Baba
Wrong thing to translate
Namaskar,
One of the greatest endeavors in the life of every bhakta is the opportunity to call the Supreme Entity. As all know, Baba, the Parama Purusa, has multiple names, each referring to one of His infinite characteristics. Yet it appears that some persons are confused about how to treat these beautiful appellations of Parama Purusa Baba.
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Nobody calls him "Mr. Every Soul Bliss"
In our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, we regularly use Saḿskrta names to refer to other sadhakas. And those names we do not translate into another language like English. For instance, if someone's name is Prashant then we do not call them “Mr. Perfect Composure”. Rather we call them by their given Saḿskrta name, i.e. Prashant. Because that name Prashant carries a unique meaning all its own.
Similarly, if someone's name is Narayan then we do not call them "Mr. Shelter of Prakrti". Rather we call them by their given Saḿskrta name, i.e. Narayan. Because the name Narayan itself carries a very special significance. Likewise, if someone's name is Priyashiva then we do not call them "Mr. Loving Consciousness". Rather we call them by their given Saḿskrta name, i.e. Priyashiva. Because the name Priyashiva holds its special spiritual meaning. Or, if someone's name is Sarvatmananda then we do not call them "Mr. Every Soul Bliss". Rather we call them by their given Saḿskrta name, i.e. Sarvatmananda.
Example: how translating names ruins meaning
In the same way, the various appellations of Parama Purusa are never translated:
(a) One of the names of the Lord is Painca’nana, but we do not call Him “Mr Five Faces”;
(b) and one of the names of the Lord is Niilakant’ha, but we do not call Him “Mr Blue Throat”;
(c) and one of the names of the Lord is Hari, but we do not call Him “Mr. Thief” or “Mr. Kidnapper”;
(d) and one of the names of the Lord is Rudra, yet in our Ananda Marga books and discourses that name is never translated.
Here the matter is that we do not translate the Saḿskrta name. The name carries a particular meaning and vibration in the original language. Translating it into English only serves to undermine the meaning of the name. Keeping the original Saḿskrta maintains the integrity of the name. This most every sadhaka easily understands.
Unfortunately, a few have chosen to translate one of the revered names of Baba. They literally translate 'Ajana Pathik' to 'unknown traveler' - when any true bhakta knows that the term 'unknown traveler' does not carry the inner beauty and meaning of the name: 'Ajana Pathik'.
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Washington became tons of washing
The general rule and ethic is not to literally translate any proper noun of any person or place. For example if we literally examine the name 'Washington DC', then in their foolishness someone could change that into 'washing' + 'ton'. Literally meaning 'cleaning' + 'tons', meaning 'the city where a huge piles of laundry are done'. No sane person does like this. Likewise no one literally translates 'New York' as 'Fresh York'. The overall notion is that literally translating names or proper nouns does not work.
The divine name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes one of Baba's special attributions, but some are literally translating this term when trying to explain Prabhat Samgiita. Yet we should not do anything which goes even one iota against the spirit of Ista or reverence to Guru. So those who are involved in this very delicate work of translating Prabhat Samgiita should be taught the proper way. Otherwise they will continue to err and do injustice with these deeply spiritual compositions.
In Prabhat Samgiita #0012, the line 'Ajana Pathik ek elo' has been translated as 'Lo, there comes the unknown traveler!'. But the term 'unknown traveler' is just related with tourism - it is a mundane reference. It does not have any mystical or spiritual value. And the same mistake of translating Ajana Pathik to unknown traveler was done in numerous songs such as PS #0005 and PS #0227, among many others.
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Proper way to deal with issue
Instead in the English translation, the line should read as 'Lo, here comes the Ajana Pathik!', and mark it with an asterisk note which carefully explains that the beautiful term Ajana Pathik is one of the names of Parama Purusa and that it denotes one of His special attributions. So the best way is to write it as 'Lo, here comes the Ajana Pathik!'. And then by the asterisk note readers will easily understand that in this instance Baba wants to be called Ajana Pathik. And so we will call Him that way and in the back of our minds we will always remember that:
The term Ajana Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe and Who resides everywhere and knows everything, and irrespective of where one goes He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the specialty of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
If in translation one person omits the term Ajana Pathik and instead literally writes 'unknown traveler', this does not carry the special meaning or inner beauty of the term. And ultimately anyone reading that translation will not be able to know what is really being expressed in this song.
