Baba Story: I Felt Ashamed

Date: 31 Dec 2011 21:33:57 -0000
From: “Divyacaksu Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net, dayal@igc.org
Subject: Baba Story: I Felt Ashamed

Baba

== BABA STORY: I FELT ASHAMED ==

Note: The below is a first-hand account from Ramchandra, an extremely senior margii from Rampur Colony in Jamalpur .

Namaskar,
As I have told in an earlier account (link below), in my public life, I did not want to be seen or known as an Ananda Margii. I was plagued by this split personality. In my personal and inner life, I wanted to be with Baba and work for the mission; in my public and professional life, I did not want to be associated with the Marga.

MY PUBLIC LIFE

When I was out in public – moving around my hometown of Jamalpur – and saw another Ananda Margii, I would quickly turn the other direction, hide my face, or move away. I did not want to do namaskar to any margii in public.

I thought people would say things like, “Oh look, Ramchandra has also been brainwashed by those Ananda Margiis.”

Because of the controversy always swirling around AM and its poor reputation in society, I thought I should keep myself arms distance. Hence, from an external and social perspective, I remained aloof from AM.

VERY ATTRACTED TO BABA

Internally, things were quite different. I longed to see Baba and always wanted to have a glimpse of Him. Behind closed doors I would attend all kinds of Marga functions and in my heart there was always a fervent desire to go close to Baba.

In essence, this was my mind-set those days and that will give you insight into what I am going to share with you now.

HIDING FROM BABA

One day I was walking down the street and out of the corner of my eye I saw a saffron robe – the type that our avadhutas wear. I immediately became alert and began to duck (squat) so no one would see me. I was sure that Baba must be nearby. And indeed there He was – walking with His entourage in my direction. To avoid being seen I hurried into a local store and hid behind the counter. My plan was to stay there until Baba passed by. That way no one would suspect me of being affiliated with Ananda Marga. So I hid. But while in my hiding spot a deep yearning arose in my heart to have just a quick glance at Beloved Baba. I could not resist this devotional urge. So I slowly lifted my head and looked around the counter in order to see Baba; by that point Baba and His entourage had clearly passed my hiding spot. Yet at the exact moment when I had lifted my head to see Him, Baba turned around and looked directly towards me with His palms together in a folded-hand blessing.

HIDING FROM BABA (AGAIN)

Then there was a second such occurrence.

I was in the street when I suddenly noticed that Baba’s car was coming towards me from the opposite direction. I did not want to greet Ananda Margiis in public or do pranam or sastaunga pranam to Baba in public. So I quickly shifted my position to the very edge of the area and stood behind other people. I was completely blocked from view. No one in Baba’s entourage could see me. The car passed by – no one said a word or called my name. Success. At that moment, I felt an upsurge of devotion and wanted to at least have a quick look at Baba. I changed my position so I could ready myself to see Baba’s car as it drove off in the distance. The moment my eyes and head were in position to see Him, Baba turned completely around in His vehicle and looked back with His folded hands blessing, looking directly towards me.

Now, years and years later, I feel repentance for having been so shy and meek in those early days.

By the way, I entered AM in the 1960’s. Internally I wanted to be an Ananda Margii and was attracted to Baba’s magnetic personality. I was initiated, began practicing sadhana regularly, and ultimately was blessed to receive PC with Baba.

REFLECTION

The above story recounted by Ramchandra ji holds key insights into how the level of devotion affects one’s personae and behavior.

When one’s devotion is lower then they feel shy, even ashamed, to express their spiritual way of living in public. That is Baba’s stated teaching.

Baba says, “Those who are reared in the cradle of materialistic ideologies, feel shy or ashamed at first to sit in meditation in the presence of others.” (Subhasita Samgraha, part 3, p.86)

And indeed this is what we saw in Ramchandra’s story. In those early days, because of his lower stage of devotion, he felt shy to behave as an Ananda Margii in public. Similarly in the west – and in many areas where materialism reigns – people are very hesitant to express their spiritual life in the public domain.

For instance, a person might refrain from using their Sanskrit name at their job even though this is Baba’s directive (reference Caryacarya), or one may feel embarrassed to sing kiirtan in public, or so many things they may be afraid or worried to do. In all such cases it is due to a lower feeling of devotion. One loves Baba no doubt, but that love is not enough to overcome their feelings of insecurity.

However, as one advances on the path, they will develop the requisite courage and nothing will obstruct their forward movement in the spiritual realm. They will always stick to their ideal – regardless of what others think. That too is Baba’s teaching.

Baba says, “Let those well-versed in ethics criticize me or praise me, as they so desire; let Lakśmii, the goddess of wealth, either be gracious enough (because of my activities) to reside in my house, or, if she prefers, go elsewhere; let death visit me today or decades later. It makes little difference to me. Wise people will never withdraw from the path of ideology, the path which they accept as their ideal.” (NKS, Disc: 2)

And indeed later on, Ramchandraji was an exemplar in this regard – all will attest to this. And this is what we should aim for: Deep ideological zeal in life, without compromise.

When anyone has deeper devotion for Baba they will do anything and everything for Him – never swayed by public opinion or other mundane channels. Such persons keep their ideological stance always.

In conclusion when a person has lower feelings of devotion then they may not like to call themselves an Ananda Margii and when their devotional standard is higher they overcome all such feelings of shyness.

Here is another way of thinking about it.

When devotion is less then the sadripus (six enemies) & astapahas (eight fetters) control the mind. In that case one is terribly affected by fear, shyness, anger, envy and so much more. And when, by His grace, devotion is more, then people rise above such feelings. When their attraction to Parama Purusa is deeper then all feelings of shyness go away and that sadhaka becomes an embodiment of AM ideals.

Namaskar,
Divyacaksu

Note 1: MUNDANE EXAMPLES

Not just in the field of devotion, but in all realms of life, when a person is deeply affected by a particular tendency then they will express that urge in public, not caring about what others think or say.

For instance, suppose one receives some upsetting news at the office then they will not like to cry in public. They will control their tears. But when that news is so devastating that they are totally overcome with grief and sorrow, then that will overpower all feelings of shyness and they will cry in front of everyone.

Likewise a person with a little bit of greed will control that tendency when they are around others, but when they are overwhelmed by greed then they will grab all the money or eat all the food in front of others – they will not be concerned about what people think about them.

Note 2: EARLIER STORY TOLD BY RAMCHANDRA

Here is the link to the previous devotional story told by Ramchandra:

http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-story-how-omni-loving-baba-attracted.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Kare ja’tra’ halo shuru, bhule gechi se katha’…” (699)

Purport:

Baba, when my journey started I do not know; it is not in my mind. I have completely forgotten the day when my journey towards You started. Since many lives gradually You are attracting me. By Your grace I am moving in that divine liila– reducing the radius gradually and coming close to You. On the way how much I suffered, on the path how many thorns have pierced my feet and created hindrance in my forward movement. Those memories related with the problems and pain are not in my mind.

On the journey towards You by Your grace I came across the burning desert, which was so much torture of fiery blaze and sometimes I also got drenched with heavy rain– thunder and storm. But You always gave me the strength and non-stop You are bringing me close to you. So many spring seasons and its beauty has come and I got intoxicated with that attraction. And in Your longing, in Your divine attraction You filled my heart with devotion and I sang the song and kiirtan with heartfelt yearning and longing. Like this in my life sometimes dark and sometimes effulgent has come and gone. And gradually I have reached close to You under Your shelter.

Baba You are very much gracious. You are my everything…

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Unique Comparison

From: “Mahendra Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Unique Comparison
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:12:34 +0000

Baba

“Tumi ekat’u ka’che eso, a’r ekat’ukha’ni heso…” (PS 1909)

Purport:

Baba, please grace me by coming a little more close, and please smile a little softly. Baba, by Your grace, my penance to get You will remove the cimmerian darkness of my mind. That I know. And please shower Your sweet and charming smile like a full moon.

I know this cimmerian darkness of my mind is not eternal. So much mental blackness and stains, hundreds of times comes and goes from my mind. Yet this deep, all around pitch darkness, pervading everywhere, will leave while keeping its head low in defeat. Baba, You love the divine effulgence– not the darkness.

By Your grace, I will not accept defeat at any cost. I will remain holding only Your lotus feet. Whatever people may say, whatever may happen, I will remain pure and blemishless, by Your grace. Baba, You are my beginning and my end– You are my Goal.

Baba, please come close and grace me by Your divine love…

== UNIQUE COMPARISON ==

Namaskar,
Most are aware of the recent death of North Korean leader Kim Jung IL and most know that his son Kim Jung Un has been coronated and declared the new “supreme leader”.

This posting contrasts the reign of power in North Korea with some of the trends found in our Marga since 1990.

HOW COMMUNIST LEADERS OPERATE

As we know, both capitalism and communism are materialistic philosophies with one chief difference being that in communism individuals do not have personal property. There is no private ownership. Everything is owned, i.e. hoarded, by the state.

Furthermore, communism is purely atheistic with absolutely no acknowledgement of God; there is only matter. Those at the helm are completely focused on material wealth – nothing more. Because it is matter-centered, not God-centered. For them, matter is the be-all and end-all of life.

For this reason, communist leaders hold onto their top posts for as long as they survive on this earth. As individuals they do not own anything, so to enjoy all the glory, plunder and wealth, they keep their position with the state till the very end of their life. Time and again decrepit communist leaders die sitting in the top chair and ensure their progeny inherit their position.

THE SITUATION IN KOREA

In North Korea, the current family has been ruling for three generations. Kim-II Sung, the grandfather of this current lineage, ruled from 1948 to 1994. Upon his death all power was seamlessly transferred to his son, Kim Jung II, who ruled from 1994 to 2011.

This past week saw the death of Kim Jung II and once again the power as been passed from father to son. Kim Jung Un, the third ruler in this legacy, has since taken over the reins and been declared the “supreme ruler”. In this way this family dynasty has exploited the society and kept the power in their own hands.

Their basic approach is to hold onto the power right up until the time of the death, so they can keep their position and enjoy all the spoils, luxuries, wealth and prestige – all the while grooming their chosen son to be next-in-line for the crown. This way they can pass their wealth and privilege to the next generation.

Similar things we have seen going on in communist Cuba.

APPLYING THIS TO ANANDA MARGA

As 2011 winds down, we should be completely frank and analyse our own house.

Since 1990 so many things have happened, and now, 21 years later, we should take definitive steps to right those wrongs. To achieve that, both awareness and honesty are needed.

In theory as well as in practice, many dedicated workers in our Marga feel in their heart that Parama Purusa is everything. They keep Baba in their heart and work tirelessly thinking of Him.

Sadly, a large number of central workers follow their own separate outlook. For them matter, not spirituality, is everything and in order to keep their facilities and comforts – like cars, big bank balances, servants, prestige etc – they sit on the chair forever and ever. They are totally unwilling to give up their post. They keep it up to their death in order to cash-in on the benefits, regardless of whether they can do their job or not.

Then they use this next technique to keep the power within the “family”. Our purodhas may not have sons or daughters but they do have stooges. These purodhas do everything to ensure that after their own demise their stooges will be in power.

Considering the above, is there not a striking similarity between the North Korean dynasty and the groupist regimes of Ranchi and Kolkata. All those controlling AMPS in the early 1990’s are veritably the same people pulling the strings today. They got a taste of the power and do not want to give it up.

BABA’S TEACHING

Those who are naive think that Baba wants central workers to hold onto the hold post up till their death. But that is not at all correct.

It is Baba’s mandate and indeed His manner that workers must not be allowed to stay in the same post for more than 3 years. Invariably they will develop some worldly attachment to that place which is detrimental for their all-round growth. That will inhibit their ability to lead the life of a monk.

For this reason, since the inception of AMPS, this rule was strictly followed: No more than 3 years in any particular post. This rule is not hidden – everybody is aware about it. Just ask any senior margii or avadhuta. This is one of Baba’s procedural orders or related codes.

Still today this rule is actively followed throughout the entire organisation, except for with our central workers. They just cling desperately onto the post in their lust for crude power just like communist leaders.

MUST NOT CLING TO THE POST

Yet Baba emphasizes that those aged, elderly persons must not cling onto the post when they are unable to carry out the responsibilities. If one is sick, or senile, or unable to manage, then they should give up the post, and their position should be handed down to a younger, more fit person. This applies even to the post of Purodha Pramukha. Those who cling to the post are suffering from a psychic disease.

Baba says, ‘To get the post, to become controller, even aged people quarrel like children. ‘I want to become prime minister, I want to become prime minister.’ It is the childish play of elderly people. What is all this. Yes, these are all mental diseases; yes, yes these are all mental diseases.” (MGD, ‘Lord of All Lords’, Patna, paraphrased from the original Hindi.)

A link to the posting detail the above guideline is cited below in the notes after the signature.

WT CONDUCT RULE:

DIGNITY OF THE LABOR, NOT THE POST

Here is another teaching from Baba wherein He is guiding workers to not worship the post but rather give maximum respect for work.

Baba says, “Workers should have dignity of the labor and not the dignity of the post. They have nothing to do with promotion, demotion, and revulsion. Whatever responsibility is allotted to them they are to do with maximum respect for the work.” (37 Workers Rules, Point #33)

Unfortunately the post 1990 leaders never adhere to this guideline from Baba.

THEY NEVER TRANSFER THEMSELVES

Furthermore, today’s purodhas do not allow themselves to be transferred from their top spots. If and when they are transferred it is always to another their high-level, cabinet position. They never accept a regional or district level posting.

Since 1990 you might not have heard of any purodha leaving their post. They only leave it on their death, not before.

This is the common points that today’s purodhas share with communists. Those purodhas who capture the power stay there with the plan of dying in that chair. That is their strategy.

SUMMARY, Part 1

In this way North Korea and AM are quite similar. Some may not like to hear such a comparison, but given the conditions of the day we are forced to make such a remark.

My request is that those at the helm be reminded about following the norms, ethics, and teachings as given by Baba. They should leave their materialistic habits and give up their posts accordingly. They must pay heed to Baba’s Wt guidelines.

SUMMARY, Part 2

In all communist countries like Russia, Korea, Cuba and even in the communist state of West Bengal, those leaders never left their post, not until they were overruled or dead.

That is also the 20+ year history in our Marga.

This is not some glorious chapter. Communists follow a matter centered philosophy and that is why they are so glued to the post. But in AM, we are not post-oriented, but rather God-oriented. Someone should share this fact with today’s top post-holders.

Why do people stick to they post? Indeed only pseudo-sadhakas stick to the post, not anyone else.

Our philosophy is great; our philosophy is God-centered. But these purodhas are not heeding the tenets of AM philosophy. God should be the goal – not the post.

Please write in with your thoughts.

Namaskar,
Mahendra

Note 1: HOW BABA WAS TRANSFERRING DADAS

No one stayed in the same post for years and years. Many may recall that Pranavananda was COS (Central Office Secretary) but many times Baba transferred to him to Kullu and other places. Plus Sarveshvarananda was GS but was then transferred away from Centre. And indeed on a regular basis Baba would transfer people from Centre. There are so many cases. That is why those days nobody thought they would stay in their same post lifelong.

Note 2: HAVE YOU HEARD??

You might have heard that Rudrananda is dreaming to become purodha somehow before his death. He may make some plot against the current people. Dada might even pressure current the current PP Dada to resign “voluntarily”.

Note 3: TWO IMPORTANT LETTERS

This first letter contrasts capitalists with communists. The first hoard wealth on the individual level, whereas communists must be linked with the state in order to enjoy the riches.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/same-goal-but-2-opposite-approaches.html

Here following is the link to the letter where Baba is declaring that those aged people must give up the post and that the failure to do so means they are suffering from a psychic disease.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/10/who-can-become-pp.html

***************************************************
Remedy

Baba says, “On imbibing cosmic ideation all kinds of ailments will be cured.” (PNS-8, p.19)
***************************************************

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Baba

== HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ==

Namaskar,

Happy New Year to all – to everyone – our entire family! [1]

We should read this following Ananda Vanii given by Baba, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. This is His direct blessing – an original A’nanda Vanii. Why should we settle for a fake Ananda Vanii. The following can be read on 1 January 2012.

“The only creed of a spiritual aspirant is to love the Universal Consciousness and the creation. One must not be guided by any national, caste, linguistic or religious sentiment and must not tolerate any fissiparous tendency.” (A’nanda Va’nii #16)

Namaskar,
AM-GLOBAL Moderators

[1] Entire family: This refers not just to all human beings, but also the animal kingdom, the plant world, all animate beings and inanimate objects, and the expressed and unexpressed universe, i.e. this entire creation. All are part of our family.

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A Few Corrections For Ananda Sutram

To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: A Few Corrections For Ananda Sutram
Date: Wed 28 Dec 2011 18:45:02 +0500 (IST)
From: Ram Sahay Deva

Baba

== A FEW CORRECTIONS FOR ANANDA SUTRAM ==

Namaskar,
Our Ananda Sutram book is very good. However recently when I was reviewing the English edition of this text in a more careful manner, I found certain mistakes. One of the translators and publishers could not properly convey Baba’s teaching. It is not anyone’s fault per se – such mistakes happen – as sadhakas it is our collective duty to correct such errors.

IMPORTANCE OF ANANDA SUTRAM

As we all know, Ananda Sutram stands as Baba’s seminal work in the realm of Ananda Marga philosophy.

Baba says, “The recognized book on Ananda Marga Philosophy is A’nanda Su’tram.” (APH-4, “Our Philosophical Treatise”)

Baba says, “A’nanda Su’tram is our philosophical treatise.” (CC-1, “Svadhyaya”)

Plus AM philosophy is completely new and unique – such a philosophy has never existed before on this earth.

Baba says, “The trend of thinking and the spiritual practices prescribed in our Ananda Marga are not only new but something quite different from the established ideas and practices…Never before in the entire history of this world or the universe, if it could be known to mortals, has a system of life…ever been correlated in such closely knit society as in Ananda Marga.” (PNS-11)

Thus when Ananda Sutram is such an important book and when AM philosophy is totally revolutionary and unique, then it only stands to reason we should ensure this book is properly published & printed.

KEY FACT ABOUT ANANDA SUTRAM

Here is one thing we should all be very clear about regarding Ananda Sutram. In the very early days of AMPS, Baba put forth the sutras of Ananda Sutram in Sanskrit and dictated the purport of each sutra in Bengali. That is the source material of all other language editions of Ananda Sutram.

