Narayanasramam

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Sanga - Part - 1

 

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

 

Question: What is sanga, the innate identification of the mind, and how can it

be removed?

 

Answer: The mind is the entire basis of our existence and function in

the world. It is the seat of all our experiences, as also the cause for all our

activities. Devoid of the mind, our personality would become a mere block of

inert flesh, unable to sense, feel and act.

 

Sanga is the unique and deep-rooted sense of identification, which

lurks inmost in the mind. It may be towards any thing or anyone. To

begin with, it exists in respect of one's own body. Gradually, it grows and

swells in several directions. It is only because of the sanga that one is put to

enjoyment or suffering. For one fully freed from sanga, both suffering and

bondage cease for ever. The real spiritual effort, whatever may be its external

feature and name, is the one aimed at removing the antah-sanga (deep-rooted

inward identification) from the mind. If the seeker succeeds in it, he becomes a

full-fledged Knower of Truth and lives in eternal freedom and peace.

 

Suppose a close relative of yours, with whom your mind has enough of

sanga (identification), happens to die prematurely, you will, no doubt, be

severely aggrieved. If, likewise, you hear about the death of another person,

but with whom you do not have any sense of

'identification' whatever, the event will not affect you at all.

Although both are instances of death and, as such, they should normally be

evoking the same kind of reaction in your mind and also equally, one of them

puts you to grief and the other does not. The instances do not have any

difference between themselves externally. Both are equally unpleasant. But your

mind finds a sense of identification only with one of them. When the object

identified with is lost, the mind naturally feels a severe impact. Whereas the

same mind looks at the other instance practically with no concern whatever. The

presence of identification brings in grief and suffering, and its absence

safeguards against them. For any affliction whatever, thus, the sanga or

identification which lurks inmost in the mind, alone is responsible. This is the

sublime truth which the man of viveka must grasp clearly and remember always.

 

How is sanga to be removed from the mind? Proper understanding of the

truth about sanga and the constant culture of pure wisdom are the right means

for it. Suppose you want to get rid of darkness. Is there any meaning in

fighting with it? Bring light, and instantly the darkness vanishes.

 

Sanga arises in the mind and persists only due to ignorance and

delusion. Therefore, if you cultivate spiritual wisdom, by virtue of

its merit your ignorance will flee and with that the sanga too will

dissolve in its very source. As long as the efforts for gaining true

wisdom are not taken up and pursued, the sanga will persist in the mind and

continue to assault you multifariously.