In this beautiful satsang, Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb lovingly explained that Naam Dhyan means learning to guide oneself, to reflect, and to shape one’s life in the right direction.
As our understanding deepens, we improve ourselves. In life, we constantly meet different people, family, friends, business associates, and many others. With these interactions, our thoughts also change, sometimes we think positively, sometimes negatively.To balance this and to progress in every direction, we go to Shahanshah Satguru Swami Sai Satramdas Saheb’s Dham, seeking His blessings to live a righteous life, perform good deeds, and walk on the right path. When we remain in the right environment and good company, our intellect functions properly. But when we distance ourselves from good company and the guidance of saints, our intellect becomes misguided and leads us astray.
The purpose of being in Sai’s company, engaging in seva, Naam, and Dhyan is to use our intellect wisely and move forward in the right direction. This brings us God’s grace, blessings, and mercy, as well as the good results of our good deeds. Wrong actions, however, cause us to lose our respect, honor, and dignity, both in our own eyes and in the eyes of others.
Saijan reminded us that we always live amidst contrasts, honesty and dishonesty, good and bad, progress and decline, love and jealousy, respect and disgrace, right and wrong. It depends on what we choose. Wherever there is satsang and the presence of saints, there is wisdom (sumati), discipline (saiyam), and inner stability.
He explained that in the Ramayan, Bharat represents wisdom and Shatrughan represents patience and restraint . When wisdom and patience are together, negative thoughts like those symbolized by Manthra cannot dominate. Although Manthra lived with Kaikeyi since her childhood, after Kaikeyi’s marriage, when Bharat (wisdom) and Shatrughan (Patience) were born, Manthra’s negativity had no effect. But the moment Bharat and Shatrughan left the palace, Manthra (symbolizing kumati or wrong intellect) poisoned Kaikeyi’s mind, creating turmoil in King Dashrath’s household.
Thus, conflict arises only in the absence of wisdom and discipline. And wisdom and Patience come from good company, satsang, and the blessings of saints. In their presence, there is always truth, peace, and contentment. Good company is found at the feet of the Lord, at the door of the Satguru, and in places of worship. When we are surrounded by satsang and the blessings of saints, wrong thinking may exist around us, but it cannot influence us. Without wisdom and discipline, however, kumati takes control and leads us into mistakes.
Visiting saints and temples is not merely about offering prasad, folding hands, or asking for favors. The true purpose is to learn from the lives of saints and apply their teachings in our own life. It is not enough to say we believe in our Satguru,we must also follow Him. To truly honor the Satguru means to walk on the path He shows, live by His teachings, and bring His virtues into our lives. Only then are we genuine devotees.
If we do not live by His teachings, then our faith remains superficial, and we deprive ourselves of His true blessings. Simply visiting the dham, offering prasad, or celebrating festivals is not enough. Without following the teachings, we fall into self deception.
For example, we celebrate Janmashtami with fasting, decoration, and rituals, yet we often neglect to reflect on Krishna’s wisdom—His lessons on discernment, dhyan, karma, sadhna, yoga, and righteous living. Lord Krishna taught us to choose wisely between sattva, rajas, and tamas, but we rarely practice this.
Looking at the life of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb, we see an example of absolute purity. From birth itself, He renounced worldly attachments, took Naam Diksha, and advanced every moment in devotion to the Lord. His divine power was such that whatever He said would come true, because His words carried the strength of purity, sadhna, devotion, and truth. He used His divine power only for uplifting lives, bringing peace to the sorrowful, and guiding the lost back to the right path. Before leaving this world, He assured that wherever a heart is pure, He will reside there.
Who else has lived a life like Him, selflessly removing suffering, lifting the poor from poverty, and serving all without expectation? If we truly practiced His teachings, we too could rise to such spiritual heights. His words are not to be questioned but to be accepted with full surrender, for that is real faith.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb gave an example: When a disciple was asked how much he knew, he replied, “Everything.” Asked about the extent of his understanding, he said, “It reaches to God.” When asked where all this knowledge came from, he answered, “From my Guru.” When questioned again, he said, “I know only as much as my Guru knows. I think as He tells me to think, and I act exactly as He guides me. I do not follow my own mind, only my Guru’s.”
Saijan said Bhagat Kanwarram Saheb lived in the same way. Whatever his Guru, Shahanshah Sai Satramdas Saheb, instructed, he did without question. His surrender was so deep that when a lifeless child was placed in his arms, he became one with his Satguru, who gives life to all and the child came back to life. Such is the power of love and complete surrender.
The truth is, we become like the one we love. The more love we have for our Satguru, God, or the Divine, the more we merge into Them and take on Their qualities. In life, both wisdom (sumati) and ignorance (kumati) exist within us, but whichever company we keep will shape us. If we remain in negative company, our thoughts will become negative. If we remain in good company, negativity can never overpower us.
Many of us believe in Shahanshah Satguru, do seva, attend the dham, recite prayers, perform rituals, sing bhajans, and decorate His idol beautifully. We believe in Him deeply, but we do not follow Him. We forget to live by His teachings, His guidance, and His example. True discipleship is not just about honoring the Guru but becoming like Him by walking on His path. Otherwise, faith alone can lead to pride, mistakes, and even downfall.
Saijan warned that living in the illusion of faith alone is dangerous. On the day Lord Ram was to be crowned king, He was instead sent into exile because kumati had gained control. Similarly, when our wisdom, restraint and patience weaken, wrong thinking takes charge. Therefore, we must not only honor our Satguru but also follow His guidance with complete faith and surrender.
In the end, Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb reminded us that true devotion lies not in outward rituals alone but in living the teachings of our Satguru every moment. When we walk in His footsteps with wisdom, patience, and surrender, our life blossoms with peace, dignity, and divine grace. To believe in the Satguru is to follow Him in truth, shaping our lives by His guidance and becoming reflections of His virtues.