Those who are not aware think that Ananda Sutram is originally from Bangla but it is not. Ananda Sutram is Sanskrit because Ananda Sutram refers to the sutras, not the purports. All the sutras have been given in Sanskrit and because Sanskrit does not have its own script, they were written in Shriihars’a script. Plus the title itself is Sanskrit.

To review then, Baba gave the sutras of Ananda Sutram in Sanskrit and dictated the purport of each sutra in Bengali.

HOW IT WAS WRONGLY TRANSLATED AND PUBLISHED

In the first chapter of Ananda Sutram, Baba is explaining how the entire expressed universe was created as well as how the unit beings eventually merge back into Parama Purusa. Baba’s philosophy is of course flawless, and He explains everything in such a clear and concise manner.

So it is a bit of a tragedy that there is one key point from the purport of sutra 1-21 that has been wrongly published in the English edition – in two ways.

First the Bengali word pralaya (pra = special; laya = merging; hence, merging back into the Supreme) was translated as “utter destruction” in the final sentence of the English purport. That was a translation error. Second, certain editors or publishers put that same “utter destruction” phrase in brackets [ ] to indicate that as the proper definition of pralaya or pran’a’sha in the second sentence. That was an editing mistake.

But both of these instances are wrong because in that very purport itself Baba Himself defines pralaya or pran’a’sha as “when the object merges in its cause” – i.e. when the unit being merges into the Supreme.

Here it should be noted that “-laya” is common suffix that means merging such as vilaya meaning properly dissolved. And pralaya, of course means, merging into Parama Purusa.

Hence it is totally wrong to translate or define pralaya or pran’a’sha as “utter destruction”. Dogmatic Hindus use the word in this way (explained further down in this letter), but not Ananda Margiis.

Initially, a translation error was made of the word pralaya, and then certain editors repeated that mistake. That is why now there are two mistakes in the purport of sutra 1-21.

Here is the sutra and purport of 1-21, for your review, as it appears in the current English edition of Ananda Sutram. See the mistakes for yourself.

1-21. Bhu’ma’vya’pte Mahati aham’ cittayorpran’a’she
sagun’a’sthitih savikalpasama’dhih va’.

[When the aham and the citta merge into the Macrocosmic Mahat, the merger is called sagun’a’sthiti or savikalpa sama’dhi.]

“Purport: When after continued spiritual practice the mahattattva, that is, the “I” feeling, gets metamorphosed into the Macrocosmic “I” feeling, the citta of the microcosmic mind merges in the aham and the aham merges in the mahat. When the object merges in its cause, that merger is called pralaya or pran’a’sha [utter destruction]. Since the citta of the Macrocosm grows out of the Macrocosmic Aham, and the Macrocosmic Aham out of the Macrocosmic Mahat, when in pratisaincara’s
introversial movement the [unit] citta merges in the aham and the aham in the mahat, to call it pran’a’sha is quite logical and reasonable. The state of utter destruction of the citta and the aham and the state of all-pervasiveness of the mahat constitute sagun’a’sthiti [the state of transcendentality], or savikalpa sama’dhi [the trance of determinate absorption].” (Ananda Sutram)

In His unique explanation, Baba states that “when the object merges in its cause, that merger is called pralaya or pran’a’sha”. Here the point is that when any unit being becomes one with Cosmic Consciousness then that is pralaya or pran’a’sha.

There is no ambiguity about this because in His 19 Oct 1971 discourse in Purnea, Baba designates an entire paragraph to describe the meaning of pran’a’sha. (Reference AV-27 (H), p.45 or AV-26 (H), p 90)

In that paragraph, Baba tells that if sugar could be converted back into sugar cane then that is pran’a’sha. Because pran’a’sha or pralaya means merging back into the source.

But, in Ananda Sutram 1-21, in square brackets [ ] the publishers inserted the phrase “utter destruction” as if that is the real meaning of pralaya or pran’a’sha. That is totally wrong. Plus in the final sentence, the original Bengali purport uses the phrase the pralaya yet that got wrongly translated as “the state of utter destruction”.

Those are the two mistakes from sutra 1-21 of the English edition of Ananda Sutram wherein pralaya got wrongly translated and printed as “utter destruction”.

WHY IT IS WRONG

According to Baba, when a jiiva’tma’ reaches the apex stance of pratisaincara and, due to sadhana and His divine grace, merges back into the Supreme then that is pralaya or pran’a’sha because at the point the unit has merged back into its Source. In that case there is no question of there being “utter destruction” – the unit being has not been harmed, ruined or destroyed. Rather a blissful merger has taken place as the jiivatma has fulfilled its dharma and become one with Parama Purusa.

The dogmatic Hindu understanding of pralaya or pran’a’sha is destruction and unfortunately that wrong notion got inserted in Ananda Sutram by certain publishers.

Such Hindus believe that the whole world will be destroyed just as other religions harbor their own doomsday and Armageddon philosophies. We however do not subscribe to such beliefs and more about this is written below. Such fundamentalists do this to scare and trap others in their dogma.

FIX YOUR BOOK: WHAT SHOULD BE

Everyone who has a copy of the English edition of Ananda Sutram should cross out the two places where “utter destruction” appears in the purport of sutra 1-21. In that very purport Baba Himself has perfectly defined pralaya and pran’a’sha as “when the object merges in its cause, that merger is called pralaya or pran’a’sha”.

Hence where “utter destruction” was inserted in brackets it should be deleted entirely, and where “utter destruction” was used as the translated text, that phrase should be crossed out and the word pralaya inserted. Then your personal English copy of Ananda Sutram will be correct, otherwise not.

And again there is no doubt about this. Because in His Hindi discourse printed in AV-26 (H) and AV-27 (H), Baba has specifically defined pran’a’sha as meaning merger into the Supreme Source. That is why there is no question of pran’a’sha or pralaya meaning anything else – there is no possible confusion. Baba is always meticulous on such issues wherein He gives His own dharmic explanation so people do not get misguided by traditional dogmatic uses. He has done the same with brahamacarya. In AM we have our dharmic understanding and traditional Hindu society has their limited dogma. Baba addresses both so there is no confusion.

If still the publishers would like to explain further about the meaning of pralaya, then they could use either a bracketed section signifying merger into the Divine or perhaps add a footnote and write a short paragraph. In that footnote, the editors can explain how when any thing returns to its origin or source then that is pralaya. Just like Baba did by giving the example of sugar being converted back into sugar cane. Ultimately the editors have the freedom to choose on such matters.

But to print the phrase “utter destruction” as the perfection synonym or translation of pralaya is totally misleading and wrong. Pralaya does not mean “utter destruction”. That is just the dogmatic Hindu understanding of that term. In reality, according to Ananda Marga, pralaya means that sweet and blissful merger back into the Supreme – to return to the original source.

All in all the publishers are working hard on our AM books and they have made vast strides in making our books better. In this case then they could have done better.

BEWARE OF THIS KEY DISTINCTION

In AM philosophy, pralaya means the merger back into the Supreme, by His grace.

The Hindus refer to pralaya as the demolition of this earth, or doomsday etc.

Here it should be noted that there are many shared words between AM philosophy and Hindu dogma that carry vastly different meanings: dharma, brahamcarya, samskara, brahmin, shudra, dvija, vipra, svarga, naraka, samadhi, yoga, yajina, murti, puja, Guru, and many more. There is the AM dharmic meaning and the Hindu dogmatic sense.

In the same way pralaya in Hindi means utter destruction and in AM it means merging back into the Supreme.

Only when Baba is referring to that Hindu dogma in order to dispel it – since we do not prescribe to any doomsday theory – then Baba uses the word pralaya in that sense.

Baba says, “Some philosophers, quoting the scriptures, say that a day of final doom will darken the Earth when the dead will rise from the grave. Others predict that a doomsday (pralaya)… will obliterate all forms of life. One should laugh at such illogical doctrines. According to A’nanda Ma’rga philosophy, this doomsday or pralaya will never occur…Thus, predictions of an imminent doomsday should be of no concern to you. It is nonsense; pralaya will never occur.” (AV-7)

So in Ananda Marga, pralaya means the final merger back into Parama Purusa whereas in the faulty Hindu doctrine pralaya means the utter destruction of earth.

We must not confuse these meanings nor think that Baba gives an iota of credence to the dogmatic Hindu concept of pralaya. He only uses the term in that way in order to dispel that Hindu dogma.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has given a perfect philosophy and it is our duty to make all the books proper. We should start by correcting our own personal English edition of Ananda Sutram.

Those in Publications are trying hard and getting much better. Our intention in this letter is simply to make the printed English edition of Ananda Sutram mistake-free, not diminish the effort of those in Publications. Even then, if they were more careful, they could have done a better job.

We all need to make these important corrections in our copies of Ananda Sutram (English edition); please inform others in your unit as well.

Baba says, “The scriptures containing spiritual injunctions must be totally flawless.” (NSS, Disc: 14)

Namaskar,
Ram Sahay

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Jhar’er ra’te a’ndha’rete kendechilum van-ma’jhe…” (P.S. 3199)

Purport:

Baba on that very dark night when a big hurricane & thunderstorm was raging, that time I was crying alone in the deep forest. Nobody was there to understand the tale of my suffering. Nobody was close to me. Certainly You were there along with me, but due to my narrow outlook I could not feel Your presence. And in the height of that wild storm big branches were breaking off from the trees and crashing down on the ground. And all those tender buds and beautiful flowers were also completely blown off from the limbs of the trees; those buds and flowers were crying bitterly. That very dark, horrendous night was so disastrous.

Baba, in the madhuvan* of my mind when that hurricane finished, then a sweet, soft, breeze started blowing by Your grace; and I began to feel Your divine, blissful vibration. And ultimately by Your great compassion that deadly night of the cimmerian darkness has passed away entirely; it is completely gone. Baba, You are the Saviour of all, the Benevolent Entity, the dearest one of my heart.

Baba, my most close One, by Your grace please come closer and closer with Your sweet, charming, & attractive smile…

*Madhuvan= Literally meaning “sweet forest”; But it refers to that remote, isolated, garden in the mind that is filled with spring blossoms, sweet fragrance, aromatic flowers, and a gentle & fragrant breeze. It is that tranquil mental abode where nobody is present except the devotee and the Lord. And there the bhakta and Parama Purusa sit together ensconced in that very divinely intoxicated atmosphere and they share the loving feeling of their heart in a very close, intimate, and loving way.

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Sadhana Symptoms

Sometimes a few margiis get confused by seeing others crying or rolling on the ground during dharmacakra etc. They think that the person doing like this is very exalted. But Baba says that when maturity of sadhana comes, then such feelings and expressions do not manifest externally. Baba says these things get expressed externally only in the case of very basicbeginners– not with more developed margiis.

Baba says, “When sadhakas attain the capability to establish themselves in cosmic feeling for long periods, these ideations are confined to the mental body only and the physical body becomes calm to a great extent.” (GHC, ‘Iishvara Pranidhan’ chapter)
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Baba Story: “Why I Fell Sick”

Date: 27 Dec 2011 20:14:33 -0000
From: “G Bhaskaran Reddy”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: “Why I Fell Sick”

Baba

== BABA STORY: “WHY I FELL SICK” ==

Note: Family Acarya Babanji of Bihar had many personal experiences with Baba. Here below is Ac Babanji’s first-hand account of how he became sick while in the course of duty and what Baba told him.

Namaskar,
In 1963, as a member of the Bihar Military Police (BMP), I was dispatched to Agartala, i.e, far eastern India, by my commanding officers. I was assigned to do military patrols and border control work along the Indo-Bangladeshi border. It was an unusual and special appointment within the BMP.

BABANJI’S PROMOTION

However, before ever knowing that I would be promoted and transferred from Bihar to Agartala by my military supervisors, Baba called me to Him.

He said, “I will be sending you to eastern India soon to do some pracar work.”

Hearing Baba’s words I was puzzled as a transfer to that area could only be done via a promotion. And I was wondering how will I ever be promoted when my military supervisors do not appreciate my way of living. I was following all AM practices and my bosses lived in their own way. So how would they give me such a promotion. Those were the types of thoughts swirling in my head.

In a few weeks, I was ordered by my BMP supervisors to appear in an examination. The examiner asked me all kinds of questions, many of which surprised me. But, not only did I pass the examination, I got the top score.

I was then promoted and given the assignment in Agartala. This was nothing but Baba’s special way of working. Now I would be able to do His pracara work in eastern India.

REACHING AGARTALA

AND SENT BACK TO JAMALPUR

Once I reached Agartala, then by His grace, a lot of pracar work was going on. So many margiis and Wts were created. Baba was arranging everything – there was a huge flow of activity.

After some time however, I became seriously ill and had to return to Bihar for treatment. I was thinking I must have done some mistake, otherwise what could be the reason for my sickness.

When I reached Jamalpur, I went to see Baba.

Those who were around told me, “Now Baba is going to eastern India – why have you come to Jamalpur.”

All I could reply was, “Nothing is in my hand. Baba is the one controlling my movements. He sent me to Agartala and now Baba has brought me here.”

So I remained in Jamalpur for some time and tried to get better. In due course, Baba returned to Jamalpur and I got the opportunity to see Him.

MEETING WITH BABA

The first thing Baba told me was, “Why did you commit those wrongs?”

Immediately, I began wondering what wrong I had done.

Baba then said, “What about that incident.”

I was mentally pondering my role and duties, trying to figure out where I erred. Still in my mind I was thinking that knowingly I did not do anything wrong.

Suddenly a scene flashed in mind of one encounter when I ordered a shooting where some culprits were injured.

I said, “Baba, knowingly I did not do anything beyond my call of duty. I was ordered to manage the border security. The government gave me my orders and I had to follow them.”

Baba said, “Yes, the government gives you orders, but then it is your duty to use your viveka when carrying out that order.”

Actually on the border between India and Bangladesh, people in Bangladesh were chopping and stealing trees from India. Basically they were smuggling wood. My duty was to watch and guard the border as well as protect my troops. I was very concerned that if my troops were attacked and harmed then I will be blamed.

Baba told, “When carrying out your duties, you were excessive in meting out punishment. You took strong punitive measures against even innocent people. That was not the rule and against all codes and regulations.”

Then that whole fateful scene flashed in my mind, I immediately realised my mistake and understood how some innocent people were also harmed. Baba made everything perfectly clear.

Baba said, “You had to undergo the reaction for your wrongdoing. That is why you became sick and that is why you are here now.”

Now I understood why it all happened. In Agartala, I became sick and my senior commander told me to go for treatment. I remained sick for 2 – 3 weeks. My problem would not go away. Finally the doctor told me that this climate is not good for me and that I should go back to my home area. Thus I made the trip back to Bihar.

Of course, now I understand that the reason why I became sick in the first place was due to my harmful actions.

REFLECTION

In the above story told by Ac Babaniji, there are many things to be learned.

1. As sadhakas we have to be careful when undergoing any suffering, such as when Ac. Babanji became sick. At that moment we should critically analyse the matter and do introspection and see if we made a mistake or not. Animals cannot do this type of self-analysis; and ordinary humans do not do it. As sadhakas, we must do it. Because there is no effect without a cause. We should clearly understand the link between our past actions and our present condition.

2. By the grace of Guru one may intuitively receive His guideline so that we may then change our course of action, if needed.

3. Crude and egoistic people do not reflect on the reactions of their actions and therefore invite more harm and more severe reactions, unto themselves. In the case of Babanji also, if Baba had not pointed out the problem, then Babanji would not have had any idea of his wrongdoing and he may have erred further. Baban ji is not alone in this. Rather, that is the norm: Errors are not pointed and hence people do not realise their wrongdoing.

4. Let’s take an example of how those in power might abuse their position: Suppose a policeman is ordered to arrest Mr X, then a very bad and notorious police officer will go to Mr. X and abuse and beat him mercilessly. While a good human being who is a policeman will arrest Mr X without using excessive force.

5. One must be very careful about their dealing and use their vivek (discrimination) when following orders. That will make things much better.

6. When any non-margii sinner does any injustice then they may not face the consequences immediately. In which case they will continue in their wrongdoing. But for sadhakas it is not like that. Ananda Margiis will face their reactions very quickly because in this life a practicing sadhaka must get mukti (liberation). So they must get the lesson quickly and be deterred from continuing their sinful ways. Otherwise mukti will not be possible. So for Ananda Margiis the cycle of action and reaction must be exhausted in a very short time period.

Here is Baba’s teaching from Ananda Sutram about how people learn from their good and bad actions:

Hitaeśańápreśito’pavargah (3-7)

[The requital of an action is guided by the (divine) longing for welfare.]

Purport: Even behind the requital of an act (the fruits that follow the completion of an act) lies the divine desire of benevolence. The punishment for an evil act teaches one to keep away from evil doings. The reward for a good and benevolent act teaches people that they will never get such a reward if ever they commit an evil act.
(Ananda Sutram 3-7)

7. Parama Purusa made this type of system (i.e. karma theory, or action and reaction theory) to help sadhakas remain on the right path. It is His grace.

Namaskar,
Bhaskaran

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’j prabha’te a’lor pa’the nu’tan phuger ba’rta’ dile…” (P.S. 2001)

Purport:

Baba, today in the dawn You came and gave the message that a new era is approaching. You told me to open my eyes and see how the darkness has faded away. And that humanity has gotten liberated from the serpentine noose of ignorance, staticity, and dogma. The humanity which was stunned by exploitation, injustices, and the tortures done by demons, today that very humanity has developed the inner strength to kick out those demons and get free. O’ Lord, You are the charioteer of the chariot of effulgence, and You have come here to guide everyone towards the Cosmic Goal. In addition You have also brought a basket of hope and inspiration; and that You are showering that upon everyone. Baba, You came and sang the song of hope and showed us the path towards enlightenment. What was needed everyone got from you. Baba You came in the dawn and gave the message of the new era– that of neo-humanism…

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Health Guideline

Baba says, “Deafness is not a disease by itself, unless it is congenital. It is an after-effect or reaction to some other ailment…Excessive use of quinine or similar poisonous medicines for a long time reduces the power of hearing.” (YT, p.43)

Note: The intake of allopathic medicines contribute significantly to deafness. One can see this reaction especially in the case of small kids.
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Our AM Books Before ’90

Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:08:24 -0400
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: “Giriish Deva” ”
Subject: Our AM Books Before ’90

Baba

== OUR AM BOOKS BEFORE ’90 ==

~ PART 1 ~

Namaskar,
Understanding the way Baba’s discourses came into print grants us deep insight into the current state of our AM books.

