Guru Arjan Dev travelled to many places in North India. At Agra, the assembled congregation wants to know a simple path of redemption, one that can be practised even as one goes about one’s daily life. The Guru smiled, and said, “You just need to gather four friends, and sit as a group of five, the panch.” The devotees want to know about the four friends, and the manner of meeting. The first of the group, said the Guru, is maîtree, or friendship. This means that those who are our equals in intellect and wisdom will be loved and respected just as we would love and respect ourselves. At no point are we to enter into the negative company of enmity.
The second member of this group is mudta, or genuine appreciation. This is to be practised with all those who are our superior in wisdom, instead of the negative feelings of jealousy and envy. When we see those who are less endowed than us, we need to be friends with karuna, or compassion. We need to keep the company of empathy, rather than disdain, and seek to work for the uplift of the disempowered sections of society.
And finally, let us call to our aid the lasting friendship with upekha, or equanimity. Sometimes we may see those who are bent upon mischief, despite our counsel. Surely try to help them, but do not develop bad feelings for them, and never lose your balance.
To this glorious company of friendship, appreciation, compassion and equanimity, we add ourselves through the practice of bhakti, or devotion. The follower on His path then devotes himself to these four, and they then never leave him, and together they become a permanent company of five friends. This group of five is the secret of moving effortlessly on the path of redemption.
