Why not thank Supreme Entity + 4 more

Baba

Why not thank Supreme Entity

Namaskar,

In our Ananda Marga, we surrender our everything unto Guru - Parama Puruśa. We offer our minds to Him and sacrifice ourselves for Him so we do not give "thanks" to Parama Puruśa.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "He knows everything that you know, and everything you do not know. Obviously there is no other way than total surrender to Him." (1)

Even during DMC, when so many margiis and acaryas would go on stage to receive a prize from Baba, then no one would ever say, "Thank you, Baba". Instead everyone would lay prostrate to Baba in sastaunga pranam. In Ananda Marga, our standard is high, especially with regards to our relation with Parama Puruśa. We are to give our everything to Him. In contrast, merely saying or giving "thanks" is something comparatively cheap or paltry.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This topic of "thanks" has come up because in various parts around the globe "giving thanks" is looked upon as something very noble. People give their thanks in so many ways: to the Supreme Entity, to their parents, to their friends and families, and to their communities. These are some of the ways that this gets expressed.

Thanks is only for distant people

However, in the tantric lifestyle of Ananda Marga, our approach is entirely different. With persons close to us, we have a relationship based on love and service. Due to feelings of closeness we do not say "thanks". Because we understand that the help and support are given with heartfelt feeling, not for any recognition or in hopes that we would say "thanks".

As bhaktas, we are ready to do each and every thing for our close relations in service to the Supreme. This is internally understood; in that case, there is no need to say "thanks", rather that would only demean the interaction and relation, as if the person helped you only in order to be "thanked". When, in truth, the feeling and intent runs so much deeper than that. By your demeanor, your close relation understands that you have respect and appreciation for their help and support, which goes far beyond the term "thanks".
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In our Marga, we only verbally offer thanks to those who are far or distant from us. Saying "thanks" is part of our social norms, but it is not something we use with those whom we feel a sense of intimacy and closeness. If someone whom we revere or if someone close to us does something for us, we will not say "thanks." Saying so will only brand that person as being distant. We only say "thanks" or "thank you" in more formal, business, or distant relations. It is not used with close people and certainly not with Parama Purusa.

“Thank you” trend may seep all around

Yet, in the west, saying "thank you" is looked upon as quite honourable. This is used even between very close persons. Perhaps because the concept of service is less understood or because the relationship between family members is more distant, as people are more accustomed to living by themselves, not as part of a collective. Whatever may be, saying "thank you" is looked upon as something very gracious in the west whereas in our Ananda Marga society it is not.

We should all understand the ethic in Ananda Marga, and, at the same time, keep in mind that many of the pseudo-culture ways are being adopted by the rest of the world. This is likely to happen with saying “thanks” as well. We should be sure that we do not get affected; rather, with a clear mind and heart we should be rationally grounded in our sentient manner. For all these reasons and more, this is a topic of importance for Ananda Margiis.

Giving & taking thanks is just business relation

Giving thanks and taking thanks is the epitome of a business relation. When you think that you are giving something and you want recognition for it, then in that case you desire for the next person to recognize your deed and give you thanks. And if that does not happen you may be frustrated, upset, or disappointed. This demonstrates how and why it is a business relation. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In stark contrast, service is done with an entirely different motive where the person does not want or expect anything in return - not even “thanks”. For instance, suppose you feed the needy, i.e. Narayana seva, without wanting anything in return because you think that, “God Himself has come before me in the form of this needy person. And since God has given me the strength and the duty to serve, I do not want any recognition or thanks in return - not from anyone.” That is the service mentality in the Ananda Marga system of meditation. 

According to the purview of Ananda Marga ideology, nothing belongs to you, rather whatever you have has been given to you by the Supreme Entity for the service of all. So when you are serving others that means you are fulfilling your duty in order to please the Supreme Entity. Naturally then you do not want any recognition from any person or party, otherwise that would make it a business relation. Then it will no longer qualify as service. That's why a true sadhaka thinks, “When I do any service I do not want thanks from anybody.” This is the science behind the business and service mentality. Again, giving and taking thanks is just a business relation. 