For instance, some of His discourses were recorded live; some were not. Some publications were meticulously proofed by Him; some were not. Some chapters were given by dictation in private and reviewed over and over again; while other discourses were spoken openly in public for all to hear.

So there are many ways in which the source material for our AM books was given. And our main goal is to ensure that those discourses which were recorded get printed properly, consistent with the original cassette. Unfortunately, up until now that has not been happening.

Here we are going to investigate why some of our AM books– that contained recorded discourses– were not printed properly prior to 1990.

GREAT SPEED OF THE WORK

We all know that up until 1990, our organisation grew and progressed at speeds never seen before on this earth. Baba’s working style was so fast and its breadth was so great, that still today it is difficult to comprehend.

PUBLISHING BOOKS OF RECORDED DISCOURSES

In that era of tremendous speed, Baba delivered a huge number of discourses, most of which were recorded. In turn, due to the fast pace of the work, those discourses were printed and published – even though He knew that those printed versions were laced with errors. Baba knew, yet He had to move ahead in that fashion because there were countless other works to do and He was abiding by the natural limitations of being in human form. He had only limited hours in the day to get things done. Hence, to give the teaching that work should be done and accepting human limitation, He allowed projects to be completed that were not entirely correct at the time.

Yet He set-up a safeguard that since the original discourses were recorded, those books could be corrected in the future.

Such was the case with many books, including Ananda Vacanamrtam part 12. It was first printed in 1980. All the discourses were recorded yet due to the speed of the work, it was printed in a hasty manner with many errors. Yet Baba did not say anything. Why? Because He wanted to show that all the books should be printed. That was the overarching concept behind its publication at that moment: To show that AM books must be made.

It is just like when one baby is learning how to walk then the parents praise the baby for every step it takes, and they never criticise the baby for falling. Likewise, as the benevolent Father, Baba was encouraging His children when taking on new works, like the printing of books, even if the publication contained errors.

Plus, due to extreme time constraints, He could not stop all the other works to ensure that each and every syllable of the recorded discourses that make up AV-12 and other books were printed properly. Rather He set the tone that books should be made from those recorded discourses.

And with our own common sense, it is up to us to understand now that those books which contain recorded discourses should be done accurately.

HOW BABA WAS PRESSURISING

With regards to the recording of His discourses, Baba was very strict, especially after 1978. He knew that the speed of His organisational activities had increased tremendously– thousands of works were going on all at once– and the only way to ensure His discourses were properly maintained was to have them all recorded.

And one day, 15 October 1978, in Patna Baba showed His intensity on this very matter. He demanded from the Dadas responsible to show Him how His discourses had been recorded. He demanded to see the cassettes from the last so many days. Yet those Dadas had nothing to show. Baba became furious and He refused to give any more discourses until those Dadas promised to record them. Baba even charge-sheeted Ramanandaji in order to show His extreme displeasure.

(Note: As sadhakas we know that Baba expressed His sentient anger in order to lovingly guide us. Without showing such anger it was not always possible to teach us. But in reality any expression of “anger” was nothing but the outer expression of His divine love.)

Finally, those Dadas begged and pleaded with Baba that they had been negligent in the past and from this day forward they would record His discourses. Only then did Baba’s anger wane and He graciously gave more discourses.

THE STRATEGY OF QUICK PRINTING AND RECORDING

Here the whole point is that when things were going quickly in organisational life, Baba knew that His discourses had to be recorded, lest they become lost. There are a few exceptions in that post 1978 period where Baba specifically did not want a discourses recorded, for one reason or another. And that is discussed below. But on the whole, in that period of work, work, work, Baba knew that books would get printed with thousands of mistakes, as happened with the 1980 printing of Ananda Vacanamrtam part 12; yet He ensured that those mistakes would get corrected in due course since those discourses were recorded.

HIS TEACHINGS MUST NOT GET LOST

We all know that Lord Shiva’s teachings of seven thousand years ago got lost. Same is the case with Lord Krsna’s original teachings. Those Hindu priests created countless fake versions of the Bhagavda Giita. Even Buddha’s teachings, which were given only 2,500 years were altered and destroyed.

Baba was adamant that the same fate should not happen with His teachings. So with His coming on this earth, He cleared up the misnomers surrounding Lord Shiva’s and Lord Krsna’s teachings, as well as those of Buddha, and He also gave wonderful new material for the humanity. And the way He ensured it would make it through the ages was to have it recorded. That was His special plan.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

As His disciples, our duty is to carry out His plan and preserve His teachings by utilising those cassettes of His recorded discourses.

Back in 2008, Ananda Vacanamrtam was re-published yet it contains countless errors, many of which occurred in that 1980 printing. This cannot and must not be our standard. We should not just sit back and think, well it got printed that way before 1990 so we should print it that way again. This should not be our outlook.

Rather we are to understand and realise that those days work was going on at an incredible speed and Baba’s emphasis was on getting the books printed in order to teach us about the importance of recording and printing His discoursee. There was not tim to review every word. He knew those discourses had been recorded and that with our common sense we would review those recordings before printing future editions of the book. He has entrusted us with this task.

Plus we should also correct all the books that were translated into other languages from an incorrect printed version.

Of course He wants His discourses to be printed in a pristine manner; of course our AM books must be accurate. That is why He ensured that in cases like AV-12 the discourses were recorded.

Now today, it is our bounden duty to carefully use those recordings to ensure that all His books come in proper shape and proper form. No one should fall into the false understanding that since a book was printed in a certain way back in 1980, then those same problems should be repeated again and again with each and every printing.

Rather, with our rational minds, we should understand that any discourse that Baba chose to record should now be made perfect by referring to that recording. That recording is the very key to making the printed version proper. That is how we are to make our AM books perfect.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, He has given us all the tools to ensure the integrity of His teachings is maintained up to eternity.

Baba says, “The scriptures containing spiritual injunctions must be totally flawless.” (NSS)

Namaskar,
Giriish

Note 1: GENERAL TREND OF AM BOOKS

From 1955 to 1962, Baba was basically dictating His books word by word and the disciples were noting them down. And then Baba was reviewing those notes to ensure they were proper. And finally the book was printed. That was one phase of work.

From 1962 to 1970, many discourses were recored and many not, and many were lost in the Emergency period. Some of those discourses were published while others were not.

Finally in the post 1978 period, work was going on at such a pace that nearly all His discourse were recorded. And that recording is to be considered the original and true discourse.

There are only a few books in this latter period that come from discourses that were not recorded such as Neo-Humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Namah Shivaya Shantaya (only 2 discourses or so were recorded), and books dealing with grammar like Shabda Cayanika were not recorded. Hence those books came from via an entirely different method often times reviewed again and again by Baba through a careful and meticulous editing process.

But in those cases where the discourses were recorded, they went straight to publication without a lot of checking and re-checking, so now it is our responsibility that those printed discourses match the original cassette, lest we perpetuate errors of old as happened in the case of AV-12 (2008).

Note 2: NOT HAVE ARCHIVE MATERIALS WITH GROUPISTS

One key point in all of this is that our Archive materials that contain all the recorded discourses should not remain in the hands of various groupist leaders. Those archive materials must not be at the mercy of those factional chieftains.
Because for their own selfish ends, they may change, alter, distort, or hide Baba’s original discourses. This is the very real fear; so we must demand that all Archive materials be available for distribution to one and all. We must not
let the current pitiful situation last a day longer where all our archive materials are in the closet of one groupist party.

Note 3: GREAT SPEED OF THE WORK (cont)

We all know that before 1990, our organisation grew and progressed at speeds never seen before on this earth. Baba’s working style was so fast and its breadth was so great, that still today it is difficult to comprehend.

And in that great pace, naturally some of the things got done in extreme haste, such as having a school with only 5 students or printing a book without even reviewing it. Yet those projects were accepted because Baba was giving us practical demonstrations of all the things we needed to do.

If He simple had told us to do things which He did not show us in the practical sphere, then we might never do it; whereas if He practically demonstrated each and every work, then we would understand that that work needed to be done– and naturally over time we would learn how to do it correctly.

The creation of schools, the development of MU’s, pracara in new countries, posting transfers, daily newsletters in every samaj, the granting of PC, microvita demonstrations, organisational meetings with every trade imaginable, political protests, and yes the recording of His discourses and publication of His books, indeed so many things were happening all at once and there were so many phases of His work that still today it was difficult to comprehend.

Why was His speed like that? As we know, He had a very short span of time to show us all the things that had to be done on this earth in the future.

He wanted to show us that there should be a schools in every unit, and service projects in every block, and Prout rallies in every locale, and ponds made on every MU, and so many things He wanted to show us in seed form. So He had the organisation running in multiple directions all at once.

That was Baba’s perfect way of teaching us what to do.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Toma’r na’mer tarii beye bhese calechi sudu’re…” (3937)

Purport:

Baba, by Your grace I am rowing the boat of my life, singing Your name, and floating toward the spiritual world. Baba, because I am dancing in Your divine tune, I know I will never meet defeat– victory is assured.

Baba, with Your eternal song as my rudder guiding me along, I never feel lost or frustrated. Baba by Your grace in my life there is no hypocrisy. And by Your grace I do not suffer from the painful crocodile thorns of self-aggrandisement, (asmita’). By Your causeless compassion, my mind is pure and straight. O’ my dearmost, Your divine vibration encompasses everything. The zig-zag path, and the high tide & low tide– everything resonates in the divine sound of Your omnkara.

Baba, I do not have any desire to look back; I am moving forward towards You with my heart and mind. Baba, by Your grace I never lose the path or unnecessarily waste my time, because by Your grace I do not spend my days recalling all those old forgotten memories of my distant past. Always You keep me marching along the path of fulfillment– towards You.

Baba, by Your grace I am under Your shelter, and in my sadhana and dhyana I always sing Your name. That is the main force moving me ahead towards You…

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One Should Assess Oneself on the Following

Baba says, “When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No entity can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different things. Then what is the meaning of Sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and feel that Parama Purusa alone is my everything.”

“Up to the time when living beings are thinking that they are working with their own strength, then you should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati.” (General Darshan, Patna DMC, 1970, [from audio tape])
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Even Small Things Help in Sadhana

Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:57:23 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From:
Subject: Even Small Things Help in Sadhana

Baba

“Bha’loba’si toma’y a’mi, keno ta’ ja’ni na’…” P.S. 2329

Purport:

Baba, I love You but I do not know why I love You. You go on pulling my heart– but what is the mystery behind this, that I do not understand. Baba, You are the divine effulgence of my dark heart. By Your grace I will never allow that effulgence to get extinguished. Baba, I will always keep Your love in my heart.

All the love I have in the deep core of my heart, and all the hopes and longings I have in my mind, all my desires and aspirations are revolving around You. And they get expressed through Your songs, dance, melody, and rhythms. Baba, You are my everything. Where I am, where I will go, and from where I have come, all these types of useless questions never come in my mind, by Your grace. Baba, I do not even want to know these things. Just I am fully depending on You– that You know
everything and that everything is in Your control.

Baba, You are always ever gracious on me. I love You; my whole existence is Yours…

== EVEN SMALL THINGS HELP IN SADHANA ==

Namaskar,
In recent times I have been struggling– more than usual– in sadhana. I did not know which way to turn for help. Life was busy and it seemed like sadhana was getting away from me.

Certainly there are so many high ideals to inspire us to move ahead, but those all seemed quite elusive to me at the time.

After talking with one acarya, I thought I should try and work from the ground up. So I took renewed interest in my asana practice as way to get back into a proper sadhana flow. Here I do not mean asanas as in all those postures that are currently part of the new yoga craze. Rather I am referring to the three or four sadhana oriented asanas as given by Beloved Baba.

By His grace, it has been these postures which have revived my sadhana practice. Of course there are many things that create a good sadhana flow including kiirtan, svadhyaya, satsaunga, second lesson, diet, intermittent dhyana etc. All these contribute significantly to our meditative state and success in sadhana.

At the same time, we should also not forget how seemingly small(er) practices like asanas also play an important, if not invaluable, role.

WHAT ARE THOSE ASANAS

In a nutshell, we are talking about shashaungasana, viirasana, padmasana, and siddhasana, all of which are featured and described in Caryacaraya III as well as in the Acarya Diary.

* Shashaunga’sana (Hare Pose): The real beauty and spiritual use of this asana is doing it before one’s sadhana practice. It helps calm the mind and breath and awakens and stimulates the pineal gland. So doing 8 rounds of this asana just before starting one’s sadhana practice is extremely useful.

Personally, I found this asana to be quite beneficial in focusing the mind on my sadhana endeavour. Without that, I find that my mind runs hither and thither.

* Viira’sana (Hero Pose): As we all know this is our 3rd lesson asana. In the past I always used to kneel on my knees without curling the toes underneath, because that was easier and more comfortable. But now I sit in the posture correctly. My acarya told me that without doing so, then 3rd lesson will not be strong. And without a pointed approach in 3rd lesson, then dhyana is basically a waste of time. So this viira’sana is essential for sadhana.

In the beginning, curling my toes underneath caused me great pain. But in just a short amount of time, the position became quite comfortable for me and I can better understand how it enhances concentration. Now, by Baba’s grace, when I am in this posture, my mind easily gets more focused and I feel strong energy swirl through my entire body.

* Padma’sana (Lotus Posture): Baba has placed great emphasis on this posture, especially in our practice of first lesson. In particular, it is helpful for doing our shuddhis. Because the whole import of doing our bhutashuddhi, asanashuddhi, and cittashuddhi is to withdraw the mind from worldly things and situate our mental feeling at our Ista cakra. And padma’sana helps goad the mind away from the physical realm. By first placing the right foot on the left thigh and then bringing the left foot over onto the right thigh, then that enhances concentration. To complete the pose, we then place the right hand on top of the left. Plus the tongue should be rolled back towards the roof of the mouth.

This we have all learned and know. Even then it is not easy. I was having trouble with this, and my entire sadhana program was falling to pieces.

By Baba’s grace, my acarya noticed that I was merely sitting in a lazy, cross-legged position in sadhana, so he gently guided me to take up the practice of sitting in padma’sana. In the beginning I could just barely get into the position, but I could not remain there long. Within five minutes, or even two minutes, I thought that my knees would explode. Over time, my endurance in this pose has increased such that now by Baba’s grace I can complete my entire first lesson in padmas’ana. And yes, it has been helpful for controlling the mind and allowing me to go deeper into my sadhana & mantra japa.

* Siddha’sana (Siddha posture): This asana looks relatively easy but is extremely difficult. Sometimes people refer to this as half-lotus so they think it is easier than padmasana. But in truth many find it much more difficult.

As my acarya told me, siddha’sana is to be used primarily for dhyana. That is the specialty of this pose because the heels are pressed in towards the muladhara and svadishthana cakras, thereby controlling & even numbing those lower points and their associated vrttis.

Once that area is suspended through this special process of siddhasana, then it is quite certain that at the very least the mind will not degrade, and with proper thought and psychic approach the mind will move from its home at ajina cakra and rise up to sahasrara cakra.

Although a difficult pose, this one has also been extremely helpful for me in getting back into a better sadhana flow.

Note: Due to the nature of this pose, it is not proper– due to anatomical reasons– for sisters to sit in this posture. Rather they should use a modified version thereof, or padmas’ana. Best will be to talk to their Didi about this.

ONE IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT DHYA’NA

One other interesting thing is this.

My acarya told me that in trying to do dhyana many people in fact have their mind in ajina cakra– not sahasrara cakra. Unbeknownst to them, some sadhakas do like this. My acarya says this becomes quite evident when he and other acaryas do lesson reviews– both of Dadas and margiis. And in that case, one cannot do true dhyana.

To help ensure the mind reaches up to the sahasrara cakra, one can lightly touch the very crown of the head as that will help goad the mind in that direction. Of course, without strong spiritual ideation and deep devotion, then the mind will not reach up to that pinnacled point. So touching alone will not suffice, but it can help if the other factors are alright.

TRY TO BECOME SIDDHA IN OUR SADHANA ASANA PRACTICE

Siddha means ‘accomplished’, ‘practiced’, ‘comfortable’, ‘established’ etc. We should become siddha in each of the four mentioned sadhana asanas. Of course we are not hatha yogis who practice thousands of asanas all day long. But these four above asanas are integral to a spiritually-vibrated sadhana practice. Specifically, siddha means being able to sit in postures like padmasana for 1, 2, or even 3 hours at a time without feeling any discomfort. Once the physical body is established in this pose, then the mental realm can truly delve deeper into the practice and sanctity of sadhana.

So we should all try to achieve a state of ‘siddha’ in our spiritual asana practice.

MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO PROPER SADHANA

There are many factors that contribute to a vibrant sadhana practice. By Baba’s grace, that is why He has given us Sixteen Points and countless other teachings and guidelines. All these enhance our sadhana practice.

That said, when I was really struggling, then I found the aspect of our seated, meditative poses to be a helpful tool of rejuvenating my sadhana career. It may be a small piece to the puzzle, but maybe others will also find it helpful. That is why I decided to write this letter.

Others should also write in with their thoughts and reflections.

BABA’S BLESSING

Baba says, “The relation between the physical body and the mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of the glands. Ásanas
help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so ásanas are an important part of sádhaná.” (CC-3)

Namaskar,
Mukunda

Note 1: A’SANA PICTURES ARE NOT ALWAYS PROPER

Everyone should be careful when studying or learning any new asana. Because many of the drawings and displays of our asanas are not depicted properly or accurately in our AM Publications. This is something that will have to be fixed. Till then, always be sure to consult with an appropriate acarya or senior margii regarding the practice of asanas– i.e. consult with someone who himself is strict and established in their asana practice.

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Baba Story: Baba Saved Life of Infant

Date: 24 Dec 2011 20:31:56 -0000
From: “Mahesh Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: Baba Saved Life of Infant

Baba

== BABA STORY: BABA SAVED LIFE OF INFANT ==

Note: The following is a first-hand account from a senior margii, Ramshreya Prasad Srivastava of Narkatiya Ganj, West Champaron Dist (Bihar).

Namaskar,
In 1971, after my first son was born, we planned to host a baby naming ceremony at our house. After all, as an initiated and practicing Ananda Margii, I felt it was our family duty to follow the Ananda Marga system. So we set the date for the baby naming gathering and arranged for a local family acarya to perform the ceremony.

