Reflection on How & Why Baba Taught in So Many Ways

Date: 05 Jun 2013 22:47:29 -0000

Baba

This entire posting is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: Reflection on How & Why Baba Taught in So Many Ways;
(2) Closing Thought: Like Swallowing Poison.(3) Prabhat Samgiita #3304

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).

== REFLECTION ON HOW & WHY BABA TAUGHT IN SO MANY WAYS ==

Namaskar,
This letter examines Baba’s diverse and psychological manner in guiding sadhakas and non-sadhakas along the path of welfare.

SPEAKS MORE DIRECTLY TO A’NANDA MA’RGIIS

Baba would speak more directly to devotees than others. The closer one was to Him, the more directly He would speak.

For instance, to the general populace, Baba would cite Buddha’s teaching about “Cakuna samvaro sadhu” in order to warn people about the misuse of their indriyas (external organs). From this, people were to infer that Baba was talking about keeping restraint over the motor and sensory organs, bad food etc, whereas many just took it as a general guideline. So Baba was speaking very indirectly and people may or may not understand, depending on the nature of their intellect.

Whereas to Ananda Margiis, Baba would outrightly say, refrain from eating meat or do not go against 16 Points. There was zero scope for misunderstanding. Baba would use direct language because Ananda Margiis are closer to Him. In that case, Baba had more freedom to express Himself. The idea being that where there is more love, then one’s talk can be more direct. There is a great benefit to this as well, then in a shorter span of time He could give more teachings, and we could learn from Him more quickly, by His grace.

So there is great value in direct speech, but Baba could not use this with all. Language is based on the closeness of heart.

Even within Ananda Marga, Baba would employ degrees of directness. With margiis or dadas with whom Baba was closer, either due to their sadhana or His divine grace, He would be even more direct.

To one sadhaka, Baba might say, “So I understand you like chocolate”, and by this way the margii would know that Baba was aware that on ekadashii the margii ate a piece of chocolate.”

Yet to another sadhaka or Dada, Baba might lovingly punish, strongly scold, or embarrass them in front of all in order to guide them and all those present to adhere to all conduct rules, like not eating on fasting day. This latter approach is more direct and swift.

So it all depends on the degree of closeness. Those who were more close would receive His blessing in the form of more direct communication. It is just like how parents do not chastise or scold all the children of the village or community, but certainly they will rebuke and scold their own kids when they do wrong because those parents feel very close with their own children.

Those whom you scold rectify their behaviour more quickly and get the benefit of refining their behaviour. Scolding creates pressure to change the behaviour quickly. Naturally, parents want their own kids to change and rectify their bad behaviour quickly. And those same parent do not feel that same urgency with their neighbors’ children – so they do not scold them. Plus it is also related with the degree of love and affection one has.

Undoubtedly, it was all His liila, Baba loves all, and everything He does and says is filled with His sweet grace and divine compassion, yet in the relative schema of this there were some whom He could communicate with more directly than others.

STYLE OF GUIDING OTHERS

In His public discourses, in order to be psychological and best teach the general populace, Baba would point out the defects of a particular person or group without naming them specifically. That way the general population could get the overall guideline in the most palatable way possible, and those sadhakas with a slightly sharper intellect would always know about whom Baba was speaking. This latter assembly could then benefit most from Baba’s discourse.

Here are a few examples of Baba’s teaching via His indirect voice.

(#1) “Suppose an evil force says, “I, the lord of a certain country, will destroy Ananda Marga from the very root.” A dha’rmika should maintain patience, should be patient. Because the day is soon to come when that evil force is going to be destroyed. Its weapon will serve as a boomerang for its own death. And this happened in the near past, as you all know.” (1)

To innocent people, the above guideline may just be about keeping patience in the face of evil, etc or they may have some other notion. Whereas a proper sadhaka clearly realises that in the above teaching Baba is pointedly referring to the audacious talk and quick demise of Mrs Indira Gandhi. She is the “lord of a certain country” who vowed to “root out” Ananda Marga. So Baba is guiding such sadhakas that just as in the recent past, in the future also no enemy will ever be able to take down Ananda Marga ideology.

And this next guideline is working in a similar manner.

“You have seen with your own eyes that in the past certain powerful persons thought, in their extreme vanity, that they could make or break anything. They perpetrated indescribable tortures and atrocities on Ananda Marga. But even in the face of such torments, Ananda Marga held its head high. There is no power in the universe, in the heaven or in the underworld, which can annihilate Ananda Marga, because Ananda Marga is established on the solid foundation of rationality and righteousness. If those wicked forces engage in fight with Ananda Marga, they will themselves be pulverized: they will be crushed like ants.” (2)

In this above guideline also Baba is indirectly talking about Mrs Indira Gandhi as well as other malevolent forces that attempt to undermine or wipe out Ananda Marga.

(#2) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“There are some people who have the opinion that men are especially favoured by Parama Puruśa and that women are not; or that one man is equal to three women. This is dogma. These absurd ideas all originated in dogma. Any intelligent person can easily understand that these propositions are totally hollow and irrational. “The intellect of one man is equal to the intellect of three women” – it is a ridiculous statement. In reality, there may be some cases in which the intellect of one man may be equal only to that of two women. But then there may be other cases where the intellect of one woman may be equal to the intellect of twenty men. Such intelligent women can be found in the world. Or if we speak only of physical weight, then we may find some woman who weighs more than two men. Theoretical statements should not be accepted here.” (3)

In His above teaching Baba is not merely denouncing sexist perspectives but is clearly critiquing the dogmatic ways of Islam. Only in Islam is it thought that three women are equal to one male. So here, without stating it outrightly, Baba is denouncing this point about the Muslim faith. Those in the know clearly understand this, whereas those with a less pointed intellect will not.

(#3) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“Yet another religion says, “Know ye, my son, thy God is the only God. All other gods are false gods.” (4)

Without naming the above religion, Baba is making clear-cut reference to the defects of Christianity. If Baba were to mention the name of the religion it would have been more unpsychological, so Baba employed this indirect manner when putting forth His discourse. By this way, His teaching is presented in a very psychological manner.

(#4) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“Who are responsible for the distress of these millions of refugees? Those demons in human framework, whom those poor fellows trusted; to give ovations to whom those people rushed to meetings with thousands of garlands; for whose satisfaction people used to don special kinds of [white] caps to cover up their sins.” (5)

By reading the above, some may wonder who are these people in white caps, whereas others may think that Baba is merely talking in general about those who do wrong to the people. But those with greater insight understand that Baba is directly condemning the hypocrisy of the Congress party of India. It was this political group led by Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru which accepted the praises of the people yet divided the country – thereby leading to the displacement and death of millions of innocent citizens. And still today they use white caps.

(#5) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“I cannot support the attitude of those who denounce capitalism at every opportunity, because this allows capitalists to become alert and invent more scientific and devious ways to exploit the people. Those who lack a constructive ideology will never be capable of destroying capitalism.” (6)

At first glance, some may just conclude that Baba is against capitalism or the enemies thereof, but that is not the main essence of His guideline. The unnamed ism that Baba is denouncing is socialism / communism. Such leftists always criticise the status quo of capitalism but have no proper teaching of their own. So that is what Baba is clearly teaching in His guideline.

(#6) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“Once a certain mahápuruśa who happened to be an orthodox Máyávádin was walking along the road in Kashi [adjacent to Varanasi]…one morning a wild bull suddenly started to charge that mahápuruśa, so he ran away as fast as his legs could carry him. A logician who happened to be standing nearby asked the mahápuruśa, “Well sir, if you say that this world is unreal, then the bull is also unreal, so why are you running in fear?” That mahápuruśa would not accept any defeat in logic and replied, “My running away is also unreal.” This is the way things went on for many centuries.” (7)

In the above story, Baba is talking specifically about a particular philosopher and his teaching. Some may just think this is a humorous tale or some random anecdote. However, here Baba is referring to the Shrii Shankaracarya ji and his teaching of mayavada, or illusion theory. So Baba is clearly telling us, in a psychological and humorous manner, that mayavada is 100% impractical – just a bogus theory that is impossible to follow in day to day life – and that Shankaracayara was incapable of following his own philosophy.

(#7) Here is another indirect teaching which Baba has given:

“When people’s ideas are so fixed that they will not entertain any discussion or argument it is called “fanaticism”. It is said that religion is a question of faith, not logic. In India, there are many religious fanatics. Due to religious fanaticism and bigotry, there have been innumerable violent clashes in the past. How repugnant that thousands of people were killed on the pretext of a single strand of hair! These fanatics never bothered to listen to the beliefs of others, and moreover, for them it is a sin to listen to others. In one sense they are worse than animals, because animals do not harbour any communal feeling. Physical sentiments are predominant in such religious expressions. People should keep aloof from the bondages of religion. Behind all religious dogma, physical considerations are dominant. One community considers it a sin to eat beef but not goats or deer. The custom of wearing a vermilion mark on the head and forehead by Indian women is an expression of religious sentiment. The women of other countries do not follow this practice. It does not matter at all if Indian women stop using vermilion. All religions exploit people by appealing to religious sentiments.” (8)

In His above guideline, Baba is pointing out some of the inherent dogmas of Hinduism like the brahmin caste sentiment and sacred thread, as well as the hypocrisy that only the cow is holy while other animals may be slaughtered. By not stating the name of the religion, Baba resorts solely to logic and reasoning, as well as practical examples to uncover and question these existing dogmas including the vermillion mark etc.

And there are countless other instances in His discourses where Baba is indirectly speaking about a particular person such as Karl Marx, Carvaka, Sigmund Freud, Mahatma Gandhi, Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt, or group such as Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, or any other type of political party or ism.

The main idea is that in His public discourses, Baba would use indirect language so His teachings and guidelines were presented in a very psychological manner.

TELLING PA DADA NOT TO RECORD

It is also important to note that Baba would deliver many of His political or anti-dogma oriented discourses in the company of Ananda Margiis, yet that discourse was going to be printed for all to see. In that case, when Baba just wanted to clarify something about a particular political leader or speak directly about the hypocrisy of a so-called religious prophets, then Baba would tell PA Dada to “turn off the microphone”. Then Baba would candidly speak very directly and openly to those bhaktas present. And then when He wished, He would continue the recording of the discourse using indirect language. This was a common phenomenon.

BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

There is another angle to this matter as well.

As Ananda Margiis, we must have excellent grasp of Baba’s indirect use of language. That way we can confidently apply His teachings to every issue.

For instance, Baba has said very little directly about some highly controversial issues like abortion etc. In His printed discourses, this term is hardly even mentioned.

Yet Baba’s guideline on this issues is crystal clear. In so many discourses Baba has talked about the importance of yama and niyama and the meaning of ahimsa, ie. not inflicting harm on others. Plus He has placed great emphasis on reverence for life, and told that life starts inside the womb when a human mind is attached with the fertilised egg. From these various teachings, it is quite clear that Baba has given us a pointed approach on this issue of abortion. Any sadhaka can easily infer that Ananda Marga is cent-per-cent against abortion.

Hence, by being more familiar with Baba’s teachings, even seemingly controversial or complex issues become crystal clear. Then we can better understand His indirect language and easily apply His teachings to otherwise tricky topics.

EXAMPLE OF DIRECT TEACHING

In contrast to all of the indirect teachings outlined above, here is an example of one of Baba’s direct teachings where He specifically names Shankaracharya.

“Another example: According to Shankaracharya’s school of philosophy, everything is Máyá – that is, there is illusion in the beginning, illusion in the middle and illusion in the end. This is called pramáda in Sanskrit. But then, that same Shankaracharya composed hymns to the River Ganges: Devii Sureshvarii Bhagavatii Gaunge [“O Divine Gaungá, goddess who has descended from the heavenly abode of the gods”]. According to him, the entire universe is false; so in this false universe, the River Ganges is also false! So what was the necessity of eulogizing such a false river? This is a case of somersaulting to save oneself from a very embarrassing position, just like a harmless snake pretending to be poisonous. This is a very fine example of a metamorphosed sentimental strategy. There may be some people who will consider this change of sentimental strategy to be a natural process of evolution, but in fact it is not evolution but a metamorphosis of strategy. Evolution does not take place so quickly nor so easily.” (9)

So in His above teaching, Baba points out the inherent hypocrisy of Shankaracharya’s illusion theory. Anyone who reads this paragraph will easily understand that Baba is criticizing Shankaracharya’s philosophy and approach. This is unlike His indirect teachings where the name of the person or religion is not given.

WE SHOULD FOLLOW THIS APPROACH

As sadhakas we are to propagate His teachings to one and all. So we have much to learn from Baba’s style of communication. Our approach must be both psychological and palatable. We should perfectly follow Baba’s example.

We should always evaluate with whom we are speaking and then apply the proper voice. With those whom we are more close we can avoid lengthy talks and descriptions and use very direct language such as “Do this…” or “Don’t do that…”.

And with those who are less close, we will have to take a more measured and calculated approach. By this way, step by step, we will be able to share Baba’s teachings with all, in the best way possible.

So understanding Baba’s indirect use of language offers two distinct benefits:

1) We can better understand and apply Ananda Marga ideology to daily life circumstances.
2) We can better present His teachings to the various types of people that live in society.

BABA’S BLESSING

“The potentialities of your intellect are extremely limited. What can a small brain in a small cranium do? Therefore the best thing to do is to request Him for proper guidance.”

Sa no buddhya’ shubhaya’ sam’yunaktu.

“So that He may guide our intellect, and keep our intellect connected with shubha [blessedness].” (10)

Our Beloved Baba has an especially dynamic way of teaching. He changes His language based on His audience.

With those who are more close, i.e. His devotees, He uses direct language, and with those who less close, i.e. the general public, Baba speaks in indirect language.

We should carefully and clearly study Baba’s manner both so that we may better understand His teachings as well as employ this same technique to guide others.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Acintya

REFERENCES
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 6
2. A Few Problems Solved – 4, Forward Movement Is the Essence of Life
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 15
4. Human Society – 1
5. NH-LOI, Disc: 10
6. Problems of the Day, #3
7. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 10
8. Prout in a Nutshell – 21, How to Unite Human Society
9. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 10
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam-5

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

***************************************
Like Swallowing Poison

“Suppose you rear hens, you feed them rice and of course you love them also. If someone takes one of your hens, you will fall out with him, and even come to blows. But it is that out of selfless love? Love must be untarnished and free from the least bit of selfishness. You feed the hens for your benefit; you are motivated by the thought that one day the hen will lay eggs and you will earn money by selling them. “Nija sukha la’gi ye kare pirite se ja’ni garala kha’ye” — One who loves others for self-interest, swallows poison.” (Tattva Koumudi)

Note: Everyone knows that this above teaching from Baba is the idea of 2nd lesson. But whether one follows or not one should ask oneself, and try to perfect it.
***************************************
Prabhat Samgiita #3304

Baba

“(Tumi) ga’ne esecho, pra’n’e chonya’ da’o…” (PS 3304)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, by Your cosmic grace You have come to me in my song. By Your sweet grace You came in my mind while I was singing Prabhat Samgiita. Your blissful arrival has stirred my entire existence. O’ Divine Entity, now please shower me with a wee-bit more of your grace, giving a soothing touch to my aching heart. Please come very close with Your smiling face and blossom Your effulgent Self deep inside my mind. O’ my dearmost, please grace me by coming closer and still more close in my dhyana.

O’ Supreme One, You are so charming and enchanting. The entire day has passed in Your ideation – thinking of You. Now the effulgence of the evening sky is glittering. All the 24hrs are moving in Your sweet flow. O’ Parama Purusa Baba, since You have come to me then why not remain with me forever and make me Yours. Baba, please keep me as Your very own – up to eternity.

O’ Divine Entity, You are bliss personified. By Your august presence this illuminating evening, which thrills my whole being with goosebumps, should remain up to eternity. By Your grace let this blissful occasion of Your divine arrival last forever. O’ Parama Purusa, please be gracious and let all my devotional longing and loving memories float endlessly in Your tune by Your grace. With Your divine compassion You have come and showered me in Your bliss.

Baba, O’ Parama Purusa, Your presence is beyond comparison. Baba, You are mine…

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Who Gets Frustrated & What is the Remedy

Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:06:33 -0400
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Prabha’.BNK
Subject: Who Gets Frustrated & What is the Remedy

Baba

This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Who Gets Frustrated & What is the Remedy
(2) Trailer Quote: Answers on Pranayama

== WHO GETS FRUSTRATED & WHAT IS THE REMEDY ==

Namaskar,
Fatigue and frustration are common human ailments that most suffer from at some point or another. People even lose inspiration and energy for pursuits that were of great interest to them. This is the widespread malady.

As sadhakas, by His grace, we can escape this dual problem of fatigue and frustration, and invite a perennial source of energy and inspiration into our lives that will touch every facet of our existence.

It is our duty to theoretically and practically understand this matter so we can implement it in our own lives and guide others. Specifically, why do people lose energy and inspiration and become frustrated. Second, how can one overcome, nay eliminate, fatigue and feel inspired in all types of work and duties. That is what this letter is all about.

PART 1:

WORLDLY WORKS MAKES ONE TIRED

Most get tired during the course of their day. Those doing work daylong for someone else’s profit are generally the first ones to get tired. Their day will just drag almost from the moment it begins. Their muscles ache, their brain gets dull, and there is little motivation or stamina for them to continue. They just slog through their day.

In your comings and goings around town, you have surely seen such persons. Their mind is not connected with the work they are doing. This is the first category of people: They become tired almost immediately.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When people’s actions are supported by their physical energy and actional faculty but not by their spiritual energy, they become easily tired in the process of work.” (1)

Next, there are those who seem to truly like what they are doing – whether it be their job, hobby, sports, or family time. Most often, such persons are motivated by some type of psychic desire such as name and fame, money, spouse, family status, prestige, and so on. They will sacrifice much to achieve their worldly ends and material pleasures, and it looks like they can continue forever, but even they get tired – invariably. This is the common phenomenon.

When they do not receive the psychic-cum-material reward for what they are doing – such as recognition or money etc – then their attraction for that project will wane. And ultimately they will give up entirely. This is the normal course.

For instance, this often occurs in the general society with those who volunteer for mundane non-profit work. They may be psychically motivated to feed the poor or clean-up the environment, but when hurdles invariably come then at some point they lose inspiration. They feel that, “It is not worth it.” So they select a different course in life. Those volunteering for their own name and fame will give up the task even more quickly.

Unfortunately, we see examples of this in our Ananda Marga as well. Amongst our wts, some entered into uniform to travel the world, or to get respect, or for any number of reasons. And when the real challenges of their endeavour come to the fore, that longing for fame or prestige is not enough to carry them through. In that case, they may just take rest in the jagrti for house or days or months, or they may leave entirely. This happens in family margii life as well. A person formerly committed to Ananda Marga social service projects might become frustrated by the lack of results, or they may feel that no one else is helping, and think “Why should I be the one doing this.” Overcome by that angst, they divert their energies elsewhere and spend all their time exclusively doing for their unit self or family.

In both cases, frustration and fatigue gained the upper hand.

This happens with each and every worldly work – sooner or later. Why? Because those worldly pursuits, endeavours, and hobbies fail to provide eternal stamina and inspiration to continue. No matter how enthusiastically and seriously one is involved, tiredness consumes them. No material pursuit can provide ongoing energy. Naturally then, fatigue comes.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When people are engaged in intellectual activities, their work is bound to be temporary; likewise, when they perform action simply for the sake of action, this too is only temporary.” (2)

That is one end of the spectrum: Worldly pursuits buoyed by some or more degree of psychic motivation.

PART 2:

SPIRITUAL ENDEAVORS GIVE ETERNAL INSPIRATION

On the other end of the spectrum are those who derive their inspiration from the Supreme. For them, the aim is not any amount of name or fame, or material wealth or prestige, or any other mundane or relative factor. Nor are they solely motivated by an intellectual or social interest in a given issue like the environment or women’s rights. They are exclusively motivated by the idea of serving Parama Purusa.

When one has wholly adopted this outlook and, by His grace, imbibes each and every cell of their mind with this feeling, such persons will never ever experience frustration or fatigue.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Since devotion has awakened in them and they have been endowed with spiritual inspiration, they are sure to attain success in whatever action they undertake. Plunge into action and you will find that you will be able to do anything and everything.” (3)

With spiritual ideation, one will never grow tired and will always have ample energy to continue on in their noble endeavour. And they will do all sorts of great, lasting work for society, i.e. establishing His ideals.

Thus one must always cultivate the right outlook: “This is His work and He is giving me energy and I am doing to please Him.” With practice and perseverance, this outlook along with spiritual practice will give one the scope to perform all actions devoid of any feelings of frustration.

This is how Baba says we are to proceed.

When a person feeds their baby and thinks that they are serving Parama Purusa in the form of this child, then they will go on and on and never tire of their duty. Similarly, when one thinks of Him and raises the Prout slogan to please Him – and not for some unit psychic desire of getting elected to public office etc – then no matter the outcome one will not tire of doing Prout pracara.

Indeed, no matter the work, whether it be physical, psychic, or spiritual, if one moves ahead with true spiritual feeling, then one will never experience frustration or fatigue.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The momentum or attraction of the psychic realm is much more powerful than that of the physical world, and the momentum or attraction of the spiritual world is still more powerful. When people hesitate and doubt whether they can accomplish something, and if they start to work in that hesitant frame of mind, they can never accomplish that task. But if they plunge into action thinking of their goal with courage, imbued with spiritual inspiration, they are sure to be crowned with success. No action is greater than the human capacity to perform it. Of all the manifold entities in this expressed world, human beings are the most powerful.” (4)

PART 3:

BRAHMABHAVA AND LIVING IN THIS WORLD

At the beginning of this letter, we discussed those who work motivated by physical or psychic longing. Both of these types of people are bound to suffer from fatigue – quite quickly. There are no shortage of examples of this in our human society.