Surrender to Guru - not give thanks

We should take Baba's lesson to heart and strictly follow the ethic in Ananda Marga. With regard to Guru we are to offer ourselves, not our thanks.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Remember, you have to offer your own identity – not money, rice plantains or other crude objects. The give-and-take of crude things is a business transaction. If you want to attain the bliss of Brahma, you must offer your own self. If you want to have the Great “I”, you must give away your own little “I”. You have to give the full sixteen annas, (the full rupee). Giving fifteen annas and holding back one anna will not do. You must completely surrender. To attain that Infinite One with the help of your mental concentration and strength, you have to surrender yourselves." (2)

In Ananda Marga, every sadhaka feels a very close and personal connection with Parama Purusa. In sadhana or anytime throughout the day, the inner feeling comes, "O’ Parama Puruśa, I love You so much, I am ready to do anything and everything for You." When every bhakta of the Marga is ready to give everything with Him, then merely saying "thanks" is just a tinsel-like expression. Our link with Parama Purusa is very intimate and personal and full of the desire to serve Him. It is His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In stark contrast, in many of the dogmatic religions, there is a much more distant feeling with the Supreme Entity and worshipers commonly give thanks to the Supreme Entity when receiving food, pay raises, and other mundane things. So theirs is an entirely different, more external approach, both in the spiritual and social sphere.

Conclusion

Our link with Parama Purusa is based on bhakti, service, and the desire to please Him. We do not give thanks to Him, nor to our close persons. When addressing or communicating with our close persons then by our unspoken behaviour and love we express so much more to them than by saying "thanks", but certainly with people whom we do not know very well, then according to our social norms, saying "thanks" is quite appropriate.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyajiit
(Sam Taylor)


~ Courtesy of History(dot)com ~

“Thanksgiving was celebrated as a religious holiday, giving thanks to God for the previous year's blessings. It took a long time before it was fully adopted as a holiday and celebrated by all states. Finally, Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.” (Courtesy of History (dot) com)

Tasmae Shrii Gurave Namah

Ananda Marga ideology states, "I surrender myself at your altar. Namah means to “surrender”. Namah refers to the process called “Namo mudra'”. It means that all my expressions, all my dexterities, which are expressed through my ten fingers, have been brought to a point. That is, I surrender along with all my capabilities, all my dexterities." (3)

Baba story

One time when Baba was going out for His field walk, many margii families had gathered round to see Baba as He came out from His house. At one point, Baba lovingly gestured toward one of the margii children, and the young child said, "Thanks." The child had obviously learned this from his parents. Baba smiled and gently said, "See, this young child is telling Me 'thanks'."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Everyone present clearly understood Baba's message: As His disciples and bhaktas, we are not supposed to offer "thanks" to Baba, Parama Puruśa. This was the indirect teaching Baba was giving us that day. That was the first and last time any of us ever heard anyone say "thank you" to Baba.

Ultimately, all our actions are done in service to Him - as we try to fulfill our debt to Guru by giving our all.

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 7, The Highest Category of Devotion
2. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 4, Vibration, Form and Colour
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Guru Pújá

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

My misery & sorrow
 
"Bhúlo ná prabhú, e tava kańáre bhúlo ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3161)

Purport:

O’ Prabhu, I beg You not to forget this tiny particle of Yours. I am that small atom and ask You to keep me under Your wings. I have come from You and am always within You. Please do not ignore or toss me away outside, rather shower Your grace and grant me the highest bhakti.

O’ my Parama Purusa, since the early dawn of this creation, from the very beginning of saincara, You have invariably been with me in the flow of Your thought waves. Never have I been apart from You. Unfailingly, You have remained very close to me. In both good and bad times of my life, You are always there to save me. In this sweet, fragrant, spring breeze, Your heart is very near to mine. You love me. My Adored One, please do not go away or push me far. Let me remain with You forever.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, normally every living being, each jiiva, has both positive and negative qualities, with a mix of various merits and demerits - virtue and vice. But my case is different. I have very little virtue and a huge amount of vice. My bad qualities are so numerous that they completely outnumber and overshadow a few good qualities. Parama Purusa, I fell into the dungeon of deep, cimmerian darkness and am crying in my pain and suffering. Now, please do not act unkindly by leaving me in misery and sorrow. Be gracious and keep me under Your shelter and care.  

O’ Baba, please do not ever forget me. I have come from You. I am Yours and You are mine. Kindly keep me under your wings.... 