LOCAL VILLAGERS REFUSE TO ATTEND

I invited local villagers to the program. But they refused to attend as they thought my outlook and way of living was against the vedas and puranas. They felt I had turned my back on the traditions and rituals of the Karmakand (vedas ) and the Hindu religion. So they told me they would not attend.

Not only that, those villagers thought a very unfortunate and tragic episode would befall the child and / or my family because of my “sinful ways.” They predicted the Almighty would punish me. With that fear also they did not participate.

I told them, “This is my child and my family and if something happens then I will face consequences. But this is what I am going to do.”

I was determined to follow the AM system. By Baba’s grace the ceremony was performed and everything went quite smoothly.

TRAGEDY STRIKES

The next day we were sitting outside the house by the fire to warm ourselves. After some time my wife wanted to pass the baby to me. I was sitting directly opposite her – across the fire. She stood up and I stood and she started to hand the child to me.

Our infant was wrapped in a cloth and as my wife began to pass me the baby, suddenly the child fell from in between our arms directly onto the fire. The fire was burning with flames upwards of 2 ft high. The child started crying loudly and violently.

I was frozen, panic-stricken, and in shock. Temporarily I lost sight of what to do. In a moment, my senses returned and I readied to pull my dear baby from the burning flames.

Taking Baba’s name, I reached into the fire and grabbed my son, along with the cloth. I then did a quick check of him – expecting the worst. By Baba’s grace nothing happened – my boy was neither burned nor hurt from the fall. I just closed my eyes surrendering to Baba, knowing that He watches over everything.

Seeing my son saved from this life-threatening tragedy was most astonishing for my whole family and the entire village. Nobody could believe their eyes. They were incredulous – totally in awe of what had just transpired. Especially those villagers who had been watching directly and saw the incident first-hand.

My neighbor said, “Your Guru must have done something to save child.”

I replied, “It is Baba’s grace. He has blessed me with the inspiration to follow His commandments and it is His duty to save us from such a tragedy.”

Today my son is a strong and devoted margii.

REFLECTION

All in all it was quite a moving scene. Before that incident my family was opposed to Ananda Marga and after that my entire family took initiation and became devotees of Baba, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

Everyone understood that everything happens according to the sweet will of Parama Purusa. What He wants, that happens. Without His permission nothing can happen.

I fully appreciate this Prabhat Samgiita:

“Ta’r man jodi ca’y saba kichu hay dhu’limaya e dharan’iite” (PS #207)

Meaning: If His mind desires, when He wishes, anything can happen on this dusty earth – the impossible become possible.

DHARMA SAVES

According to Baba’s guideline, I tried to follow His teaching and by His grace the tragedy was averted. Actually, I did not have the strength to follow – He gave me the strength, so all credit goes to Baba.

Dharma rakśati rakśitah

Baba says, ““One who protects dharma is protected by dharma.” Dharma saves the dhármika [the upholder of dharma] in the material sphere, in the subtle sphere and in the causal sphere. When dharma saves people in the material sphere, they experience it before their very eyes, they hear it with their ears, they feel it with the tenderness of touch. When dharma helps them in the causal sphere, they experience it by loving Parama Puruśa with all the sweetness of their hearts. This feeling has no external expression. When dharma saves people in the subtle sphere, they experience it through deep reflection.” (Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc 11: Shivokti 11)

Namaskar,
Ramshreya

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Maner ma’jhe kon se ka’je a’cho balo na’…” (P.S. #2033)

Purport:

Baba, You are hiding in my mind. What do You go on doing there? You are sitting in the depths of my mind, and listening to all my thoughts. Nothing can remain hidden from You. Baba, it is impossible to hide anything from You — what a torture this is.

Your liila, Your divine play, is very vast– verily immeasurable like the infinite ocean. To understand Your divine liila is very difficult. When I go to measure the depth of Your liila, then my whole existence is lost. Only consciousness remains floating. By Your grace my mind becomes one with You. My “I feeling” gets lost.
Baba, if You do not want to get held, please tell me what You want. If I know Your desire, then I will change my desire and make it parallel to Your desire. What You like, that will be my desire. Baba, You are eternally hiding in my mind and heart. Nothing remains unknown to You…

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Boon or Curse – Depending

From: “gabriel Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2009 22:05:06
Subject: Boon or Curse – Depending

Baba

“Ei vanaviithika’y pus’pama’ya’y nije ese dhara’ dile a’ma’y…” P.S. 2108

Purport:

Baba, You have graced me and You have come in my mind– in my mental garden You have appeared. Baba, You have shown me the magical display of flowers and You have allowed me to hold You. Baba, whatever You have taught and whatever You have told, everything I have kept in my mind, in my mental plate, by Your grace.

O’ my dearmost, how can I forget that very special memorable day when I saw You. I could tell that that Your whole heart was saturated with the deep feeling of mineness and love towards me. With the mental flower and in the cycle of the seasons and months, with the passage of time, that very love is getting stronger & stronger, more serene and pure.

Baba, by Your grace I have got You in my heart. Up till now I was just searching You externally– moving here and there– but I could not get You. But now You have come in my heart, so I have everything. In the secret, solitary, depths of my mind– all my desires are getting satiated. Baba, You have graced me and You have come directly into my heart. You have made my life meaningful…

== BOON OR CURSE – DEPENDING ==

Namaskar,
A man at the peak of his career, with a good wife, social respect, and financial power opts to carouse around with a young woman and risk everything, thinking that he will never be caught.

A popular leader – a man of the people – grabs congressional control only to turn his back on the masses and rule with an iron fist.

A pious woman who has led a simple life, gets hit by a bus when crossing the street and loses both her legs.

A young man shocks everyone by stepping away from a life of “guaranteed worldly success” in order to dedicate himself to a noble cause with seemingly little rewards.

LIFE IS FULL OF EVENTS

So many things happen in life – good things and bad things, smart choices and foolish ones. And it is all distinctly linked with the expression of our samskaras – reactions from our past actions & past lives, or yoga’s theory of cause and effect.

For some, their good samskaras can be a gateway to liberation, while for others their good samskaras can ricochet them onto the path to hell, if they abuse the fruits of their pious past actions.

Good then does not always signify future greatness or liberation, and bad does not mean terrible things. A man suffering from bad samskaras may reflect more deeply and vow to lead a virtuous life.

All that can be said is that all samskaras – whether they be good ones or bad ones – are binding, keeping one forever tied to the cycle of life and death.

This letter investigates some of the many nuances of the ways of karma and at the same time presents Baba’s guideline for how to escape the endless cycle or noose of action and reaction.

A FEW RULES OF THE GAME

While at some point or another we have all learned about karma theory – let’s take a moment to review some fundamental rules.

(A) Must Have Free Will to Create Samskaras

Only human beings can create samskaras, whether good or bad. Someone may decide to steal a chocolate bar or a sports car, while another may volunteer in a literacy center. By exercising our free will and making life choices, we create our samskaras, or unexpressed reactions.

In contrast, animals cannot create any (new) samskaras because they do not have free will. Everything they do is according to instinct, nature, and the Cosmic operative principle, or prakrti. If a monkey bites a small human baby, then that monkey will not incur any samskara.

The only thing that can be said is that that monkey may have been born into animal life because of their previous bad samskaras from human life, but during that animal life no new samskaras can be created.

From the time one first emerges from the Supreme Hub in the form of fire or water, or wood etc up until one’s highest expression of animal life – i.e. along the path of saincara – one will not have any samskaras. It is only during one’s first human life – that first step into the arena of pratisaincara – that samskaras get created based on what one does.

One may then may bounce back and forth between various grades of human and animal life, between pratisaincara, negative pratisaincara, and saincara. It all depends upon how one exercises their free will when in human form.

A despotic ruler will most assuredly be reborn as a lower being or even as a piece of iron, depending upon the nature of their sins etc.

(B) Samskaras Carry Over From Life to Life

We must always remember that ours is a part life – we have been coming and going from one life to the next for ions. We may be 50, or 35, or 71 years old, so unless this is our first human life, we are carrying around a big bundle of samskaras from our past lives.

And that can take shape in so many ways and explain why a very good person my undergo a terrible problem in life. It may seem totally unfair, yet what they are undergoing may be the result of a samskara from 2 or even 5 or 10 lives ago.

Thus there is no set time frame for when a Samskara will take expression, nor is there an easy escape from those unexpressed reactions – they have to take form. Not even a man of extraordinary wealth can free himself from those reactions. In addition, those samskaras are more than we can ever undergo in one life – and in this life also we will create even more samskaras.

Hence the cycle is unending: Birth to death and then rebirth, until one is blessed to enter the path of sadhana. Even then it is not an easy ride. It takes tremendous effort, coupled with His divine grace, to achieve liberation.

So ours is a part life, linked with a whole chain of past lives and hence old samskaras.

HOW GOOD SAMSKARAS LEAD TO BAD ONES

We all then enter this world with so much baggage – and just having good samskaras alone does not ensure that one’s movement will be proper. Actually, it is usually those who are enjoying the fruits of their past good actions who then inflict the most harm on others.

Most often it is due to the expression of our good samskaras that we then create such a nasty pile of bad samskaras. The real culprit is our false sense of vanity. Just see.

For most of us, our life choices do not dramatically effect entire populations of people. Just a few people hold such positions – often due to their good deeds in the past.

Because of their honesty or service in the past, in this life they have taken on a high stature. And then what happens: Ego grows and grows.

Hey may begin to think that they have the world in the palm of their hand, or feel that they are invincible etc. In that seemingly unbeatable – yet precarious and vulnerable position – they may commit so many wrongs that they will put themselves on the fast track to hell.

They may drop a bomb on an entire city or nation, or they may suppress millions, or they may declare an entire people to be slaves. So many things one may do under that false sense of vanity. In their blindness they think that no harm can come their way, but in the due course they will undergo each and every reaction. And so many times those harsh reactions begin in this very life.

How many times have we witnessed those at the height of power fall to the depths of hell within a few years. Their names are endless and come in so many shapes and sizes: Mrs. Indira Gandhi, O.J. Simpson, Bernie Madoff, Adolf Hitler, Christopher Reeve, Saddam Hussein, and the list goes on and on.

Thus even if one has good samskaras from the past, that is not necessarily a key for greatness. One may tumble at any moment if one is not careful.

CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT NEEDED

All in all, we never know when a good or bad samskara may take expression. There is no fixed time frame – it may be this life or the next. Just a conducive environment is needed.

When we are young and feeling strong and healthy then we may only reap our past good samskaras and our bad ones are just waiting for the proper moment to come forth. A man in his youth may marry a beautiful woman only to watch that woman run off with another man, or vice versa. So many things can happen – it just depends on when the ground is fertile.

GOOD SAMSKARAS AS A BOON

And of course, one’s good samskaras can lead one further along the path of righteousness.

Baba says, “Vaedikii diiks’a’ is to request God, request the Lord, to show one the right path. And after a long time, when the Lord is satisfied, He arranges for Ta’ntrikii diiks’a’. Ananda Marga diiks’a’ is Ta’ntrikii diiks’a’.” (AV-3)

By Baba’s grace, many of us have come onto the path of Ananda Marga due to some proper effort in the past. Yet we all know, we must all put forth the right effort to keep on this path. The moment we think that we ourselves are great or the moment we look to material satisfaction for our happiness, we may fall from the path.

Here the point then is that good samskaras are not just a liability such as in the case of Mrs Gandhi or OJ Simpson etc, because of one’s past samskaras with proper feeling one can become a great sadhaka, as we se in so many examples.

CLASSIC FAULTY APPROACH

The main problem comes when people think, “I will take the good samskaras and Parama Purusa should take my bad ones.”

This is when vanity, ego, lust, and all kinds of degenerative properties take shape in the mind. Because that outlook is devoid of any service mentality.

Then one asserts their free will in a negative direction. Most or Hollywood, sports stars, and political leaders fall in this category. Due to their past good deeds they got some qualification in this life, yet due to ego they end up tumbling far, far below.

What they fail to realise is that getting human life again is not an easy task. Again one will have to go through countless animals lives.

TAKE PHYSICAL EXPRESSION OR PSYCHIC EXPRESSION

So this whole entire samskara theory is quite complex. It may bring us fame and fortune or it may remain hidden for decades and then crop up one day, dramatically changing the course of our lives.

One other critical point is that samskaras may take physical expression or psychic expression. At this point in the advanced societies, most undergo mental torment and torture in the form of anxiety, stress, depression, or so many other psychic ailments.

Whereas in the poor countries, people suffer in the material sphere but not necessarily in the mental realm.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, He has blessed us by bringing us on the path. We understand that we this world is not our eternal abode and it cannot offer us endless bliss. Rather we are to become one with Him – in this very life itself. That is our aim; that is our destiny. Yet we have so many samskaras.

So in sadhaka life, our samskaras ripen very quickly for they must get expressed in this life itself – as there will not be future lives. So we must undergo a huge number of reactions. Even then, they cannot all take expression. There just is not enough time.

Baba says, “So Parama Purus’a says to His devotees, “Just see how difficult it is for you to carry such a heavy load of sam’skaras. You are small children. The load weighs more than you. How long will you be able to carry such a burden? You have accumulated so many sam’skaras that you will have to carry the load for many lives, for thousands of years. One life will certainly be insufficient. So I have a proposition. Give me the entire load of your accumulated sam’skaras. I will carry it for you”.

“The devotees reply, “How can we possibly give our heavy burden to You? No, we must carry the load ourselves. We will sing songs and dance for you, but we will never give you such a heavy load of sins”.”

“But Parama Purus’a knows that His dear devotees cannot carry such a heavy load of sins. If they do not give away the load it will be a constant strain for them. So what does Parama Purus’a do in such circumstances? He takes their sins without their permission. If someone takes things from others without their permission, what is it called? It is called theft. Thus, as Parama Purus’a takes the load of sins from the devotees without their permission, He is certainly a thief “Harati pa’pah yah sah Harih.” One who steals others sins is called Hari. So, one of His names is Hari.” (AV-8)

Namaskar,
Gaotam

Note 1: MANY ANGLES TO THE ISSUE

There are many angles and aspects to this our samskara theory. In the above letter, only certain elements were touched on. Others should write in with more points.

**************************************
Deserts Needed

Baba says, “Ecologists claim that some deserts are essential for keeping the global ecology in a balanced state. The high day temperatures and the cold night temperatures that occur in desert regions create a useful effect. The hot, dry desert air rises and creates a vacuum which sucks in cool air, generating a chain reaction. Moist air is sucked in from the sea and formed into clouds which then rain on the land. If deserts vanish entirely, the overall rainfall will be reduced.” (PNS-16, p.37)
**************************************

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Heaven & Hell Difference…

Date: Dec 22 2011 22:04:58 -0700
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Deva_HT
Subject: Heaven & Hell Difference…

Baba

“Tumi a’ma’r a’hva’ne sa’r’a’ diyecho…” (P.S. 1265)

Purport:

Baba, You are so gracious You have paid heed to my call of longing. After remaining quiet for a long time, in the end You have finally listened to the cry of my heart. Such a long span of time has passed. The tender leaves of spring have become yellow and fallen down. The green vegetation in the mountains also underwent huge change; I saw they did not remain the same. Such a long span of time has passed.

In the end, ultimately I received the showering of Your grace. My heart is inundated with the bliss of having You. You have filled my life with ecstasy.

Baba, You know so many liilas, divine plays, which I do not understand. In this situation, I go on only searching You– feeling spellbound, astonished, & amazed. Only You know the glory of Your divine play. Baba, You have filled and satiated my heart and mind with the showering of Your causeless grace. Baba, You have heard the cry of my longing….

HEAVEN AND HELL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

SELF-CENTERED CAPITALISM AND GOD-CENTERED AM

Namaskar,
‘I am happy to be here’, ‘It is my pleasure to do that’, ‘thanks for inviting me’…

The above are all common sayings in today’s western, capitalistic society and such expressions are quickly being converted and translated into languages all around the globe. Such is the spread of capitalism.

FOUR CATEGORIES OF PHILOSOPHY

However, Baba clearly guides us that there is a tremendous difference between the four basic types of philosophies: Dogma-centered, matter-centered, self-centered, and God-centered. And in particular the self-centered philosophy of capitalism is based purely on individual egoistic desires or selfishness whereas the God-centered philosophy of Ananda Marga is based totally on service psychology– serving all as expressions of Brahma.

Baba says, “The followers of self-centred philosophy do everything only for self-interest, self-pleasure…In self-centred philosophies, individual selfishness is the motive, as in capitalism…Those who follow God-centred philosophy serve humanity and the entire living world with equal love and affection according to Neohumanism.” (PNS-18)

SELFISHNESS OF CAPITALISM vs SERVICE PSYCHOLOGY OF AM

So there is a heaven and hell difference between the selfishness of capitalism and the service oriented mentality of Ananda Marga. The first aims towards ego satisfaction and the fulfilling of one’s petty desires; whereas the latter aims at helping and service others for the cause of universal welfare.

Unfortunately, at present, it is this selfish psychology of capitalism that is spreading like wildfire around the globe today. Because already it is saturated in the west and now the so-called third world nations want to step up into the ‘greatness of modernity’ so they emulate each and every aspect of western, materialistic life– including their manner of speaking. Those very crude phrases get translated into one’s own local tongue– or people merely adopt the English expression in their hometown of Bali, Cape Town, or San Juan. That is how this selfishness is manifesting itself around the globe in all aspects of life: In how one thinks, lives, walks, and talks.

Here then is a further look at the situation at hand.

COMMON SELFISH EXPRESSIONS OF THE DAY

Today on the radio, on the internet, at governmental summits, on TV interviews, in business meetings, at family gatherings, on the street, and in each and every nook and cranny of modernity there are a whole slew of expressions which reveal the utter selfishness of the prevailing philosophy of the day.

If one listens to any talk, interview, or speech etc, phrases such as the following abound: ‘Thanks for giving me opportunity’, ‘it is my pleasure’, ‘I felt good doing that’, ‘I enjoyed being part of the relief project’, ‘I am delighted to be here’, ‘It is my privilege’, ‘I will be happy to do that’, ‘I am honoured to receive this’, and on and on the list goes.

These are totally I-centered, egoistic ways of speaking– that reflect a self-centered and narrow way of thinking. In each and every case the ‘I’ is dominating– i.e. one’s own petty happiness, not any welfare or service motive. They all revolve around selfish, unit pleasures. And this is the pervasive mentality of capitalism, where #1 is not God, others, but rather oneself.

So it is not just a linguistic phenomenon, because as we look around it is quite apparent that nations, peoples, businesses, consumers, and citizens are acting in a totally selfish manner.