Whereas, the one who ideates on the Lord and is ensconced in Brahmabhava derives ongoing inspiration for their pursuits.

By taking spiritual ideation through second lesson and ideating on Parama Purusa, by His grace, one can spiritualise all their actions and pursuits. In that case fatigue and frustration will never knock on their door. Because that bhakta sees one and all as manifestations of the Supreme. In that case their mind is ensconced in the thought of the Divine, even though they are living and working in this world.

Here is a classic example.

Buddha used to beg but He always did so with the thought of the Divine in which case his life’s journey of begging was blissful and done for the great cause, whereas certain other monks begging for food felt as though they were just trying to get some scraps. So they were were miserable, for them life is a torment.

So the ideation behind the action is what determines whether that person is prone to fatigue or not. Those doing with the ideation of bhramabhava receive ongoing fuel from Parama Purusa for all their pursuits.

In our Ananda Marga, you may have seen some Wts who got frustrated in their dharma pracara or social service projects. Mentally, they were more involved in worldly measurements and completely missed out ideating on and serving Him. Such workers were easily frustrated & often left whereas those doing to please Him were always feeling buoyant, blissful and ready for life.

That is the stark difference between those involved in Brahmabhava versus those stuck in worldly gains and losses. Because of cosmic ideation one is tapping into His perennial inspiration.

If doing any service project or seva in order to please Parama Purusa, and not for name and fame etc, then one will get ongoing inspiration and never be drained of their energy and motivation by fatigue.

This should be our approach cent-per-cent of the time. For that, we must critically analyse our motivations as well as evaluate the nature of one’s work. Is this work solely for one’s individual or petty gain, or is this endeavour part of a broad-minded outlook for the welfare of all.

With this type of self-analysis – along with regular spiritual practices – one can properly maintain Brahmabhava, by His grace. Then one will never experience fatigue in any endeavour. One will receive eternal inspiration from Him to complete each and every task in a nice way.

HERE IS THE KEY THEME

Here again I wish emphasize this idea.

Thus one must always cultivate the right outlook: “This is His work and He is giving me energy and I am doing to please Him.” With practice and perseverance, this outlook along with spiritual practice will give one the scope to perform all actions devoid of any feelings of frustration.

By cultivating spiritual outlook one will receive endless inspiration, while those involved in mundane thinking burn out quite quickly. Adopting a spiritual perspective is our strength.

This is how Baba says we are to proceed.

When a person feeds their baby and thinks that they are serving Parama Purusa in the form of this child, then they will go on and on and never tire of their duty. Similarly, when one thinks of Him and raises the Prout slogan to please Him – and not for some unit psychic desire of getting elected to public office etc – then no matter the outcome one will not tire of doing Prout pracara.

SPECIAL NOTE

Here we should be aware about one thing. People often move around in the general society and think that others are great and have boundless energy. They glorify their neighbors, friends, and acquaintances because they only see part of the picture. In contrast they know the problems that come in their own house, but they think others are immune to such issues. In that state of naiveté and unawareness, they place a gold ribbon around all kinds of people.

But this is all wrong. None should fall in this type of delusion. Someone who is very energetic at work and it looks like they have it all together, just know that is not the full picture. Those on the path of materialism are subject to fatigue, frustration, ignorance and despair. Keep that in mind the next time you see someone around town and think, “Wow, that person is really great in all respects.”

Never forget, materialists are prone to fatigue – period, no matter how grand their life may look from the outside.

Only those who truly take Cosmic ideation – by His grace – are above all sorts of frustration and fatigue.

Our approach then is to do sadhana and ideate when involved in worldly dealings. Only people become tired and frustrated because of a lack of Brahmabhava. By ideating on Him, gradually our fatigue will disappear and we will get renewed energy to do all kinds of good deeds and welfare projects for Him.

REVIEWING THE MAIN APPROACH

Let us again consider this grand approach.

One must always cultivate the right outlook: “This is His work and He is giving me energy and I am doing to please Him.” With practice and perseverance, this outlook along with spiritual practice will give one the scope to perform all actions devoid of any feelings of frustration. Frustration has an inverse relationship with spirituality. The more spiritually-based a person is, the less they will feel frustrated or mentally dejected.

This is how Baba says we are to proceed.

When a person feeds their baby and thinks that they are serving Parama Purusa in the form of this child, then they will go on and on and never tire of their duty. Similarly, when one thinks of Him and raises the Prout slogan to please Him – and not for some unit psychic desire of getting elected to public office etc – then no matter the outcome one will not tire of doing Prout pracara.

“WITHOUT INSPIRATION, THEY CANNOT ACHIEVE ANYTHING”

He has blessed us with a proper social-sum-spiritual outlook, dharma sadhana, and the way to ideate. We must realise practically and theoretically these gifts. Then we will never experience fatigue in life; we will always feel that we are at the lotus feet of Parama Purusa.

“When human beings seek to do something lasting, or build something new, or promote human welfare, or establish something valuable to society, they must establish themselves in spiritual life. Without devotion, without inspiration, they cannot achieve anything.” (5)

“Never think that you cannot do a certain work; just commit yourself to doing that work and you will see that you will certainly be able to do it. When you start working for the welfare of society, society can never remain backward; it is bound to progress, and through the advancement of society you will also achieve success in your life.” (6)

Again I wish to reiterate, that the only way to avoid feelings of hopeless is to do thinking of Him – and not for any selfish or worldly motivation.

Thus one must always cultivate the right outlook: “This is His work and He is giving me energy and I am doing to please Him.” With practice and perseverance, this outlook along with spiritual practice will give one the scope to perform all actions devoid of any feelings of frustration.

This is how Baba says we are to proceed.

When a person feeds their baby and thinks that they are serving Parama Purusa in the form of this child, then they will go on and on and never tire of their duty. Similarly, when one thinks of Him and raises the Prout slogan to please Him – and not for some unit psychic desire of getting elected to public office etc – then no matter the outcome one will not tire of doing Prout pracara.

BABA’S RELATED TEACHINGS

“While feeding your son, you should contemplate that you are not feeding your son, but you are doing your duty to the manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness in the shape of your son. When you plough your land, you ought to contemplate that you are doing the proper action to the manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness in the form of your land. If you properly follow this Cosmic Ideation you can keep yourself aloof from the shackles of actions even though you perform actions. This practice will pervade your exterior and interior with the ecstasy of Cosmic Bliss, and will alleviate permanently all your afflictions. Then the force of ignorance (avidyá) cannot devour you in its ferocious jaws. The glory of the One and only One benign Entity will shine forth to you from one and all objects.” (7)

“Everything is the manifestation of God. Whether it is land, home, river, mountain, respect, insult, day or night – everything is He and His manifestation as a unit. Make proper use of all objects thinking that they are His gifts to us. To enjoy or endure anything is to enjoy or endure Him. Avoid the attraction of the unit and make contact with the integral whole. When you are able to live this way, the desire to steal the property of others will completely disappear. In Ananda Marga there is a special process through which one can dedicate everything to God. The ascription of divinity to objects means the pursuit of the Infinite, leaving the finite behind. Are you feeding your son? No, no, you are feeding the son-like manifestation of Brahma. Are you tilling the field? No, no you are serving the finite manifestation of Brahma with your plough.” (8)

“In life one can never escape from the need for action. If they do not understand which action is beneficial for them, they should consult others; but they will have to work continuously. Since devotion has awakened in them and they have been endowed with spiritual inspiration, they are sure to attain success in whatever action they undertake. Plunge into action and you will find that you will be able to do anything and everything. Never think that you cannot do a certain work; just commit yourself to doing that work and you will see that you will certainly be able to do it. When you start working for the welfare of society, society can never remain backward; it is bound to progress, and through the advancement of society you will also achieve success in your life.” (9)

“Whenever performing any action, you must analyse to what extent the action about to be undertaken will ensure physical, psychic, spiritual, social and economic progress, and you must also consider whether your action will truly bring welfare to the world. When you are certain that your actions are truly benevolent, you must immediately throw yourselves into those actions. The inspiration behind your righteous intellect comes from Parama Puruśa, and thus it is He who will provide you with the requisite strength to accomplish the task. When your conscience dictates that the action to be performed is benevolent, you should realize that if the discriminating intellect behind your conscience is convincing you of the righteousness of your action, then that intellect will also surely provide you with the requisite courage to translate that idea into action. Thus when you are convinced that a certain action is good, then you should have no hesitation in your mind whatsoever. Such hesitation will be absolutely useless.” (10)

“In this way it becomes easy to perform righteous deeds. What is important is to move towards Parama Puruśa, the only permanent Entity, along with one’s knowledge and action, which we collectively call devotion. Without the inspiration of devotion, nothing lasting can be achieved. Thus conscientious people, whatever actions they may perform, must not deviate from the Supreme Goal in life. Ours is a subjective approach with objective adjustment: our main purpose is to continue with our mundane activities while placing our minds at the feet of Parama Puruśa. You must accept Him as the ultimate Goal of your lives, and then move on. If impediments arise in your movement towards the Goal, they must be removed from the path; and those circumstances which are beneficial to your progress must be encouraged. In this way you will individually progress, and that individual progress will also advance the collective life.” (11)

“You have no right to hate even a single living creature. The best you can do is only to serve. Remember, you are to serve bearing in mind that every creature is verily the living manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness. Remember also that the credit of service is not yours; it is due to the Supreme and the Supreme alone, whose ideation has inspired you to acquire the capability of rendering service.” (12)

“Inspiration and the thought of universal welfare are inseparable. The spiritually inspired mind should apply its power on the material world so that matter can be used benevolently for human progress. Trees, stones and earth are not easily moved by spiritual inspiration; nor are people of static nature.” (13)

“You cannot be inspired by others all the time, you have got to be inspired by yourself. That means you have to follow dharma; you have to follow the path. Because He is always inside of you; He is always outside of you also. The Supreme Truth is hiding; you are chasing Him and He is hiding behind you. And again you are chasing Him and again He is hiding. It is like a hide-and-seek game. And He is happy about that. You are chasing Him and chasing Him and chasing Him and He is hiding [from] you, and you want to chase Him again.” (14)

“Only a life thus inspired is the true life. Others may have human bodies, but the minds residing in those bodies are not truly human. You boys and girls have come onto this earth as human beings with human bodies and minds – you should never forget this. Humanity is the criterion of judgment for truth in this universe. When human beings are established in the false glamour of humanity, then truth stands victorious. So in the practical world, the greatest entities are human beings – they are the highest expressions of Parama Puruśa, the Supreme Consciousness. Only they have the capacity to understand the significance of the numerous forms, colours, smells, etc., in which Parama Puruśa is constantly metamorphosing His creation.” 15)

“Inspiration comes from inside. [Sometimes] we need inspiration from outside; but that inspiration is not lasting. It is momentary. But in order to inspire yourself you have got to know yourself; by knowing yourself you are inspired always. Inspiration from inside will stand for all time; it will inspire you for all time. That alone is going to help you. And by inspiring yourself you are inspiring others. So be an example. Be a true aspirant by becoming yourself what you are; [and by becoming what you are,] you show others what they have to be. So in order to know everything you know one thing. That one thing is dharma. That one thing is the supreme truth, and that truth is hiding in your heart. You have got to know that truth inside yourself. That is why sádhaná has to be performed.” (16 )

OVERALL THEME

The overarching idea of this entire letter is that those motivated by mundane longing and worldly attainment invariably experience frustration and other psychic ailments. While those who take His name and work ideating on Him receive perennial inspiration to move ahead and and never feel an ounce of frustration. That is the remedy: Harboring a spiritual outlook.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Prabha’

REFERENCES:
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
5. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
6. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
7. SS-1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science
8. SS-2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
9. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
10. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
11. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
12. Ananda Vanii #23
13. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 9, Shakti and Its Proper Application
14. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 31, Dharma Sádhaná
15. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
16. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 31, Dharma Sádhaná

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

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Answers on Pranayama

11 Question: What is práńáyáma?

Answer: Práńáyáma is defined as: Tasmin sati shvása prashvásayoh gativicchedah práńáyáma. That is, “Práńáyáma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness.” It helps the mind in concentration and meditation.

12 Question: What is the spirit of práńáyáma?

Answer: Pránán yamayati eśah práńáyámah. That is, the word práńáyáma literally means “controlling the práńáh [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of práńáyáma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the práńendriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness.

13 Question: How many types of práńáyáma are there?

Answer: There are two main types of práńáyáma: hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma and Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. When práńáyáma is done without fixing the mind on a particular point of concentration, and without imbibing Cosmic ideation, it is called hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma. But when práńáyáma is performed with the mind fixed at a particular point along with Cosmic ideation, it is called Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. [The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthira, was the first person to popularize práńáyáma according to this method.] (Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation)
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Which Pathy Is The Best #2

Date: 04 2013 22:36:13 -0000
From: “Surya Deva”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Which Pathy Is The Best #2

Baba

“Nijer katha’ bolate gele yug ye cale ya’y…” (Prabhata Samgiita #2610)

Purport:

Baba, my whole life is getting wasted in propagating my own “greatness”. Since ages I have been involved in this foolish endeavour. O’ Parama Purusa, please fill my mind with Your divine tales. By listening to Your stories and talks, my whole heart, nay my whole being, will be satiated.

O’ my Lord, in order to listen to Your divine gospel, I have remained awake since many lives – since ages. O’ Parama Purusa, my mind is restless to get a glimpse of Your smile. My mind only wants You, O my Dearmost.

O’ Parama Purusa, today You have graced me and changed my heart; I will no longer waste my time in self-glorification and bragging about my unit ‘I’, little ego. I will not talk about my own unit hopes and misteries. Now, O’ Divine Infinite Parama Purusa, this unit is running constantly towards You.

Baba, I wasted my life in self-propaganda. Now by Your grace only I want to listen to Your glory, Your sweet gospel, O’ Parama Purusa, I am surrendering at Your lotus feet…

== WHICH PATHY IS BEST #2 ==

Namaskar,

“Now the question is, which system of medicine is best. Certainly every individual has their own opinion. The purpose of this letter is to highlight some critical points which Baba has given about the prevailing pathys. To this end, we shall review (a) allopathy (i.e. western medicine), (b) ayurveda, (c) naturopathy, and (d) homeopathy. In addition, we will examine a few of Baba’s overarching guidelines about the field of medicine and health, as well as what form it should take in the future.”

In the first letter (link appended below) on this topic, the first three of the aforementioned pathys were examined. Here we start with homeopathy.

BENEFITS OF HOMEOPATHY

The final pathy explored here is homeopathy.

Baba says, “In homeopathy whose principle is “Samah samam shamayati” (like cures like), the disease is not treated, but the symptom of the disease is treated. No matter whether the disease is diarrhea or malaria, the symptom is treated and not the disease. Moreover, the medicine is applied in a subtle form. It is theorized that the subtle affects the crude, hence subtle medicine is applied to cure the crude disease. The more subtle the medicine, the more effective the result on the crude disease.” (12)

“The value of the principle shama samaḿ shamayati [similia similibus curantue – “like cures like”)] has been understood by human beings since the age of the Mahábhárata, but it was Mahatma Hahnemann who brought it to the scientific level through his system of homeopathy. People realized the value of this principle during the Mahábhárata age from the poison treatment of the poisoned Bhiima. There were considerable advances in Ayurveda in poison research, especially with snake, scorpion, spider and hornet poisons.” (11)

The special quality of homeopathic medicines are that they are subtle and work in a very deep way. These medicines work directly on the symptoms of the patient. That is highly beneficial. In contrast, medicines of other systems like allopathy and ayurveda are not based on the symptoms of the patient, but rather the disease.

For instance, suppose a patient is suffering from dyspepsia. In that case, homeopathic meds will be given based on the type of pain and discomfort a person is feeling. Burning pain might be one medicine, and if it is excess gas and bloating, then that is a different medicine. Thus there are various medicines in te field of homeopathy that might be used for that patient, depending upon what they are experiencing. Whereas, allopathy has only one single medicine for dyspepsia. And that medicine will create a very harsh reaction on the body.

Same is the case with dysuria. Homeopathic remedies will be numerous based on the various symptoms a patient might have. Whereas allopathy and ayurveda have a single medicine for such a disease. And those medicines invite harmful side-effects.

That is why Baba warns us that such medicines can create problems. Not only that, if an allopathic medicine is given yet the patient does not actually have that disease, then it is doubly dangerous.

Furthermore, because homeopathy uses very subtle medicines even if the selection is wrong, it does not cause harm. No doubt, the wrong homeopathic medicine may not bring about the cure; yet it will not be harmful, let alone disastrous as is the case with ayurvedic or allopathic medicines.

Baba says, “The principles, application and philosophy of homeopathy are completely different from [other] medical treatments. Homeopathy treats the symptoms of the patient, not the disease. So there is very little possibility of causing harm, even if the diagnosis is not quite correct. A doctor with good powers of observation and a subtle sense of discrimination can easily prescribe remedies according to the patient’s symptoms.” (13)

All in all there are many benefits of homeopathy:
(a) The medicines are very subtle and hence not harmful.
(b) Homeopathy treats the symptom – not the disease – yet this way the problem is cured.
(c) If the wrong medicine is administered, there are no adverse side effects.
(d) Homeopathy can treat a wide array of illnesses and human conditions.
(e) The medicines are inexpensive.

So there are many plus points of homeopathy. In addition, with the today’s modern computer programs, an observant patient can often find out the right homeopathic remedy. In that case, there is no need to visit the doctor.

MODERN ENHANCEMENTS OF HOMEOPATHY

Here below Baba appreciates how homeopathic practitioners now support the use of needles to administer medicines – as do modern day ayurvedic doctors.

“Nowadays, in those cases where there is difficulty getting the desired effect by swallowing the medicine or ingesting it in some other way, or where the effect is delayed, the system of introducing the medicine into the body through injection is widely prevalent. If anything is injected into the body through a needle it is called súcikábharańa. Súcikábharańa existed in Ayurveda in ancient times to a small extent, but this science could not advance much in those days, chiefly due to the influence of certain superstitions among the people at that time. They did not want to allow anything into their bodies through injection, so this science remained unappreciated. Nowadays it is possible to save the patient’s life with injections in the case of diseases that are difficult to cure or treat, or in the case of life-threatening disease. Thankfully, modern practitioners of Ayurveda and Homeopathy, willingly or unwillingly, have accepted the use of needles and themselves use them.” (14)

With the addition of surgery, homeopathy will be an even more successful and effective pathy.

“Homeopathy should embrace surgery, and if this is done it will be good for the all-round welfare of the people.” (15)

BEWARE:

PRESCRIBING MEDICINES IS JUST GUESSWORK

Here Baba points out that the doctor’s decision to prescribe a particular medicine is just their best guess. So no one should accept a doctor’s prescription for a particular medicine as an exact science.

“Is it not simply guesswork to prescribe medicines for a particular disease when the medicine is prescribed for the disease but the disease is diagnosed according to the bodily constituents? If you mentioned this to an allopath, ayurvedic doctor or hakim he or she would probably hand over his or her stethoscope or mortar and pestle and reply, “Here you are, sir. You had better treat the disease yourself.” This, of course, is an angry remark. While I recognize that a lay person should not have the audacity to counsel a doctor, I must also point out that everyone has the right to consider the merits and demerits of a particular type of medical treatment.” (16)

Doctors can only guess as to which medicine they think is most appropriate. They can only surmise whether, “This is absolutely the correct medicine or whether this is definitively the wrong medicine.” All in all, it is a delicate situation. But so long as the medicine is inherently not harmful, then naturally that pathway is more safe.

So, two things are of importance here:

(a) No doctor of any pathy can confidently claim that: “This is the proper medicine”, as their selection is only based on their “best guess.” On an assumption they administer the medicine.

(b) If some medicines are unrefined – virtually poison – the patient may be harmed and even die.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT IS THE BEST

ESPECIALLY FOR SADHAKAS

As sadhakas, we take sentient food, practice asanas and sadhana, and maintain a devotional ideation. By this way both the mind body become more subtle.

By following Ananda Marga teachings, the entire existence becomes more subtle than common non-margii citizens. So we have to be very cautious and alert while taking any type of medicine. The medicines of the ayurvedic and allopathic systems can be more disastrous for us than non-margiis. In some extreme cases, there may be no other option. We may need to take a strong medicine that is potentially very harmful. But for the overall treatment of the body, in our practical approach, one chief option remains: Taking treatment via homeopathy.

Homeopathic remedies are the best types of medicine. That is Baba’s general guideline. Ultimately, however, Baba advises that all the pathys should be used to complement one another and the end point should be the welfare of the patient.

ALL PATHY’S UNDER ONE ROOF

According to Ananda Marga philosophy, the most rational approach with respect to medical care is for all the pathys to exist under one roof. Patients should be evaluated on a case by case basis and then directed to the right avenue of treatment. Each medical pathy has its speciality and ethic. The goal is the cure the patient, regardless of the pathy involved. Using multiple pathys is also quite appropriate. For instance allopathic surgery combined with homeopathic medicine might be the ideal way to treat a particular patient. The end point should be the patient’s welfare – not which pathy is used.