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3161:

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The poet Vidyapati also said, “Adi anándika nátha kaháyasi ab tárańa bhárańa tumhárá.” “You are the Lord of the beginning and the Lord of the end also. I am somewhere between the beginning and the end, and so You are also my Lord. Thus it is Your duty to save me, to redeem me, to protect me from danger. You are bound to do that.”” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Paramátmá is the Soul of all souls in the Universe. They receive energy from Paramátmá. The ownership of anything is not yours; it is His. Everything comes from Him and ultimately goes to Him. You cannot create any original object; objects come from Him.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Oh Parama Brahma, I am not outside your universe. I surrender to you, ‘Lead me along the path of righteousness, lead me according to your will.’” (3)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, The Supreme Sun
3. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sadhakas needed

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "While dharma in the true sense of the term is based on logic and the realizations of great sádhakas [spiritual aspirants], religion, or dharmamata, is based entirely on irrational blind faith. So religions are always sheltered within dogma. While the propagation of dharma goes on spontaneously, for the propagation and establishment of dogma-based religions, the financial power of the vaeshyas [capitalists] and the intellectual prowess of the vipras [intellectuals] is inevitably needed. What we observe from the history of humankind is that the religions which have come so far have, without exception, taken shelter under the wings of capitalism. While money has been spent lavishly for the construction of beautiful places of worship, money has never been arranged for food, clothing, housing, education and medical care for the welfare of the poor. While for four full years all the state revenues of Orissa were spent for the construction of the Konark temple, during that period not a penny was spent for human welfare. Needless to say, the history of all countries is replete with such examples." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba points out how in the past the dogmatic religions spent their money on material pursuits such as the construction of the Konark temple, while the common people languished in utter poverty, half-naked and hungry. A similar state of affairs has befallen our AMPS where all emphasis is on material construction rather than a man-making mission.

#1: AMPS needs human beings. 
#2: So many ashrams and MUs are empty - now AM needs human beings not buildings.
#3: Those donating to those buildings and types of construction etc are all fools.
#4: Essentially, they are preparing those sites for non-margiis.
#5: Due to lack of occupancy by AMPS others will take over those buildings; that is what happened with the ashrams of other religions.
#6: In Bihar, Kabir followers had tens of thousands of MUs, and now everything is occupied by Bhumihar.
#7: So remain alert; we need humans. 

Reference
1. Ráŕh: The Cradle of Civilization, Ráŕh – 6

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Whose dogma is this

Kindly read the below quote from Baba's teachings. At the end of the quote a question has been posed. If your answer to the question is correct then it means you read Baba's books carefully; and, if your answer is wrong or you do not know the answer, then it signifies that you need to pay more attention when reading Guru's teachings. After all, if sadhakas are not diligent in studying Baba's books then who is going to read them - non-margiis?

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Human life is like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, therefore it is futile to try and develop the material world. Such philosophies advise “atmanam viddhi” or “know thyself”. All the religions of the East have clearly instructed their followers to try and accept the path of shreya or that which leads to supreme benevolence only, to the utter exclusion of preya or that which leads to the acquisition of mundane objects! It may be that this sort of philosophy is not logically incorrect, but in practice this type of extreme idealism preaches that the world should be ignored. The individual human being may develop conscience, morality, renunciation, etc., and may reach the height of spirituality, but the society as a whole will not thereby progress. The maximum development of the society will be reached when there is balanced development in the physical, mental and spiritual spheres.” (1)

Question: Whose philosophy is Baba referring to in the yellow highlighted section?

Answer: In the above Quiz, in the yellow highlighted section Sadguru Baba is talking about - the Shankaracharya’s teachings of mayavada. The followers of mayavada preach the dogma that this material world is just an illusion - not real.

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt C

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Message of dedication: NH book

The Propounder of neo-humanism states:

“To those who think for all . . .

who offer others seats of honour and respect . . .

who venerate others, instead of waiting to be venerated –

to them I dedicate this book with humble esteem and deepest salutations.” (1)

- Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar

Note: In the above lines, it is obvious we should give first priority to honouring those whom nobody honours.