So the poison of selfishness is deeply rooted and prevalent all around.

WHY THEY MAY BE HARD TO DETECT

That is why when hearing expressions like, ‘It gives me great pleasure’ or ‘Thank you for inviting me to participate’, one may wonder: What is the problem– those are fine expressions.

Because these are so commonly spoken and so commonly heard, people accept such selfish ways of speaking as being totally normal, fine, and well. Verily, the selfishness of capitalism has seeped so deep into the human psyche that selfishness itself becomes hard for some to recognise.

It is just like if one works in a barn all day and has cow dung all over their shoes, pants, hands, nose then it may be hard for that person to recognise the very smell of that animal feces as it has become part of their very being. Not only are they surrounded by that cow dung but they themselves are immersed in it. In that case that offensive smell is totally unrecognisable to them.

Same is the case with the selfishness of capitalism in today’s present day world. Capitalism preaches selfish pleasure and that is what everybody chases after all day long: In their business life, in their personal life, in their family life etc.

If their business swallows up another one only to cause massive unemployment, those top executives does not care so long as it is good for their own business agenda; likewise if any individual gets their personal goal met of buying a huge, fancy house, it is of no concern to them that there are millions who are homeless– because they got their own selfish desire met; likewise if a husband no longer likes to live a family way of life, then in a split-second he will leave his wife and kids and run off with a sensual honey who is 30 years younger. That is the way society is moving these days. And it is accepted– even people are praised and admired for doing such crude things.

That is why it is difficult– if not impossible– for many people to detect selfishness in today’s world, let alone in their speech patterns. Because for them, selfishness is as totally normal as the air they breathe.

AS MARGIIS WE SHOULD BE VIGILANT

As Ananda Margiis however, our eyes should be open to such selfish ways of speaking and we should awaken others to it as well. Because the root cause of such expressions is one’s own mental colour. And possessing a selfish mentality is ultravarious to our AM ideology, and indeed harmful to the humanity and to one’s own spiritual growth. For these reasons, it is important to be vigilant to detect and toss out all kinds of selfishness– including in one’s manner of speaking.

WHAT SHOULD BE SAID INSTEAD

Thus instead of saying things like, ‘It give me great pleasure’, ‘I am happy to be here’, or ‘Thank you for the opportunity’, which all reflect one’s own personal satisfaction, we should speak in a manner that reflects the service psychology of Ananda Marga.

What should we say then?

How about, ‘I feel blessed to be able to come here and serve you’, or ‘It is Baba’s grace I could participate and help others’, or any other style of expression that places emphasis on serving others and not on one’s own happiness.

The English language is constructed in such a way that it may be impossible to make the statement without using the ‘I’ term. So what needs to happen then is to direct the importance of the sentence towards helping and serving other rather than one’s own unit satisfaction.

For that reason it is important that we express ourselves in the follow manner, ‘I feel blessed to be able to serve you today’– because in AM our whole outlook is to live a life in service to others.

Baba says, “All human beings are to be served…Remember that your service does not oblige the Supreme, rather you are obliged because you have such a chance to serve the Supreme in the form of living beings.” (Ananda Vanii #28)

Baba says, “Bear in mind that you have a duty towards – indeed, you owe a debt to – every creature of this universe, but towards you, no one has any duty; from others, nothing is due.” (CC-2)

Thus our whole way of life in the Marga is based on serving God both in sadhana as well as in the form of living beings– we have not come here just to satisfy our own petty unit desires.

That is why there is a heaven and hell difference between the crude capitalistic outlook and all its negative expressions and the glorified vision of Ananda Marga and our service oriented way of life.

So none should get caught up in the smog of capitalism where life is merely about satisfying one’s own egoistic inclinations– nor should our talk reflect such things either.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has showered the humanity with the sweetness and charm of a God-centered way of living that will bring peace and welfare to one and all.

Baba says, “As long as you exist, you have got to perform yajina (service). The moment you cease from discharging duties, either due to incapacity or wrong choice you will fall into an abyss. You should not let this happen. It is your dharma to move from narrowness to vastness, from greatness to divinity. To allow yourself to fall into an abyss is against the characteristic of your existence. You long for eternal bliss and endeavour for eternal life. You are associated with that unending vitality in the blood circulation of your arteries and veins and in the rhythmic throbbing of your heart. You have been listening day and night the voice of eternal youth. Can you ever imagine remaining inert matter in an inactive state where there is no yajina (service)? Even in the state of supreme realization you will be infused with boundless knowledge. O human beings! be established in the radiance of divinity and the splendour of valour and chivalry, because yours is the path of revolution. Your path is not the path of extra caution not the path of extra cautioned and scheduled movement. You are the traveller of a rugged path. You are travellers of an impregnable path. You have to march ahead proudly with the flag of Marga upright. You have no time to stagger or to look behind.” (Subhasita Samgraha – 1, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala )

Namaskar,
Harideva

******************************************
Real Wealth

“Ya’jinavalkya asked, ‘What would you like?'”

“Maetreyii replied: ‘Yena’ham’ na’mrtasya’m’ tena’ham’ kim kurya’m'”

“‘What will I do with things which will not remain with me permanently?
Of what use are the objects which will not establish me in
immortality?…’Please give me that thing which will remain with me
permanently, which I’ll be able to preserve forever, which will
establish me in immortality. I don’t want anything else.'”

“Then Ya’jinavalkya gave her a number of instructions, upon which a
major part of Raja Yoga is based’.” (AV-7, p.44)

Note: As described in the above quote: Really, worldly things cannot
remain with us very long. That is why ideal people run towards Parama
Purusa. Being Parama Purusa and Guru, Baba Himself has guided us how to
reach Him. On this point, we are extremely fortunate to at least have
gotten the path. Now our main duty is to follow it.
******************************************

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Who Can Think This Is…

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:12:49 +0530
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: “Priyanath C Mittra”
Subject: Who Can Think This Is…

Baba

“Prabhu toma’r liila’ apa’r, buddhite ke bujhite pa’re…” (PS 507)

Purport:

O’ Prabhu, Your divine liila is beyond all human comprehension. Merely relying upon one’s own minute intellect, who can understand Your vast cosmic liila– no one. Baba, You are present in form as well as in the unexpressed universe. You reside within everything and You are also surrounding each and every one. Baba, You are infinite.
Baba, by Your grace You are present in the depths of the deep blue ocean as well as in the whiteish fog of the tall mountain peaks. Whereever I look or see and even in the places that I cannot see, everything resides within Your mind.
Baba, You are present in the poreless stone and lac and You are also present in the revolving seasons. You are in the mobile as well as immobile entities; You are everywhere. Baba, whatever I think and even what I do not think, everything resides within Your mind. Baba, You are so vast.
Baba, Your liila is fathomless; I long for Your causeless grace; Baba, I want Your shelter, please grace me…

== WHO CAN THINK THIS IS A TRUE ANANDA VANII ==

PRESENT AND PAST HISTORY OF FAKE ANANDA VANIIS

Namaskar,
One by one we are undoing and getting rid of the dogmas which have hounded our Marga since 1990. Things are most definitely moving in a positive direction. As we all become more ideologicall aware and set Baba’s ideal as the gold-bar standard, then naturally dogmas that certain people draggged into the Marga or invented by themselves will be dismantled.

SPECIALITY OF ORIGINAL VANIIS

We all know that the original and true Ananda Vaniis are golden bullets of inspiration that inspire us to move ahead, overcome all obstacles, and lead the humanity into the new crimson dawn. So Baba’s Ananda Vaniis are truly unique.

Even then some “leaders” are thinking that they can create their own false versions– and have come up with a tainted formula for doing so.

IS SIZE THE ONLY FACTOR?

Some may be thinking that:’Because Ananda Vaniis are small, since they are just one or two paragraphs, so therefore to make one new Ananda Vanii, just take one Baba’s discourse and select one tiny paragraph out of that. And that will be an “Ananda Vanii”.’

A few may be thinking in this above distorted manner.

And indeed if anybody sees superficially then they will say that ‘Ok, true Ananda Vaniis are generally one or sometimes two paragraphs. So the ruling group or subgroup did fine by collecting some excerpts or quotations from Baba’s long discourses. So on the basis of size, their fake Ananda Vanii is ok.’ This is just one misguided outlook.

So some may get confused because the the length of the true Ananda Vaniis and the length of the fake Ananda Vaniis is the same. That is to say, the length of Baba’s true Ananda Vaniis are one or two paragraphs, and the random pre-published lines that group leaders select for Fake Ananda Vaniis is one or two paragraphs. And then they stick on the name– Ananda Vanii– when in fact what they are sending out is just a Fake Ananda Vanii.

Here the main idea is that on the point of length or the counting of words, certain quotes and true Ananda Vaniis may be similar. But length is not the criteria to evaluate this situation. If you start valuing this by its length, then that will be a foolish approach.

A FEW COLORFUL EXAMPLES

For example, suppose, you chop the trunk of the elephant and you start calling it a horse, who can believe that? Or, suppose you chop from the legs of the camel and then start calling it a cow, just because both are the same size. This type of logic, only babies or crazy people can accept. Not anyone else.

Or take the example of a car. Suppose you remove two wheels from that car, and with the remaining two wheels you proclaim that “This car is now a motorcycle. Because it has only two wheels. As, a motorbike has also two wheels and now this car only two — so it is now a motorcycle.” All this type of reasoning is nonsense.

LENGTH NOT THE ONLY CRITERIA

Surely this approach will be a foolish approach if anybody does the above. Just as having two wheels is not the only criteria of a motorbike, similarly in the true Ananda Vanii, its length is not its only criteria. It has many more things such as orginality, completeness, and so much more which we never find in those Fake Ananda Vaniis which are mere selections from a bigger discourse. Baba designated the true Ananda Vanii as something unique– as “Ananda Vanii”. So, this is unparalleled.

FAKE ANANDA VANII IS BORN

It is known that when Sarvatmanandaji was initially struggling to find out some formula to create his fake Ananda Vaniis, then he finally devised his plan & he called a CC meeting in order to generate group support.

And during the CC meeting they were all were thinking of a solution to continue the tradition of Ananda Vanii. After long discussion, then one great idea was put forth by one of Sarvatmanandji’s trusted pawns. He told, “Don’t worry. Here is a unique idea to create fake Ananda Vaniis. Because the length of Ananda Vanii is small, one or two paragraphs. So take Baba’s discourse. Select one or two paragraphs. And the length of this new paragraph is the same as that of real Ananda Vaniis. And then just call this new para as ‘Ananda Vanii’.”

Listening this, all the CC Purodhas clapped and accepted this idea. And since then, this selection of a few paragraphs from Baba’s discourses and passing to margiis as a new Ananda Vanii of “Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji” of every year, is coming.

And other groups have since adopted this same model of Fake Ananda Vaniis. So now multiple fake Ananda Vaniis are being presented each time. This is the ongoing drama by such group and sub-group leaders.

REALISING IT IS FAKE

Of course now after critical analysis margiis are realizing that (A) Ananda Vaniis and (B) certain quotes of the discourses, are two different things, not one.

1) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are unique teachings not repeated from earlier discourses;
2) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are complete unto themselves; they are not part of a greater chapter;
3) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were a special message both for that’moment as well as for eternal time; only Parama Purusa Himself can give such a teaching;
4) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are self-contained truths;
5) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were hand-written Parama Purusa Himself.

In contrast, a quoted passage or an excerpt from a discourse does not fulfill the above stipulations that comprise an Ananda Vanii.

In other words we can say, the current formula to produce fake Ananda Vaniis is similar to these above noted animal examples. Take some discourse and select one or two paragraphs and put the title “Ananda Vanii” and date it ‘1st January, such-and-such year’. And – “Here it is, ready. New Ananda Vanii”. How easy it is.

But those who are rational margiis and WTs, they understand that taking some paragraphs of Baba’s discourse is just one quote. Neither it is a full discourse, nor is it as pointed and conclusive as a true Ananda Vanii. So at any cost, Baba’s quote cannot be called as “Baba’s Ananda Vanii”. And they cannot be collected together with the “Ananda Vanii Samgraha” book.

WILL BE REJECTED BY FUTURE ANANDA MARGIIS

Altogether we have 74 true Ananda Vaniis that are of eternal value. It is from this original collective given by Baba Himself that we should select an Ananda Vanii. Baba would handwrite those Ananda Vaniis on a piece of paper. They are totally unique

So we have to think. Carrying dogma is not good. Ultimately it will be thrown out by future Ananda Margiis. Because Baba says, “Dogma no more no more”.

Here following is this divine teaching of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. If we follow this, then no problem will remain on our path of forward movement as the Fake Ananda Vaniis and other dogmas will be gone

Baba says, “There are many good people in the society– noble people engaged in noble deeds– who are not ready to fight against wrongs and injustices. This sort of passive benevolence does not really promote the cause of human progress in the world.” (AV 8, p.51)

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s infinite grace and with the strength of many devoted margiis and wts our Marga is going to rise up tall. None should think that our AM will be forever sunk in groupism & dogma. It is sure that soon it will be dharma exemplified.

Baba says, “Under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life.” (AFPS-3)

Namaskar,
Priyanath

Note 1: CANNOT CREATE FAKE SUPREME COMMAND

Just as we cannot create a Fake Supreme Command from a few paragraphs of His discourses. In the same way, we do not have the right to create some fake Ananda Vaniis.

Note 2: GREATNESS OF TRUE ANANDA VANIIS

True Ananda Vaniis are unparalleled, full of spirit, and they give the clarion call of marching song and victory. So that is the greatness of Ananda Vanii.

Note 3: FIGHTING SPIRIT OF VANIIS

In the real Ananda Vaniis of Baba, He is inspiring strong fighting tendency. To overcome injustice and exploitation in the society. But the so-called Ananda Vaniis since 1991 never deal on this societal point. Or if they do, it is directed towards fighting against the opposite group, when Baba’s idea is that we should not fight amongst ourselves, but rather against dogma– i.e. against dogmas like Fake Ananda Vaniis.

Note 4: SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

We must be alert. We should take it seriously that in the name of Ananda Vanii, certain groupist factions are trying to mislead margiis. To avert and fix the situation of this current Ananda Vanii problem, we have to depend on the real original treasure of true Ananda Vaniis. Such true Ananda Vaniis are the eternal source of our inspiration.

***************************************
Negative Teacher

Baba says, “Karna’s teacher was Parasurama. One day Parasurama and Karna were engaged in a conversation. Parasurama for some reason or other was tired, and he fell asleep, laying his head on Karna’s lap. At that moment a deadly insect gave a sharp bite to Karna’s thigh, and it started bleeding profusely. Karna was in great pain, no doubt, but he neither made any sound nor moved his legs even in the slightest, lest it should disturb the sleep of his guru…Later, when Parasurama woke up, he wanted to know why there was so much blood. Karna said, ‘This bleeding is due to the biting of a deadly insect on my thigh.’ Parasurama asked him, ‘Then why didn’t you make any sound, or move your legs, or even wake me up ?’ Karna said in reply ‘I didn’t do all those things because it would have disturbed your sleep. To disturb my guru’s sleep would be a sacrilege on my part. Hence I refrained from doing anything like that.’ Then Parasurama said to him, ‘Since you have so much power to endure pain, certainly you were not born in a vipra family.’ Parasurama was under the mistaken impression that Karna was a vipra by birth…’So you must have been born in a Non-Brahmin Family’ said Parasurama.” (MHB, p.62-3)

Note 1: In the above teaching it is clear that the teaching of Parasurama was inappropriate and sinful. Because he was selecting his students on the basis of caste. A proper teacher never commits such sin. On this silly ground, Parasurama cursed Karna and kicked him out from the ashram.

Note 2: Similar sinful things are going on in our present AM society. If any WT is not an ardent follower of a particular group then they will not get kapalik sadhana or vishesh yoga from those groupist leaders. Such “leaders” who are depriving others of their spiritual rights are sinners.
***************************************

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Devashish Book: Misinformation II

From: “Gagan Deva ”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Devashish Book: Misinformation II
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:41:32 -0000

Baba

== Re: DEVASHISH BOOK: MISINFORMATION II ==

Namaskar,
Yes, I too have been reading brother Devashish’s book – Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years (2010) – and have noticed quite a number of inconsistencies between Devashish’s writing and Baba’s divine teachings.

Here following is yet another example.

DEVASHISH’S DOGMATIC CLAIM:

BABA’S “FAVORITE” LANGUAGE IS BHOJPURI

On page 114, paragraph #5, lines 5 and 6, Devashish writes that Bhojpuri is “Baba’s favorite childhood language.”

Thus in his book, Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years, Devashish makes the false and erroneous claim that Baba has partiality toward a particular language and that “Baba’s favorite childhood language” was Bhojpuri.

BABA LOVES ALL LANGUAGES

Yet as Ananda Margiis, we know that Baba has equal regard and respect for all languages. All languages are His own and He has no single favourite language like Bhojpuri or Swahili. He loves all languages equally.

Here following are some of Baba’s teachings on this point.

Baba says, “All languages of the world are fundamentally one and the same. Consequently, all languages should carry equal importance and equal respect.” (AFPS-9, The Language Issue)

Baba says, “All languages must be given equal respect. One should remember that all languages are the languages of Parama Puruśa.” (AFPS-3, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 3)

Baba says, “Languages are the common property of the Cosmic Father. We should love all these languages. ” (Prout Nutshell-15, Talks on Prout)

Baba says, “Brahma sádhakas see Brahma in everyone and everything, loving all equally. They look upon all countries as their own country, all languages as their own language, and all races as their own race.” (AMIWL-8, The Supreme Question – 2)

BABA PERFECTLY REPRESENTS HIS IDEALS

And as we know Baba is the embodiment of His ideals. He is the Ista of Ananda Marga ideology and with that attribution He personifies each and every AM teaching. Ista means the embodiment of the entire ideology. There is nothing that He teaches which He does not follow.

Thus when Baba has declared that “all languages should carry equal importance and equal respect”, and “all languages are the languages of Parama Puruśa”, then it is certain that He Himself loves all languages equally. There is no question of Him favoring any particular language.

Every bhakta of the Marga easily understands this point: That Baba perfectly embodies His teachings and has equal respect and regard for all langauges.

Is it not insulting then for Devashish to falsely claim that Baba loves Bhojpuri and not Bengali, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Swedish, Thai, Burmese, Latin and so many other languages.

After all, Baba loves all languages equally; they are all part of His divine creation.