“The welfare of the patient should be the main aim of the medical profession, regardless of the philosophical or logical ramifications of a particular system of medicine. Doctors may find it somewhat difficult to work with such a principle, because it is unreasonable to expect them to be experts in all the medical systems. In reality, it is highly unlikely. Nevertheless, what is not possible in a doctor’s chambers may be possible in a hospital.”
“In the hospitals of some countries the welfare of the patient is given top priority and the patient is treated accordingly. Immediately after being admitted, he or she is thoroughly examined by an appropriate board of doctors who determine the most suitable system of medical treatment. In other words, if the patient’s disease can be easily cured by allopathy, he or she will be treated by an allopath; if by homoeopathy, by a homoeopath; if by naturopathy, by a naturopath; and so on. If various types of treatment are available, changing from one type to another will not be difficult in the event of the patient not responding to a particular type of treatment.” (17)

BABA’S RELATED TEACHINGS

“The great danger in diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medicines according to the germs and diseases present in the body is that it is nearly impossible to arrive at a firm conclusion about the precise nature of germs. Whether diseases are caused by germs or germs are created from diseases which are caused by other factors is a matter of controversy. The symptoms of one disease may be identical to those of another, and the remedy for one may prove to be completely ineffective or even harmful in the case of the other. Moreover, as poisons are used, they may seriously affect the vitality of the patient. Just imagine, if the doctor is incompetent or is completely motivated by a business mentality, what will the plight of the public be?” (1)

“In both systems [ayurvedic and unani system] crude medicine is applied.” (2)

“Ayurveda and hekemii [hakims]…use strong medicines and also poison as a medicine…In this method of treatment the selection of medicines involves great risk, because more emphasis is placed on the indications of the disease than on those of the patient, and because of the possibility of causing death.” (3)

“There was a time when diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medicines were not very difficult because diagnoses were based on three constituents of the body – air, bile and phlegm – with blood as a fourth constituent. But increased physical and glandular complexity has led to a corresponding increase in the number and complexity of diseases.” (4)

“In the pure ayurvedic system, there is no surgery.” (5)

Baba says, “Naturopaths do not believe in using medicine. They think that it is possible to cure patients through the gifts of nature only – through earth, water, light, heat and air, together with a proper diet.” (6)

Then Baba describes the various techniques and methods used by naturopaths – like fasting.

“Since ancient times many non-human creatures have considered fasting or deliberate abstinence from food as their natural medicine. You will notice that dogs and certain other animals abstain from eating if they feel a little ill. You also often do not feel like eating when you feel somewhat physically out of sorts. Some contemporary physicians advise their patients, and even pressure them, to eat even when they do not have any appetite. This, however, goes against the laws of nature. It is natural for a sick creature to feel an aversion for food, unless they suffer from the disease of overeating. By not eating, certain organs of the body enjoy a temporary rest. As a result, after the fast the organs are rejuvenated and reenergized and a feeling of wellbeing returns to the physical body. So not only in the case of prehistoric humans, in the case of the prehistoric animals as well, the ancient, pure and chief medicine was fasting or voluntary abstention from food.” (7)

Baba also describes how naturopathy uses the elements like light, air, earth and water.

“Sunlight and air: There are many healing elements in sunlight. The rays or pencils of rays of different colours in sunlight are medicines for different kinds of diseases – preventive and antidotal. Sunlight has different benefits during different hours of the day. Sun-warmed water also has different kinds of benefits. Thus sunlight has been regarded since ancient times as medicines for different bodily ailments. It is also said in the Vedas: súryah yathá sarvalokasya cakśuh [as the sun is the eye of the entire universe]. The medicine, that is, sunlight should be taken in through the dorsal spine, not through the chest or the abdomen.”
“The pure air of a secluded place is also an excellent medicine for the physical body. This medicine in the form of air should be taken through the back of the head and the upper part of the forehead. The earth from a riverside area near a forest in which there is a small amount of sand and a large amount of soil is also an excellent medicine for the physical body. This medicine should be taken bare-bodied on a bed of earth.”
“Water: Odorless, tepid water, especially if it is sun-warmed, is an excellent medicine for the physical body. It has great healing qualities. Since ancient times, knowingly or unknowingly, human beings and different animals have also accepted water as one of their medicines. It is also said in the Vedas: ápashca vishvabheśajii [and water is a universal medicine].” (8)

Ultimately, Baba reveals that limiting the practice of medicine to naturopathy alone is quite limiting and incomplete.

“Naturopaths do not believe in using medicine. They think that it is possible to cure patients through the gifts of nature only – through earth, water, light, heat and air, together with a proper diet. I do not deny that this is possible, but it is also often difficult to gradually and completely attune the body to nature.” (9)

Here below Baba unveils the special way that medicine works – it facilitates the healing process in the body.

“People should recognize that medicine does not cure disease, rather nature cures disease with the help of the body’s own healing power. Medicine only helps to accelerate the activity and speed of the healing process.” (10)

Thus, Baba does not support the naturopathic model where no medicines are ever administered. Baba clearly appreciates the application of medicine when needed.

SUMMARY

The best way is to have all the pathys under one roof, utilizing the strengths of each for the welfare of that patient. We should also keep in mind that as a stand-alone practice, the medicines of homeopathy are best suited to the well-being of Ananda Marga sadhakas and all people. As far as possible, we should try and maintain health by strictly following Sixteen Points, and using homeophatic remedies – as the need arises. In the near future, more and more hospitals and medical centers will offer all the pathys under one roof. That will be the ideal system.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Surya Deva

Note 1: VAEDYAK SYSTEM APPROVES OF SURGERY

And the Ayurveda system should not be confused with the vaedyak system given by Lord Shiva which does include surgery. Because Lord Shiva Himself approved the vaedyak system of medicine.

But this vaedyak system got a serious blow after the arrival of Buddhism. Since then various dogmas and superstitions were injected and that had a horribly detrimental effect on the progress of medicine. Rather it sent medicine back into the dark ages. Due to the dogma of Buddhism, the dead body was prohibited for use in dissection.

Thus because of Buddha’s dogmatic influence and that of the Puranic religion, India went far behind in surgery. At the time of the Mahabharat period, surgery was quite common. And that was not due to ayurveda; rather, it was because of vaedyak shastra.

In the Discourses On the Mahabharat Baba has revealed the above fact. History is there that King Jarasandh, at the time of his birth he was born via cesarean, and the doctor was the lady doctor Jara’ who stitched Jarasandh’s body parts together. This marked how the people of that period were well acquainted with surgery. But later on this science of surgery faced serious problem, due to the dogmatic beliefs of Buddhism, and research on medical science could not be done. So India lagged behind, in surgery. (18)

Note 2: ORIGIN OF HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT STARTED IN INDIA

Baba says, “Visa cikitsa (treatment thru poison) is native to India, and its first reference is found in the Mahabharata period. Later on this visa cikitsa (treatment thru poison) was encouraged not by Aryans, but rather by non-Aryans, and South India, especially Malabar, saw it expand a lot. These people attribute the origin of visa cikitsa (treatment thru poison) to Lord Krsna, i.e., visa cikitsa (treatment thru poison) was originated by Krsna.And vaedyaka shastra was originated by Lord Sadashiva…”
“But the originator of visa cikitsa (treatment thru poison) was Lord Krsna. In the Mahabharata period, it was appreciated a lot, and people discussed it and practised it by applying different venoms such as the venom of the snake, the venom of the spider, the venom of the scorpion, etc., to cure snake bite, spider bite, scorpion bite, etc. In course of time, it was neglected. At last it had some place in the royal family of Cochin. This system is neglected nowadays, but if it is encouraged, a new system will be added to medical science.” (19)

Note 3: OTHER KEY POINTS FROM THE FIRST LETTER

The first letter in this series addressed the first three aforementioned pathys, as well as various points about medicince and health including two Sanskrit Samskrta proverbs:

(A) “Sariram vya’dhi mandiram”.
‘Where there is a body, disease comes’.

(B) Here is one traditional, satirical saying about those pathys where harmful and poisonous medicines are used.
“Shat ma’ri bhavet vaedhyah. Sahasra ma’ri cikitsakah” (Human Society – 1)

The meaning is: If a doctor kills 100 patients by prescribing the wrong medicine, he is known as a “vaedyah”, i.e. less qualified doctor; if a doctor kills 1000 persons by administering wrong medicines, he becomes “cikitsak”, i.e. high-qualified doctor.

Note 4: LINK TO THE PRIOR LETTER IN THIS SERIES

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/01/which-pathy-is-best-1.html

REFERENCES
1. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
2. Discourses on the Mahabharata, The Medical Science of the Age
3. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
4. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
5. Discourses on the Mahabharata, p.21
6. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
7. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
8. Shabda Cayanika – 5, Kulya to Kuvela (Discourse 34)
9. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
10. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
11. 8. Shabda Cayanika – 5, Kulya to Kuvela (Discourse 34)
12. Discourses on the Mahabharata, p.21-2
13. Human Society – 1
14. Shabda Caynika – 4, Kárpat́ika to Kála (Discourse 23)
15. ‘Guidelines for Commencing Microvita Research’
16. Human Society -1, Various Occupations
17. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations
18. Reference: Discourses on the Mahabharat, p.24
19. Discourses on the Mahabharat, p.22-23

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

*************************************************
BEWARE OF THE CINEMA & VIDEO GAMES

“Many people in society do not become criminals because of physiological or hereditary factors. Nor do they become involved in criminal activities due to the influence of base propensities, or due to lack of education or social control. Yet today civilized society looks down on them because they are criminals when they could have been revered as ideal human beings with impeccable characters if they had been given a proper environment.”
“They are glaring examples that honest people can become dishonest as a result of environmental pressures. The sensitive, honest son of a villainous father is compelled to participate in antisocial activities out of fear of paternal abuse. This creates a habit which eventually becomes part of his nature.” (Human Society – 1, Justice)

“In the modern world there is a wide variety of films which excite the passions and have a degrading influence on boys and girls, adolescents and young men and women. Such films create in cinema-goers the desire to emulate in their individual lives the criminal activities, the vulgar expressions of love, or the adventurous behaviour that they see enacted on the screen. This is another example of how keeping bad company causes depravity. Many cinema-goers imagine that the characters that they see on the screen are their actual acquaintances, but when they try to emulate these characters, they discover that the real world is much tougher than the world portrayed by the cinema.” (Human Society – 1, Justice)

Note: Here is a recent news report. This following incident happened after one teenager watched a horror film over and over again. The boy became obsessed with the film’s main character and in result he committed the same demonic crime. The main character killed his mother and his sister. After watching the film many times, in a cold-blooded, detached manner, the teenager ruthlessly murdered his mother and his sister. We must not allow children to see such violent movies and play such violent video games. So many dastardly crimes have occurred because of these violent video games and movies. That is Baba’s warning.

Here is the headline and introductory sentence of this news article.

“17-year-old murder suspect inspired by ‘Halloween’ slasher flick”

“Jake Evans fatally shot his mother and sister after watching the horror film numerous times. Evans wrote he was ‘amazed at how at ease the boy was during the murders and how little remorse he had afterward’ in a confession to police.”

To read more of this news story, click here…
*************************************************

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Why Sadhana Is Difficult

Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 20:44:59 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Gaurishankar Deva
Subject: Why Sadhana Is Difficult

Baba

== WHY SADHANA IS DIFFICULT ==

Namaskar,
When a sadhaka sits for meditation then sometimes they find it hard to concentrate. The reason is very simple. When the mind is preoccupied with something else, then those thoughts disturb the mind and divert it away from sadhana. In that case, the repetition of one’s mantra becomes difficult and / or the mind goes somewhere else.

Think of it this way:

(a) If someone thinks, “I want to become a doctor”, “I will become a king”, “I will start a business”, “I will become a film hero”, “I will become a dancer”, then they will not be able to achieve anything. They cannot aim to be a doctor one week and then the next week aim for becoming a movie star and still expect to gain success. If one thinks in this fickle-minded fashion, always changing their goal, then they will never progress.

(b) Similarly if one student thinks, “I will become a football champion”, “I will score the highest on my university exam”, “I will be a farmer”, “I like fishing”, “I will go hunting”, “I will become a gang leader”, then again that person will not do anything. One cannot change their plan every week or every month and still expect to attain success. It will not happen.

Here the point is that the mind is one.

Human beings can only do one work at a time. If you want to be successful in life you have to focus on one endeavour at a time – in a sustained fashion. This theorem applies to sadhana as well.

HOW TO APPROACH SADHANA

Before starting sadhana one has to be fully convinced in their own mind that, “I do not have any other work. I only have to do my sadhana – without entertaining any other thoughts. Above all, one’s conviction should be: “I want to realise Parama Purusa – I do not have any other longing in my life.” If this idea is firm in the mind, then success is sure. Then one’s sadhana will be proper.

This type of firmness of mind develops slowly – and may even fluctuate along the way. For beginners, this firm determination may at first seem a bit elusive. Slowly then – with steadfast sincerity – you have to train your mind to think about the Goal. Then in due course, this firm feeling will develop and the mind will become pin-pointed towards Parama Purusa. When there is only 1% conviction, then one will achieve 1% success; and when there is 100% conviction, then there is 100% success.

We are all aware about how Lord Buddha got realization. When he had only one single desire, then his mind became focused and he reached his goal. More about this is noted below.

The central idea is that in order to do proper sadhana pointedness of mind is needed. And pointedness comes when your mind is focused: Focused on one occupation. Doing one thing at one time – not entertaining other ideas.

Those individuals with dual or multiple personalities cannot focus their mind and hence cannot get success. That is why only simple, honest, truthful and straightforward people can achieve their goal easily. Those who are fickle-minded, unfocused, hypocritical and those with multiple personalities never reach their goal.

That is what Baba has described in His teaching: To get success in sadhana, satyas’hreyii is a must. What is satya’shrayii? Satya means benevolent truthfulness; ashreya means shelter; and the suffix ii means the one who. Thus satya’sharyii is the one who takes shelter in satya. Only such person gain true success.

So one must give up all hypocrisy. Then iccha shakti (will power) will develop and the mind will easily become concentrated. Then one will have a new life start where sadhana happens in a very natural way.

STORY OF LORD BUDDHA

So only those who are strict in dharma and take shelter in satya, i.e. satya’shrayii, can develop iccha shakti (will power) and by that way attain the goal of life. The classic story of this is Buddha.

Baba says, “When Lord Buddha first sat in contemplation, his goal was not fixed. There was doubt and confusion in his mind. He was not certain of what he wanted. And so, whatever he wanted, he was not certain of getting it. But later, when Buddha sat in contemplation, he took a complete sam’kalpa. He fixed his goal and made a firm determination to achieve it. He resolved that he would not get up from his meditation until he attained spiritual realization, even if his body perished. Then he succeeded in attaining his goal.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam – 1)

Similarly, the more we are firm in our 16 Points etc, the more iccha shakti (will power) we will develop and the greater resolve we will have in sadhana. We will think, ‘I must get Parama Purusa’, and that will be supported by an internal flow of mind.

Conversely, if we just view sadhana as something that is done in order to eat food or go to sleep etc, then that sadhana will never lead one to the Goal. It is not that by doing sadhana like this for 25 or 50 years then magically one day Baba will come and grant salvation. That is not the way it works.

Our sadhana progresses according to our own internal commitment to it. The more we adhere to His guidelines of dharma and satya etc, the more iccha shakti we develop. And then with that force of mind, our sadhana becomes fruitful, otherwise not. That is Baba’s distinct teaching.

Thus if one is constantly delinquent in following Sixteen Points, or if one is irregular in fasting, skips over sadhana lessons, eats poorly, or does not do kaoshikii, tandava, and asanas etc, then one will suffer from a distinct weakness of mind, and that will hamper one’s sadhana.

So all of Baba’s teachings are connected to developing the requisite iccha shakti (will power or psychic stamina & determination) in order to advance on the path of sadhana and attain Him.

MAKING SADHANA A VITAL FORCE

At one time or another, we have all experienced difficulty in doing sadhana, either due to lack of desire, poor concentration, lethargy, or time management issues like procrastination, etc.

Yet sadhana is the key to our success. Without sadhana our lives just become a myriad of useless engagements. Whereas with sadhana, our each and every breath is meaningful and we advance towards the Goal of life.

To keep sadhana a vital force and at the forefront of our lives, we should pay strict attention to Baba’s ideals of satya’shrayii and iccha shakti.

This will help fuel our journey towards Him.

BEING ESTABLISHED IN SATYA’SHRAYII IS EASY FOR ANANDA MARGIIS

As we all know, satya is the second principle of yama sadhana and means ‘benevolent truthfulness’, or always acting in the spirit of welfare. And a’shreya means ‘shelter’. And the suffix ii means the one who. So satya’shrayii means ‘the one who takes shelter in satya’, or is always true to dharma.

Baba has graciously given us the right interpretation of dharma as clear-cut injunctions like Sixteen Points, conduct rules, and 15 Shiilas etc.

We know what to eat, when to drink, how to act, what sadhana is, when to do kiirtan etc. Every possible direction Baba has graciously given us so that we may pointedly follow the path of dharma.

By this way, we can easily be established in satya’shrayii, the path of benevolence.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

THE GROWTH OF ICCHA SHAKTI

By being true to dharma and being established in or taking shelter satya, one other wonderful development occurs. We develop iccha shakti or will power, by His grace.

In sadhana one begins to think, more and more, that, ‘I must get Him’. A strength of mind or firm determination results. Because one’s base of life is grounded in truth and dharma. That brings conviction, integrity of mind, and iccha shakti, i.e. will power.

We all know that following Baba’s mandates and adhering to dharma is integral for any sadhaka. By this way we will be able to heighten our sadhana, reach our Supreme Goal, and manifest many great works on this earth, by His grace.

In the Acarya Diary, Baba explains in greater detail how this works – within the mind as well as externally. In His explanation Baba uses terms like satya’shreyii and iccha shakti. By understanding the inner essence of these concepts, we can be more pointed in our pursuit of attaining Him in sadhana and be a dharmic force in society.

Here again we should remember:

The central idea is that in order to do proper sadhana pointedness is needed. The requisite pointedness comes when the mind is focused on a single aim. Doing one thing at one time; other ideas should not be allowed to bifurcate the mind.

In that situation will power or iccha shakti will develop and the mind will become concentrated. That will make one’s life totally new wherein sadhana will happen in a very natural way. i.e. the mind will easily become concentrated.

BABA’S BLESSING

Baba has graciously given us one special way to develop more and more iccha shakti. When we think of Him in all our activities and dealings, then naturally our thoughts, words, and actions will be according to His desire. And that will bring great strength and ultimately victory in life. Then we are sure to attain Him.

Baba says, “You should always remember one thing: that your spiritual practice, your mundane activities, your worldly ideology, your social, economic, and moral ideals in every sphere of your existence must be suffused with the ideation that you love your Lord, and you should love Him for only one reason – to please Him.” (Subhasita Samgraha-11)

Baba says, “To attain Him you will have to think of Him, to ideate and meditate on Him. There is no other way to become one with Him.” (Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life – 6)

Baba’s teaching guides us that while doing sadhana there should not be all kinds of worldly desires. Rather there should only be one desire. The mind should be wholly focused on the Divine Entity.

The final conclusion is that before sadhana one should think that I have no other engagement “I have to do sadhana”. So one should allot the time and start sadhana. If any stray thoughts come, then those thoughts will not be entertained. Rather using auto suggestion, one should remind oneself again and again that “I do not have any other work. I have to realise Parama Purusa.” If on a regular basis one sadhaka practices like this, then sadhana will be natural, easy and blissful.

Namaskar,
Gaurishankar Deva

Note 1: A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

This above letter is written collectively between myself and two of my friends, so it may not be smooth to read. Please bear with me. Thank you for taking this letter as being a mere tool for understanding Baba’s ideas which He has described in Senior Acarya Diary.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’sha’r a’loke ele, bha’s’a’r atiit tumi, a’ma’r duhkh-klesh bhula’ite…” (PS 1754)

Purport:

Baba, You are the embodiment of hope, inspiration, and bliss. Language is wholly incapable of expressing Your greatness. Baba, in this poignant moment, You have come here to remove my agony and sufferings, and to wipe away my tears in these dark days. In the blink of an eye, You graciously removed all the degnerating and negative thoughts that had accumulated in my mind. Baba, this is Your grace.

Baba, nobody except You is mine – to whom else I can relate my pain. You are the only Entity in this universe who is mine, to whom I open my heart and express everything. Indeed there is no one else in this entire universe except You to whom I can tell the inner feelings of my heart within these three worlds, tribhuvan.

O’ my dearmost Baba, You are the nucleus of all effulgence. Please grace me by singing the song of divinity in my ears. Baba, please come close to me. I have prepared one freshly blossomed flower garland for You which is full of fragrance. And I am waiting for that auspicious moment when You will come, and then in a lonely place I will offer that garland to You. Baba, You are my everything. With Your divine arrival all my sufferings have gone, because I have gotten You. This is exclusively Your grace…

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Re: Gurupujanam of Devashish

Subject: Re: Gurupujanam of Devashish
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 00:16:04 +0530
From: jitendra kumar
To: AM-GLOBAL

Baba

Namaskar,

Thanks for highlighting this blunder and mistake by Devashish (letter below). The way he has addressed Baba is completely inappropriate, not to mention all the other errors in his book.

Really Devashish should apologise and say sorry to our AM society, as well as correct the errors in his publication. Otherwise, we will have to boycott Devashish’s book and remove it from our bookstores etc.

From now on we should be extremely careful in selecting / allowing people in making this type of publication.

Jitendra Kumar
Ranchi, India

On 06/02/2012 09:17 PM, AM-GLOBAL wrote:
Date: 02 Jun 2012, 20:44:06
From: “Giovanni Spulotto” 

To: am-global@earthlink.net

Subject: Gurupujanam of Devashish

Baba

== GURUPUJANAM OF DEVASHISH ==

Namaskar,
I read the earlier letter on this tantra piit’ha thread and greatly value all that was shared – indeed a tantra piit’ha is not made by planting 5 trees and burying 5 skulls. I do not know why the writer presented such a dogmatic view in the name of Ananda Marga in his book – “[Shrii Shrii] Anandamurti The Jamalpur Years”. According to Baba, a tantra piit’ha is solely a place where great sadhakas achieved realisation. Clearly, the writer is confused.

