Mukti Nath says, “When two or three gather together, I am in your midst.” Yet, the primary purpose of gathering is not solely to worship God but to celebrate our relationship with Him and with each other. Satsangh—true fellowship—extends beyond worship; while worship is an integral part of it, it is not the only purpose.
Worship is a personal sadhana that we are called to practice both individually and collectively. However, when we gather, the focus shifts to being present with one another, where physical presence is crucial. Virtual meetings may allow us to connect, but they cannot replace the depth of eye contact, which often communicates more than words.
As I often say, the small, informal conversations during breaks, in small groups, or between two individuals are often more significant than the formal discussions in the sessions. Sharing meals, drinking tea, going for walks, or talking before bed are the highlights of every gathering. These moments are where we truly celebrate our relationship with one another and with the Lord.
Worship itself is part of the nine types of Bhakti, known as Navadha Bhakti:
1. Shravanam – Listening to kathas or kirtans about Bhagavan.
2. Kirtanam – Singing or speaking about Bhagavan.
3. Smaranam – Remembering Bhagavan.
4. Padasevanam – Serving at Bhagavan’s feet.
5. Archanam – Performing puja for Bhagavan (arti, thal, sandalwood paste).
6. Vandanam – Bowing before Bhagavan.
7. Dasyam – Serving Bhagavan.
8. Sakhyam – Being a friend to Bhagavan.
9. Atma-nivedanam – Offering everything unconditionally to Bhagavan.
But what is worship, truly? In Tamil Nadu, people often say, “We went to the temple to ‘sami kumbida’.” ‘Sami’ refers to God, and ‘kumbidudal’ means to pay homage to the deity during darshan, where one both sees and is seen by the deity. This is why the eyes of worshipped images are always open. When an image is carved, opening the eyes is not merely an artistic process but a spiritual one, requiring ritual purity from the artist.
In Hindu mythology, the eyes of the devas (celestial beings) never blink—they remain wide open. Thus, worship is not just performing rituals like archanam or seeking darshan; it is also about being seen by the deity.
Fellowship, on the other hand, is about celebrating our relationship with each other and the Lord. It includes aspects of Bhakti—listening, singing, and sharing—but it goes beyond that, focusing on the relational connection.
Gurukulam, 15-10-2023
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