Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Baba
This entire posting is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Who Is Clean & Who Is Dirty
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #1222;
== WHO IS CLEAN & WHO IS DIRTY ==
Namaskar,
Some may claim that Baba only told to wash the urinary organ with water, and He did not say to wash the backside with water. Following is the reply.
GURU’S GUIDELINES ARE PIN-POINTED & PRECISE:
HE TELLS THE NEEDFUL
As we know Guru’s teaching is always concise and pointed. What was needed to tell, He has beautifully revealed. And what was not needed, He did not tell.
(A) For example the Indian society was prone toward idol worship so Baba was very strict and He has warned everyone that idol worship should not be done. But never once did He warn people not to flap their arms and fly to the sun since no one was ever going to do like that.
(B) Secondly, it was obvious that people had the negative tendency to create tiirthas (pilgrimages). That is why for fourteen long years Baba did not go to Jamalpur. And from 1965 up to 1990 Baba never emphasized the importance of Jamalpur or any such place. Rather on numerous occasions He has guided us that external tiirthas are nothing but one nasty dogma, because Parama Purusa is everywhere.
(C) Similarly Baba has guided us to trim our fingernails but never did He tell us to cut the horns on top of our head. Because when we do not have horns then what was the need to tell anything about that.
(D) Likewise human beings have the natural tendency to live outside of the water, that is why there was no need for Baba to guide people to live primarily on land. Because human beings are already doing like that.
The sense is that when people are naturally following any given point then what is the need for Baba to give that as a rule.
Thus when 16 Points itself was first given in India and when at that time the general populace was already using water for washing after defecation then there was no need for Baba to tell that point. But since the general populace had lost the notion of washing with water after urination, there was the practical need for Baba to give that teaching.
Hence Guru’s instruction is very pointed and precise – perfect. And He always gives what is needed.
SOME NOT AWARE
Thus Baba has given point #1 of sixteen points as: After urination wash the urinary organ.
And by this way anyone can understand that included in this is the idea of washing the backside after passing stool also.
Unfortunately, in most of the so-called advanced societies the general people are only using toilet paper or blotting paper as a means to “clean” themselves after defecation. But this is not proper.
Here is the proof: When they want to clean their toilet bowl, they use a huge amount of water. By that way they see & feel satisfied that indeed their toilet bowl / commode has become clean. They never try to clean their toilet bowl by only using dry papers. Because they know that such paper alone will not rid the toilet of the residue. They understand that water is needed to clean the toilet.
Yet when the moment comes to cleanse their own backside of that same sort of waste, they only use toilet paper. As if toilet paper can do the job – when in fact it cannot.
That is the contradiction and poor hygienic sense of so many of our so-called first world nations.
Thus we are left with this following quagmire: Namely that when animals do not wash their backside with water and when humans also are not doing, then from the perspective of hygiene what is the practical difference between the two. Unfortunately, this is the sad state of affairs in some areas.
NOT THEIR FAULT
Actually those common people not aware about using water are not to be blamed. It is never anyone’s fault for being downtrodden, ignorant, or dirty. Rather it is our fault for not bringing them onto the path of light.
Because Baba always guides us we should never blame those innocent people from disparate parts of the globe for their “backwardness”. Because it is our wrongdoing for not helping them to develop.
Similarly, when some of our European & western nations could not develop a proper sense of hygiene, those citizens should not be blamed. Just we should take care to show everyone the proper way.
CONCENTRATED TEACHING
In all the realms Baba’ teachings are crystallized points of dharma– very concise. So to properly understand any guideline or teaching, it demands a little concentration or mental thought.
For example a group of fools may think that by walking together to McDonalds for a hamburger then they are following samgacchadvam since they are all “moving together”. But that has nothing to do with samgacchadvam.
Here the point is that a literal interpretation of Guru’s teachings will never work. Rather greater explanation is needed to get the proper picture.
That is why when Baba has given the pin-pointed sutras of Ananda Sutram, then side by side He also gives a purport so that those distilled teachings, i.e. sutras, can be understood in the proper way.
This should be done with each and every aspect of Sixteen Points. Because Guru’s teaching is distilled and given in seed form.
SIXTEEN POINTS BRINGS FORCE IN THE LIFE
As we are all aware, Revered Baba graciously introduced Sixteen Points just prior to the jail period and Emergency, as He wanted everyone to be prepared and ready to deal with the dangers and difficulties to come. Or to say more strongly, by this way we Ananda Margiis will be able to overcome and annihilate the demonic forces.
If anyone visited Baba in jail and told Him about the problems and difficulties sadhakas were facing, Baba’s standard reply was to be strict in Sixteen Points: “By that way everything will be alright and you will be victorious.” There are so many stories from margiis about this.
And indeed here is Baba’s stated guideline.
“Be firm on sixteen points. Unite all the righteous forces. All the tall talks of the evil forces will be silenced.” (1)
“… In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points.” (2)
So this is the special blessing which Baba has been given. And it applies universally to each and every circumstance in life. Thus 16 Points generates tremendous vitality and force.