Reference
1. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Dedication page

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Origin of polo

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The well-known modern game of polo originated in Manipur's Kobe Valley...Originally, only royal princes used to play the horse-riding game of polo. For that a very hard ball was needed. The kind of bamboo that was used, used to grow in the eastern portion of Rarh, in slightly salty soil. Still today the best bamboo for making polo balls grows in the Uluberia subdivision of Howrah District and in Midnapore District's Tamluk subdivision." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

How to handle emotional people

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-to-manage-emotional-people.html

Right surrender: take action

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/11/pseudo-surrender-and-god-will-do-2-more.html

Sadhana all lessons needed

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-to-control-lower-cakras-first.html

Wrong moon calculation could ruin fasting

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/11/wrong-moon-calculation-could-ruin.html

Story: describing His beauty & charm

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/04/as-pure-as-ganges-baba-story.html

How to handle emotional people

Baba

How to handle emotional people

Namaskar,

There are many types of people in this world and there are some people who become very emotional and say or do irrational things at certain times. What should  we do during such circumstances?
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Domination of lower propensities- Examples

There are 1,000 propensities (vrittis) in human beings. Depending on the environment one is in, one or more specific lower propensities may be aroused. Here are a few examples:

Example - 1: A person is not feeling hungry and does not feel like eating. But when they go to a restaurant, the smell of food is so good that they are tempted to eat. The lower propensities become dominant and that person succumbs to the temptation of food at the restaurant. And even though they were not hungry, they ended up eating food of a static (ta’masika) nature.

Example - 2: The advertising industry is very prominent in many materialistic spheres. There are various types of advertisements in a variety of outlets such as books, magazines, television, social media, the internet, and on the side of roadways. Advertisements are very psychological in nature. The goal of the advertisement is to activate the lower propensities and attract people towards their products. Advertisers arouse the lower vrittis of the general population by displaying attractive images or videos.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Example - 3: Smoking cigarettes is dangerous; everyone is aware of this. However, cigarette manufacturers use various types of attractive advertising techniques to activate the lower propensities in people. By seeing such advertisements, people get attracted because their lower propensities become activated, and they end up smoking.

What we see in these three examples is that, depending on the environment one is in, those lower propensities can become activated. Human psychology is influenced by the environment one is in whereby the lower propensities are aroused and become dominant.

Not utilizing mind in adverse situations

When a person is affected by a lower propensity, then one does not utilize the mind properly — one does not think rationally. In general circumstances, one always utilizes the mind to decide what to do, and what not to do. But when any lower propensity gets aroused, then the connection with the mind is lost, and the propensities dominate one’s activities. When one becomes absorbed in a lower propensity, one does not utilize the mind properly.

Example: In their younger age, people get infatuated with the opposite gender. When infatuated one does not utilize the mind properly, such as not listening to parents, neglecting studies, running away from home, and even going to another city to be together. Yet, after a few days of experiencing infatuation versus reality, one realizes that one did not use their mind properly, and did not make a good decision by not listening to others and running away from home. Eventually, one returns home, knowing one's mistake.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Emotional people lose connection with rationality

When one becomes emotional, a similar phenomenon happens. One loses connection with the mind. The best thing one can do at that time is to leave the company of the emotional person. Talking to the person at that time will not result in anything, because their mind  is not working. The wise person will leave the place when encountering emotional people — this is the first step. With the passage of time,  that emotional person will understand that whilst emotional,  they were saying things which were not appropriate, and thus they will feel remorse. A person will usually apologize for the many things that s/he said in their emotional state.

Advice for emotional person

The advice for an emotional person is to control one’s emotions, and utilize the mind properly, so that such instances of first becoming angry, and then apologizing with the passage of time, will not occur. By being emotional, one is overwhelmed. One should not make any important decisions when in an emotional state. Even one should not speak much when one feels emotional. After some time, the lower propensities will be subdued, and then one can interact with others and also make decisions.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

When under the influence of various circumstances, one can become angry and uncontrollable. Sometimes one quarrels, and even uses guns or other devices which turns the situation to violence. Many people in jail acted on their emotions and turned to violence, used weapons, hurt others, and now must repent for the rest of their lives for that emotional outburst that carried such grave consequences.

Example of two people in emotional situation

Suppose there are two persons: A and B. Person A is becoming emotional, and person B is accompanying person A. When person B observes that person A is becoming emotional, then the best action person B can do is to leave the place. There is no point in person B trying to convince or lecture person A at that time. After some time, person A will calm down and realize his/her mistake, or person B can try to convince person A at a later point in time.

