Sādhu-saṅga

O my heart, you are a great mischief-maker. You do not like the honest devotees. You like to stay with scoundrels. You think imposters are saints. The imposters make you dance. Look, the people in whom you have so much faith and before whose feet you fall are very cruel.

Although sādhu–saṅga is not attained by those who lack sukṛti, sādhu–saṅga is not rare if one tries desperately and makes an endeavour. There are places where there are sādhus in this world, and one can see them only by striving hard.

There are some people who endeavour to attain the mercy of the Supreme, but whether it is due to the influence of bad impressions or because they rely so much upon themselves, they do not realise the need for sādhu-saṅga and do not try to associate with sādhus. It is nothing more than an indication of being absorbed by māyā, because there is no other way than sādhu-saṅga for a human being floating in the ocean of saṁsāra.

Going to a sādhu and discussing that, “This place is very hot, that place is good for our health, this gentleman is so nice, how will rice paddy grow there? etc.” – such talks are an illusory aberration, and if we talk all this nonsense, then that is not sādhu-saṅga.

What is sādhu–saṅga? Simply talking to a sādhu is not saṅga. The word saṅga means ‘love’ or ‘attachment.’

What to speak of awarding happiness, ordinary talk causes extreme unhappiness; however, in iṣṭa-goṣṭhī such a thing never takes place.

Śuddha-bhaktas are rare in this world, and therefore only a few śuddha-bhaktas can be found in any single iṣṭa-goṣṭhī.

Sādhus award divine eyes to our heart.

Without the association of śuddha-bhaktas, or pure devotees, there is no question of holding an iṣṭa-goṣṭhī. The word iṣṭa means ‘desired subject,’ and goṣṭhī means ‘assembly.’ These two words combine to form the term iṣṭa-goṣṭhī, which refers to an assembly of sādhus who are devoted to śuddha-bhakti, or the practice of pure devotion. Śuddha-bhaktas are rare in this world, and therefore only a few śuddha-bhaktas can be found in any single iṣṭa-goṣṭhī.

While meeting a materialistic friend, one should speak only what is extremely necessary. At that time, it is better not to exhibit heartfelt love. But if that friend is a proper Vaiṣṇava, then one should accept his association by speaking to him with love.