Today’s quote :
“There are four gate-keepers at the entrance to the Realm of Freedom [moksha].
– Self control
– Spirit of Inquiry
– Contentment
– Good Company
With a pure heart and a receptive mind, and without the veil of doubt and restlessness of the mind, listen to the exposition of the nature and means of liberation.”
–Sage Vasishtha (from old Indian scriptures)
..and speaking of one of those gate-keepers, Kabir on day 32:
The couplet, transliterated:
Kanchan ko paaras parsee, bahuri na lohaa hoye |
Chandan baas palaasa bidhi, tuk kahai naahi koi ||
Translation:
Processed by the touchstone, iron is no longer just iron |
The ‘palasa’ tree from being near sandalwood, becomes like sandal ||
My understanding:
Kabir here is extolling the virtues of good company. Processed by the touchstone, iron transforms from a base metal to useful and beautiful tools or implements. The palasa tree (a tree with no fragrance or value) when growing near the sandalwood tree, imbibes the sandalwood’s fragrance and is able to serve as the base for incense sticks, and other calming tools.
The true impact of the company we keep is that it makes us greater than our sum – we absorb, imbibe, evolve and grow to be more than all of us individually.