Baba says, “Languages are the common property of the Cosmic Father. We should love all these languages. ” (Prout Nutshell-15, Talks on Prout)

DEVASHISH’S BLUNDER

Unfortunately, this basic truth Devashish could not grasp and even worse He printed this erroneous claim in his book, thereby misguiding new readers and the general public.

While there are any number of problems with Devashish’ book, most glaring is that Devashish makes it look like Baba has given universal teachings for others to follow while Baba Himself does something else in His personal life.

This is the terrible tragedy associated with Devashish’s book: Instead of glorifying Baba, his misguided publication – Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years (2010) – leads in the opposite direction. That is the unfortunate outcome of his writing. We can all consider why this has happened.

Sadly, there are countless erroneous and misleading claims in Devashish’s book, and all of them should be unearthed so such injustices are corrected and not repeated. Please come forward with your thoughts and comments.

Namaskar,
Gagan

Note 1: MORE ERRORS IN DEVASHISH’S BOOK

The below two letters point out how Devashish wrongly claims in his publication that Baba ordered for His book – A Discussion – to be banned and ultimately burned. But this is totally false. Baba never gave such an order. Here are all the details, facts and proof:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/12/devashish-book-half-truth.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/12/re-devashish-book-misinformation.html

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Baba Story: Graced Me by Tobacco Impersonation

Date: 20 Dec 2011 21:26:54 -0000
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: “K Lingappa”
Subject: Baba Story: Graced Me by Tobacco Impersonation

Baba

BABA STORY:

GRACED MY BY DOING CHEWING TOBACCO IMPERSONATION

Note: The following is a first-hand account as told by family acarya Brahmadevaji of Medininagar (Daltonganj). More about Ac. Brahmadevaji’s background in AM including his role in securing the Ananda Nagar land is noted after the signature.

Namaskar,
In the 1960’s I was a very active margii and became a family acarya, but in the 70’s & 80’s I was not at all active in AM – rather inactive.

Then in 1984, Daltonganj was declared as a site for holding DMC. As that was my home area, all the margiis told me to come and attend. I did not know what to do. I was feeling very hesitant; after all, how could I show my face in front of Baba after being absent for so long. In the end, Baba gave me the requisite inspiration and courage to come and see Him.

As I had not been strictly following the various do’s and don’ts of AM, I did not dare go and sit directly before Baba. When attending any program at that DMC, I would sit and watch from a distance.

BABA DOES AN IMPERSONATION

One day during that DMC gathering, Baba was walking outside His residence in the courtyard. All the margiis had assembled there and were standing around the courtyard watching Him. I was also watching, but from further back, hiding behind the crowd. I could see Baba but I was not within His direct sight.

While walking Baba started making a big drama of how people chew tobacco. He reached and placed His right hand in His shirt pocket and pretended to take out a small tobacco container.

As many know, most tobacco containers have two parts. One side for the calcium hydroxide (chuna or hydrated lime powder), and the other side for the tobacco.

Baba then pretended to put some tobacco and chuna (calcium hydroxide) in His left palm. Then with His right thumb He started pressing and mixing vigorously. All the margiis were smiling, watching His drama.

After mixing the tobacco and chuna for two minutes, Baba then began to shake the mixture and hitting it into His palm making that slapping noise on the palm – as is usually done. Baba was perfectly mimicking those tobacco chewers. Baba’s impersonation was exactly the same as how those addicts always do.

When He was satisfied it was properly mixed, Baba collected it all with His right hand and pretended to place the mixture between His front lip and gum by tilting His head slightly back and raising His jaw. He pulled His lower lip out and “inserted” the tobacco mixture between His lower lip and gum. Of course there was no real tobacco involved – just it was an impersonation.

Baba was making the drama perfectly and doing everything meticulously. All present were enjoying His marvelous performance.

Then Baba called my name, “Brahmadeva, how was that – isn’t that how it is done?”

Hearing this I started crying.

REALISTION AND REFLECTION

That drama and His calling touched the deep core of my heart. I realised how Baba watches me always. No margii knew I was chewing tobacco those days, but Baba knew. I had not seen Him for years and years and still He knew.

That day I realised that Baba watches everything and He is Parama Purusa – God. No human being can watch everyone all of the time. Only Baba can. And not only does He watch but He cares deeply.

Chewing tobacco is not at all good. He pointed it out so I would give up this harmful habit.

By Baba’s grace, that day three distinct ideas crystalised in my mind:
(1) Baba watches whatever I do all the 24hrs, whether I am an active margii or an inactive one He watches and He cares deeply about my well-being.
(2) Baba is all-merciful as He took the time to point out my bad habit by making a drama – all done for my welfare so I would not die prematurely of mouth cancer.
(3) Furthermore, that moment Baba removed my guilt and I felt so light and burden-free. This was the most important aspect of all.

By the medium of this drama, He graced me and since then my attraction towards Him has multiplied more and more and I became closer to Baba. It is His grace.

Those who watched all this from a distance may only think that Baba pointed out my mistake. But I felt deep inside that He removed all my sins and filled my mind with devotion. That was the miraculous effect of His special drama.

BABA’S BLESSING

All I can say is that Baba graces His disciples in countless ways: By pointing out our misdeeds, punishing us for our sins, encouraging us to follow dharma, and guiding us on each and every big or small event in life. Verily He graces in all sorts of ways.

Externally it may look quite mundane to the unknowing observer; but, in reality, when He was making that drama, His wee-bit of grace, which no one else could see, changed my entire being. Externally He was pointing out a bad habit, and internally it was so much more. This type of pointing out was just an excuse in order to grace me.

All done for our betterment and progress along the path of Supreme Benevolence. By this way He blessed me with more and more devotion and attraction for Him.

Namaskar,
Karun

Note 1: MORE ABOUT AC BRAHAMDEVA

& HOW HELPED SECURE LAND FOR ANANDA NAGAR

In case you are not aware, Ac. Brahmadevaji played an instrumental role in securing the land for Ananda Nagar. Initially some Wts tried to approach the King of Garh-Jaipur of Purulia about getting some land but the king did not even receive them. Then Baba told Brahmadeva to go and by Baba’s grace, he was able to convince the king of Garh Jaipur to donate land for Ananda Nagar. It did not end there. After the king gave his approval, Ac Brahmadevaji fought to physically capture the land and clear away all squatters, transients, and others. Then the Ananda Nagar MU program began.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

PS Intro: Here the devotee is immersed in His divine love and he is thinking to himself in the following way.

“A’ma’y d’a’k diye ja’y kon aja’na’y, kii snigdhata’r bha’s’a’…” (PS 2343)

Purport:

Which unknown Divine Entity is calling me in my heart. What a sweetness is saturating His voice which intoxicates my heart with divine love. That Divine Entity is coming with His sweet and attractive form & with His infinite rhythm and melody.

I was hoping that I will get Him and also that I will go on doing His task. With His inspiration and grace, I will go on moving forward forgetting the pain and pleasure of this material world.

In the deep corner of my mind & in the sacred place of my heart which holds all my inner desires and ideation, I only long for You. O’ Lord, please come in my mental lotus and fill it with Your color. Baba, please come…

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Smell Coming from the Bag

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Cinmay Deva
Subject: Smell Coming from the Bag
Date: Mon 19 Dec 2011 20:44:03 -0400

Baba

“A’jake sa’njhe madhur sa’jhe ke else go, ke ele…” (P.S. 5006)

Purport:

In this sweet and intoxicated evening, Who has come, Who has come? Who is that Entity Who has created this new wave in everyone’s life and in everyone’s heart. Those who are sitting with their doors and windows closed, please come out and forget about the differences of own and other. That divine Entity Who is always sitting in the mind has come in front of us. We should enjoy His august arrival all together…

== SMELL COMING FROM THE BAG ==

Note: This entire letter is related with one senior Dada and a letter he recently wrote.

Namaskar,
The more people think about themselves, the smaller and smaller their mind becomes. We all know the yogic theorem – “as you think so you become.” Thus if one is thinking only about their unit self, and not thinking about the Cosmic Self, then naturally their mind will become narrow, selfish, and crude.

Those with such an ego become immersed in their own petty “I'” and develop a superiority complex. They think that they are so great. And when this continues for years and years, major problems emerge.

The main cause of an inflated ego is when people give you respect due to your post, power, dress, or stature. Such as if people respect you just because of being a wt or purodha etc – not because of your conduct, but just your post.

Then the crude ego develops and it becomes so big like puffed rice or styrofoam. In that case, the personality gets more and more hollow. At that point people start thinking that they are the greatest among all. Not because of high sadhana or samadhi or some deep realisation, just they are intoxicated with their own petty ego.

This is not anything new. In every era, in every society, there are those who lose their sense due to a grossly inflated ego. Then their ruination comes.

HUGE EGO CASES

Here are come examples of those who had out-sized egos and what became of them.

(1) The mythological king Hiranyakashipu gave the order in his kingdom that no one should sing the Lord’s name; only his own name was to be sung. Such was the king’s crude edict. Because of this psychic disease of an inflated ego, he was destroyed in the worst way imaginable.

There are countless examples and here is another one.

(2) The former Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indhira Gandhi, had this same disease. She hired artists, writers, and musicians to compose songs of her glory. She claimed herself as the incarnation of the divine goddess Durga, and demanded that people sing kiirtan in her name. Then she openly challenged in the mass media that she will root out Ananda Marga. Due to this outrageous ego, she faced her annihilation.

(3) In our Marga there are countless cases of those who suffered from an inflated ego.
The defectors like Madhavananda who challenged Parama Purusa are but some of many. In all cases they faced their demise. There are many like this – if you want a list please write me.

In all these instances and more, the ego grows to varying degrees. It starts relatively small and gets bigger until it gets completely overblown which brings one’s annihilation.

MORE ABOUT HOW IT HAPPENS

Those who get huge respect are prime candidates for developing an over-sized ego. In ascending order we can cite family acaryas, wts, post-holders, purodhas, and so on. The higher up, the bigger the ego.

Of course this does not apply to all wts, acaryas and purodhas. Just we find that those posts tend to be fertile ground for developing a huge ego. But all do not fall into this manner.

For those who do succumb to pride, ego and vanity, it happens to varying degrees. If one’s ego is relatively small then it will be present to some degree in one’s speech. If their egoistic way of thinking gets bigger and bigger then it results in their complete delirium. It seems that the Dada K falls in this latter category, unfortunately.

OUR DUTY

What is our duty? Of course we should help and lend our support. To do that we must know more.

When a person suffers from a physical problem such as getting into minor a motor vehicle accident, then one can help a lot by treating their cuts and wounds and bringing that person to the hospital for a check-up. The pathway is quite clear-cut.

Treating psychic ailments is far more difficult. They are hard to diagnose and it is a tough job to cure people of their problem. Even then, Baba has graciously given all the needed tools and guidelines in His chapter, The Faculty of Knowledge – 3, and related discourses.

We should try to help and one of the best ways is to simply save ourselves from the contamination of a psychic disease. If you are getting respect from others then be aware. It is contagious but those suffering will not notice whereas others will notice. The disease grows and others do not say anything because the diseased person does not want to hear about the problem. So it is a very tricky situation. One develops a certain degree of audacity.

The main difficulty with psychic diseases, and, in particular, an inflated ego is that when a person really thinks that they themselves are great then by their outlook God is not great – only the person is great. So long as there is ego one cannot go close to Parama Purusa. It is the ego that stands between a person and the Lord.

Baba says, “Vanity harms the mind in three ways: abhimána or inflated ego, gaorava or self-aggrandizement, and pratiśt́ha or prestige…towards the Entity who is so close to you, is it proper for you to entertain such false feelings of abhimána, gaorava and pratiśt́há?” (Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life, Part 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle)

That is why Baba says that after giving up abhimána (inflated ego), gaorava
(self-aggrandizement), and pratiśt́ha (prestige) one should sing the Lord’s name. Then He will be gracious on you.

After all, Parama Purusa is Darpaharii – the destroyer of ego. For the welfare of human beings He destroys the ego.

WAKE-UP CALL

This – i.e. Dada K’s below letter – is a wake-up call for everyone.

Suppose a horrible drunk-driving accident happens in your area wherein the driver drove his vehicle off a bridge and plunged into the river below and drowned. When such a terrible tragedy happens nearby then everyone around becomes alert not to drink alcohol and drive their car. That is the wake-up call they get.

Similarly we should take Dadaji’s below letter as a wake-up call. No one should fall prey to this type of ego and accuse Guru. To prevent this from happening to us, we should watch out and see how far, “I have an ego and think I am great.”

SEE WHAT HAPPENED

Following is the sample of what happens when the ego is so big and people express their mental feeling. Look what has happened to one of our Dadas. If we are blind we may not understand.

Namaskar,
Cinmay

Note 1: SMELL COMING FROM THE BAG

When a bag is full or garbage then the smell of garbaged is emitted from the bag, not the sweet smell of sandalwood.

Similarly, by reading Dada Krtashivananda’s letter below you can understand what is in his mind.

Note 2: DADA K’S LETTER

If you see a well-to-do person on the street and suddenly they start moving naked and claiming that they are president of universe and challenging everyone, then you understand that this person has a screw loose. That is the type of transformation that took place with Dada Krtashivananda by the letter he wrote on Sunday 18 Dec 2011. If you have not seen it, please write.

Note 3: WHICH IS TRUE

Seeing Dadaji’s expression one can only wonder how did he even stayed in the organisation and did not become defector like Madhavananda.

We can think of it this way.

During a cyclone, all the trees without strong root systems fall while some with disease roots remain standing, only to fall some time later, maybe even after decades.

That seems to be the case with Dada Krtashivananda. It is surprising that he even continued in AM up until this time. We can only wonder why did he not defect back in 1970 with the others.

If he believes that Ananda Marga is really junk then why he has he misguided so many onto the path of AM for so long.

Which is the truth: Either what he was doing before was a lie by bringing so many people into AM when in truth he thought it was junk; or what he is telling now is junk and the path of AM is really great.

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Prabhat Samgiita as Film Songs

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:11:28 +0530
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: “Deva_Sudhakar”
Subject: Prabhat Samgiita as Film Songs

Baba

== PRABHAT SAMGIITA AS FILM SONGS ==

Namaskar,
Every Ananda Margii knows that Prabhat Samgiita stands as one of the great, golden treasures given by our Guru, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.

As His disciples, it is our bounden duty to ensure that this treasure is maintained and presented in the proper way – as Baba intended. We all understand that.

ONE PERSON’S QUERY

Recently, one person was wondering why the words “Baba” or “Parama Purusa” are used in our Prabhat Samgiita purports.

To best understand this matter, let’s select a sample Prabhat Samgiita:

Bha’loba’siya’chi toma’re
Pra’n’er ma’jhe maner ma’jhe… (PS 323)

Some suggest just to just write the meaning like this:

I love You, You are in my heart and mind

But this type of literal expression causes so many problems. Some will sing this line to their girlfriend, boyfriend or lover in a sexual way and various films might adopt this song to depict a character’s infatuation with the opposite sex. All this and more can happen when the meaning of Prabhat Samgiita #323 is written without using the term, “Baba”.

If we do not put the term “Baba” in the purport then the common people will naturally think that this is just some mundane song of crude infatuation. They will not understand that this Prabhat Samgiita is a devotional song for Parama Purusa Baba. That is why it is so important to qualify that these songs are exclusively for Parama Purusa by using His name in the purport. More about this notion is written below.

First let’s examine what the purport of that line should be.

What the purport should be:

Baba, O’ My Lord, I love You
in the depths of mind and
in the core of my heart

By using His name, it is unmistakably clear that this is a devotional song for Baba. Otherwise, without His name in the purport, in this era of sensual materialism where sex is everything, the mass population will distort Prabhat Samgiita #323 for their own crude needs and desires.

This matter will be clearly understood by reading the following as many new and unique points are raised.

CRUDE PEOPLE WILL USE THIS AS A FILMY LOVE SONG

1) It is very important to address the purport of Prabhat Samgiita to Baba, Lord, or Divine Entity etc in order to qualify to whom the song is for. These songs express a devotee’s love and longing for Him; these compositions enable the bhakta to share the feeling of their heart with Parama Purusa Baba.

However, low-minded people are not going to think in this way. They cannot comprehend this devotional feeling.

Thus when they see the phrase, “I love You” or “You are my Dearest”, or “You are my one and only”, they will immediately use this song for their worldly lover, i.e. their girlfriend or mistress etc. It is far beyond their thought process to think that these loving Prabhat Samgiita compositions are for the Divine Entity Baba who is the nearest and dearest one of the heart.

This is not some some far-fetched idea – just continue reading below and see what some have done.

TILJALA CAMP ALREADY TWISTED IT IN THIS WAY

2) After all let us not forget that certain people in Tiljala have already marketed Baba’s divine Prabhat Samgiita collection as filmy songs. They are doing this to entice the general public and make money by heightened sales by using filmy singers and presenting the composition to the public as a filmy song. They are doing this to boost sales and earn a profit.

If any Prabhat Samgiita is used for devotional purposes then that is fine – there is no objection – but when Baba’s divine compositions are being used for sexual allurement, then that cannot be tolerated. Yet that is what the Tiljala camp has done and indeed continues to do.

They want to become rich by selling our devotional treasure of Prabhat Samgiita as worldly love songs. And verily they are filling their pockets this way.

So when some of our Dadas are using our holy Prabhat Samgiita collection in this gross manner, then certainly members of the general public are inclined towards using the songs in this degenerated way as well.

BABA OPPOSED ALL THIS

3) If by our purports, we make it cent-per-cent clear that these songs are directed towards our Beloved Baba and no one else, by placing His exact name in the purport itself, then that will safeguard the integrity and honor of Prabhat Samgiita.

Let us never forget that Baba forbid His divine songs of Prabhat Samgiita to be played on the radio or for crude Bollywood movies. He vehemently opposed this. No one should ever forget this.

Thus, by using the address “Baba” or “Lord” in the Prabhat Samgiita purport, there is no scope for low-minded people to misinterpret the song and use it for their own lustful ways and relations.

The songs should be written like this.

What the purport should be:

Baba, O’ My Lord, I love You
in the depths of mind and
in the core of my heart

Not like this…

I love You, You are in my heart and mind

THE TRAGEDY THAT BEFELL RAVINDRA SAMGIITA

4) After all, just see what happened with Ravindra Samgiita. Rabindranath Tagore wrote so many devotional songs yet those compositions have been adopted and hijacked by the general public to express their infatuation with the opposite sex. Most of his songs are used in this way.