NEED I FOLLOW ALL THE POINTS OR JUST A FEW
Now some people may carelessly think that it is not needed to follow all the points. But that is not correct. We should see it in this way:
If a boat is otherwise fine but whether there is one hole or 5 holes or 16 holes, under any of these conditions the ship is going to sink. So best is that all the holes should be plugged and sealed.
Likewise we should not invite any problem by being loose or slack in any of the Sixteen Points. Baba has graciously given each and every aspect of 16 Points for a particular reason and each one has its own specialty and use. So step by step we should be more and more practiced in all the points.
ALL THE POINTS HELP IN SADHANA
Each and every point of 16 Points is beneficial for our spiritual development. And all points help a sadhaka do better sadhana. Because a healthy body and a strong mind are needed to do sadhana. Without a well-maintained body then sadhana will be disturbed. While a sentient body will help the mind rush up towards Parama Purusa.
WASH FULLY AFTER URINATION
As a reminder, for maximum benefit of point #1 it is absolutely necessary to slowly pour a sufficient amount of water over the entire pubic region. That means using a full liter or more of cold water. So no one should cheat themselves by applying a meagre amount and then start wrongly thinking that they are following 16 Points. Because that is not the way.
MORE INFO HELPFUL
Because Sixteen Points is an essential part of our existence, it is helpful to have more information about these pointed guidelines. Here below are some of the historical, social, and practical aspects of the first point of 16 Points.
RISHIS FIRST INTRODUCED THE ‘USE OF WATER’
Long ago in India, thousands and thousands of years ago, various rishis and seers of the society introduced the idea that water plays an important role in life – especially for health, hygiene, and proper maintenance of the human body. And they introduced the idea to the old Indian society that water should be used for washing before and after meals, before cooking, and those rishis also told that one should wash with water after passing stool as well as after urination etc. All these points they told.
And we have to remember that this was all given in that pre-historic era, in and around the ice-age when the general population around the globe was hardly even aware about hygiene; rather they were more involved in animalistic ways of living. In that historical context, those rishis introduced certain sentient habits to the Indian populace.
FORGOT USE OF WATER AFTER URINATION,
BUT REMEMBERED AFTER DEFECATION
So since long these these practices were established in India. Yet over the course of time, degeneration occurred and the general populace lost the idea of using water after urination. But the practice of washing the backside with water after defecation did not get lost – primarily because people understood that it was obviously dirty. So they were conscious about that aspect. That was the case in old India and that continued up to the present time.
WATER NOT USED AT ALL IN MUCH OF THE MODERN WORLD
Yet in many of our so-called first world countries around the globe, that basic awareness of hygiene was never properly cultivated. In which case, water was not even used for cleaning the backside after passing stool.
Still today, most of our “developed” nations continue with this unhygienic approach of using toilet paper – in place of water. Even more tragic is that inhabitants of certain so-called third world countries have begun emulating everything that the so-called developed world does – including using toilet paper.
That has grown to such an extent that even certain people in India are also resorting to the use of toilet paper. Yet this approach of using toiler paper is neither hygienic nor healthy. Nor is it Baba’s guideline.
BABA RE-INTRODUCES THE POINT OF WATER
Thus during His Holy advent Baba has given the dharmic approach in each and every sphere of life. And in that course, He has given the point that how and when water should be used:
“After urination, wash the urinary organ with water”. (3)
Thus Baba has carefully guided us how we are to wash after urination – and the benefits of this teaching are wide-ranging and helpful in all realms of life. Seeing this, however,
SIXTEEN POINTS GIVES TREMENDOUS STRENGTH
“The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more your mental strength will increase. It will increase so much that it will be more powerful than the collective mental strength of 100,000 people. In a psychic clash they will have to concede victory to you…The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more psychic strength you will acquire. It will not take you long…Such development will lead to not only 100,000 people surrendering before you, but the entire universe.” (4)
“The mutative force is a hundred thousand times more powerful than the static force, and the sentient force is a hundred thousand times more powerful than the mutative force; hence you should not be afraid of any force in the universe.” (5)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Janak / Jason Tyler
Note 1: APPLYING WATER RIDS THE BODY OF ANY EXCESS URINE
Some time back the discussion was raised about Sixteen Points. So this letter is part of the on-going series on 16 Points. A link to the initial letter is appended below. Here are some further thoughts and reflections on point #1 from that initial letter.
“After urination wash the urinary organ with water.”
(Sixteen Points, pt #1)
Generally speaking, all margiis are certainly aware about this point. Even then there may be a few aspects of this practice which are new for some people. Because there are some lesser known health & hygiene facts associated with the practice of this first point of 16 Points. So some sincere practitioners may not be fully aware.
The whole purpose behind this initial guideline of Sixteen Points is to clear all the excess urine from the urinary tract. And to achieve this fully, one must pour plenty of cold water on the entire genital area. Then the bladder and the entire urinary tract will contract thus releasing all the urine from the system.
