In the Vedic history, there lived two great saints: Viswamitra Muni and Vasistha Muni. They had different ideologies and due to this they used to quarrel a lot. Viswamitra Muni believed only in severe austerities and penances and became powerful. It is said that Viswamitra Muni even created a planet with his power. However, Vasistha Muni believed only in the power of sadhu-sanga that gives bhakti.
Once there was a quarrel between Viswamitra Muni and Vasistha Muni. Viswamitra Muni said that his severe austerities are the greatest and the most powerful things in the universe.
But Vasistha Muni said that his sadhu-sanga was the greatest and most powerful.
As they could not resolve their quarrel, they approached Ananta Deva (Adi-Sesha) who is holding all the universes on his millions of hoods.
When Ananta Deva heard this question, He said, “Oh, Your question is very ‘heavy’. But I am engaged in a ‘heavy’ activity. I am holding unlimited universes on my heads. If one of you can relieve that burden a little bit by holding just one of those universes, then I can answer your ‘heavy’ question using that head.”
Viswamitra Muni immediately said, “No problem. I will use all the results of my austerities and penances to hold that universe.”
Ananta Deva just took one of the universes from one head and asked Viswamitra Muni to hold it. But as soon as Ananda deva placed it on his head, the universe was going out of control. The seas started to churn and spill out and the mountains started falling away. The universe was in big danger of falling apart into pieces. Seeing the danger, Ananta Dev immediately took it back and put it back on His head.
Then Vasistha Muni said, “I can give the result of just one moment of my sadhu-sanga”. Ananta Dev now put that same universe on the head of Vasistha Muni and the universe remained peacefully as it was.
So, this proves the power of sadhu-sanga. Sadhu-sanga is extremely powerful. This is why we see this sloka:
‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’–sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya .. (CC madhya 22.54)
“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Srimati Devahuti said that even unknowingly associating with a sadhu just by taking prasadam with him, speaking with him, even apparently mundane talks, one’s whole life can be changed.
Then we can imagine the power, when we associate with a sadhu knowingly. The results are indescribable.
Another brief history is that of Jana Sarma and Gopa-kumar. Gopa-Kumar was the associate of Sri Radha Krishna. He was a cowherd boyfriend like Subala, and not a conditioned soul. By the order of Radha Rani, he met a conditioned soul called Jana Sarma. Due to the association with Gopa-Kumara, Jana Sarma received initiation and got realisation and could go to the Goloka Vrindavan.
mahat-sangama-mahatmyam
evaitat paramadbhutam
krtartho yena vipro ‘sau
sadyo ‘bhut tat-svarupavat
“The glory of mahat-sanga is super-astounding. By the influence of that glory, Jana Sarma’s life immediately became successful, like that of his Guru, Svarupa. He became a personal friend of Sri Krsna by the association of Svarupa, who was known as Gopa Kumara in this world. That he immediately attained bhagavat-prema demonstrated the immense value of association with a great personality. Just like Svarupa, within an instance that brahmana felt fully gratified.” (Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, 2.7.14)]
So, sadhu-sanga is extremely powerful. But one may say: “I am reading books and hearing from the recordings of sadhus”. However, this is not a real sadhu-sanga. It may give some knowledge but no realisation. A real-sadhu sanga is to sit near the sadhu and receive the vibration and tone. This vibration can never be received by just reading or listening to some recording.