What should person A, who does not have control over his/her emotions, do in such situations? The person should learn how to control the mind irrespective of the nature of various circumstances. That is why it is recommended for one to maintain mental balance even in adverse conditions, i.e., yudhi-sthir (firm even in battle).
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Hence yudhi + sthira (yudhi means “in war”). One who keeps oneself sthira [unaffected, unassailed] at the time of battle, who keeps one's balance in battle, who is perfectly poised for upward motion during spiritual practice, and never loses one’s balance at the peak of the fighting, is yudhi + sthira = Yudhiśt́hira.” (1)

What to do in adverse situations

In India, during the emergency, a number of Anada Margiis went to jail. Upon their return, Baba gave a discourse mentioning how it was difficult to be in jail during the emergency, but that one’s tolerance level increased. By being in adverse conditions, and by enduring difficult times, one’s tolerance level increases.

Suppose one is being tortured, even though having done nothing wrong. At that point in time, one should not take any drastic step quickly. One should increase one’s tolerance level, keep thinking what the appropriate plan of action should be and when the appropriate time comes, one will provide an appropriate response to the oppressor. First tolerance, and then with deep thinking one will take appropriate action. During the tolerance phase, one gets enough time to ponder the next step.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Emotional levels in females & males

It is well-known that females are more emotional than males and this is one reason that they are more capable of raising children than males. Due to their emotionality, women tend to cry in certain situations. Some men might feel uncomfortable when they witness a woman crying but understanding is the key in this situation. If a husband becomes angry when he sees his wife crying then that reaction might inflame the situation and lead to arguments and worse. But if a husband doesn’t react to his wife’s crying and remains calm, then after some time, his wife will be able to control her emotions and they can have an amiable discussion.  

Conclusion

Human beings have a developed mind, and that is what distinguishes them from other animate beings. Even having the intellectual power to distinguish between good and bad and to  make rational decisions on a course of action, if one doesn’t utilize one’s mind, then one is not utilizing all the available faculties of a human being. One of the dangerous aspects is not to utilize the mind when needed during adverse situations.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In conclusion,  one should be careful while dealing with emotional people. One should leave the place, and deal with the situation later. When a friend is under the influence of alcohol, there is no point in talking to the friend at that time. The person would not understand any advice when under the influence of alcohol. The best option is to go away from that friend, and when the friend becomes normal, then try to talk with him.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “When the mind moves along a particular track or follows a particular discipline in a methodical way, this is called “devotion” or bhakti; but when it does not follow a particular method, when it moves haphazardly, swept away by whim, it is called “emotion”. This is the fundamental difference between devotion and emotion.” (2)

In Him,
Nira’ka’ra

References
(1) Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 17, Spiritual Lessons of the Giitá – 3:
(2) Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 18, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order

*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Veil: tool of exploitation

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Purdah” means not only a curtain on the window or over the door, it means a piece of cloth covering the head and face of a woman (i.e., a veil); it means that a woman must not move freely outside the house; it also means keeping the women covered in burkas. The purdah was not in use among the ancient Aryans. It was originally a Semitic concept. Indian women did not use the purdah before the Pathan rule. The Sanskrit word avaguńt́hana [“veil”] is not an ancient word. (The Hindustani word ghunghat́ [“veil”] was used in the olden days in the sense of covering.) In those parts of India where the Pathans were not firmly established, for instance in south India and Maharastra, the veil was not introduced at all; to this day there is no such custom. Married women in ancient Maharastra never used to veil themselves – it was optional. Widows did not need to use a veil if they chose not to. Even where the Pathans were firmly established, the aborigines living in the hills and forests did not use the purdah. Today as well there is no custom of veiling oneself among the tribal women of Bengal and north India. Although the Santhals of Bengal are now totally identified with the Bengali mainstream, Santhal women do not use veils to this day.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Secret for doing selfless service

Ananda Marga ideology states, “When you perform acts with the ideation that the person served is Náráyańa, there is no possibility of arrogance or the desire for fame growing in your mind. Then you will realize that through the grace of Náráyańa you have been given the opportunity of serving Náráyańa. Our hands and feet are not ours, they are His, and by serving Himself with those hands and feet, He sports with Himself. Such an action is an action without attachment. Only in this way can one attain salvation from the bondage of Karma. You must feel that the person served is Brahma. The person served is a finite manifestation of Him. Never, even by mistake, take the object as a human being.” (1)

