Prayer alone cannot guarantee liberation.
Charity alone cannot secure it.
Even pilgrimage, sacred though it may be, does not by itself lead one to freedom.
Then what truly transforms a human being?
The wisdom of Yoga Vasistha gives a profound answer: Satsang — the company of the wise, the enlightened, and those established in truth.
It is the arbour of virtuous company that produces the fresh blossom of discrimination; which being cherished by high-souled men, yields to them its fruits of prosperity. The society of the learned makes solitude appear as company, and the evil of death as good as a festivity; and converts a difficulty to ease. It is the society of the virtuous which wards off all disasters, that like the frost, invade the lotus beds of our hearts; and baffle the icy breath of ignorance (which deadens our souls). Know the society of the virtuous to be the best improver of the understanding, the destroyer of the tree of ignorance; and remover of all our mental diseases. They produces the light of reason, which is as charmingly fair as a cluster of flowers after its being washed by rain-water. It teaches us the best mode of life, which is never impaired or obstructed by anything, and is ever full in itself. The society of the virtuous, lends a light to the right path. It destroys the internal darkness of man, by the rays of the sun of knowledge.
Whoever has bathed in the cold and clear stream of good company is not in need of the merit derived from acts of charity, pilgrimage, austerity and sacrifice. One who has the society of virtuous men, and whose lives are free from passions and sins, and doubts and the knots (of scruples in their hearts), of what use is (the observance of) austerity, or (performance of) pilgrimage (to him)? Blessed are the peaceful in their minds, who are viewed with as great an ardour by people, as poor men fondly dote upon gems and jewels. The intelligent mind with its gracefulness derived from good company, shines always as the goddess of riches in the company of fairy nymphs. Therefore that blessed man is renowned as having attained the crown of a clear understanding, who never abstains himself from the company of the holy. Surely do they serve as dry fuel to hell-fire, who neglect the company of the saints, which is known as rain water to extinguish the flames of hell.
Exert your best manliness to subdue your elephantine mind, and know that until you have mastered this cardinal virtues, you can make no progress (in holiness). The mind is a wilderness of errors, in which the stream of our desires is running with full force, amidst its two banks of good and evil whereon we hold our stand. It bears away and throws the man on that bank which he strives to reach by his own exertion, therefore, do as you like to reach to either shore.