Ashrams are centres of pilgrimage. Those who live in ashrams — for short periods or otherwise — experience shakti, a kind of positive energy field, that seems to envelop them. It works from within, bestowing the highest reward on them.
The character of a place is constantly remoulded by the actions of its inhabitants. A guru’s abode is much more than merely the structure of the place, for there is no difference between a holy place and its presiding saint. It is said that where Kakabhushandi, the great devotee of Sri Rama lived, even creatures without devotional tendencies — birds, animals, rakshasas — and hunters and fishermen became spiritually inclined. The entire atmosphere there was surcharged with the power of Sri Rama’s name.
Around Gautama Buddha, not only human beings, but even aggressive animals such as tigers and lions became quiet and non-violent. Mahatma Gandhi was a great lover of the truth. In his presence, even the worst liar would confess. In the village of Ganeshpuri, my guru, Swami Nityananda, seldom exchanged a word with devotees who would throng him in large numbers. Swami Nityananda sat in a silent, self-absorbed posture radiating fearlessness. Devotees had one darshan of him and went away feeling satisfied.
In the Mahabharata, Sri Krishna asked Yudhisthara, “O righteous one, how many sinners are there in this gathering?” Yudhisthara replied, “Lord, this is an assembly of fortunate and pious people. How can there be a sinner here?” Lord Krishna then asked Duryodhana the same question. Duryodhana replied, “Vasudeva, everyone here is vicious and without light. I can see only sinners around me in this court”. The viewpoint one adopts shows one’s attitude and outlook. In the same way only those who want to do sadhana should come and live in an ashram. An ashram is not a picnic resort. It follows a scriptural code that must be respected.
In an ashram, time is spent on meditation and prayer. Other activities are of secondary importance. Before you enter an ashram, leave your worldly baggage outside. Compose yourself to be calm and humble. Let the mind be free of burdens. Otherwise, it will be no different than going to a railway station, to a club or snack-shop where one makes a lot of noise but comes back feeling empty and dissatisfied.
A great deal depends on the company you keep. A verse in the Ramcharitmanasa says, “The happiness of heaven and of liberation put together is nothing compared to the happiness that one gets from a little satsang. It is for this reason that I urge you to seek the company of great saints”.
An ashram or a venue for satsang is not a place for wanton indulgence or argument. If we cannot live quietly, we should not visit these places. My advice to you is: “Don’t spend your life in vain. Your transient body is of hardly any use when it deteriorates. Do not allow it to become lazy. Whether you are wealthy or poor, do not give way to lethargy, apathy, sloth and inertia”.
No one tells me what to do and yet I lead a most orderly life. I get up early in the morning. I attend to every duty myself. I eat a frugal meal at a fixed time. I attend to the ashram work to the best of my ability. I try to ensure that everyone here lives in peaceful harmony. When one follows this discipline, one achieves Vaikuntha or true paradise.
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