To produce this desired effect, one can pour as much as 1 full liter or more of cold water on the urinary organ and pubic region at the time of urination. The entire genital area should be properly covered with water & hence cooled. That will certainly release any remaining urine from the body, even if one does not have the urge to go anymore.
Think of it this way: Most of the time people do not feel the need to urinate before getting into the swimming pool, pond, river, bath tub, or bathing etc, yet once they submerge themselves in the water then quickly the desire comes to urinate. This is due to being immersed in cool water. That is why smart people will always use water before going in the pool and clear the bladder fully, then the desire will not arise once in the pool.
LINK TO FIRST LETTER IN THIS SERIES
http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/06/16-points-hows-whys-of-point-1.html
REFERENCES
1. Ananda Vanii #44
2. Ananda Vanii #45
3. Point #1 of Sixteen Points
4. AV-7, p. 80-81
5. CC-2, ’87 Edn, p.18
******** Prabhat Samgiita #1222
~ Those Dark Days Are Gone ~
PS Intro: This is a neo-humanistic song as it expresses love and affection for those shelterless, homeless, and downtrodden people, and those suffering from the 3 afflictions. We know that Baba has made songs which reflect all aspects of AM ideology. This song expresses empathy and compassion towards the suffering humanity and propagates neo-humanistic ideals. This is the unique quality of this song.
“A’siya’che sedin ogo a’shrayahiin…” (PS 1222)
Purport:
The golden era has come; sadavrata [1] has started. Now everywhere the divine flow is spreading all around. In this human family, no one will be downtrodden; no one will suffer. Those who are without shelter, I am calling you. The day has come when His door has opened for you. By Baba’s
causeless grace, He has come to save the suffering humanity– to turn your tears into smiles. It is His infinite compassion. For those who have neither food, nor clothing, nor shelter, and do not have the minimum requirements, everyone will be served. Now no one need suffer from any want in this world.
In this golden, new era, no one in our human family needs to go under the tree in search of shelter. Everyone will have their own hearth and home– their own abode. Nobody will be homeless. We are all kith and kin; we are all one family; Parama Purusa is our Divine Father. Not a single human being shall remain as an orphan or distressed any longer. Those dark days are gone by His grace. All will equally receive His love and affection. Everyone will get His sweet touch; everyone will feel His divine blessing and infinite love in all the three realms of life: Physical, psychic, and spiritual.
By Baba’s grace there will be plenty for one and all; no one need undergo the pangs of hunger and thirst. The loud lamentations of the suffering humanity will be gone forever. Everyone will have the opportunity to live life in a new way; all will feel content in their heart and mind
and move towards Parama Purusa, the Goal. The cimmerian darkness of avidya’ maya will vanish forever. Now, by His grace, divinity has been awakened in the minds of human beings, and those three afflications will be eliminated.
The golden dawn has descended on this earth. It is His grace; it is His grace…
NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #1222:
[1] Sada’vrata: ‘Sada’ literally means ‘always’ as in to do every day; ‘vrat’ literally means ‘vow’ as in to always remain committed to helping others. So sada’vrata means always ready to serve whenever the opportunity comes. It is not that if one did sadavrata on Monday then one need not to do it on Tuesday. Always one is to be ready and willing to serve others. Whatever those people need, then one must help them fulfill that need. Hence helping poor and seeing them as expressions of Parama Purusa is called sada’vrata. As we all know, our AM social service endeavours include sada’vrata– the mass distribution of food, clothing, medicine, and all
sorts of requirements and amenities.
Here in His below guideline Baba describes how sada’vrata is related with our sadhana practice.
Baba says, “In the third stage of sa’dhana’ sa’dhakas accepts the cognitive faculty as their goal. They wish to advance along the spiritual path while simultaneously serving the subtler expressions of Parama Purus’a. This is the true dharma of human beings. The sada’vrata (mass feeding & clothing distribution etc) which you organize comes within the scope of this
practice. While performing sa’dhana’ in this stage the human mind attains a greater proximity to Parama Purus’a and sees the entire universe as a divine expression of Parama Purus’a. Through this realization one enjoys pure unblemished bliss. When people served good food during sadavrata smile happily, you feel inner joy.” (APH-6)
[2] TRANSLATIONS OF PRABHA’T SAMGIITA #1222:
Here are the first two Bengali Bengali lines of this Prabhat Samgiita:
A’siyeche sedin ogo a’shrayahiin
Tave tare ta’r dva’r khule geche, khuleche
And here below is a basic translation & fundamental idea of those lines:
O’ my brothers and sisters, those who are without shelter,
the day has come when His door has opened for you.
So in the above stanza the bhakta is telling the humanity that no one will be shelterless any longer. Parama Purusa is bringing all unto Him and everyone will be served.
Now look how these very same lines were translated on one of our sanctioned Prabha’t Samgiita websites:
O’ Lord, the one needing no shelter,
the day has come when for you their doors have opened.
Please excuse me, but by reading the above anyone can see how this latter translation has gone astray.
Here the entire point is that Prabhat Samgiita is Baba’s divine gift to the humanity, so we should be careful and diligent in its presentation. Otherwise, we can see how it may get translated.