NEW POINT FOR THE DISCUSSION

Here I would like to raise one new point regarding this debacle. In his book, the writer completely misportrays Baba’s own Personae as well. Take a look at what the writer does.

“Out of respect for the sacred history of that particular tantra pitha [made of 5 trees & 5 skulls], Prabhat would always remove his shoes before entering.” ([Shrii Shrii] Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years, p. 381)

ADDRESSING BABA PROPERLY

Firstly, when writing about or addressing Revered Baba, either directly or indirectly, we must always use a respectful address like Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. As His disciples, we never are to address Him as Prabhat etc, regardless of the circumstance. This is especially true in the public arena where we are teaching others by our example.

By his expression, it is evident that the writer does not have due reverence for Sadguru Baba; this writer is just a fake margii. No true Ananda Margii – no true disciple of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji – could ever even think to do like this. True Ananda Margiis always express the highest respect for Beloved Baba.

But see what this writer did:

“Prabhat would always remove his shoes before entering.” (The Jamalpur Years, p. 381)

This is absolutely appalling – the writer does not follow even one ounce of Guru Pujanam – reverence to Guru, which is a basic point that even beginner margiis understand.

“Trtiiyaḿ gurupújanam. I must have reverence for the guru…respect for the guru.”
(Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 12, ‘Secrets’)

Rather, in his book which he published for all to see, the writer is treating Baba like some ordinary person on the street, or even less than that. Because even on the street one must use the address as Mister or Sir. This much the writer does not do. And this happens again, and again, and again in his book – thousands of times.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF THE CATHOLICS

Even all the religions – whatever faults they may have – show proper regard for their preceptor.

Catholics address their leader as His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope’s worldly name is Joseph Alois Ratzinger, but no Catholic would ever consider calling the Pope, “Joey”. That would be a terrible display of disrespect. No Catholic could ever imagine doing that. Rather, they refer to him as His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. And by this way they teach others to do the same. Lay people, heads of state, newspaper reporters, indeed everyone refers to the Pope in a most respectful way. All because that is the tone and address used by the Pope’s chief followers, i.e. catholics.

As an example, here is an excerpt from The New York Times:

“Pope Benedict XVI is on Twitter, and he tweets from an iPad. His Holiness sent out an initial tweet… ” (The New York Times, Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011)

In this article, the Pope is referred to in very respectful language because that is what his followers have taught the world to do. They have set a gold-bar standard, and the rest of the world is following along. That is the main message to be learned here.

Tragically that lesson was utterly lost on the writer of the book – “The Jamalpur Years.” This person has referred to Beloved Baba in the most ordinary, mundane, even lowly manner.

“Prabhat would always…” (p.381)

That is the unfortunate and poor example the writer is putting forward for the world to see. The results are not going to be good.

Let’s take a look at another example.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF THE BUDDHISTS

Buddhists address their leader as His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s worldly name is Tenzin Gyatso, but no Buddhist would ever consider calling the Dalai Lama, “Tenz”. That would be a terrible display of disrespect. Rather, in their each and every syllable, gesture, statement, and publication, they refer to the Dalai Lama in only the highest, most respectful manner: His Holiness. And by their lofty example, the rest of the world follows along. The proof is that even President Obama’s office used this same reverential address:

“Statement from the Press Secretary on the President’s meeting Thursday with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama: “The President met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama…” (Washington Post, Feb 18 2010)

Thus the followers of the Dalai Lama, by their respectful way of addressing their chosen leader, have successfully guided everyone around the globe to do the same, including the office of the US President.

Yet in his book – “The Jamalpur Years” – the writer could not even begin to approach such a standard – rather he sank to a most lowly level when referring to our Marga Gurudeva:

“Prabhat would always….” (p.381)

Let’s take a look at one more example.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF HINDUS

Hindus address their leader as Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya. Indeed now he is known the world over by this most respectful title: His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka. Because that is how those followers have presented him to the rest of the world.

Indeed this “Jagat Guru” title means Guru of the whole world. Those followers give him this highest stature.

Of course this same Shankaracarya was once a boy who had a simple laukik boyhood name. When that boy grew older and became a monk then he eventually became known as Swami Shree Swaroopananda Saraswati ji. And when that same Swami Shree Swaroopananda Saraswati ji became a senior leader he was proclaimed by Hindu followers to be His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka.

So it was a three-step progression: (1) Boyhood name (which is no longer known) to (2) monk name to (3) His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka. His followers naturally refer to him by his highest appellation; so today the whole world references him by this great and magnanimous name.

Unfortunately, the writer of the book “The Jamalpur Years” went in the opposite direction. He introduced Baba to the world in the lowliest way imaginable.

As we all know as a boy He was Prabhat; as a social writer He is Shrii PR Sarkar ji; as a spiritual Sadguru He is Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji – the embodiment of divine bliss. Yet instead of using this third and highest name, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, the writer has introduced Baba as merely “Prabhat” to the entire population of planet earth. That is the terrible sin that this writer has done.

“Prabhat would always…” (p.381)

This type or mundane, ordinary expression is repeated countless times throughout the book.

So that is what the people around the globe are going to call our Beloved Baba – Prabhat. Because that is what this writer has taught them to do. It is nothing less than sinful what this so-called writer has done.

The Catholics have His holiness the Pope Benedict XVI; the Buddhists have His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama; and the Hindus have His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka; and now, thanks to the work of this writer, the world over thinks that Ananda Margiis have “Prabhat”.

Indeed. there is only one His holiness the Pope Benedict XVI – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity; there is only one His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity; and there is only one His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity. These appellations are totally unique; when these titles are mentioned everyone knows exactly who you are referring to.

Yet, with the simple boyhood name Prabhat, there are tens of millions of ordinary people named “Prabhat” – there is nothing unique at all about this name. So when the name Prabhat is mentioned, there will be so much confusion. Each and every person will have their own separate idea of who Prabhat is. There is nothing great or unique about this name that will alert people to know that we are referring to Sadguru Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

Yet it is this common name that the writer has used thousands of times in his book. What the writer has done is scandalous and sinful.

BOGUS LOGIC

Some give the bogus logic that since this book – “The Jamalpur Years” – was written in English for a more western audience, then it was appropriate to refer to Baba in that way; because that is how it is done in the west.

However, that is nothing but bogus logic.

The Pope is also a western figure but no one calls him as “Joey”. Rather they use the term His holiness. So then why should the writer stoop to such lowly levels when addressing Beloved Baba as merely “Prabhat”. It seems then the writer did like this because he has absolutely no reverence in his heart for Baba. That is why the writer portrayed Baba in such a dishonorable fashion. One other reason is that he could be a paid stooge – in the hands of enemies – to downgrade Baba. The CIA, CBI, ISI, or KGB – or who knows who – could have paid him to put down Baba. The writer may be involved in covert operations. Otherwise what could be the reason – why is he denigrating Beloved Baba in this way.

Indeed, this writer does not even have social regard for Baba. Writers in the west will honourably refer to the current US President by his family name, Obama. They may precede that with the respectful title, President or Mr, in which it is President Obama or Mr Obama. But no one ever refers to him by his simple name, Barack. Nor were prior US presidents ever referred to as George or Bill. Rather their family name – Bush or Clinton – was used in order to pay respect. The world knows these people as President Clinton, President Bush and President Obama, not by Bill, or George, or Barack. No one says that “Bill did this”, or “George did that”, or “Barack did this.” Referring them by the first name / simple name is not done.

Yet the writer of “The Jamalpur Years” just used the simple name “Prabhat” when writing about Baba. Not an iota of social regard was afforded to Baba in this publication. There is no reasonable or decent explanation for this other than the writer has no inner love and no outer regard for our Sadguru Baba.

The writer cannot make the claim that what he has done is in sync with the western tradition. Because that is not at all the case. Spiritual and social leaders in the west are given proper appellations. Just look at how the Pope is addressed; the Pope is a western institution, but look at the reverence with which the Pope is addressed. Indeed, even on the street one must address the common person with Mister or Sir. But the writer did not do even an ounce of this with Baba.

So no one can say that the writer is following the tradition of the west. Rather the only logical explanation at this point is that the writer did this due to his own pitiful devotional standard and the blackness of his own heart. Or he may be a stooge in the hand of spy agencies like the CIA, CBI, ISI, or KGB – or who knows who – in order to ruin the image of Ananda Marga. The writer may be involved in covert operations. Otherwise what could be the reason – why he is denigrating Beloved Baba.

Namaskar
Ganesh Deva
(Giovanni Spulotto)

Note 1: WHY I WROTE THIS PIECE

I was walking my dog and met up with my neighbor recently – he is not someone I know very well – then suddenly out of the thin air he says, “I know you are an Ananda Margii, so then Prabhat must be your guru.” I was totally shocked and speechless. I wondered how this guy is referring to our Sadguru Baba in this base manner. I certainly never refer to Baba in this way – neither in my own home nor in public. Then it flashed in my mind that this fellow got this lowly idea by reading Devashish’s book. It was then that I first truly understood that this book must – absolutely must – be removed from the shelves. This book should not be available to the public or even to anyone at all. This book should be tossed aside and a more qualified sadhaka with proper devotion should take up the task.

Note 2: WHAT BOOK IS THIS

By now everyone certainly knows that the book being referred to in the above letter is “Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years” by Devashish (Donald Acosta). Even the title he got wrong; it should be Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

May we always remember, the entire aim in writing such a book is to glorify Guru and His teachings; but Devashish’s book moves in a totally different direction – a negative one. I too wholly believe this publication should be removed from the shelf. From the front cover to the back page, this entire book utterly fails to properly represent Revered Baba and His teachings.

Best will be if Devashish offers a formal statement of apology and correction, and withdraws the book.

Note 3: EARLIER LETTER IN ITS ENTIRETY

Here following is a link the previous letter about Devashish’s book.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/05/sloppy-book-misinformation-of-tantra.html

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Gurupujanam of Devashish

Date: 02 Jun 2012, 20:44:06
From: “Giovanni Spulotto” 

To: am-global@earthlink.net

Subject: Gurupujanam of Devashish

Baba

== GURUPUJANAM OF DEVASHISH ==

Namaskar,
I read the earlier letter on this tantra piit’ha thread and greatly value all that was shared – indeed a tantra piit’ha is not made by planting 5 trees and burying 5 skulls. I do not know why the writer presented such a dogmatic view in the name of Ananda Marga in his book – “[Shrii Shrii] Anandamurti The Jamalpur Years”. According to Baba, a tantra piit’ha is solely a place where great sadhakas achieved realisation. Clearly, the writer is confused.

NEW POINT FOR THE DISCUSSION

Here I would like to raise one new point regarding this debacle. In his book, the writer completely misportrays Baba’s own Personae as well. Take a look at what the writer does.

“Out of respect for the sacred history of that particular tantra pitha [made of 5 trees & 5 skulls], Prabhat would always remove his shoes before entering.” ([Shrii Shrii] Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years, p. 381)

ADDRESSING BABA PROPERLY

Firstly, when writing about or addressing Revered Baba, either directly or indirectly, we must always use a respectful address like Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. As His disciples, we never are to address Him as Prabhat etc, regardless of the circumstance. This is especially true in the public arena where we are teaching others by our example.

By his expression, it is evident that the writer does not have due reverence for Sadguru Baba; this writer is just a fake margii. No true Ananda Margii – no true disciple of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji – could ever even think to do like this. True Ananda Margiis always express the highest respect for Beloved Baba.

But see what this writer did:

“Prabhat would always remove his shoes before entering.” (The Jamalpur Years, p. 381)

This is absolutely appalling – the writer does not follow even one ounce of Guru Pujanam – reverence to Guru, which is a basic point that even beginner margiis understand.

“Trtiiyaḿ gurupújanam. I must have reverence for the guru…respect for the guru.”
(Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 12, ‘Secrets’)

Rather, in his book which he published for all to see, the writer is treating Baba like some ordinary person on the street, or even less than that. Because even on the street one must use the address as Mister or Sir. This much the writer does not do. And this happens again, and again, and again in his book – thousands of times.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF THE CATHOLICS

Even all the religions – whatever faults they may have – show proper regard for their preceptor.

Catholics address their leader as His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope’s worldly name is Joseph Alois Ratzinger, but no Catholic would ever consider calling the Pope, “Joey”. That would be a terrible display of disrespect. No Catholic could ever imagine doing that. Rather, they refer to him as His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. And by this way they teach others to do the same. Lay people, heads of state, newspaper reporters, indeed everyone refers to the Pope in a most respectful way. All because that is the tone and address used by the Pope’s chief followers, i.e. catholics.

As an example, here is an excerpt from The New York Times:

“Pope Benedict XVI is on Twitter, and he tweets from an iPad. His Holiness sent out an initial tweet… ” (The New York Times, Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011)

In this article, the Pope is referred to in very respectful language because that is what his followers have taught the world to do. They have set a gold-bar standard, and the rest of the world is following along. That is the main message to be learned here.

Tragically that lesson was utterly lost on the writer of the book – “The Jamalpur Years.” This person has referred to Beloved Baba in the most ordinary, mundane, even lowly manner.

“Prabhat would always…” (p.381)

That is the unfortunate and poor example the writer is putting forward for the world to see. The results are not going to be good.

Let’s take a look at another example.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF THE BUDDHISTS

Buddhists address their leader as His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s worldly name is Tenzin Gyatso, but no Buddhist would ever consider calling the Dalai Lama, “Tenz”. That would be a terrible display of disrespect. Rather, in their each and every syllable, gesture, statement, and publication, they refer to the Dalai Lama in only the highest, most respectful manner: His Holiness. And by their lofty example, the rest of the world follows along. The proof is that even President Obama’s office used this same reverential address:

“Statement from the Press Secretary on the President’s meeting Thursday with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama: “The President met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama…” (Washington Post, Feb 18 2010)

Thus the followers of the Dalai Lama, by their respectful way of addressing their chosen leader, have successfully guided everyone around the globe to do the same, including the office of the US President.

Yet in his book – “The Jamalpur Years” – the writer could not even begin to approach such a standard – rather he sank to a most lowly level when referring to our Marga Gurudeva:

“Prabhat would always….” (p.381)

Let’s take a look at one more example.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF HINDUS

Hindus address their leader as Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya. Indeed now he is known the world over by this most respectful title: His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka. Because that is how those followers have presented him to the rest of the world.

Indeed this “Jagat Guru” title means Guru of the whole world. Those followers give him this highest stature.

Of course this same Shankaracarya was once a boy who had a simple laukik boyhood name. When that boy grew older and became a monk then he eventually became known as Swami Shree Swaroopananda Saraswati ji. And when that same Swami Shree Swaroopananda Saraswati ji became a senior leader he was proclaimed by Hindu followers to be His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka.

So it was a three-step progression: (1) Boyhood name (which is no longer known) to (2) monk name to (3) His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka. His followers naturally refer to him by his highest appellation; so today the whole world references him by this great and magnanimous name.

Unfortunately, the writer of the book “The Jamalpur Years” went in the opposite direction. He introduced Baba to the world in the lowliest way imaginable.

As we all know as a boy He was Prabhat; as a social writer He is Shrii PR Sarkar ji; as a spiritual Sadguru He is Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji – the embodiment of divine bliss. Yet instead of using this third and highest name, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, the writer has introduced Baba as merely “Prabhat” to the entire population of planet earth. That is the terrible sin that this writer has done.

“Prabhat would always…” (p.381)

This type or mundane, ordinary expression is repeated countless times throughout the book.

So that is what the people around the globe are going to call our Beloved Baba – Prabhat. Because that is what this writer has taught them to do. It is nothing less than sinful what this so-called writer has done.

The Catholics have His holiness the Pope Benedict XVI; the Buddhists have His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama; and the Hindus have His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka; and now, thanks to the work of this writer, the world over thinks that Ananda Margiis have “Prabhat”.

Indeed. there is only one His holiness the Pope Benedict XVI – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity; there is only one His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity; and there is only one His Holiness Shrii Shrii Jagat Guru Shankaracarya of Dwarka – there is no room for confusion – this title does not refer to any second entity. These appellations are totally unique; when these titles are mentioned everyone knows exactly who you are referring to.

Yet, with the simple boyhood name Prabhat, there are tens of millions of ordinary people named “Prabhat” – there is nothing unique at all about this name. So when the name Prabhat is mentioned, there will be so much confusion. Each and every person will have their own separate idea of who Prabhat is. There is nothing great or unique about this name that will alert people to know that we are referring to Sadguru Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

Yet it is this common name that the writer has used thousands of times in his book. What the writer has done is scandalous and sinful.

BOGUS LOGIC

Some give the bogus logic that since this book – “The Jamalpur Years” – was written in English for a more western audience, then it was appropriate to refer to Baba in that way; because that is how it is done in the west.

However, that is nothing but bogus logic.

The Pope is also a western figure but no one calls him as “Joey”. Rather they use the term His holiness. So then why should the writer stoop to such lowly levels when addressing Beloved Baba as merely “Prabhat”. It seems then the writer did like this because he has absolutely no reverence in his heart for Baba. That is why the writer portrayed Baba in such a dishonorable fashion. One other reason is that he could be a paid stooge – in the hands of enemies – to downgrade Baba. The CIA, CBI, ISI, or KGB – or who knows who – could have paid him to put down Baba. The writer may be involved in covert operations. Otherwise what could be the reason – why is he denigrating Beloved Baba in this way.

Indeed, this writer does not even have social regard for Baba. Writers in the west will honourably refer to the current US President by his family name, Obama. They may precede that with the respectful title, President or Mr, in which it is President Obama or Mr Obama. But no one ever refers to him by his simple name, Barack. Nor were prior US presidents ever referred to as George or Bill. Rather their family name – Bush or Clinton – was used in order to pay respect. The world knows these people as President Clinton, President Bush and President Obama, not by Bill, or George, or Barack. No one says that “Bill did this”, or “George did that”, or “Barack did this.” Referring them by the first name / simple name is not done.

Yet the writer of “The Jamalpur Years” just used the simple name “Prabhat” when writing about Baba. Not an iota of social regard was afforded to Baba in this publication. There is no reasonable or decent explanation for this other than the writer has no inner love and no outer regard for our Sadguru Baba.

The writer cannot make the claim that what he has done is in sync with the western tradition. Because that is not at all the case. Spiritual and social leaders in the west are given proper appellations. Just look at how the Pope is addressed; the Pope is a western institution, but look at the reverence with which the Pope is addressed. Indeed, even on the street one must address the common person with Mister or Sir. But the writer did not do even an ounce of this with Baba.

So no one can say that the writer is following the tradition of the west. Rather the only logical explanation at this point is that the writer did this due to his own pitiful devotional standard and the blackness of his own heart. Or he may be a stooge in the hand of spy agencies like the CIA, CBI, ISI, or KGB – or who knows who – in order to ruin the image of Ananda Marga. The writer may be involved in covert operations. Otherwise what could be the reason – why he is denigrating Beloved Baba.

Namaskar
Ganesh Deva
(Giovanni Spulotto)

Note 1: WHY I WROTE THIS PIECE

I was walking my dog and met up with my neighbor recently – he is not someone I know very well – then suddenly out of the thin air he says, “I know you are an Ananda Margii, so then Prabhat must be your guru.” I was totally shocked and speechless. I wondered how this guy is referring to our Sadguru Baba in this base manner. I certainly never refer to Baba in this way – neither in my own home nor in public. Then it flashed in my mind that this fellow got this lowly idea by reading Devashish’s book. It was then that I first truly understood that this book must – absolutely must – be removed from the shelves. This book should not be available to the public or even to anyone at all. This book should be tossed aside and a more qualified sadhaka with proper devotion should take up the task.

Note 2: WHAT BOOK IS THIS

By now everyone certainly knows that the book being referred to in the above letter is “Anandamurti: The Jamalpur Years” by Devashish (Donald Acosta). Even the title he got wrong; it should be Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

May we always remember, the entire aim in writing such a book is to glorify Guru and His teachings; but Devashish’s book moves in a totally different direction – a negative one. I too wholly believe this publication should be removed from the shelf. From the front cover to the back page, this entire book utterly fails to properly represent Revered Baba and His teachings.

Best will be if Devashish offers a formal statement of apology and correction, and withdraws the book.

Note 3: EARLIER LETTER IN ITS ENTIRETY

Here following is a link the previous letter about Devashish’s book.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/05/sloppy-book-misinformation-of-tantra.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Iisha’n toma’r vis’a’n’ bejeche, alasata’ du’re sare geche…” (P.S. 2496)

Purport:

Baba, Your divine call and thundering voice is resonating all around; it has removed the staticity, dogma, and lethargy from everyone’s mind. Those negative things which were impeding the path of human progress have disappeared into the far distant horizon. Now the degenerated state of dogma cannot remain any longer. Living beings have gotten new life, smiles, and joy due to the rejuvenating spirit of neo-humanism.

O’ Divine Entity, the world which was sleeping in the past is getting awakened. New leaves and flowers are beautifying the green vegetation and trees. Everything has been filled with the colours of flowers & fruits – ensconced in the feeling of service to one and all.

Now there are no narrow sentiments or dogmatic thoughts which can hinder our forward movement. Now there is no one to create obstacles on our path towards our cherished Goal.

The time has come – under great sky and in this beautiful environment, I should go on marching forward undauntedly towards You. O’ Parama Purusa…

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Can we call it Dharmashastra

Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:33:27 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From:
Subject: Can we call it Dharmashastra

Baba

== CAN WE CALL IT DHARMASHASTRA ==

ANSWER: NO WE CANNOT

Namaskar,
Throughout the course of history, in various religions, dogma has been injected by selfish people. In most cases those selfish people were senior priests of that very religion. Take the case of Buddhism: After Buddha passed away senior Buddhist priests injected various dogmas into Buddhism. And now it is full of dogma.

