satsangi’. However, the test of a great satsangi is as follows: If he is a grahastha¬, he would surrender everything he has for Bhagvãn and His bhaktas; and if required to do so, he would even give his life for satsang; and the moment his ishta-dev gives an ãgnã for him to become a paramhans, he would immediately become a paramhans. If a bhakta of Bhagvãn possesses these characteristics, then whether he sits at the front of a sabhã of bhaktas, or at the back, he should be considered to be great amongst all bhaktas. Moreover, a tyãgi who remains unaffected and continues to firmly follow all of his niyams, despite encountering wealth and women in his travels to other regions, is considered to be great amongst all tyãgis.
61.4 “If a person with rajo-gun, who is considered to be reputable in society, comes to a sabhã, then he should be respected accordingly and given a seat at the very front of the sabhã. Such etiquette should be observed by those possessing gnãn, as well as by tyãgis. If they do not, then the consequences can be harmful. Consider the example of when Parikshit Rãjã went to the rushi’s ãshram. The rushi happened to be in samãdhi and so the king was not honoured. As a result, the king became angry and threw a dead snake around the rushi’s neck. Then, the rushi’s son cursed the king, leading to the king’s death seven days later.
61.5 “There is also the example of when Daksh prajãpati visited Brahma’s sabhã. There, Shivji neither stood up for Daksh, nor welcomed him verbally; therefore upsetting Daksh. He then cancelled Shivji’s share in the yagna he performed. Then, Nandishvar and Bhrugu Rushi cursed each other; because of that sin, Sati burnt to death in Daksh’s sacrifice. This prompted Virbhadra to cut off Daksh’s head and offer it in the fire, which resulted in Daksh receiving the head of a goat.
61.6 “Therefore, all of you grahasthas and tyãgis should abide by the following: Those who are considered to be respectable in society and worldly affairs should in no way be insulted in a sabhã. If they are dishonoured, it will definitely lead to problems and create obstructions in worship. For this reason, all satsangi grahasthas and tyãgis should firmly abide by this principle of mine.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã II || 61 || 194 ||