According to the teachings of Ananda Marga philosophy, for every action there is a reaction. Good deeds yield positive reactions, and bad deeds yield adverse reactions. When serving an infirm person, you should not think that, “This person has done something wrong, and that is why I am serving them.” If one thinks like this then their entire attempt at service is for naught as there is no ideation of Narayana. One should think that, “Narayan is before me in the form of a sick person; He is playing His liila and I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve Him.” This is the proper approach.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Sadhana all lessons needed

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-to-control-lower-cakras-first.html

Wrong moon calculation could ruin fasting

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/11/wrong-moon-calculation-could-ruin.html

Story: describing His beauty & charm

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/04/as-pure-as-ganges-baba-story.html

Sadhaka life over the ages

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/spiritual-journey-history-2.html

Who received this blessing

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/08/unique-reason-behind-babas-scolding-3.html

Mahaprayan of Avtk Ananda Vidya Ac, age 88, in HK

Baba

Mahaprayan of Avtk Ananda Vidya Ac, age 88, in HK 

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Avadhutika Ananda Vidya Acarya who was 88 years of age. Respected Didi's mahaprayan occurred in Hong Kong sector in a hospital in Taichung, Taiwan.  

May we all take solace in the fact that Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Harideva

Note: Here is an alert for those cremating a dead body in India or Indian managed cremation homes around the world. Their custom is to put the fire in the mouth of the deceased to initiate the burning of the body. This is prohibited in AM as it is uncivilised. So watch out; do not allow this. If you are not careful, they will end up cremating the body in this manner. Make them aware ahead of time. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The practice of putting fire into the mouth of the dead body is repulsive, it should not be encouraged." (Caryacarya - 1, Disposal of the Dead Body)


~ In-depth study ~

We have seen that when somebody dies then in offering their condolences people say now Mr So-and-so is sitting on Baba's lap. On other occasions when telling a Baba story people also say, "Such and such person sat on Baba's lap." But these days the trend is that "sitting on Baba's lap" is used more in connection with death. And that causes some confusion in the minds of readers. To unknot the situation please read below. 

Dogma: if "on Baba's lap" only used for death

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "May Parama Purusa Baba accept her in HIS divine lap"

- "We pray to Baba - please give him shelter in his lap... "

- "May his soul rest in the lap of our beloved BABA"

- "Now she is taking rest in Baba's Lap."

- "May Baba accept him in HIS divine lap....."

- "May he rest in HIS loving lap of eternity."

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in Bábá's loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in peace taking shelter in Baba's lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

- "We all collectively pray to Baba to take him on Baba's divine lap forever.”

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. These days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's intimate spiritual experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused, and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their inner feelings of bhakti. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.


Baba story: "sitting on Baba's lap"

Some time ago after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba. He said, "After being lovingly scolded by Baba for my wrongdoings, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his factual and historical event, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries. Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this. The new sadhaka sensed that something was wrong, and he said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like how a child need not die in order to sit on his father’s lap.

The idea is that this phrase - Baba's lap - has been linked with death due to extreme overuse. So for some time if sadhakas use this phrase exclusively for spiritual purposes, that will be best. The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its pure spiritual quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

Baba would bless bhaktas and place them on His lap

There are tens of thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply mystical value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and sadhana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply intimate experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a spiritual practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

"Mahaprayan" means death of mortals - confirm for yourself
from the Samsad Bengali-English Dictionary

Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in our Bengal to describe the death of any human being, even ordinary people. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

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

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by the leader of a particular group in AMPS. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary 3rd edition on page 848. By checking there, it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it is used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens. And that is the case in this letter also. The term mahaprayan means death, and this is the ideal term for this purpose.

Mahaprayan is only for humans not for Sadguru

Here it should be qualified that there is both a real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being, just like the aforesaid news. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

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

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa. Those doing mahaprayan for Sadguru are hypocrites. On the one side in meditation they ask His grace thinking that He is ever-present, and on the other side they think that Baba has passed away. That is their hypocrisy.

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to Read

Wrong moon calculation could ruin fasting

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/11/wrong-moon-calculation-could-ruin.html

Story: describing His beauty & charm

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/04/as-pure-as-ganges-baba-story.html

Sadhaka life over the ages

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/spiritual-journey-history-2.html

Who received this blessing

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/08/unique-reason-behind-babas-scolding-3.html