In their own way Catholic Priests, Muslim Maolbis (priest), and Hindu Pandits (Hindu priests) did the same thing. In order to establish their own supremacy they manipulated the teachings according to their own view. And for hundreds of years, religious followers practiced those dogmas.

Indeed even the teachings of Lord Krsna were gradually adulterated by the priests. And the resulting degeneration that came and was not small, but rather huge. So many false things got propagated; and various dogmas took root.

The sense is that dogma most often gets started from within that religion itself– by those very people, i.e. priests, who are in charge of preaching that religion. So that is the tragic irony.

MUST BE VIGILANT

Thus in our Marga we have to be extra-cautious & vigilant on this point. Because Baba has given countless divine teachings that cover all the spectrums of life. And it is our duty to carry those things in untainted manner to all the four corners.

But unfortunately what to speak of spreading Baba’s gospel of neo-humanism and wiping out the existing religious dogmas, some Dadas have infused their own dogma(s) in order put themselves on top and reserve some special status for themselves. That has happened in the so many ways including the way in which they manipulated Baba’s sacred concept of dharmashastra.

Some have done this knowingly and some very innocently.

IMPORTANCE OF DHARMASHASTRA

Most understand that dharmashastra is something very important and should be followed. Indeed Baba Himself has told this.

Baba says: “Dharmashastra is to establish the human beings in the stable, exalted position of spiritual ideation; it must be practical, rational, infallible, and universal. It must be based on deep eternal truth. It must be aptavakya. A scripture is a guiding entity. The Subhasita Samgraha series of books are the scripture of Ananda Marga ideology.” (APH-4, ‘Our Spiritual Treatise’)

Thus dharmashastra is comprised of Baba’s divine teachings, edicts and guidelines. Only Guru can give dharmashastra, not anyone else.

OPPORTUNISTS

But to capitalise on the situation some Dadas have misguided a few innocent overseas margiis into thinking that their own words are dharmashastra and therefore should be followed. In that way some Dadas are getting their own talk accepted as being dharmashastra and unsuspecting margiis are believing that and following those things. In my sector and in our other overseas sectors this negative practice is going. Specifically some are labeling the talks they give at dharmacakra to be dharmashastra. That is the wrong that is happening.

MORE ABOUT DHARMASHASTRA

To clarify this matter we should again reference Baba’s guideline about dharmashastra. Certainly most senior Margiis have read the book Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell part 4, Chapter 10, “Our Spiritual Treatise”. In that chapter, in first paragraph Baba has beautifully described the meaning of dharmashastra.

Baba says: “Dharmashastra is to establish the human beings in the stable, exalted position of spiritual ideation; it must be practical, rational, infallible, and universal. It must be based on deep eternal truth. It must be aptavakya. A scripture is a guiding entity. The Subhasita Samgraha series of books are the scripture of Ananda Marga ideology.” (APH-4, ‘Our Spiritual Treatise’)

Hence, according to Baba, dharmashastra means aptavakya, eternal truth– His direct discourses. In particular Baba expresses that our dharmashastra is His Subhasita Samgraha series of books etc which contain His DMC discourses. So the English equivalent term of “dharmashastra” is spiritual scripture.

By this it is clear that dharmashastra is one very high thing of deep import that is sacred and should be followed. And top of all dharmashastra is purely related with Guru’s teachings only. It is not the direction, talk, or gossip of any a,b,c,x,y,z human.

WHAT THEY ARE CALLING DHARMASHASTRA

But what way certain Dadas have falsely instituted the word ‘dharmashastra’ in our day to day life is completely dogma. Because in overseas sectors the term dharmashastra means a Dadas’ lectures or stories etc. Such as a particular Dada’s travel story which he speaks after dharmacakra, that story session may be 10 minutes, 20 minutes 30 minutes or one hour, where in our overseas areas this entire session is called as “dharma sha’stra”.

Indeed it is the common practice that just after dharmacakra, usually a Dada comes forward and tells his travel stories /journey, or some simple or crafty gossip he will do. In this way some Dadas created the false aura that this is dharmashastra. So this is their thing. And by this way they infuse all sorts of false tales and reassert their dominance over margiis.

Again, some do this knowingly and some innocently.

CLARIFICATION

Whatever may be, multiple inaccuracies are going on. The first thing is that dharmashastra is not just the regular gossip or travel story of one or two Dadas. The real meaning of dharmashastra is spiritual scripture, which Baba has given in ‘Our Spiritual Treatise’ chapter– and many other discourses also. So dharmashastra means Baba’s perfect scripture, not just the gossip of a certain Dada.

And the next thing is that in our weekly dharmacakra Baba’s books must be read– otherwise that dharmacakra is treated as incomplete. And the talk or discussion about Baba’s words is to be known as svadhyaya, not dharmashastra. Only Guru gives dharmashastra and our review of His divine teachings is the practice of svadhyaya.

WHAT THEY DO INSTEAD

In place of reading Baba’s books though, a few or one Dada’s gossip and travel stories will not do. Rather with all due respect those Dadas should tell their tales during some leisure time not during one of our dharma gatherings. But a couple of Dadas are are doing things in inopportune time– As if Baba’s dharmic words can be left aside and the vacuum can be filled with any…

Not only that but in the holy name of dharmashastra a few Dadas use that as a platform to gather funds for their groupist agenda. That recently happened at our local retreat. So this cannot be tolerated.

The idea being that the dharmashastra term itself carries a sanctified meaning. As that is the word of Guru. So the misuse of the term dharmashastra and telling travel tale gossip is not appreciable. It is just like if one person starts selling alcohol and calling it as ‘Avadhuta’ brand liquour. That is just degrading the term: Avadhuta. Similar is the case of dharmashatra when in the name of that they just tell their mundane travel tales. Or if in the name of using the term ‘turban’, instead we say pajama. But we cannot then justify by saying that Dada has pajamas on his head. This cannot be supported.

BABA’S BLESSING

So step by step these various dogmas have taken root in the name of dharmashastra. And in this way some Dadas try to infuse their voice as being the same as Baba’s grand teachings. But this is just their hypocrisy. So those few Dadas who are doing like this, their lectures should not be treated and followed as a dharmashastra. Because what they are giving is something from the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Indeed the worst part is that some few Dadas use this as a way to place themselves on the same scale as Baba. And in that way gain supremacy over the margiis and get their own selfish agenda implemented, just like those dogmatic religious priests of old.

But if we all become alert and vigilant about this then surely this dogma can be smashed because nothing should be permitted to stand in the way of Guru’s sacred and blemishless teachings.

In this regard we should pay heed to Baba’s following mandate.

Baba says, “We should also remember that in the realm of dharma there must be clear-cut injunctions in the form of dharma sha’stra [scriptural treatises] and simultaneously there must be strict guardians who during their lifetime guide themselves as well as others according to those scriptural injunctions.” (NSS, 95 Edn, p.200)

Namaskar,
Mukunda

Note 1: IT MEANS SCRIPTURE

In our book Caryacarya, Baba has explained that dharma sha’stra means ‘scripture’. And scripture means Subhasita Samgraha etc. That means, Baba’s discourses on a dharmic stand. Only dharmic discourses of Baba will be called as “Dharma Sha’stra”. So, naming certain Dadas’ travel tales or their own dreams as “Dharma Sha’stra” is not good, rather blasphemous. But some of those Dadas who are conducting dharmacakra don’t like to give up their negative dogma.

That is to say, this dogma of using the wrong term is going on since decades. And a few Dadas are thinking that, “Let it be like that, in this way I can keep the top chair in the eyes of margiis. And what I say they will follow.”

So overall this wrong use of dharmashastra is not good, rather damaging and unholy. Because Baba’s divine & dharmic discourses are incomparable. And those doing trickery in the name of that are doing…

Unfortunately this is going on in overseas countries where dharma sha’stra means Dadas’ travel stories or whatever else they may tell in that time.

And in that way they push their own agenda and place themselves on the same pedestal as Baba.

Note 2: SPIRITUAL TOPICS

This term “dharma sha’stra” refers to Baba’s spiritual scriptures only.

Because in our Marg, there are three types of Sha’stra: (A) Dharma Sha’stra/Spiritual Treatise (B) Darshan Sha’stra /
Philosophical Treatise (C) Samaj Sha’stra/Social Treatise.’

So Dharmshastra refers to those spiritual, dharmic discourses only. And the reading out and discussion of those discourses after dharmacakra comes within the practice of svadhyaya.

Note 3: WHEN TO TELL THE TRAVEL STORY

If any Dada wishes to tell about their travel experiences then that is highly appreciated. After all we are all family members and hearing about each others exciting and humorous experiences is part and parcel of human life. This type of sharing is good. The main problem is that it should not be done directly after sadhana during our dharmacakra program. Means it should not be done in the name of dharmashastra– nor in the name of svadhyaya. Such story telling can be done during or after the collective meal or perhaps during other times of leisure. Because after collective meditation a few paragraphs or minimum 1 paragraph from Baba’s books should read aloud to everyone present. This is the minimum system, and this reading and the explanation thereafter is known as svadhyaya.

Note 4: BABA’S SUPREME GUIDELINE

Baba says, “In the realm of dharma the only true guide and controller and protector of the people is an excellent and comprehensive ideology which provides definite, clear-cut, and bold directions.” (NSS, ’95 Edn, Shivapodesha-4)

Note 5: UNIVERSAL FAMILY

Baba’s following lines are infused with a feeling of upliftment and cosmic fraternity.

Baba says, “No entity in this universe exists individually. Ours is a universal family. Each and every entity — living and non-living, moving and non-moving — helps others in maintaining not only their equilibrium, but also the equipoise of the entire universe, not only of this small planet Earth. We are to move together with all.” (SS-18, p. 40)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Saba’r priya tumi saba’r a’pan…” (P.S. 4723)

Purport:

Baba, You are everyone’s most loving and closest One – everyone feels that You are their own. Baba, because You are, I am; And because of You this whole universe also exists.

Baba, from the peak of the snow-covered, sky-kissing mountain to the deep, serene ocean, from the sun of the crimson dawn to the colourful evening sunset – everything in this universe is Your divine creation. The flowers, fruits, shrubs, forest, and garden – all are Your expressions. Baba, You are the divine Lord of everything and everyone.

Baba, with Your compassion You are looking after one and all; You never hate anyone. Baba, You reside in the mind & You are in the heart. Even then I do not see You, but I feel You. Baba, You are so great: I am always asking for Your forgiveness and for Your grace. By Your divine krpa, with full surrender I always do sastaunga pranam to You – each & every moment.

Baba, You are the most loving One, the most dear Entity of one and all. Baba, You have created this entire vast universe. Baba, You are so gracious, Baba I love You…

******************************************
Most Noble Work

Baba says, “Soon after Alarka became king, his kingdom was attacked by a neigboring king. Alarka was defeated in battle and forced to leave his kingdom…Alarka decided to give up everything and go out in search of eternal truth…When Alarka’s reputation as a great yogi had spread far and wide, the conquering king requested him to take back his kingdom…’Alarka, come and take back your throne,’ said the king. ‘No’, replied Alarka, ‘I’m too busy now as I have to propagate dharma in the world. I am bound to serve the society and thus have no time to look after the affairs of the
royal administration’.” (AV-7, p.47-8)

Note: After ’90, some power hungry monks of our AM went astray from Baba’s above noble teaching. And instead they made the attainment of power and post as the be-all and end-all of life. That is why various serious crises have come; because those hovering around the helm forgot Baba’s above golden guideline and just began chasing after power and post. When in fact Baba’s timeless teaching is that propagating dharma is the greatest and most noble pursuit in life and the best way for building up a vibrant, healthy society.

Note 2: We can also see by His practical example that when Mahasambhuti takes advent on this earth then He propagates dharma and also goads others in this same endeavour. Lord Shiva, Lord Krsna, and Sadguru Baba have given all the dharmic teachings and their each and every moment on this earth was used in the propagation and teachings of dharma.
******************************************

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Not Just Bhagavan

From: “Satiish K Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Not Just Bhagavan
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:49:28 +0530

Baba

== LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT GURU ==

Namaskar,
Due to a fundamental lack of understanding and devotional feeling, some have written books about our Sadguru Baba that fail to present Him in the proper light. Whether this happens intentionally or not, the problem is that it happens and therefore needs to be addressed.

To begin then we should pointedly remind ourselves of Guru’s divine stature.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidyá (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamúrtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty.” (Caryacarya, Part 2, Point #1a)

All sadhakas should have this basic understanding; due to a lack thereof, so many problems come – including lowly books.

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS

When someone writes a book that reduces Baba to a mere bhgavan, then we should
all take it seriously. Ands more recently, someone else has written a book, “The Jamalpur Years”, and that falls to a baser standard.

Alertness is needed, because it is through such books that dogmas get propagated, whether that was purposely intended by the writer or not. That is what history teaches us.

TAKE THE CASE OF THE DOGMAS OF ISLAM

In Islam the propounders wrongly reached the conclusion that one male is equal to three females. In which case females do not have any religious or social rights; hence they are looked upon as being low and mean.

How did such a negative idea get established? First, it took birth in the mind of the one who wrote the Islamic scripture. And then to prove his theory hundreds of pages were written to convince people that this conclusion was proper and meaningful. And when certain people became suspicious of their negative theory, then those religious leaders gave the false justification that, ‘This is the voice of the Almighty and everybody should
obey’.

Like this Islamic priests infused the dogma that 3 females are equal to one male.

So various types of dogmas come first in seed form and then they get amplified more and more. In that way people go on rattling off their dogmatic ideas in their talks, writings, and in all kinds of their expression.

Here the point is that all this can be avoided if correct things are written at the outset.

MORE ABOUT THE BHAGAVAN DOGMA

Unfortunately in our Marga certain writers have wrongly written about Baba. One concluded that Baba is just a bhagavan and wrote an entire book to this end, while more recently in his book brother Devashish proclaimed that Baba is Bengali.

Here we shall first review the point about Bhagavan. Why? Because we all know that it is wrongful, hurtful and dogmatic to state that Baba is Bengali. In so many places Baba has outrightly proclaimed that Parama Purusa belongs to all. None can claim then that Baba is of a particular land or community. This most understand.

So let’s take a look at the claim that Baba is bhagavan.

As if Baba is like so many of those bhagavans. Because on the Indian soil alone, several hundred bhagavans have come and gone. A few such names I am writing here as example: Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba, Bhagavan Rajaniish, Bhagavan Shankaracarya, Bhagavan Buddha, Bhagavan Mahaviira, Bhagavan Devarahava’ Baba, Bhagavan Swami Narayan of Gujurat, Bhagavan Datta’trya, Bhagavan Ram, Bhagavan Meher Baba, all told there are more than 100 or 200 of such bhagavans, including Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba & Bhagavan Rajaniish.

Indeed this earth has seen so many bhagavans. So the term bhagavan is not something unusual, rather it is common-place because there are hundreds or even thousands of bhagavans. Whereas the advent of Parama Purusa as Taraka Brahma is completely unique.

Yet in miscalculated fashion one margii designed an entire book trying to prove Baba as being only a bhagavan, like Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba and Bhagavan Rajaniish etc. And to illustrate this the margii – Narada of SUVA – wrote several dozens of pages and gave all kinds of cock and bull stories. All done in order to “prove” that Baba is merely a bhagavan, like so many others bhagavans.

So this margii forgot the fact that bhagavan is not a very high characteristic. Being Parama Purusa is far above. If he had remember this fact then he would have spared himself the trouble of writing a book. Likewise, if Devashish could keep the totality of Baba’s personae in mind, brother Devashish would not have wrongly labeled Baba as being a Bengali (p. 34) in his book.

MANY BHAGAVANS ARE TOTALLY FAKE

Back to the point of bhagavan, everyone should be aware that most bhagavans are fake. And second, anyone person who does sadhana can become a bhagavan. For instance Shankaracarya and Buddha did like this. They had to do sadhana and undergo all sorts of penance in order to achieve their limited status of bhagavan.

PARAMA PURUSA IS FAR, FAR ABOVE

In contrast Parama Purusa is Parama Purusa. He does not need to do any sadhana. By His own will He takes human form to liberate others. He Himself is beyond all the bondages. So for Him there is not need of any sadhana. He does not need to do anything in this regard.

Baba says, “He needs no sa’dhana’, but just to set an example to others, He performs sa’dhana’ with the masses.” (AV-33)

So the infinite glory of Parama Purusa towers far above the comparatively lowly position of bhagavan. But a few people, including this mixed-up margii, remain terribly confused about this.

So Baba has taken it upon Himself to remove the confusion from the public mind that Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva are not bhagavan like bhagavan Rajaniish etc. Instead Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva are something far higher than that.

BABA DESCRIBES BHAGAVAN

AND THAT IS LESS THAN TARAKA BRAHMA

To achieve this, Baba first describes in step by step manner the meaning of bhagavan. That He did in the discourse titled: Pa’rthasa’rthi Krs’n’a and Pariprashna. In that discourse Baba clearly describes that bhaga means the combination of six attributions: aeshvarya, viirya, yasha, shrii, jina’nam, and vaera’gya.

So first Baba illustrates what it means by the term bhagavan. And then Baba gives an example with respect to the life of Lord Krsna. Baba cites the occasion whereby Lord Krsna proclaims to one and all that, ‘I will liberate you from all sins. You have no cause to worry’.

Thus here Baba is revealing the fact that such type of divine guarantee cannot be given by some ordinary being like a bhagavan. Such a proclamation guaranteeing the liberation of one’s sins can only be given by Parama Purusa Himself. So Baba concludes that Lord Krsna is not just a bhagavan but something far higher; He is Taraka Brahma.

And in the final section of the discourse, Baba concludes:

Tula’ va’ upama’ Krs’n’asya na’sti…

Meaning: There is no comparison of Lord Krsna. He can only be compared with Himself.

BABA IS DESCRIBING HIMSELF IN NAMAMI KRSNA SUNDARAM ETC

All margiis also know that Baba is talking about Himself in these discourses of the Nama’mi Krs’n’a Sundaram book. The greatness Baba is illustrating about Lord Krsna, that is actually His (Baba’s) own greatness. So in that book Baba is expressing indirectly about Himself to his devotees. Just like in Prabhat Sam’giita Baba is indirectly guiding us how we can express our devotional longing for Him.

Likewise when He taught Guru Puja then this same type of approach was done. He taught devotees how to perform Guru Puja– when we all know that Guru Puja is being done to Him. So He was revealing the technique to us in indirect fashion.

And a similar approach was taken when He taught the devotional concept that, ‘Parama Purusa is always with you’. In that case Baba is indirectly talking about Himself. I.e. that He is with everyone, sitting inside their mind and in the heart.

NOT JUST BHAGAVAN

So the conclusion is that when Baba has written that there cannot be any comparison of Lord Krsna then the same is the case with Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji also. Baba also is beyond comparison. Then why should we undermine His glorious status by comparing Him and saying that He is just a bhagavan. As if He is just like all those other bhagavans such as Bhagavan Rajaniish Bhagavan, Bhagavan Datta’trya, Bhagavan Ram, Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba, etc, etc, etc.

WHY THEY WRITE LIKE THIS

The natural question that arises is why do people like Narada and Devashish write like this about their own Guru. Most often it seems that people write Baba stories and books with full sincerity, but because of their lack of understanding and devotional feeling, they do the opposite of what they want to accomplish. Instead of glorifying Baba the opposite occurs.

Why? Some writers are cowards and do not have the courage to tell the truth while others are crude and cannot comprehend that Baba is Parama Purusa. Those with no courage think that public will not appreciate Baba as Parama Purusa so “I should not write this.”

You are welcome to think to which category Narada and Devashish belong.

BABA’S BLESSING

Some try to compare & undermine Him and thus invite their destruction. That is why Baba has graciously warned us ahead of time not to do such things. Rather as His disciples we are to propagate His divine stature and greatness.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidya (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamurtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty.” (CC II p.1)

Namaskar,
Satiish

Note 1: PARAMA PURUAS IS MUCH HIGHER

Here below Baba is explicitly proving how Parama Purusa is far more than just a bhagavan. The following is the incredible scene from the Mahabharata when Lord Krsna uses His unique abilities as Parama Purusa to give victory to His devotees. And Baba Himself emphatically states that no type of bhagavan has the capability to do such things.

Baba says, “Krs’n’a’ had covered the sun with His Sudarshana Cakra [His special discus]. Now you can imagine that it was impossible to cover the sun with a discus. Is it possible to cover the sun with a dinner plate? When you observe a dinner plate close up it seems to be about this large. But if you could see the sun from close up, how big it would appear! If the dinner plate could somehow be placed near the sun, it would be a mere
speck. No, the discus could never cover the sun! Though the devotees claim that it did, I take it as a mere story. Then question arises as to how the sun was covered. The answer is that the Lord Krs’n’a willed it so. He had mastery over Praka’mya Siddhi, one of the eight occult powers. He willed the sun to be covered by clouds and so it happened. The sun was covered by clouds and people thought that the sun had gone down. So Arjuna was able to keep his promise and kill Jayadratha.”

Here below is the exact section where Baba says only Parama Purusa can do such great works– not bhagavan.

Baba says, “To perform such a miraculous feat by going against the natural order cannot be accomplished by even a first grade Bhagava’n, not to speak of a second or third grade one. Only Parama Purus’a can do this.” (NKS, ’97 Edn, p. 208)

Then Baba directly adds how there are numerous examples whereby Parama Purusa shows Himself to be far more than just a bhagavan:

Baba says, “This is only one story. Dozens of similar stories can be found.” (NKS, ’97 Edn , p. 208)

Note 2: NOT JUST BHAGAVAN

Here Baba is announcing the fact that Parama Purusa is not just a bhagavan. Because only the singular entity Parama Purusa can save people from their sins. No bhagavan can do that. Please read below. Baba says about Lord Krsna:

“Those accepting Me as their final refuge, I will free from the bondage of sin. Their future is certainly glorious. No one need worry about their past. It is senseless to worry about atonement for past misdeeds….”