Ravindra Samgiita compositions are commonly used in to express sexual desire in film, dance, theater, and all kinds of pseudo-culture entertainment venues. People use his songs to express sexual desire and allurement for the opposite sex.

We must not allow a similar fate to happen to Baba’s divine Prabhat Samgiita collection. By addressing the purports of the song to Parama Purusa or the Divine Entity or Baba, then the meaning the intention is clear and lowly people cannot twist the song for the own mundane attraction or desire.

Here is below is another reason…

NAIVE PEOPLE THINK BABA IS ADDRESSING THE LORD

5) Adding the address, Baba or Lord, to the Prabhat Samgiita purport is also very important because when Baba first gave guru puja then some naive people thought that Baba Himself was doing guru puja to His Guru. Similarly when Baba started Prabhat Samgiita in 1982, then some ignorant people thought that Baba is praying or giving homage to His Lord Parama Purusa.

They thought that Baba is also a great devotee addressing His lord through song like other bhaktas have done. Dumb people could not conceive of the idea that our Divine Guru always teaches us how to do spiritual practices. Prabhat Samgiita is just His way of teaching us how devotees should remember the Lord.

Such are the misguided ways people can interpret Prabhat Samgiita. By addressing the purport of the song to Baba Himself, then no one can ever foolishly think that Baba is a great devotee. Rather one will understand that these compositions are directed towards Baba as the Parama Purusa.

Here again is a review of that Prabhat Samgiita.

What the purport should be:

Baba, O’ My Lord, I love You
in the depths of mind and
in the core of my heart

Not like this…

I love You, You are in my heart and mind

WRONG WAY ON THE INTERNET

6) Here it should be added that some are already writing their own purports for Prabhat Samgiita on the internet and they are not addressing the meaning to Baba. They simply write, “I love you” or “You are my dearest”. By this way they are making it confusing and ambiguous; their approach is not at all good because crude people will find those translations and songs on-line and use them in the wrong way.

Why has this negative tendency developed? Because in this cycle of brahmacakra, every human being has passed through countless animal lives and those old patterns and ways are very familiar to them. One is easily drawn to the baser propensities like sex. That is what they know due to past life experience – so they gravitate towards crude dealings.

In contrast, the path to the Divine is essentially unknown to them. That takes pointed discipline and a higher mind. Hence people revert to their old patterns of behaviour and crude propensities.

SPECIAL BOON FOR ALL BHAKTAS

7) These songs are Baba’s divine boon to all bhaktas. In these compositions, He is teaching sadhakas how to communicate and address Him. Baba’s divine compositions are very loving and are directed toward Parama Purusa. Our duty is to ensure that these songs are used only in a sanctified and spiritual manner.

CONCLUSION

We should all be crystal-clear on this important topic.

In review, the main question was why is Baba’s name – or other terms like Lord or Parama Purusa – being used in our Prabhat Samgiita purports.

And the answer is that so people understand that these songs are for the Divine Entity Baba, and not for lowly sensual relations and the opposite sex.

If people fail to write Baba’s name or Lord in the purports for Prabhat Samgiita then we should point them out and warn them not to do this. Our duty is to maintain the high devotional standard of Baba’s divine compositions.

What the purport should be:

Baba, O’ My Lord, I love You
in the depths of mind and
in the core of my heart

Not like this…

I love You, You are in my heart and mind

I think now the point is perfectly clear. Should anyone have any question or otherwise, please do write it. Those with a devotional mind will surely understand.

Namaskar,
Sudhakar

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Middle East Politics: A Few Examples to Ponder

From: “Jorge Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Middle East Politics: A Few Examples to Ponder
Date: Sun Dec 18 2011 15:27:36 +0530

Baba

== MIDDLE EAST POLITICS: A FEW EXAMPLES TO PONDER ==

Namaskar,
As we all know, according to our Prout philosophy, there are four distinct classes (mentalities) in society: Shudra, ksattriya, vipra, and vaeshya. This, of course, is not the caste system but rather refers to one’s dominant mental color or tendency.

During the Arab spring, the ksattriyan minded leaders – who were ruling with an iron first for decades – were overthrown. Thereafter, some westerners and youths in Egypt were anticipating that in the next general election in Egypt & Tunisia, the forces friendly to western countries will come into power.

But this did not happen. Rather, in both countries, Islamic religious parties took control.
Using the principles of Prout, we should reflect on why this happened.

HOW ONE CLASS DOMINATES THE SOCIAL CYCLE

According to Prout, the social cycle moves from shudra to ksattriya to vipra to vaeshya.

At present, Europe and the US are deep into the vaeshyan era while India too is in the vaeshyan era, though not as mature as in the west. In the Middle East, some countries are still in the ksattriyan era like Saudi Arabia where the king still rules; the vipras are only able to advise and influence, whereas the king is the absolute ruler and has the final say. As we know, the vaeshyan era does emerge from the ksattriyan era. The vipran era follows the ksattriyan rule.

That is why, in those middle eastern nations like Egypt and Tunisia, religious political parties got the upper hand and formed the government. Such religious leaders are vipra-minded and the vipran era always follows the ksattriyan rule. Thus when the military rule was overthrown in those Arab nations, vipras in the form of religious clerics and / or Islamic-minded leaders came to the fore.

The same thing happened in the Gaza strip in 2006 when Hamas (Harakat al-Muqāwama al-Islāmiyya, or “Islamic Resistance Movement”) won the general election.

Usually in elections, people think that the class voted into power will serve the entire populace; but that never happens – not in the east, nor west, nor in between. That is why invariably the newly-installed regime, government, or political party is eventually overthrown, or voted out of office, and the next group comes into power. That is what we see in western democracies these days as well.

The main problem is that the dominant class always serves their own class interest to the detriment of the rest. For instance, if vaeshayas are in power then rules and regulations are in favour of the wealthy. That is the common formula. That dominant group makes rules for their own gain. And that is what has happened in the Middle East. The ksattriyas were ruling and they were getting benefit at the expense of the other classes.

So during the uprising of the Arab Spring when the ksattriyas were in power, the suppressed and suffocated masses rose up and in result the social cycle advanced and the vipras came into power.

The common people of Egypt may think that their miseries will be eliminated as this new government will help them. But historically, when the vipras come into power then they create rules and regulations that favour their own class, i.e. vipra. In time then, the people will be forced to rally against these newly elected virpas. This way an antithesis is created and the power will eventually come into the hands of another class, the vaeshyas.

Throughout much of the 20th century, a monarchy (king or shah) was ruling Iran and that was the ksattriayan era. After the Iranian revolution of 1979, the virpas captured the power. Common Iranians thought that now the new government will solve their problems and free them from exploitation. But that did not happen. Rather the vipras were ruling and they started exploiting the other three classes. And still this is going on.

Here the point is that when any class comes in power. They formulate rules in their favour and gradually suppress and control the other classes.

HOW ONE CLASS DOMINATES THE SOCIAL CYCLE (CONT)

When leaders come in power they make rules for the betterment of their class and the other classes get exploited. Essentially, a new election happens and they form the rules in accordance with their own selfish agenda.

In Egypt, the ksattriyan rulers were favouring the military, until finally the exploited masses could not tolerate it anymore. And if and when the newly elected vipras favour their own class, then again there will be unrest in Egypt. After all, clerics are known for imposing archaic rules on the public such as Islamic economic law. By this way, the clerics get the upper hand. If people are educated and aware, then in the next election they will toss aside those virpan leaders and again advance the social cycle, otherwise not.

A bigger change happens after the vaeshyan era. That completes the social cycle as the vaehsyan era represents the peak of all exploitation. Thereafter the cycle starts all over again with the shudra revolution.

MOVING FORWARD

Indeed this class warfare goes on until classless leaders, i.e. sadvipras, come into power. Sadvipras have the qualities of all four classes and they do not exploit others. Rather, they act justly and do what is best for all.

Till sadvipra leadership emerges, exploitation and revolution continues ages after age with the turning of the social cycle.

It is the duty of right thinking people with sympathy for suffering humanity to educate others about how society moves and the how problem can be permanently solved.

For those who what to know more about the social cycle and how it works, please read Human Society Part 2.

Namaskar,
Jagadiish

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi ka’ndiye keno sukh pa’o…” (P.S. 1989)

Purport:

O’ my dearmost Baba, I am crying in yearning and longing for You. Baba, by Your grace I have so much love for You– I want Your close proximity. Yet You are not paying heed to my call. Baba, do You feel happy by seeing me cry. Why like this– what sort of bliss do You get by seeing me weep?

Baba, don’t You like to see a face which is beaming with happiness and filled with smiles. Baba, Your and my intimate relation & sweet-loving feeling did not begin only one or two ages ago; rather it has been going on since before time began. Baba by Your grace You constantly keep me in Your divine shelter. Baba, since the very bosom of eternity You are gently taking me up to infinity. From the very dawn You remain along with me throughout the entire journey– up to infinity, up to the ultimate abode. Baba by Your divine grace You are always keeping me at Your lotus feet.

O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Dayamay, O’ Merciful One, by Your grace I know You. In the grand play & expression of Your divine liila, You are inexhaustible. Always You are creating newer and more new forms and shapes. Baba, You go on playing Your liila endlessly.

Baba, this eternal play that You are making with me is a mix of two things. Sometimes You make me laugh and sometimes You make me cry. This You do knowingly– by this way You bring me closer and closer to You. O’ my dearmost Baba, please be gracious and come close to me. O’ Divine Being, You are Love Personified…

**************************************
Only Remedy

Baba says, “It is the duty of all human beings and especially those who are devotees, it is their mandatory duty to always think that, ‘I am a machine and the controller is Parama Purusa. He is the machine man and I have to work according to His desire. I have to fulfill His desire. This body of mine is a machine and it belongs to Him. This is His machine and this machine has to do His work.’ If one constantly thinks in this way then the vanity of action will never sprout. This is the only path to save oneself from vanity. One has to think ‘I am just one machine; I am a tool and according to His desire I have to work’.” (SS-16 (H), p.81, DMC Agra 19 Feb 84)
**************************************

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My Story: How Omni-Loving Baba Attracted Me

Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:39:06 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Jawaharlal (Jawaharlal_T@banknet…>
Subject: My Story: How Omni-Loving Baba Attracted Me

Baba

== BABA STORY: HOW OMNI-LOVING BABA ATTRACTED ME ==

Note: The below is a first-hand account from Ramchandra, an extremely senior margii from Jamalpur.

Namaskar,
In my youth I studied in the same school as Baba but was much younger that He was. Baba graduated long before I entered.

The school was in Rampur colony (Jamalpur). When I attended high school my classmates and I used to pass by the newly constructed Jamalpur ashram. While walking by, my friends and I would keep quiet. We thought this was some type of magician’s house where people got turned into animals. That was the type of fear complex we had. We were terrified of the place.

I do not know where that idea came from, but that was the way it was those days. We were totally scared and thought it best to keep distance from Ananda Marga as margiis could captivate people and bring them into their fold.

MY CURIOSITY GROWS

As I grew older, I became more curious about Ananda Marga. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I wanted to go inside – though admittedly I still had a lot of fear about AM.

So here is what I used to do.

When Baba was not present, I would seek out those margiis coming from afar and talk to them about their experiences with Baba and AM. Because those days, disciples and new people were regularly coming from longer distances to see Him. In reply to my queries, these bhaktas were telling me of their experiences. One common theme I heard again and again was, “Baba knows everything.”

In this way, I would gather news, insights and stories. That was my way of learning more about Baba and Ananda Marga without going too close due to my fear. Gradually I became more and more interested, though I remained fearful as well.

When talking to them, margiis would ask me, “How long have you been doing sadhana?”; “Are you practicing regularly?”. I just remained quiet.

MY PLAN OF STARTING SADHANA

After some time I came to the conclusion that I should learn and practice sadhana but not maintain any connection with Ananda Marga due to fear and public shame. I did not want to be known as someone who got brainwashed by AM. So I concluded I would do sadhana in my home yet keep distance from AMPS organisation in the public. I also decided that I would not come for PC, nor would I see Baba. That was my plan.

So I took initiation and started doing sadhana and margiis invited and encouraged me to attend dharmacakra as well. I told, “No. I will not attend dharmacakra nor will I go to general darshan.”

WHO IS BABA?

One day out of curiosity I went to talk with a few newcomers about their experiences. Suddenly people started shouting, “Baba has come! Baba has come!” Then 20 – 30 people stood and formed one line. They stood there waiting. A small crowd passed by including one simple dressed man.

(Note: In my mind I was thinking that Baba was a monk. So when people started saying Parama Pita Baba Ki – Jai!!, then I was looking for a monk with matted locks, a tiger skin, and ashes on his body. But I did not see anyone like that. I had never seen Baba before so I could not recognise Him. Others were doing pranam but I did not do pranam even though I was also in that line.)

After a few minutes, after the crowd had gone inside I asked, “Who is Baba? Where is He and what does He look like?”

In my mind I was thinking that Baba must look like one of those monks with matted locks and a long beard, armed with a trident and wearing earrings. This was the image I had conjured up in my mind about Him. I thought He must be like that. Yet the person who just passed by was a simple, ordinary looking man.

All this was going on in my mind when I asked, “Who is Baba?”

Those around me exclaimed, “That was Baba.”

Then I thought that He does not seem to be so dangerous. So I went inside and attended general darshan. I sat in the back.

It was very surprising for me that Baba was not scary at all. He did not abuse or punish anyone. Mostly He spoke on various topics. After attending this first time, I felt more attracted.

At that point I thought that I should do sadhana very regularly and go see Baba from time to time in the ashram. But outside I should maintain my own existence and not be associated with Ananda Marga. Otherwise it would be very humiliating to be known as a margii. After all, those days the public image of AM was not very favourable.

ATTENDING ARYA SAMAJ CONFERENCE

During that time of my life, it was also my manner to visit various religious functions related with all kinds of sadhus and monks of different organisations. One morning an Arya samaj conference was going on. I was aware about it but had already planned to go to the jagrti that day for general darshan. But when I reached the AM ashram I saw that there was a delay. Morning general darshan had not yet started and it did not look like it was going to start soon.

From that spot, I could hear the loudspeaker off in the distance from the Arya Samaj gathering.

I thought that since there was time, I should attend the Arya Samaj function and hear their pravacan. Then later on I would return for Baba’s darshan. That was my plan.

When I reached to the Arya Samaj gathering, the monk giving the lecture started abusing Baba and Ananda Marga. Internally I did not at all like what he was saying. Rather I was very much disturbed hearing this fellow abuse AM. I thought that if Baba is Himself God, then He must be listening. I wondered why Baba is not teaching him a lesson – here and now. After all if Baba is the most powerful One and this fellow is abusing the Almighty God, then something should be done. All these thoughts were going on in my mind.

On the one the side I was upset and deeply disturbed by hearing this man’s harsh words, and on the other side I wanted to see how far, how nasty, this speaker would go. So I listened for a little while longer.

Finally after some time I thought I should return to our AM ashram. I was thinking that by now Baba has probably come and it will be time for general darshan.

So I left that Arya samaj conference and started en route to the ashram.

“BABA IS CALLING YOU”

On my way I met up with many margiis. As soon as they saw me they said, “Where were you? Why are you so late general darshan? Baba inquired about you 25 – 30 times. Again and again Baba was repeating, “Why has Ramchandra not come? Why has he not come?”. In this way Baba was repeatedly asking about you. So quickly go to the jagrti and see Abhedanandji.”

I quickened my pace and hurried that direction.

When I reached nearby the ashram, many others also told, “Ramchandra where were you? Baba asked about you many times.”

I hastily ran and saw Dasarth ji standing outside.

Dasarth ji told me, “Baba is calling you; go see Him immediately.”

I reached there as quickly as I could.

Dada Abhedananda told me, “Baba is calling you – go in the room, do sastaunga pranam – He will give you PC!”

MY PC WITH BABA

When I entered I did sastaunga pranam. Baba was very charming. But because I was preoccupied with news of the Arya samaj event, I thought I should tell Baba about it when I got the chance.

I wanted to give Him a full accountt of Arya Samaj conference. I told half a sentence.

Baba said, “You need not worry about that. I know the whole situation. Ramchandra, you need not think about that fellow from Arya Samaj; it is not your duty to give him a lesson. Those who are bad emit bad words from their mouth. Those who are good people will always speak good things. So do not think about taking revenge. According to natural law, nature will take care of this.”

Mentally I thought that Baba knows everything.

In that PC, Baba told me so many things about my life which no one else knew. I personally felt that He knew everything about me. My secrets which nobody knows, Baba knew. All I could think is that, “Baba knows everything.”

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

I realised that Baba is Parama Purusa and that He remains always in the mind. What you think He knows, and He is very loving too.

From that day forward my mind was totally transformed and I became very regular in attending all kinds of AM programs. I was always eager to attend.

Now I see that this (my relation with Him) is exclusively due to His grace. He graciously changed my feelings towards Him from being quite distant to extremely personal and close.

Namaskar,
Ramchandra

Note 1: MY SHORT BIO

By the way, I entered AM in the 1960’s. Internally I wanted to be an Ananda Margii and was attracted to Baba’s magnetic personality. I was initiated, began practicing sadhana regularly, and ultimately was blessed to receive PC with Baba.

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Main Reason of their Death

From: “Karma Rasa”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Main Reason of their Death
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:02:46 +0000

Baba

“Vinati ja’i kare tava caran’ dhare…” (P.S. 3687)

Purport:

Baba with folded hands I go on requesting You again and again holding Your lotus feet that: Please come to my home. Please grace me again and again. Baba, You have countless abodes to go visit or stay that may be according to Your liking; even then You should not forget that this little hut of mine is Your creation. Baba I always dance in Your rhythm and sing in Your melody, in Your tune. I feel that You are the tune, melody, and lyrics– everything. I play Your viina.

I am Yours, and everyone is Yours. Your divine play is our world. What way You play Your liila, that is my entire existence. I am always ensconced in Your ideation, in Your dhyan. I always speak and sing Your ideology, Your tales, Your teachings. I move accordingly by Your grace. Baba, when You play Your flute, with that attraction You pull me close
to You. And that is my vital energy for forward movement. Baba You are the base of everything. You are the quintessence. Your glory is unfathomable which cannot be expressed. You are everyone’s soul– everyone’s heart. Baba with my folded hands I do sastaunga pranam that You please come to my little hut. Please grace me…

== MAIN REASON OF THEIR DEATH ==

Namaskar,
With each and every passing day it becomes more and more clear that we are at the height of this vaeshyan era. The situation is almost over the top. But we are not there yet, still tougher times lay ahead.

