Satsang

There was a school with an excellent reputation in a small town, leading to healthy competition among parents for securing admission for their kids. Consequently, students from all corners of the town and neighboring villages, having completed their primary education, enrolled in the middle school. Some students were friends from their primary school days, while others were strangers to each other.

Two childhood friends from the same sub-town and school found themselves admitted to the new school, occupying the middle bench near the class window. According to the school's provision, one more new student joined them. Over time, the three developed a strong friendship, with their academic performances closely matched, often passing examinations with only a few marks difference. Despite the competitive nature of their academic pursuits, they maintained a good friendship.

The two childhood friends were all-rounders, actively participating in various extra-curricular activities, especially football and country games. However, their new friend, though healthy, chose not to participate in these activities, occasionally joining them for football and other games. They successfully passed their higher secondary school examinations with good ranks, but faced tough competition for admission to engineering colleges, as there were very few at that time.

Unable to secure admission to engineering colleges, they opted for science. However, the town lacked a science college, so they enrolled in a district-level science college in their home district. Coming from modest backgrounds, they couldn't afford hostel expenses in the city and opted to commute daily by train, facing various challenges along the way.

Their strong-willed new friend, despite occasional hunger, always waited for the train standing on the platform, refusing to sit until it arrived. They faced situations where trains ran late, leaving them with no money for food. On such occasions, they even ran back home, covering a distance of about 40 kilometers, only to return the next day for college, if the train was available.

After graduation, they pursued post-graduation in different cities, followed by jobs in various organizations. Despite being separated for an extended period, they enjoyed their family lives. However, their strong-willed friend, now a lecturer in a junior college, remained unmarried, dedicating himself to a simple and spiritual life.

After retirement, the two childhood friends reunited at a classmate gathering function in their native place, inquiring about their third bench mate. Learning about his involvement in Satsang and spiritual pursuits, they were surprised at his devotion and services to the organization for the past twenty years. He invited them to a Satsang function in Ahmedabad, but unable to attend, his efforts led to a Satsang program being organized in Amravati, Maharashtra, close to their city.

Participating in the function, they observed the strong faith and devotion of the followers and learned about the teachings of spirituality. Their friend, now a spiritual leader, emphasized the significance of spirituality in simplifying life and freeing oneself from ego, anger, jealousy, and cruelty. Although their paths differed, they respected his choice of a spiritual life and acknowledged that the correctness of their respective choices was yet to be determined.