“Only Parama Purus’a can assure jiivas so unequivocally. This goes to show beyond any shadow of a doubt that He is not bhagava’na, but the veritable manifestation of divinity. He cannot be compared to either khan’da’vata’ra, am’sha’vata’ra or kala’vata’ra. They may be bhagava’na due to their possession of the six qualities, but none among them is the Supreme Entity. “I will forgive your sins. I will free you from all sins, I will take away
your sins.” No one but Krs’n’a, the Supreme Entity, has the right to say this. No one has ever said this in the past, nor will anyone say it in the future. If anyone claims this, it would be only the highest audacity on his or her part. But my Krs’n’a has proclaimed it loudly and openly: Aham’ tva’m’ sarvapa’pebhyo moks’ayis’ya’mi ma’shucah — “I will liberate you from all sins. You have no cause to worry.”

“After all this can anyone claim that Krs’n’a has any parallel? No, no one can claim this. All will have to fold their hands and say unto Him,”

Tula’ va’ upama’ Krs’n’asya na’sti;

[Krs’n’a has no parallel or equal. Krs’n’a is Parama Purus’a Himself.]

(Source: Nama’mi Krs’n’a Sundaram, ’97 Edn, p. 211)

Note 3: HE IS BEYOND COMPARISON

Here it should be understood that Baba is Parama Purusa; He is the Taraka Brahma. His infinite Personality is infinite and beyond comparison. So why should one belittle Him by labeling Him as being just a bhagavan. When in clear-cut language Baba Himself explains that His qualities go far beyond that of only bhagavan. Being the Parama Parama of course He possesses those few attributes of the limited stance of bhagavan, but He also has much more than that. So no one can say that He is just a bhagavan.

Indeed the limited nature of the term bhagavan is insufficient to encapsulate all of Baba’s greatness. It falls far short of the mark. The bhagavan term utterly fails to represent Baba. In the same way Lord Krsna is not just a flute player or musician, His Personality is much more than that. So who can say that Lord Krsna is just one simple flute player– that is an injustice to the inherent greatness of Lord Krsna. Likewise no one can say that Baba is just a simple bhagavan because as the Parama Purusa incarnate Baba’s infinite qualities far surpass the narrow scope of bhagavan.

Note 4: TARAKA BRHAMA IS SUPREME

Here Baba is further revealing the uniqueness of Tarak Brahma and that He is greater than all those other lesser entities like bhagavan.

Baba says, “A Maha’kaola is one who makes others kaola by his infallible spiritual guidance. But Ta’raka Brahma is a different Entity, a unique Entity for He is the spiritual preceptor, social preceptor, Kaola, and Maha’kaola, all in one. He is also something more: He acts as a compass in every stratum of society.” (NKS, ’97 Edn, p.50)

Note 5 : ABOUT THE MISGUIDED BOOKS

The misguided book titled “Bhagavan Anandamurti” written by Narada (SUVA) was done with the negative goal of falsely proving Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji as merely a bhagavan. But Baba is the Parama Purusa; He is far beyond the limited definition of bhagavan.

Thus Narada’s book is going against Baba– in which case Narada’s book needs to be set aside – never to be seen again. Because page after page its full conclusion is that Baba is just a bhagavan like Bhagavan Rajaniish.

So Narada’s entire unholy premise runs contrary to the teachings of AM. From its very title to its concluding line, his book is way off the mark– completely devoid of any ideological value, rather harmful.

Note 6: MAHA’PAP (TERRIBLE SIN)

Overall then Narada’s approach is no different than the terrible sin (Maha’pa’p) which those idol worshippers commit. Because those sinful idol worshippers engage in the negative act of limiting Parama Purusa to a piece of stone or rock.

In similar fashion the misguided strategy of both Narada’s entire book and at least part of Devashish’s book is to bind Parama Purusa to something limited. Of course Baba sternly warns us never to commit such misdeeds (Maha’papa / worst type of sin). (Refer Caryacarya II, p. 5, point 18).

Note 7: SPREAD HIS GLORY

In contrast, by propagating the true glory of Parama Purusa and by following His teachings then certainly we will be able to establish dharma on this dusty earth in a very short time. About this Baba has assured us of victory.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’lora rathe a’sabe tumi a’ja ja’ni nishcaya…” (PS #978)

Purport:

Baba, I know that You will certainly come today riding the chariot of effulgence and make my life successful. You will remove all the darkness of ignorance and avidya maya, and make me fearless.

Baba, day and night, I waited for You with a garland in hand. Times passed like this. At last, the auspicious hour has arrived; all the doubts have been removed. I see that You have come – You are here.

Baba, in yearning for You, I have been ensconced in Your dhyana – in the resonance of Your tune [1] and insurmountable effulgence [2], ages after ages – counting the prahara [3] and tithis [4] for Your arrival.

Baba today You have come; I received Your causeless grace. O’ my Lord, I surrender everything at Your lotus feet. Please accept me…

Notes For Prabhat Samgiita #978:

[1] Resonance of Your Tune: This is a metaphor; When the sadhaka always hears the repetition of their ista mantra mentally, then that is a very grand state. At that point, one’s mantra japa continues effortlessly. That is what the sadhaka is experiencing in this song.

[2] Insurmountable Effulgence: Initially when one tries to do dhyana then the image of Guru may not come. Guru’s image comes when the mind reaches a higher stage. And finally when dhyana becomes deeper and more intense, then one is ensconced in Him. At that point the image becomes effulgence. In this deeply devotional state, there is no awareness of one’s own existence. That is what Baba is describing in the third stanza of
this song.

[3] Prahara: A measurement of time equal to 3 hours.

[4] Tithis: One day in the moon calendar. In the moon calendar, each month is comprised of 28 days.

******************************************
Our Family

Baba says, “No entity in this universe exists individually. Ours is a universal family. Each and every entity — living and non-living, moving and non-moving — helps others in maintaining not only their equilibrium, but also the equipoise of the entire universe, not only of this small planet Earth.
We are to move together with all…

“Our family is universal, our abode is also universal. Hararme…

This universe is our homeland.” (SS-18, p. 40-41)
******************************************

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Our “Holy Lands”

From: Mandal.Virendra@bharata.net…
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Our “Holy Lands”
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:41:44 +0530

Baba

=== OUR “HOLY LANDS” ===

Namaskar,
Over the last twenty years, the stories and incidents have come again
and again.

Of course, most margiis understand that Baba resides in their heart.

Unfortunately, various Dadas has been involved in turning buidlings
like the Memorials in Kolkata and Ananda Nagar & Baba’s Quarter
in Tiljala and Jamalpur, into “holy places”. We all know their
motivations behind this: money, prestige, and control etc

Yet such types of memorials used as tiirtha sites or “holy lands”
run 100% contrary to Baba’s teachings. Devotion starts with the
idea that Parama Purusa is with you, inside. And the defective “holy
land” mentality dictates that you have to go somewhere to find God
and get His grace.

Over the years some in our Marga have been affected by the “holy land”
propaganda of some Dadas. Here below are their stories followed by Baba’s
dharmic teachings which dispel the holy land dogma.

PERSONAL STORIES

Basically every morning from 8am to 11 am there was a long queue of
innocent margiis and Wts waiting to enter the Baba’s Quarters in order to
get His blessing. Means they were holding garlands in their hand thinking
that it is mostly meaningful to garland the photo in the Baba’s Quarter–
and not any place else like on the Pandal etc. And while on line they
talking again and again how they were going “to see Baba in His room”.

So simple sadhakas were giving more importance to Baba’s room as if that
only places like His room, Memorial, Jamalpur, Bankipur Jail etc– as if
those are the only places where sadhakas can get His blessing and have His
divine communication.

I even heard one wife telling her husband that when they get inside then
they must not forget to ask one boon of Baba: That He should find one
suitable match for their daughter– because she is of the marriageable age
and it is a tough job to find a husband. So they were waiting on line to
request this of Baba.

And others who had already been through the line or did so on previous days
were moving here and there trying to convince others that they must go
inside to get Baba’s blessing– otherwise they would miss out.

And still others were proclaiming how fortunate they were to garland the
photo in the Baba’s Quarter or go to the tomb / Memorial because that is
the sanctified holy place and now surely they will get success. And like
that the scene was going on.

Thus it was more than a little tragic because here in our AM we believe
that God is everywhere– including inside our hearts. Yet here at these
so called holy sites, innocent and simple margiis were waiting on line in hopes
of seeing Baba in some external venue, i.e in that Baba Quarter, Memorial etc.
As if that is the exclusive place where they can convey their message to Baba
and get His grace.

And even those not initially attracted to do like this got convinced by
various persons who were actively propagandizing that going into the Baba’s
Quarter in places like Ananda Nagar etc is the best opportunity to see
Baba. Otherwise how can one do.

SOME REVIEW

In our AMPS society we have turned Baba’s room, Tiljala Memorial, Patna
Jail, and many such places, and now some are telling this Tiger’s grave in
Jamalpur as well, into something “extra” divine. We say it is the place of
very special attention where Baba’spresence is much more than other places.
Obviously this very preaching goes against the fundamentals of dharma shastra
where it is taught that Baba isever-present everywhere beyond time, space and person.

In this following Baba’s quote it is clear.

Baba says, “How strange! All countries have been created by the Supreme
Consciousness, so all countries are equal. The universal concept of dharma
that God is all-pervasive– this essence of dharma has been forgotten.
Ultimately dharma has been reduced to a geo-sentiment centering around
Benares.” (NH p.23)

Here, in the case of our AMPS society, ‘Benares’ means Ananda Nagar,
Memorial, Jamalpur, Patna Jail, Baba’s quarters etc..

Before saying more about our Ananda Marga, in this regard so many examples
of history can be given.

DOGMATIC WAYS OF BUDDHA’S FOLLOWERS

Take the example of Lord Buddha. Buddha got enlightenment through his deep
meditation but nowadays in place of doing meditation Buddhist monks or
followers mostly do idol worship of Lord Buddha.

Interestingly enough, the statue of Lord Buddha that those disciples
worship, the statue itself is in a meditative pose. And that gives the
sense that Lord Buddha is doing sadhana. But Buddha’s followers do not
bother to think about that aspect– sadhana. In place of sadhana they
created their own rituals and started worshipping that very idol by
lighting lamps etc. Lord Buddha’s teachings got diluted and polluted by
Buddhists monks and followers. This is a well-known historical fact.

All around the globe where Buddhism is propagated one can find huge idols.
In the name of the propagation of Buddha’s teachings Buddhists did only this:
Created huge, very tall high idols. Some 12 years back in Afghanistan the
negative Taliban regime destroyed countless Buddha statues including the
largest existing one which had been carved into a mountainside. That was
not at all dharmic– rather destructive & against cultural legacy. And I
raise that issue here only in so far that Buddha’s statues were made around
the globe.

So the point is that Lord Buddha taught about meditation, but instead his
dogmatic disciples started their own dogma. In his practical life Buddha
did meditation. But his followers never cared about this teaching, or
rarely so.

WHAT DISCIPLES OF KABIR DAS DID

In the case of Kabir Dasji, we see same story. So many places Baba cited Saint
Kabir’s name. Saint Kabir never believed in or propagated idol worship but
now his followers believe only in the idol of Saint Kabir. They do not
believe in any other idol. But at the same time they are engaged in idol
worship of Saint Kabir.

What a peculiar history has been made. That very theory of idol worship which
Saint Kabir strongly opposed, his chief disciples started following that
theory after his passing.

JAINISM AND IDOL WORSHIP

See also in the case of the propounder of the Jain religion: Lord
Mahaviira. Lord Mahaviira also got realisation through deep meditation, but
immediately after his physical departure  many dogmas were started. And now
his disciples– i.e.  followers of the Jain religion– do worship to the
idol of Lord Mahaviira. They do not care about any type of meditation.

So this is the short history. And if you give any example then hundreds of
other examples can be enlisted. But the whole idea is that what guru
taught, immediately after his passing, then his senior disciples
ruined everything. And those disciples started practising various types of
negative things which their guru himself did not like.

SOME DISCIPLES IMPOSE THIS THING

So here the central idea is that the chief disciples are the cause of
ruination of their Guru’s teaching and in this way those disciples mislead
the entire society.

OUR ANANDA MARGA SOCIETY

Unfortunately, it looks like the same style of degeneration is going on in
AMPS society these days. Baba’s teachings about the universal presence of
Parama Purusa have gotten tainted by the propaganda of the importance of
Baba’s room etc. Baba has been limited to that particular place.

So knowingly or unknowingly simple margii sadhakas are taught to believe
that Baba’s presence is more in those special places like Baba’s room,
Memorial etc than in other places.

It seems, certain Wts & common margiis do not like to believe Baba’s below
Prabhat Samgiita. Or they like to remain forgetful of this very teaching.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Ja’ni more ghire a’cha ca’ri dha’re, tabu khunje khunje pa’rishra’nt…”
{1027}

The inner meaning: Oh Baba I know that You are surrounding me in all the
directions even then I am searching desperately. Even then with my
stupidity I go on searching. And I am exhausted by this search. Searching
from one Baba’s quarter to another Baba’s quarter with a garland and fruits
in my hand. From Kolkata Memorial to Ananda Nagar to Jamalpur to Patna Jail
then back to Baba’s quarter and so many places.

Here also I want to share one other interesting story which I heard.

STORY OF LORD SHIVA’S FOLLOWERS

Similar scene is available when you go to visit various religious temples.
There, such a huge long queue of devotees are waiting to go inside to see
the idol of a certain deity. As I think you know, this thing is very common
in India. So many renowned temples are there in India.

For example there is Lord Shiva temple in Deogar where devotees of the
Hindu religion take the water of the Ganges which is 80 miles away. That
place is known as Sultan Ganj and that is where they start their dogmatic
holy journey.

And they walk to the temple. Or those who are called great devotees they do
one marathon run. And some those who are still greater devotees they start
their journey several weeks ahead of time and in prostrating position they
move: Lying down in prostration, getting up, and then lying down in prostration.
In that manner they journey to the temple.

By this way religious followers of various grades reach to temple during
certain fixed days of tiirtha (pilgrimage) program which is allotted
beforehand. And there also a huge crowd pours the water on the head of Lord
Shiva. And by that they think that Lord Shiva will grant them various types
of boons. And that Lord Shiva will also grant them relief from all the sins
they committed.

Such followers think that leading their whole life in a virtuous manner and
refraining oneself from sin is too difficult. So once in a year on certain
occasions of holy dates they foolishly think that if one does penance for a
certain limited period then the heavy load of one’s life sins get washed
away. So this is working as a quick fix type.

In place of doing sadhana, these  religious believers are engaged in
external paraphernalia thus wasting their time, money, and energy.

This example shows that in that Deogar temple, a crowd of devotees gathers
in order to to see Lord Shiva externally and ask boons of Shiva. These
Hindu devotees go to see Lord Shiva in Deogar.

SEARCH GOD WITHIN

But Baba does not like this that is why Baba says that we should search God
within, not without.

BABA says:

“Tiles’u taelam’ dadhiniiva sarpira’pah…”

“Do you know how He is implanted in everything? Just as oil remains in the
sesame (Til). But if you look at the sesame superficially, you will see
only sesame; churn it and the oil will come out. He abides in everything,
but you cannot see Him, if you look at it superficially. Do the Sa’dhana’ –
meditate churn any object or entity by meditation and He will appear.” (SS
part IV)

Generally the common public searches God externally and they inspire
others, friends, relatives, and their known people also to move from this
place to that place to search Parama Purusa outside, externally. And by
that way it disturbs the whole spiritual enhancement of common innocent
people. When really devotion, the inner link with Parama Purusa is the
perennial source of inspiration.

In our Marga, we are to pay no attention and give no credence to the
existence of any such “holy land”, whether it be Memorial, Jamalpur,
Baba’s Quarter, Tiljala or any other place.

Baba resides in our heart and He wants that we should find Him there
through our devotional longing and meditation.

BABA’S BLESSING

In this negative environment of dogma and staticity this following Ananda
Vanii gives strong force of hope and inspiration that our future is bright.

Baba says, “Human civilization now faces the final moment of a critical
juncture. The dawn of a glorious new era is on its one side and the
worn-out skeletons of the past on the other. People have to adopt either of
these two. You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshipers of Life
Divine, hence I call you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with glorious
light. Victory is surely yours.” (Ananda Vanii)

Note: In the above Vanii “skeletons of the past” means dogmatic rituals
like tiirthas etc.

Namaskar,
Virendra

Note 1:      WHAT THOSE DOGMATIC WORSHIPERS DO

Prostrating position = Religious worshipers of Lord Shiva do
sastaunga pranam on the muddy road and extend their hand and place one
stone. And then they get up and move one step and then just before the
stone they again prostrate and in that lying position they go another 5 feet and put
that stone / rock. By this very slow torturous process they cross 80 miles.
It takes several weeks. This they do to please Lord Shiva. Of course in our
AM such penance is not accepted rather it is treated negatively.

Note 2:            HE IS WITH HIS DEVOTEES

Baba says, “He is everywhere, but that vibration originates from
that place where His nucleus is. He seats that nucleus at that place where
devotees sing His name. What can be a better place than that.” (AV)

Baba says, “The secret of a devotee’s heart is known to Parama Puruśa.
In Jamalpur I told you that Parama Puruśa does not reside in Vaekuńt́ha
[the mythological abode of Lord Viśńu], nor on the throne, nor in the heart
of the dry yogi. He actually resides in the heart of a devotee. A devotee
is always bound to think of Parama Puruśa at heart, because their mutual
relation is one of love and devotion. That is why Parama Puruśa clearly
proclaims, Madbhaktáh yatra gáyanti tatra tiśt́hámi Nárada – that is,
“I reside, O Nárada, wherever my devotees are singing.”” (26 October 1979
DMC, Gaddopur)

“Tiirthe tiirthe ghuriya’ kla’nt haye esechi dva’re…”   (4112)

Purport:

Baba in search of You, after wandering around the globe in various holy
lands, I am completely tired; and in that state now I have reached to Your
alter. Baba, be gracious, please do not turn Your face away; and please do
not become unhappy,  angry, or furious on me. Please open the door and
allow me to come inside.
Baba, look towards me; my whole body is completely tired and exhausted. My
feet are full of dust. Wandering around in the sun my whole body is
sweating. I am completely tired and exhausted.
By Your grace now I feel in my heart and repent how my whole life got
wasted. I was tied up in the noose of dogma. Just I was performing various
rituals, wandering in holy lands, moving from one tiirtha to another
tiirtha, from one Baba’s Quarter to another Baba’s Quarter, in search of
You. By Your grace now I understand that You are hiding sitting in my
heart– smiling.
Baba, I am surrendering to You. Please accept me as Yours. Do not leave
me to wander to this and that dogma– involved in one or another ritual.
The path which I was crossing through, that path is dark & full of
hopelessness. I wasted a lot of money, time, and energy but nothing was
gained. And now I am too tired. I want Your divine direction.
In spite of moving on the negative path, by Your grace in the garden of
my mind some flowers have bloomed for You. I want to offer those flowers at
Your lotus feet. Now the creepers of hope are swinging and the feeling is
coming that You will allow me.
By Your grace, Baba You have already given me the longing for You in my
heart. So now please allow me to come close to You to touch Your feet.
Baba, I am Yours and You are mine. I am surrendering everything to You.
Please accept me…

*********************************************
Best and Worst

Baba says, “Human beings come into this world and attend to so many
duties…It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all the
bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest and the bond of moha [blind
attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humans will have to break the
bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty.” (NKS,’97 Edn, p.111)
*********************************************

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Story of Worthless Son

Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:39:14 +0530
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: “Pandit_Sudhakar”
Subject: Story of Worthless Son

Baba

“Tava path dhare, tava na’m kare, toma’r pa’nei cale thaki…” (P.S. 2180)

Purport:

Baba, by Your grace I am treading on Your path by singing Your name and
moving towards You. You are my Goal.

By Your grace I am moving closer and closer towards You– to reach You.
Baba, except You, in this universe who else is mine– no one. Because of
this I am always calling You for Your shelter.

O’ Lord, in this decorated universe of Yours, You have provided me a
special place according to Your liking. You have bestowed everything; and,
You do not desire anything from anyone. Just You go on pouring Your divine
grace eternally.

The demerits such as lethargy only come from my side. Plus all kinds of
lame excuses I give in self-justification. Hence all the lacuna belong to
me; whereas, You Yourself are ever-gracious.

Baba, You have situated my mind in the corner of Your vast cosmic mind.
And from that corner it receives Your divine vibration.

With the attraction and resonance of Your divine vibration, the lotus of
the love, which has blossomed in my heart, is looking towards You with deep
yearning.

Baba, singing Your Name, I am moving on Your path. For me, Your grace is
everything…

== STORY OF WORTHLESS SON ==

Namaskar,
In late 2009, AM Publications released a new book. It is a collection of
essays about Baba’s contributions written by members of the academic
community.

However, for any Ananda Margii, reading the cover itself is enough to
know that there are serious issues with this publication.

This is an important topic for it reflects how Baba, the Guru of Ananda
Marga, is presented to the general public. As His disciples, it is
exclusively our duty to safeguard His excellence.

Anyone with basic devotion will understand the proper way to address
Baba on the public platform, let us see what was done in this particular
book.

STORY OF WORTHLESS SON

Before discussing the details of the aforementioned book, here is one
related story.