We are seeing its final series of pulsations as it unsuccessfully tries to rescue itself before its final death.

Unfortunately, this spells trouble for the common people. Not just ordinary trouble, but the deep-seeded type of trouble, or sheer desperation, which leads one to the brink of suicide, or even suicide itself.

Everyone wants happiness, that is what every human being is searching for. And when they lose all hope in getting it, then thoughts of self-destruction arise.

Tragically, this is the phase we witnessing now in this present era. Because of the inherent defects of capitalism people are falling into this chasm.

Every day this or that report comes on the news how such and such billionaire has killed himself or how an ordinary person who lost their home due to foreclosure committed suicide. This is the horrible reality.

As Ananda Margiis it is our duty to understand the deeper nature of the problem, avert that dark whole ourselves, and help others come onto safe and stable ground.

TWO ROOT CAUSES

There are two root causes of the recent rash of suicide cases: (1) Improper goal, and (2) isolation.

Both are part of the inherent defects of capitalism.

In capitalism people get enslaved into materialism and they think that crude objects and money are the goal. Their entire existence gets painted and shaped in that color. They think that is everything: Their job, their prestige, their house, their car, their whole way of life. And when that is jeopardised or lost, then they think everything is gone and there is no reason to live. That is one of the main causes of extreme desperation and suicide these days.

The second cause is also due to capitalism. Selfishness is direct result of capitalism. People are taught to satisfy and indulge themselves, and not worry about the plight of others. This brings isolation such as in the US where the family system has broken down and where people live more and more unto themselves and interact with others less. Computer games and blogging– and the pursuit of owns own selfish desires– have taken the place of friendship and community. In that case, when tough times arise, there is no one to turn to for help and support. Desperation then multiplies and suicides can result.

NOT A QUESTION OF RICH OR POOR

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE GOAL

Here we should remember that the problem does not only strike those who are rich or those or are poor. The amount of wealth is not the operating factor. There are some poor people who have lost their homes due to a typhoon or unemployment and mentally they are alright; and there are some poor people who have lost their homes due to economic woes and they are totally distraught and stricken with thoughts of suicide.

The same variation can occur with the wealthy. Some may lose their wealth and be able to cope and some lose their wealth and can only think of ending their lives.

So the root cause is not one’s economic status or social status. The main cause is harboring a mundane ideal as the goal of life. If one thinks their house or car or wife is everything– no matter the size, cost, or beauty of that thing– then if and when what disappears from their life, one becomes prone to extreme desperation and even suicide.

That is why a person who lost their house in the US is far more prone to suicide than someone of the same economic means who lost their house in Bhutan or Indonesia. Because the US is far more materialistic and its citizens feel that the value of their life is tied up with material things. That is the common way of thinking.

Hence today, with all the economic woes – i.e. when the carpet has been pulled out from everyone – then there is so much cause for concern, especially in western, materialistic countries like the US.

Because knowingly or unknowingly millions and millions of people have been focusing on material wealth as the goal of their life. And with that gone, a crisis like a rash of suicides can occur– and indeed we are now seeing this horrible trend.

So we should all be aware and sincerely ask ourselves how far materialistic interests have crept into our mental framework.

LIFE IS SYSTALTIC – COMMUNITY HELPS

Let’s revisit the other side of this equation.

As we know life is systaltic: It goes up and down. Sometimes one is happy and sometimes sad. Often, it is friends and family who help us through difficult times.

So in a materialistic era, when people view money and material wealth as the crowning jewel or goal of life, and when economic woes are everywhere, then naturally one will be in a time of trouble and difficulty.

Now here is where the other part of the problem strikes.

In places where extreme materialism is in vogue, like the US, then because of the very self-centered attitude, many of the social conventions and safety nets are gone. Friends and family have been alienated and one may feel alone.

And then when there is an utter dearth of social programs from the government side, then people will really feel helpless, as if there is not a hope in sight. At that point, feelings of suicide will swirl in the mind.

CAPITALISM IS BAD ON SO MANY LEVELS

When the economy is down, as it is now, then we can really see the horrific effects of capitalism. Capitalism is not just a harmful economic approach, it is a way of life that railroad people’s lives into dust. Their minds become saturated in a materialistic outlook and they lose touch with family and friends. In a phrase, materialism and selfishness destroy the whole human personality. In that case, when the tidal wave of economic woes erupt, then people feel that their whole world has come crashing down and they have nowhere to turn. That is why capitalism is an agent of suicide.

And that is why Baba harshly warns us off the ill effects of materialistic philosophies like capitalism.

Baba says, “Materialism is the most dangerous – indeed, suicidal – philosophy.” (NSS)

Tragically, that is the fate many will face, if they do shift their goal away from the material venues like property, cars, retirement accounts, stock options, etc

EVERYONE MUST BE ALERT

We should all be vigilant to ensure that we are not depending on physical or mobile things as our goal. Because when those slip away, one will feel sad, hopeless, and ultimately shelterless and depressed. That is when suicide feelings begin.

Although materialism is everywhere, we must rise above it and keep our spiritual aim in mind. That is the only path of our survival and success. Being a materialist is not based on how much one owns but rather what one values in life.

We should all ensure that the Supreme Goal is what we most treasure and not any fleeting thing of this world like prestige, wealth, etc. Even in AM, we sometimes see how lust of post is a reflection of one’s materialistic bent of mind. For that they can kill others or even themselves. So this disease of materialism is rampant and those who follow it will not be spared.

We should all be alert and help awaken others also.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace only the God-centered approach of Prout can save the people from the poison of materialism. As Ananda Margiis, we have to propagate His ideals and show the people that there is more to life than materialistic pursuits. And by His grace society is already hungry and thirsty for something more. So it is the ideal time to propagate spirituality and Prout and bring relief to the people, lest they fall prey to the illness of capitalism like suicide.

Baba says, “Both capitalism and communism have failed to provide the proper ideological inspiration and desideratum to human beings. In the interests of the welfare of humanity, these systems should be replaced. PROUT is against the exploitation by capitalism and the false dogma of communism as both are detrimental to the all-round progress of human beings…When the crimson sun is reflected on our faces we should understand that the entire day is ours. Victory will be ours.” (PNS-15)

Namaskar,
Karma Rasa

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Allopathic Medicines Not Good

Baba says, “When people take allopathic medicine to cure a disease, the medicine disturbs the ecological balance of the body because more negative microvita get concentrated at the point of the disease. Allopathic medicines do not kill diseases — diseases die by their own natural death. Although the medicine may check the disease, the increased concentration of negative microvita can overcome the effect of the medicine. In fact, the increased concentration of negative microvita caused by allopathic medicines creates many new types of diseases, and due to this, two or three new diseases are presently being created every decade. So what is the solution to this problem? Our approach should be two fold– external and internal. Externally we should take medicines to check diseases, but internally we should perform spiritual practice.” (MVNS, p.136)
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Mahaprayan of Sister Jiivan Shrii

Date: Fri 16 Dec 2011 11:52:41 -0000 (GMT)
From: Singh_Manindra
Subject: Mahaprayan of Sister Jiivan Shrii
To: AM-GLOBAL

Baba

== MAHAPRAYAN* (Death) OF SIS JIIVAN SHRII ==

Namaskar,
It is with much sadness that we convey the news of the mahaprayan of our respected dear sister, Jiivan Shrii. Her mahaprayan occurred on 12 Dec 2011 in Montevideo, Uruguay. She was a cancer patient and it is that horrible disease that led to her mahaprayan.

This is truly a terrible loss to our entire Marga family. As many may be aware, not only was Sis Jiivan Shrii a great bhakta of the Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, but she also worked tirelessly to spread His divine teachings. Most notably, her numerous and high-quality translations of Baba discourses into Spanish have been read by many. She had a real gift for translation and utilized this talent in the best way possible: For the spread of Ananda Marga ideology.

On the personal level, all who came in contact with Jiivan Shrii experienced her kindness and warmth. She treated all with great respect and maternal love. She always had supportive words and great hospitality for all Ananda Margiis.

The mahaprayan of Sis Jiivan Shrii leaves a veritable hole in our Marga family. Her devotional expression and spirited approach to life will not soon be forgotten.

All in all it is our loss that Jiivan Shrii encountered her mahaprayan (death). May we all take solace in the fact that Jiivan Shrii was quite regular in her devotional practices and sadhana so certainly she will attain mukti. Baba will certainly bestow His grace.

With deepest respects,
Yours brotherly,
Manindra

Note 1: ON BABA’S LAP

We know that one can sit on the lap of Parama Purusa in dhyana and so many of our devotional practices. This is well accepted idea in our Marga.

Baba says, “Now if the same humans address Parama Puruśa with appropriate humility, saying, “Oh Lord, show us the way, take us to Your feet and allow us to sit on Your loving lap” – this is devotion. If this devotion is present, everything else will automatically take care of itself.” (SS-11, What Is the Way?)

Baba says, “Intelligent people who move firmly along the path of dharma and sit on the lap of Iśt́a are destined to be victorious.” (SS-12, Where There Is Dharma There Is Iśt́a, and Where There Is Iśt́a There Is Victory)

Baba says, “One who doesn’t entertain any thought about past, present or future, but simply says, “I have come to take shelter in You,” is sure to get the shelter of Parama Puruśa and will certainly be lifted onto His lap.” (AV-5, Taking Refuge Is the Final Word)

By Baba’s above teaching it is very clear that by surrendering to Him with love and devotion, one is sure to attain His lap. This may happen in dhyana or other spiritual practices. That is Baba’s expressed guideline.

If however, this phrase – “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” – is only used at the time of death, then new people will come to associate “sitting on Baba’s lap” with death (mahaprayan). This is the way slang (street talk) develops.

If some start thinking they can only attain the lap of Parama Purusa upon death and not in dhyana etc, then if someone reads that by dhyana one can sit on Baba’s lap, then they will think that dhyana means that “one is going to die”, i.e. mahaprayan.

It will be very similar to what happened with the the term harijan, which became exclusively associated with being an untouchable – not a child of God. People forgot the real meaning of the term harijan.

We should not let the phrase “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” meet a similar fate. None should mistakenly think that “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” can only occur at the time of death. The phrase should not be limited in this way.

Rather, as His disciples we should remember and think that when one is sincere in their devotional approach then anytime Parama Purusa can lift a sadhaka onto His lap. This is Baba’s stated teaching. Veritably, with proper effort and sincerity, during the culmination of dhyana one will always sit on His lap.

The conclusion is that people should use this phrase – “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” – on other occasions also. Now it has become the tradition to use it at the time of death (mahaprayan) and not at other times. By this way in the due course this phrase will become untouchable.

Note 2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL MAHAPRAYAN AND FAKE MPD

Here it should be qualified that there is such a thing as both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan remarks the death of any ordinary human being. This is the proper use of the term: to note a person’s departure from this earth. That is the way mahaprayan is to be used.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan and that is when certain agents try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa Himself. This is totally inappropriate because when Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is totally wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting and labeling the Oct 21st program as so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for groupists to declare his “mahaprayan” is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings.

Note 3: ASTERISK NOTE ABOUT MAHAPRAYAN

* Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in Bengal to describe the death of an honoured or even ordinary person. In that way the newspapers of Bengal are regularly citing the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word ‘mahaprayan’ death) is one extraordinarily devotional term to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no devotees ever use the word ‘mahaprayan’ in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Those who think that Baba is a mortal human being celebrate Mahaprayan on a particular day of the year related with Baba, but in the true sense Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary on page 742. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word ‘mahaprayan’ means death. Which is why it used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens.

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Baba Story: How CBI Lawyer Got Lesson

Date: 15 Dec 2011 20:47:44 -0000
From: “Jitendra Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: How CBI Lawyer Got Lesson

Baba

== BABA STORY: HOW CBI LAWYER GOT LESSON ==

Note: Ac Ramtanuk jii of Begu Sarai (Bihar) is a founding member of AMPS as well as a family acarya. As a lawyer, he worked assiduously throughout his life for Ananda Marga court cases and defending Baba. That was one of his great contributions. Here following is his first-hand account of one of his experiences in the courtroom.

Namaskar,
“As a lawyer, I was quite involved in Baba’s court case during the Emergency period in India when He was unjustly incarcerated.”

“In that case the prosecuting attorney – i.e the CBI lawyer representing Mrs Gandhi’s regime – was Mahadeva Babu. When the case opened and witnesses were being called, then Mahadeva Babu used to guide his witnesses while they were on the witness stand itself, right in front of the judge.”

“As the designated AM lawyer, I vehemently made objection to this tactic, as it was against the ethic.”

“After one such objection, Mahadeva told the judge, “Ramtanuk is a margii – not a lawyer – that is why he is objecting. He has special interest in Ananda Marga.””

“Hearing this I became totally disturbed.”

“At the first opportunity, I went to see Baba to inform Him of what was going on.”

“(Aside: During the Emergency I used to get approval from the court to go and see Baba in my capacity as a lawyer.)”

“I recounted to Baba all that was going on in the courtroom and in particular told Him of this the problem with attorney Mahadeva. Mentally I was thinking that Baba will give His solution.”

“Baba replied, “The CBI agents are externally very polite but internally they focus on their agenda. You should also be externally polite but internally dedicated to your cause. That is the way to deal with these people.””

“Baba furthermore told, “When any problem arises then remember your mantra and the proper answer will come.””

“I understood Baba’s message and guidance. Thereafter, externally I maintained good relations with CBI personnel, and internally kept strict vigilance to our AM discipline.”

“One day when the court was in session, the CBI lawyer, Mahadeva Babu, was again giving explicit hints to his witnesses while they were on the stand.”

“Seeing this I felt completely disturbed and started repeating my mantra as per Baba’s guideline. Then one idea came to mind.”

“I objected and told, “Your Honour, Mahadeva Babu was an Ananda Margii but he left and now he is a CBI man. That is why he has special interest in this case and that is why he is coaxing his witnesses in front of you.””

“The judge smiled and nodded in affirmation.”

“The judge replied, “A new convert to Islam usually eats more onions to prove himself worthy.” (Note: Everyone knows that muslims in India must eat onions with every meal.)”

“Hearing this everyone in the courthouse started laughing. They understood that Mahadeva was formerly in AM and now as a new convert in the CBI, he has to prove his loyalty. So he is doing extra, going beyond, and coaxing his witness in the court itself to show his allegiance to the government. Everyone clearly understood the joke that the judge was making.”

“Mahadeva Babu kept quiet and drowned in shame.”

“From the moment forward, the problem was permanently solved and Mahadava never hinted or coaxed his witnesses again while they were on the stand and he never lodged a complaint against me, Ramtanuk, for being a margii.”

REFLECTION

There are many things to be learned from Ac Ramtanukji’s above story. The main guideline is that when encountering any tough and difficult situation, where the odds are stacked against you, then repeat your mantra and surrender to Baba. Then one is sure to receive Cosmic help and get His guidance about what to do. That will come in the mind, by His grace. That is what every sadhaka should take away from this story.

We should also keep Baba’s below teaching in mind.

Vicaeti cánte vishvamádaya sa deva
Sa no budhyá shubhayá saḿyunaktu.

Baba says, “And if you are to say anything you should say – what? You may use only one sentence. “O Supreme Father, guide my intellect unto the path of bliss. I want nothing else, nothing more.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 12, He Knows His Duty)

We should follow this in our practical life and use our inner devotional treasure to link our unit mind with His Divine Cosmic Mind. Then one is sure to get the proper guideline at the proper time.

Lastly, Baba is not far. He is always sitting in your heart. He has not gone away as some dogmatic people believe. He is in the heart. With ideation, one make that inner link with Him, by His grace. Devoid of that one is lonely, weak, and helpless.

When a person thinks of themselves as a unit entity then they are weak, and when a person is linked with the Cosmic Entity then they are powerful.

Namaskar,
Jitendra Deva

NOTE 1: ABOUT LAWYERING

Usually lawyers coach their witness before the trial, or before they take the stand. But Mahadeva was coaching and coaxing his witnesses while they were on the stand itself, directly in front of the judge. The only reason this was allowed to happen was that this case was being held during the period of martial law / Emergency in India.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

PS Intro: In this following song the devotee is talking to Baba, all the while indirectly referring about himself.

“Jeo na’, shon’o katha, bojha vytha’, abujha hoyo na’…” (PS 660)

Purport:

Baba, please be gracious, please do not leave me all alone, please do not go far away; please keep me in Your shelter. Baba, please listen to the tale of my aching heart; please understand my pain and suffering– because of my deep longing for You. Baba, I beg You not to remain aloof about my yearning and crying for You. Baba, You have graced me and have made the flower of devotion blossom in my heart. And these flowers are solely for making one beautiful garland for You– ultimately surrendering them at Your lotus feet. Baba, please do not mercilessly crush those flowers. Baba, please be gracious.

Baba, by Your infinite grace please keep me close. Please do not permanently forget about that person who is under shelter day and night. Baba, it seems You have removed him from Your memory. Baba, please recall how in the past You loved him deeply up to his heart’s content. That time You saturated his mind with bliss and filled his eyes with Your loving gaze. You were so gracious those days. Baba, You know that very person was with You in each and every rhythm of the song, he was also with You in all kinds of works– always remaining by Your side. Baba, please do not forget him.

Baba, by Your grace I never forget this eternal truth that You are everything. You are the effulgence of the day as well as the darkness of the night. Baba, in this life of mine I have loved only You. Baba, You are the heart of my heart. Please shower Your divine grace on me day and night, incessantly. Baba, even if You always remain forgetful of me, that I can tolerate. Only I ask one thing of You. Baba, please do not push me away from Your holy, lotus feet.

Baba, You are my closest & dearest One. You are my everything. Baba, please keep me in Your shelter…

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Ultravarious to Ideology

Baba says, “You should remember that a situation will never arise in this world which will give you cause for fear. It has been said that Parama Purusa is the fear of fear. That is, fear is as afraid of Parama Purusa as humans are afraid of fear.”

“Ananda Marga is essentially Tantra-orientated, it too, has a few special features of its own. As I have said previously, our ideology maintains that no-one need be afraid of anything under any circumstances. If anyone does get afraid, it should be understood that he is doing something ultravarious to our ideology.” (Kolkata, 14 November 1978)
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