There was a village family in Sheohar (Shivahar) district of Bihar and
the father – though illiterate himself – had a great desire that his son
should be properly educated. The father toiled in the fields night and
day in order to send his son to the finest schools. The father
sacrificed much and used 100% of his limited financial means to send his
son to college. After showering his paternal affection and giving all
the family funds to his son’s study for years and years, his son
completed his schooling and became a professor.

All along, to ensure his son would have a great opportunity in life, the
father labored hard in the hot sun day after day. But to him, it was all
worth it to see his son succeed.

On the occasion of one festival, the father made the big excursion and
traveled from his remote village to visit his son, the professor, at
college. The father was extremely proud and told all his friends and
neighbors about the upcoming trip.

The momentous day arrived and his father arrived smiling with gifts in
hand for his son. His best clothes and jubilant expression however could
not hide his weathered features from his many years of working outside
in the fields.

The son greeted his father at the station and brought him to the college
to show him around. As it was a festival day, the son was not thinking
that any of his colleagues would be there.

Father and son walked and talked from building to building and the
father was very impressed by what he saw. It was all that he expected
and much, much more. But mostly, he was so pleased to be with his son.

After much walking, they took a seat in the shade. They sat and talked
for some time when from behind them a man approached. When they could
hear the footsteps directly behind them, the son turned around and much
to his surprise saw that it was the chairman from his department. The
son was shocked and his whole expression changed.

Immediately he stood up to greet his senior colleague. He took on a
serious demeanor and spoke eye to eye with the chairman. The father sat
there quietly watching, waiting to be introduced. But the two kept talking.

At one point, in the conversation, the chairman motioned inquisitively
towards the father, and the proud father was ready to stand up and meet
the chairman. But the son just brushed his hand in a rather brusque
manner and attempted to redirect the conversation.

But this did not resolve the situation, he could sense the the
department chairman was still curious as to who this person was.

So the the son said, “Yaha mera’ servant hai.” (Yaha means “this”, mera’
means “my”, servant means servant, and hai means “is”.)

The chairman nodded – paid no attention to the father – and continued
his dialog with the son.

The father only knew Hindi – not a single word of English – so the
father only understood the Hindi words: “Yaha mera’ _______ hai”,
meaning, “This is my _______”.

But he heard the sound “servant” and kept it in his memory.

A few minutes later, the chairman and the son finished their
conversation and the chairman walked off without even acknowledging the
father. The son looked visibly affected – he had not expected to see any
colleagues at the college on this festival day. This disappointment was
not lost on his father.

The rest of their visit went uneventfully – though the father felt
perplexed by his son’s behavior. The father returned back to his village
with one burning question in mind. What did the English word “servant”
mean.

He immediately asked one of the literary people in his village what the
English word “servant” meant. When the father got the answer, he
immediately understood the situation.

The father felt saddened that his son was so ashamed of him.

Apparently during his years of study, the son had created his own
history and background and told many stories of how he was born into a
literate, well-to-do family to all his colleagues. He thought this would
boost his prestige.

So when he and his illiterate and simple father unexpectedly met up with
the chairman of the department, the son introduced his father as his
servant.

That occasion turned out to be one of the last times the father and son
ever spoke. The arrogant son had not an iota of gratitude for the
father’s sacrifice of putting him through school. The son wanted to
disassociate himself from his village roots entirely. In turn, the
father was despondent that he had lost his son – the very person to whom
he had given so much. He had given everything for the growth of his son
and now his son was essentially disowning him. The father lived out his
days with a heavy heart.

This very tragic story is highly related with the recently published
book noted above.

SHRII SHRII A’NANDAMU’RTIJII

As we know, when speaking about our Sadguru Baba, as His disciples we
are always to use words that reflect only the highest respect.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma
(Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living
beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone
has revealed Brahmavidya’ (intuitional science) to us through the medium
of the name and form of Anandamu’rtijii. Unit beings must be made to
appreciate Its majesty.” (CC-2, ‘Sadhana’, pt 1a)

Baba is our spiritual Preceptor, and in that role He is known as Shrii
Shrii A’nandamu’rtijii. Thus we are to use this name with the greatest
reverence. Every A’nanda Ma’rgii is aware about this.

We should not be like the worthless son in the above story who fails to
give proper regard to his father.

Unfortunately, in the recently published book, the situation is not very
favourable. See for your yourself how the publishers did.

HOW THEY PUBLISHED THE BOOK

Now, let’s get to the book itself. The title is “He Lived Among Us” and
it is 300+ pages long; but one need look no further than the cover to
see how the publishers represented Baba.

Remember, this book is a collection of essays written by various
intellectuals and researchers. But it was published by Ananda Marga
Publications.

The subtitle of the book is printed on the cover: “Contributions of
Shrii Shrii A’nandamu’rti in the eyes of his contemporaries”.

PROBLEM #1: “contemporaries”

The first and most glaring problem on the cover is the use of the word
“contemporaries” in the subtitle. Using this word – “contemporaries” –
puts all those jinani intellectuals on par with Baba. Because as we all
know, contemporaries refers to both time and stature. For instance, even
though a normal citizen was born during the same time period as Barack
Obama or Hugo Chavez, that person is not considered to be their
contemporary since he is not a world or country leader. To be a
contemporary one must be of a similar social stature etc.

So it is abominable that our publishers used such a word in the subtitle
to refer to these jinani authors, thereby placing them on equal footing
as Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. This book is supposed to glory
Baba’s Divine status but unfortunately it merely equates Him with these
intellectuals, calling them His “contemporaries”.

Some naive readers may think nothing is wrong with this, but every
devotee will take strong exception to what these publishers have done.
Indeed every bhakta will be quite alarmed and think that the AMPS
publishers of this book have behaved like the worthless son in the above
story.

PROBLEM #2: “his contemporaries”

The next major problem on the book’s cover is this: The publishers did
not capitalize the letter “h” when they wrote “his contemporaries” in
the subtitle. This does two things. It fails to show the we, His
followers, believe Him to be Divine; and it further equates those
“contemporaries” as being on par with Baba. They are human beings and
“he” is also a human being. There is no difference in stature.

Such is the tragedy that occurs by not capitalising the word “his”. And
again, this gross negligence was not carried out by some distant jinani
writers but rather by our very own AMPS publications team. That is
another reason why many are saying that those publishers are no better
than the worthless son in the aforementioned story.

The worthless failed to give proper regard to his father, and the publishers
of this book have failed to do the same.

PROBLEM #3: Missing “ji”

Here is another point of extreme importance.

We are to always the suffix “jii” when using His name. So it should be
Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii. That is how it is written in Caryacarya:
“the name and form of Shrii Shrii Anandamu’rtijii.” (cited above)

Yet, on the very of the cover of the book that is supposed to be in the
honour of Baba, the respectful suffix “jii” is conspicuously missing.
They merely wrote Shrii Shrii Anandamurti.

So this is yet another gross injustice. We are trying to propagate
Baba’s Divine Personality yet the publishers fail to give Him basic
measures of respected and neglect to use the suffix “ji”.

How then can we think that this book glorifies Baba when so many basic
elements of respect are lacking. Even the followers of the crude
dogmatic religions never fail to laud their preceptor of leader in
public – i.e. they will always, always, always state “His Holiness the
Dalai Lama” and never just “Dalai” or “Lama” etc – but in this AM book,
the publishers did not give Baba the level of respect that even human
beings get. After all, there are many people in society who are referred
to with the suffix “ji”, yet this was not donned upon Baba and He is
Divine.

Thus time and again this publication presents Baba in a most lackluster
and disrespectful manner, thereby leading good sadhakas to conclude that
the publishers of this book are just as bad as the worthless son
discussed above.

PROBLEM #4: The Main Title

Finally there is the main title: “HE LIVED AMONG US”. No doubt the
capitalised “H” but that has little value since ALL the letters are
capitalised.

The main issue is that the title conveys the feeling that the book is
about someone who has come and gone from this earth – that he was here
and is now gone.

The title, “HE LIVED AMONG US”, carries all kinds of finite and fleeting
meanings.

It does not convey the idea that the subject of this book is an Eternal
Entity who exists across time and space.

Thus on the cover of the book alone there are any number of cases of
negligence and neglect. And it all speaks to the poor standard of the
publishers. No one else is to blame. Those jinani writers may have
written all kinds of nonsense on those 300+ pages, but what has happened
on the cover is enough to turn the stomach of any right-thinking devotee.

That is why many sadhakas think that those publishers are just like the
worthless son in the above story.

HOW IT WORKS WITH OTHER RELIGIONS

The various religions may be dogmatic and may be corrupt but at least
they have the requisite courage and awareness to glorify their chosen
Deity. In contrast, the publishers of AM books are either cowards or
blind, or both.

Just see: Buddhists around the globe always refer to their leader as
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” This phrase gets repeated with every
action and word of the Dalai Lama. And by this way they effectively
promote their perceived greatness of their leader. Plus, they have
taught the rest of the world to do the same – ie treat their Buddhist
leader with respect.

Here is the proof – see this statement printed in a top western newspaper.

“Statement from the Press Secretary on the President’ s meeting Thursday
with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama:”The President met this morning at
the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama…” (Washington
Post, Feb 18 2010)

Note only the newspaper but the Press Sectretary of the US President have
emulated the titled that the followers use for the Dalai Lama, ie. His Holiness.

If we fail to refer to Baba in a proper way on the public platform,
then we will miss the opportunity to teach the rest of the world
about Baba’s Divine stature, and we will be blamed – and rightly so.

Rather we will be teaching them the wrong way of doing.

Because indeed this is something that all the dogmatic religions and
sects do: They treat their leader with utmost respect in the public
arena. Whether it be “Lord Jesus Christ”, “The Honourable Elijah
Mohammed”, “Maharishi Patanjali Ji”, “Sri or Saint Shankaracarya Ji”,
“Saint Francis of Assisi” or any other religioius leader, always the
followers have the foresight and courage to give their leader respect.

But in AM, when our Guru truly is the Parama Purusa incarnate, the
publishers could not live up to the standard that the dogmatic followers
of other religions do. That is why many say that the cowardly publishers
are just like the worthless son from the above story.

BABA SCOLDED ONE DADA

Who can forget that dramatic reporting session in front of Baba when one
Dada mentioned Ramakrsna. Then immediately Baba scolded that Dada and
told him not to refer to any great person in such a disrespectful
manner. Baba said that one should use “Thakur Ramakrsna Paramahansa” as
that gives the proper respect.

Here Baba is teaching us to use proper language and feeling when
referencing a revered person. Naturally then, we are to apply the spirit
of this teaching when referencing Baba also.

That means we are to say, “Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, or “Revered Baba”,
or “Sadguru” or any term that conveys the proper respect. By this way we
not only share the feeling of our heart but we show others how they
should refer to Him as well.

So we should pay heed to Baba’s guideline from this reporting session.

Tragically, those publishers fell short of the mark, which is why many
just call them worthless. About this you can decide for yourself by
seeing the quality of their work.

JUST LIKE A PIG LICKING YOU

Here is one analogy that is appropriate to this situation.

If a dog or pig gets close to you then it may lick you out of love and
respect. Because that is all that dog or pig knows to do. Likewise when
any unqualified person tries to glorify Baba then due to their
limited understanding they will create a mess, dripping their saliva all
over the place. In trying to love and glorify Him something else will
happen. And that is exactly what occurred when the AMPS publishing team
made this book, “HE LIVED AMONG US”. In that case are they any different
from the local street dog or domesticated pig.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, He has revealed to us whom He is and it is our duty to
share and spread His greatness with one and all. But when certain
publishers shy away from this divine truth, either due to their cowardly
nature or lack of realisation, then that is nothing but an ugly failure.
That is why they and their book become “worthless”, like the useless son
in the above story. Baba is our Supreme Father and we must always convey
this feeling of love and respect when raising His name, especially when
done in public in the form of a book. As His sons and daughters, that
is our inherent responsibility. None should fail and become worthless.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma
(Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living
beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone
has revealed Brahmavidya’ (intuitional science) to us through the medium
of the name and form of Shrii Shriui Anandamu’rtijii. Unit beings must be made to
appreciate Its majesty.” (CC-2, ‘Sadhana’, pt 1a)

Namaskar,
Sudhakar

Note 1: THIS DADA DID THIS

I have great friendship and respect for Dada Sarvatmanandaji, so when it
is his name that is listed on the inside cover as the Publications
Secretary and when his Publications team is also involved, then I feel
great pain as many may lose trust and faith in Dadaji. They may think he
and his team are “worthless”.

Here I just want to say I have great feeling for Dadaji and I truly
hope he is able to repair this error – and fast, otherwise I fear others may
lose respect for Dadaji.

Note 2: WHAT UGLINESS IS ON THE INSIDE

When the cover of the book is such an utter mess, then we can only
imagine how many gross errors appear on the 300+ printed pages of this
book. When the publishers themselves are unable to properly present Baba
and His ideas, then they will be in no position to correct the many
wrongs potentially made by these jinani authors. So we should all be
ready. At this point, who knows what dirt might lie inside the front cover.

Read Full Post »

Keep Skull

Keeping a skull by our side gives that same stark reminder that our life is temporary and that we should not get caught up in relative luxuries and satisfaction. We are to spend our time striving for the Great.

From: “Herb Marmlestein”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Keep Skull
Date: Wed 30 Dec 2009 13:10:49

Baba

“A’ma’r sakal dukher ma’jhe ele tumi dukhaharan’…” (PS 1421)

Purport:

O’ Baba, You are Dukhaharan’. I was surrounded by sorrows & suffering; I
was in big problem; my life was unbearable. I was completely miserable. But
now, by Your grace, to save me, You have come with Your gazing eyes, silent
footsteps, loving smile, and sweet face. Baba, by Your divine advent You
have blessed me and rescued me by wiping away all my troubles and
suffering.

Baba, completely depending upon You with full surrender, in that very
distressed and helpless condition, I was calling You and looking towards
You. Raising both my hands in surrender I told, ‘Baba, please save me; You
are my only shelter. If You will not save me then who will.’ Then at that
moment You rescued me by showering Your grace.

Baba, when I look around I see that because of Your gracious presence
this entire universe has become vibrated & charged. The whole sky is
enveloped in Your divine effulgence and my mind and heart is drenched in
Your love. Baba, holding Your lotus feet, I sing Your glory in my heart and
surrender to You…

== KEEP SKULL ==

Namaskar,
When Baba would arrive at any airport then there would be a grand
reception by all local margiis and workers and part and parcel of that
dramatic and exciting time was dancing tandava with a skull for Baba.
That was the rule. Everyone in AM is well aware about this.

In AM, the skull symbolises the constant struggle of life and the fight
against death. It is one of our dharmic tools.

Thus the skull has great value in the life of any tantrika and in this
short posting we will examine why it is beneficial for every Ananda
Margii to keep a skull.

LIFE IS TEMPORARY (Part 1)

Our time on this earth is temporary – yet most people totally remain
oblivious of this fact. They think the qualities they have, i.e. their
wealth, health, beauty, and power, will last forever. That defective
outlook causes so many problems.

People falsely believe that their life and property are permanent and
that leads them to become arrogant and hurtful towards others. They
think that with their limited power they can do what they want and that
their power will never wane. By this way they torture, cheat, abuse, and
rule over others – all the while thinking that their position is
indestructible and lasting.

When the fact is that human life is temporary and this world is
transitory. Even as Ananda Margiis however, we can forget this fact. And
in that way we may forget what is most important on this earth. Perhaps
we will not cheat and exploit other like materialists are prone to do,
yet we may get wrapped up in transitory gains instead of yearning for
the Supreme.

To think of this world as a permanent abode is common amongst human
beings – this is their illusionary outlook. Yet this mindset is not
helpful for our growth and development.

Here is one suggestion; If we all keep a skull in our room or on our
desk, then we will be constantly reminded by the transitory nature of
this world. By that way, we will always be involved in proper deeds on
this earth.

LIFE IS TEMPORARY (Part 2)

Just as when people think their power is permanent then they will abuse
others day and night, similarly, when people think that their qualities
are temporary, then they will adopt the right psychology and values in
life. Then they will think that their life should be utlised for a
benevolent cause. Then there is no time to get mixed up in wrongdoing.

Baba says, ‘What is a devotee to do? “Tyaja durjana sam’sargam” – you
should give up the company of durjanas. Who is a durjana? I will
explain. A man whose company will deteriorate or deprave the standard of
others is a durjana for those persons.” (AV-12)

According to Baba, as bhaktas we are to surround ourselves with good
people, and give up the company of bad people. The shloka goes on to say
that we are to always remember that this world is temporary. That is the
recipe for a proper life.

LIFE IS TEMPORARY (Part 3)

When we constantly remember that this world is temporary – and having a
skull visible day in and day out can help – then we are bound to set our
sights on that which is permanent. In that case we will vigilantly goad
our lives unto Him. Only Parama Purusa is eternal (nitya).

Baba says, “Parama’tma’ is nitya. The term nitya means that which is
uninfluenced by the time factor i.e., beyond the periphery of past,
present and future.” (SS-18)

So when Paramatma is the only eternal Entity then that is the stance we
should attain – not any worldly status. By keeping a skull by our
bedside we will always remember that this world and this body do not
last forever. What to speak of forever, they do not even last long.
People get only get a few years when they are in the peak of their life.

LIFE IS TEMPORARY (Part 4)

When we realise that life is indeed temporary then we will fully utilise
our existence in the proper way.

The situation can be likened to visiting a new city. If you are going to
be there for only one or two days then in a quick hurry you will see all
the sights and learn all there is to know about that city, whereas if
one lives in that city then they will feel relaxed and they will no go
anywhere or see anything. They will think they have loads of time to do
that later.

We should think of our time on this earth like the sightseer who is
visiting a city for just 1 or 2 days. Then we will be vigilant to live
life for the right ideal – and not be lackadaisical or apathetic about
doing good deeds.

We will think that now is the time to act and realise Him because we
will not be here much longer. Anytime death can come – there is no
guarantee at all. We have not time for silly material pursuits and
gratification etc.

These two postings lead us in this direction:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/08/slowly-towards-cremation.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/06/noose.html

ALL SHOULD HAVE A SKULL

2500 years ago when a young prince first left his kingdom and saw people
getting sick and dying on the street then he was forced to consider the
temporary nature of life and reevaluate what he should do on this earth.
It was then that his true quest began and he later became the Buddha, or
Enlightened One.

Keeping a skull by our side gives that same stark reminder that our life
is temporary and that we should not get caught up in relative luxuries
and satisfaction. We are to spend our time striving for the Great.

For this reason every Ananda Margii – regardless of whether one was
initiated yesterday or 40 years ago – should keep a skull in their
possession. Having a skull should be considered indispensable.

If getting an actual skull is too difficult or illegal then margiis
should access Google images and print out a picture of a skull or find a
good artist and get a skull printed or painted onto a piece of paper and
hang that up on their wall.

That type of ongoing reminder is absolutely necessary otherwise one is
bound to forget that we have not come onto this earth for a long time –
rather a very short stay.

One other benefit of having a skull is that it is good for one’s daily
tandava practice.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace we have come here for a short time and must materialise
great works. Keeping a skull reminds us of the fact that just as the
skull was one day a breathing, walking human being, soon our head will
be in that condition. One day we too will be like that skull – sooner,
not later.

Our life is not long nor do we know when it will end. As sadhakas we
should live in the present always thinking and doing to please Him and
we should never get caught up in long-term plans – nor let the minutes
pass away thinking that we will have time in the future.

Grhiitvaeva keshes’u mrtyurn’a’ Dharma’caret

Baba says, “That is, during spiritual practice one should think that the
god of death has already started pulling one’s hair – that one’s death
is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously;
one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period.” (SS-11)

Namaskar,
Hariish

Note 1: MORE POSTINGS ON THIS TOPIC

Human life is short and it must be well-utilised. These below letters
are along this theme. We should all read and study them – and yes, keep
a skull in our living room.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/08/slowly-towards-cremation.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/06/noose.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-death.html

*************************************************
Good Sadhaka

Baba says, “The mind of the man whose consciousness or discriminating
judgement is awakened– whose power of judgment is intense, always remains
wedded to the ‘Buddhi’. That is to say, his rein (mind) remains constantly
under the control of the charioteer (Buddhi or discriminating intellect),
and so, quite naturally, his organs remain loyal to the Buddhi. Random
rambles of the organ-like horses (organs) will cut no ice with him. But in
a case like this if the horses (organs) be bad and untrained, i.e. the
organs are faulty, it becomes impossible for the charioteer (discriminating
intellect) to get the desired result. Hence for the right functioning of
the chariot (body), well-trained horses (organs) are indispensable. A
sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) also should train himself likewise. His mind,
body, intellect, and organs should be directed towards the Blissful Spirit
(Shreya).” (SS-4, p.9)

*************************************************

Read Full Post »

Cakras, Cakras, & Cakras & So Many Cakras in AM

Date: 17 Dec 2009 06:10:15 -0000
From: “Shivadayal Singhal”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Cakras, Cakras, & Cakras & So Many Cakras in AM

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…

== CAKRAS, CAKRAS, CAKRAS & SO MANY CAKRAS IN AM ==

Namaskar,
Knowing all aspects of AM philosophy serves at minimum a dual purpose:
It helps us convince and guide others about the dictates of AM plus it
fuels our own progress along the path of spirituality.

Thus we should be thoroughly familiar with all the major and minor terms
used in our AM discourses, including the term “cakra”.

In our Ananda Marga philosophy, the term “cakra” is used in a multitude
of ways which differ greatly from the approach of traditional Indian
gurus as well as the contemporary yoga movement in the west.

Of course, on its own cakra has two basic meanings: (1) wheel, or cycle,
or circle; (2) society, samaj, ghosti, or family.

In addition there are these common and not so common terms and their
moderate to subtle differentiations: (a) dharmacakra, (b) brahmacakra,
(c) srsti cakra, (d0 cakras as in psychic energy centers, (e)
karmacakra, and (f) bhacakra. Knowing all these terms and applications
gives us comprehensive knowledge of the term cakra and so much more.

#1 DHARMACAKRA

In AM the term dharmacakra is known and practiced by one and all. This
refers to our weekly, collective meditation gatherings. Once the minimum
of five persons gather, then it is enough to officially hold a dharmacakra.

Although the term is quite common in AM, we should not think that it
only applies to AM gatherings. The term actually stems back to Buddha’s
era.

Baba says, “That special mudra’ of Buddha is called dharmacakra
pravarttana mudra’. To those first five people who heard his preaching,
he said, “Always keep the wheel of dharma moving. Take care that it
never ceases to move.”” (NSS)

Thus the term dharmacakra is at least 2500 years old, though the way
Buddha used the term is a bit different from our use in AM.

#2 BRAHMACAKRA

The term brahmacakra is also quite well known in AM. This of course
refers to the system wherein jiivas move around the Cosmic Nucleus.
Those who are psycho-spiritually closer to Him have a shorter radius.
But regardless of near or far, all are moving around Him – no one is
outside of this system.

Here is one of the classic ways Baba describes this in His discourses.

Baba says, ““Sarva’jiive sarvasam’sthe brhante.” His created beings, His
loving sons and daughters, His children, are moving round Him. They
cannot get themselves detached from Him because He is the Supreme
Nucleus and others are just like electrons moving round the nucleus. So
Purus’ottama, Parama Purus’a, the Supreme Father, the Supreme
Progenitor, is in the centre, and the others are moving and dancing
round Him. They move along with their different psychic and physical
pabula.” (AV-3)

Just as all the planets of this solar system move around the sun, all
the created beings revolve around Parama Purusa. So long as one feels
separate from Him, then they are revolving around Him. Those clouded by
maya are far and those sadhakas focused on Him are near. It all depends
upon one’s samskara. Finally. by His grace, when a person feels that, “I
and Parama Purusa are the same” then they are very close, and when any
semblance of I-ness disappears, the jiiva becomes one with Him. This is
His divine krpa.

In a nutshell, this is our system of brahmacakra and of course most in
AM are quite familiar with this.

#3 SRSTI CAKRA

Srsti cakra literally means the “cycle of creation”. When using this
term, Baba is describing how creation came into existence. Specifically
in His discourses in “Idea and Ideology” and “Elementary Philosophy”,
Baba explains how the triangle of forces, the five elements, jadasphota,
the creation of mind, and how the creation emerged from Nirgun’a Brahma.

Thus, srsti cakra is a very complex and technical discussion of how the
manifested universe took expression out of Cosmic Mind.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

BRAHMACAKRA AND SRSTI CAKRA

Often times people think that brahmacakra and srsti cakras are perfectly
synonymous – after all there is a lot of overlap. And both are often
referred to as the cycle of creation.

But there is a technical difference as well.

Basically, in those discourses where Baba describes how all the jiivas
are moving around Him then He is referring to brahmacakra, and employing
the shloka: “Sarva’jiive sarvasam’sthe brhante.”

In contrast, when He is discussing how this created universe came into
being and how the mind came into existence along with terms like
jadasphota, prakrti and the triangle of forces, then He is referring to
srsti cakra.

So although the terms brahmacakra and srsti cakra are highly
interlinked, Baba often employs them in different ways to refer to
different aspects of the cycle of creation and different aspects of His
philosophy.

GREAT IMPORTANCE OF BRAHMACAKRA

Most often in life people associate their existence with something –
usually something narrow like a race, or a religion, or a locale, or a
region, or type of business, or a level of education, or a sickness or
disease, or a degree or wealth etc. These are the small minded ways that
people classify themselves. And this leads to a certain type of identity
problem.

They think I am white, or I am black, or I am a brahmin, or I am a
Christian, or I am a CEO etc. When in fact they are part of something
much large than that.

Their limitation of thought is no different than a frog who lives in one
pond and thinks that this pond is the whole universe in which they live.
When in fact that frog is part of something much, much bigger, and far
more grand. But with its limited outlook the frog cannot realise this.

Same then is the case of jiivas who merely associate themselves with
some type of clannish identity.

Here the point is that when a person or a sadhaka become aware of
brahmacakra as well as what it means, then automatically it changes
their entire outlook. Then they are no longer small-minded, then they
are no longer far. Because by definition they are forced to think that
“I am a jiivatma connected to a great universe and I have a link with my
Divine Father.”

In that case one no longer associates themselves with a small part of
this cosmos or with a limited group – rather they think they are part of
the greater whole.

This clears up all kinds of misconceptions and automatically expands
one’s psychic outlook. Indeed by understanding brahmacakra, then one
knows that Parama Purusa is the Goal – then one knows all that is
necessary to know. The sadhaka has a mental road map of where they need
to go.

So just being aware about brahmacakra is a big boon to one’s growth and
development, both mentally and spiritually.

In contrast those unaware are drowned in maya and get caught up in all
kinds of feuds, abuse, deception, wrongs, and injustices because they
are identifying themselves with something small and view others as being
opponents, different or outside of their world.

Understanding practically what brahmacakra entails is enough to change
one’s whole mental structure and push one towards their cherished Goal.

#4 CAKRAS OF THE HUMAN BODY

The next application of the term cakra refers to the psychic energy
centers in the body, where two nadiis cross the susmna canal.

Depending on the style of discourse, Baba refers to there being seven,
eight or nine cakras

Baba says, “Here the seven cakras, from mu’la’dha’ra to sahasra’ra,
which the kulakun’d’alinii has to pierce, are the fetters or ropes which
a spiritual aspirant has to snap.” (DKG)

In this above passage Baba is clearly stating that there are seven
cakras and then in other darshans He says there are more.

Baba says, “The first thing is that this kulakun’d’alinii rises slowly
from the mu’la’dha’ra cakra to the sahasra’ra cakra in eight steps, it
passes through eight cakras, and the sahasra’ra cakra is the ninth. Just
below the sahasra’ra cakra is the guru cakra.” (DKG)

Baba says, ‘There are nine cakras [plexi] in human organisms
[mu’la’dha’ra, sva’dhis’t’ha’na, man’ipura, ana’hata, vishuddha, lalan’a
[tip of the nose], a’jin’a’, Guru, and sahasra’ra].” (YP)

We can conclude then that there are nine cakras in total and Baba will
refer to seven, eight or nine depending on what He is discussing.
Everyone in AM knows of the seven cakras and most know about Guru cakra
as well which makes eight. Some or more may not be aware about lalana’
cakra at the tip of the nose. That is the ninth cakra, although it is
situation in between the vishuddha and ajina cakras. This lalana’ cakra
is used in our system of sadhana with certain aspirants.

In one Prabhat Samgiita, there is a line: nava cakra kii kalyan’. And in
that song, the sadhaka is saying by His grace the mind is vibrated and
the petals of the cakras are blooming so he is requesting Parama Purusa
to come and sit on the petals of my nine cakras.

By all this, we can understand that there are nine cakras.

Other aspects to know about this topic are that Guru cakra is at the
base or underside of sahasrara cakra and that another name for Guru
cakra is as’t’a kamal, meaning eight lotus. Guru cakra is also referred
to as Varanasi in the discourse, “Where is Varanasi?”.

The reason why all of this is so important is because our system of
sadhana is a methodical process and one needs proper understanding to
move ahead. Some may differ and state that just by singing Baba Nam
Kevalam then one can attain Him. And while that is certainly true, there
are few who sing kiirtan with that type of intensity that they get the
highest realisation. So all the supportive knowledge and practices of
sadhana are necessary to create that intense longing for Parama Purusa.

For this reason, Baba has given us so many lessons of sadhana and
delivered thousands of spiritual discourses. With that knowledge and
practice, then one can gain that one-pointed devotion for Him.

Baba says, “To attain Parama Purus’a, to become one with the Supreme
Reality, He must be made the summum bonum of human life. But the
attainment of the Supreme Reality is not possible overnight. For that
the sa’dhaka [spiritual practitioner] will have to undergo the
systematic and methodical process of spiritual sa’dhana’ for a long
period, till every nerve-cell, nerve-fibre, every bit of his physical
existence is divinized. Sa’dhana’, after all, is a scientific process by
which the entire psycho-physical existence is divinized.” (AV-33)

#5 KARMA CAKRA

The next usage of the term cakra in AM comes with karma cakra. This term
is used less frequently.

It refers to the law of karma or cycle of karma or the cycle of action
and reaction.

We all know about original action (karma or kriya), and the ensuring
reactive momenta (samskara), followed by the fruit of the action
(karmaphala, or phalabhoga). This is the endless cycle of karma that
keeps jiivas bound in this manifested cosmos, returning again and again,
life after life.

Karma cakra refers to the totality of this endless cycle. The jiivatma
keeps revolving through this cycle birth after birth. So long as one is
bound by their actions they cannot attain salvation.

In any number of discourses Baba indepthly describes the principles of
karmic law, or karama cakra. This is also something important to know
about.

#6 BHACAKRA

Finally there is bhacakra. This is still more uncommon. In a few
English discourses this is referred to as the spatio-eternal system. But
that is not the essence of the term.

The real meaning of the term bhacarka is given in Laghu Nirukta (AM
encyclopedia). That is as follows:

“1. The sky and space which can be seen from one side of the earth
represents only half or a partial amount. To see the other half one has
to go to the other side of the earth. And when the entire thing is
treated as one, then that is bhacakra. Bhacakra is complete.”

“2. The next definition means the known and unknown created worlds– that
combined is bhacakra.”

Often people think that when they are looking up at the sky they can see
the whole thing. But this is just their faulty perception. There is
another part of the sky which is out of view. When both the seen and
unseen skies are taken together as the complete whole, then that is
bhacakra.

So that is yet another cakra in our Ananda Marga ideology.

IF YOU KNOW OF MORE….

If you know of any other types of cakras in AM, please write in and let
us know.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has blessed us with a complete philosophy and this
gives us great insight into the path of spirituality as well as the
universe around us. We should study and assimilate the meaning of all
the terms Baba uses, such as cakra. Then we will be in the best position
to do pracara and get self-realisation, by His grace. Then we will best
be able to serve and please Him.

Namaskar,
Shivadayal

*****************************************
Most Loving

Baba says,
“That Entity who is the most beloved of all, that Entity is one’s Is’t’a.”

“Is’t’a means Parama Purus’a, but why is He called Is’t’a? The answer is
that by attaining Parama Purus’a one no longer has any unsatiated hunger or
unquenched thirst.”

“Is’t’a means the most beloved of all entities.”
(BABA, 04 July 1979)

*****************************************

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…Baba is on My Side

Date: Sat 21 Nov 2009 12:15:21 +0530
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: “Pandit_Sudhakar”
Subject: …Baba is on My Side

Baba

“Tumi esechile, mrdu hesechile sudha’ d’ele…” – P.S. 2309

Purport:

Baba, You came and smiled softly and graced me with the showering of
Your divine nectar. Unfortunately, that time I was just engrossed in my
own lustful and crude attachments; I was oblivious of Your divine
presence. Neither did I turn around to look towards You; nor did I talk
with You. That was my pitiful condition.

Baba, keeping my room bolted shut, in that isolated state I was just
secretly involved in thinking about my own greatness. In that crude
state of mind I was constantly hankering for more and more prestige–
for more name and fame. Baba, I was sitting on the shore of the black
river* only involved in my own crude, selfish, and egoistic thoughts.

O’ my dearest One, I did not look towards so You left– but even then
You graced me with Your abundant love. Baba, You are so gracious. In
spite of my not caring about Your arrival because my mind was so crude,
even then You showered so much grace that the whole world is dancing
ceaselessly in Your divine love. Baba, the colorful flowers are
ensconced & swaying in Your loving vibration and they have started
blossoming uncontrollably. It is Your causeless grace.

O’ Baba, You are so magnificent & gracious; You have come and blessed
me with Your divine love– You have saturated my whole existence.
Baba, You are grace personified…

ASTERISK NOTES:

* ‘Shore of the black river’ [krs’n’a’ nadiir ku’le]= This represents
that dark, negative, or degenerated state of mind where one’s mind is
dominated by all kinds of crude thoughts and desires. Thus when the mind
is very low and one is just hankering for prestige, and singing about
their own glory, and they want that others should praise them;– Such
persons are degenerated. Their mind is in the lower kosa. And they do
not want to listen to anything other than the tales of their own
greatness. This is what it means by sitting by the shore of the black
river.

== IN THIS FIGHT, BABA IS ON MY SIDE ==

Note: An important audio file that is highly related with this topic has
been uploaded to the AM-GLOBAL Blog:

(Reference the sound file on the left column titled, “Baba is on my side”.)

Namaskar,
At present, our Marga is gripped in the throes of groupism – huge clash
has been going on for years.

Both parties are thinking that, “Baba is on my side and that I will be
victorious”, and in that way they continue their fight.

Yet in His teaching from Purnea DMC (1971), Baba clearly warns that if
one engages in such crude battles for post and power then it means they
have fallen away from ideology, in which case they will lose Ista also.

That is the very real concern that all in our Marga should consider,
especially those of our brothers and sisters involved in the factional
fighting.

Everyone in AM loves Baba, but in this era of group clash we should all
take a moment to reflect on how far we are truly serving Ista and
adarsha, or giving way to factional interest.

BABA’S EXPLICIT TEACHING

At Purnea DMC in 1971, by His grace, Baba issued a dramatic teaching
that is highly applicable to the state of affairs these days in AMPS.
The original Hindi sound file from that Purnea DMC has been uploaded to
our blog. (Reference the sound file on the left column titled, “Baba is on my side”.)

Baba says, “About thirty-five years ago [in 1936], a war was going on
between two countries, the citizens of which have the same religion
(Buddhist). When the soldiers went to war, their mothers used to pray to
Lord Buddha to save the lives of their respective sons. What will Lord
Buddha do? Save this man or that man? Both have the same “Is’t’a,” but
both parties have totally forgotten their ideology. If they were
established in the ideology, they would not have gone to war.” (SE)

In the above teaching, Baba is clearly stating that both Buddhist groups
lost their ideology. The proof being that the two camps went to war with
each other for their own petty gains – each praying to Buddha to gain
victory over the other. Thus, despite being followers of the same ista,
they began fighting for their own selfish agendas instead of following
the high ideals of Buddha.

Sound familiar?

What Baba has recounted in His above Purnea DMC teaching from 1971is
highly applicable to what is going on in our AMPS these days. All the
various camps in our Marga share the same Ista, but they have gone to
war with one another for their personal gain – thereby losing AM
ideology. That is Baba’s explicit teaching. Because instead of adhering
to the neo-humanistic principles of Ananda Marga adarsha, such groups
have been swallowed up by their own groupist tactics – the race for
name, face, post, power & prestige.

Just as those Buddhist parties were praying to Buddha for their own
victory, nowadays in AMPS the various camps also believe “Baba is on my
side and therefore my camp shall be victorious”. But when any party
strays from AM ideology, then how can such a party gain Baba’s favour.
They cannot. Rather they are doomed to their own destiny.

Toady’s fight is 100% about groupism and has nothing to do with
ideology. They are fighting over land, resources, post, power, money,
jagrtis, buildings. Their fight is cent-per-cent selfish. There is no
higher ideal in mind.

Due to their rigid adherence to their groupist battle plan – and not AM
adarsha – they have also forgotten Ista. Because when one’s mind is
involved in self, self and self in the form of power and prestige, then
it is impossible to think of serving Ista. That is the stark irony of
today’s groupist battles. They justify to themselves and others that,
“Baba is on my side”, yet the tragedy is they have left AM ideology and
drifted from Him entirely.

That is the very sad and unfortunate state of affairs going on now in
our AMPS. I have deep love and respect for all in AM. Everyone has come
out of love for Baba. That is why it is so difficult to watch what is
going on now. Today is not the time to blame, but to awaken, realise,
and march side by side holding the flag of ideology.

What Baba warned us about in 1971 with those two Buddhist camps has now
become a living reality in 2009 in our Marga. The current clash in AM
has nothing to do with ideology and everything to do with factional
power. Indeed this has been the running theme of our AMPS in this post
1990 era. Let us hope that things change soon by His grace.

WAS NOT ALWAYS LIKE THIS

We must recall that life in our Marga was not always like this.

Rather, in the past, all our struggles with outside elements were for
the establishment of AM ideology. By Baba’s grace we fought and were
victorious over communists, Hindu fundamentalists, capitalists, and so
many other negative parties. But our fight with them was not at all
personal, it was for the spread of Baba’s teachings: AM ideology. Thus
each struggle and subsequent victory led to the great establishment of
the Marga – the establishment of universal dharma.

However, there is not a shred of ideology or welfare in today’s group
clash. There is not an ounce of dharma involved. Rather, day by day
ideology is on the wane as the flag of groupism reigns. This terrible
state spells the destruction of AM, if we are not careful and allow it
to continue.

THE MANIFESTATION OF CLASH

Today’s group clash has been marked by killings, beatings, distortions,
thievery and the fight for resources and land. Avadhutas like
Abhipremannda have been killed – others have been maimed – jagritis have
been destroyed – and Ananda Marga has turned into a war zone. So much
destruction has occurred.

Yet all the while, the various group camps think that “Baba is on my
side and soon we will get victory.” This is their contorted outlook. In
their heart they think it is true.

But now, by His grace we know what is true. Just as Baba points out how
the fight between the two Buddhist factions represented the demise of
ideology, we are witnessing the same misfortune nowadays in AM. The
group clash itself means the loss of ideology, and subsequently the loss
of ista as well. In that case the outcome of such groupist fighting is
beyond bleak.

Baba says, “Suppose somebody has no ideology in his life and for a
moment forgets his “Is’t’a”, he will degrade. So the wise man will
always remember that he has to follow the ideology and more important,
the “Is’t’a”.” (SE)

Let us no longer think of such dark outcomes. Now is the day to once
again keep the banner of AM ideology flying high and end all groupist
squabbles.

ALL ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Please understand that this letter is not an attempt to condemn any
person or any party. Ours is a neo-humanistic mission and all are my own
brothers and sisters. I do not want to see either side win or lose – nor
blame anyone. Only the aim is to watch all come back under the banner of
AM ideology and once again become a follower of Ista.

All in our Marga have feeling for Ista and it is a shame that the clouds
of confusion have caused some to drift away. They feel they that they
are doing for Baba, but by the practical expression of their groupist
campaigns, it is plain as day that they have fallen from the path of
neo-humanism. They are thinking of the survival of their group, not
universal welfare.

THIS IS THE MAIN DISEASE

While there are many problems and issues in our Marga, this group clash
is the worst problem. It signifies the loss of ideology. So this is the
biggest issue – the most dangerous disease. For us, this group clash is
cancer. It kills.

In contrast, all those smaller issues and scandals like school
enrollments, press malfunctions, basic money issues etc are
comparatively small things. In comparison to the cancer of group fight
these problems are like cough and cold.

And again it should be repeated: The reason why the present group clash
is cancerous for us is that it represents the loss of ideology. That is
Baba’s clear-cut message. In the face of group power struggles, ideology
is totally forgotten – and along with it Ista as well. Verily, without
adarsha and ista, our Marga is doomed, just inviting destruction.

The most pressing task at the moment then is to end this groupist
conflict. Not by creating a peace proposal and merging the various
camps, but rather by bringing AM ideology to the fore. When that is
done, our Marga will surely survive – and not just that but thrive.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, the call of dharma is being heard all around. Instead
of getting befooled by group factions that proclaim, “Baba is on my
side”, when in fact their ways are utterly devoid of adarsha and ista,
true Ananda Margiis have set their sight on ideology. By that way, we
will sure to be victorious and build up a bright new Marga, by His grace.

Baba says, ” 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 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.” (SS-1)

Namaskar,
Sudhakar

Note: FURTHER READING

For further reading about the nature and root cause of today’s group
clash, please reference these below letters.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/05/belief-baba-is-on-my-side.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2007/06/dreamland-i-follow-dharma-part-ii.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/11/kaurava-pandava-dogma.html

***************************************
Colourful Future

Baba says, “As life becomes increasingly easy, there will be greater
opportunities for intellectual pursuits. A day will come when there will
be hardly any need for human beings to work. This may sound strange
today and perhaps we might not like to hear such a thing, but that day
will surely come. Physicality will be transformed into more and more
intellectuality, and intellectuality will be transformed into the
culminating point of spirituality.” (PNS-17, p.36)

***************************************

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Re: “SAMKALPA DIVAS’ VS. ‘MAHAPRAYAN DIVAS’

Subject: Re: “SAMKALPA DIVAS’ VS. ‘MAHAPRAYAN DIVAS’
From:”Panda”
Date:Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:51:27 +0530
To:
CC:

Baba

Namaska’ram. Lord Buddha said idol worship shouldn’t be done.After his
death his disciples started making idol of Buddha & worshipping him.
This is a negative point what historians point out for downfall of
BUddhism. Similarly Baba clearly mentioned in CARYA”CARYA that shraddha
should be observed within twelve days of death of a person. But after
His physical departure a group of followers have been observing
anniversary of 21st october in the name of MAHA”PRAYA”N”A. Now the
proposal is to observe same day as SAMKALPA Divas. Let’s follow whatever
Ba’ba’ has given in black & white. Let’s not add like MAHAPRAYAN or
Samkalapa divas. Let’s observe A”NANDA PU”RNMA” as instructed by HIM in
Carya’carya.

Thanking you
Narayan Panda

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