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Unknown hitchhiker or backpacker
Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
Inner meaning of Ajana’ Pathik
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe. That is why the term Ajana Pathik should not be translated.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The phrase “Ajana Pathik” is a mystical name to talk about Parama Purusa in a simple, mundane way so common people can understand that He is present everywhere. So there is no need for Him to go from one place to another etc. When a person goes from point A to point B then in a poetic and sentimental way we may say that, “Parama Purusa is going along with you”, yet the reality is that He is already in all places - always.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
Conclusion
The central idea of the entire letter is that proper names should not be translated. Suppose your friend's name is Nagina, then everyone will know who you are talking about if you say, "Nagina." However, if you translate Nagina to English it will be "gem", and if you call out “Mr. Gem, Mr Gem”, then no one will know whom you are talking about. Such a translation defeats the whole purpose of communication. The meaning and significance is lost in translation. So if anyone is naively translating Ajana Pathik as “Unknown Traveler” then they are ignorant, and if they are deliberately doing this then it is demeaning to Guru. Best is to never translate the term Ajana Pathik or any other epithet of Parama Purusa.
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Namsakar,
In Him,
Amriteshwar Dutta
~ In-depth study ~
Examples of misrepresentation
See here how the term Ajana Pathik was misrepresented in the following translations of Prabhat Samgiita:
PS #0005: The ancient unknown traveler has come.
PS #0012: Lo, there comes the unknown traveler!
PS #0227: An unknown traveler has come.
The proper approach is to use the term Ajana Pathik - not unknown traveler - and then provide a link to the full descriptive meaning of the very special term, Ajana Pathik. This will enhance the meaning. Those involved in the translation of Prabhat Samgiita should abide by this literary form.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Interpreter looks ridiculous & audience is confused
Here below Baba guides us what happens when unqualified persons try to interpret the shastras and / or explain Prabhat Samgiita.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Shástra vyákhyána. Without proper interpretation, the shástras remain difficult to understand and sometimes unintelligible. Thus the scriptures should always be interpreted by qualified scholars, competent philosophers, and penetrating thinkers. If one tries to interpret a profound scripture with superficial knowledge, the interpreter appears ridiculous and the audience is confused."
"There are some people who are neither scholars, nor philosophers, nor penetrating thinkers, but merely wander about interpreting scriptures...who interpret the scriptures just to exhibit their intellect – to procure for themselves a certificate of erudition. They too remain far from the living spirit of the scriptures, from the One who is their fountainhead of inspiration." (1)
We should be cent-per-cent certain we have the right persons involved in explaining and translating Baba's divine compositions of Prabhat Samgiita.
The omnipresent Entity
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but in a more literal manner He goes from place to place.
References
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 14
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Kindling light on earth
"Áji, tomári parashe tomári haraśe, dharańii ut́hilo hási…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0734)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, today, basking in Your ever-flowing krpa of joy and moved by Your warm touch, all mortals - all my brothers and sisters - have started smiling. Everyone is wholly ensconced in Your cosmic rhythm and infinite bliss. From all corners, human beings everywhere are expressing their heartfelt feeling by proclaiming: "Supreme Entity, my Dearmost, I love You so much.”
Most Compassionate One, in the flow of Your grace and blessings, the dark fog has lifted in the mere blink of an eye. Those sinners were like that dark fog and were trying to extinguish Your brilliant effulgence. Today those very sinners have suddenly vanished from the world in a flash. Spirituality, universal ideology, and teachings of neo-humanism are flourishing. It is Your krpa.
Those thoughts which were previously lying suppressed in seed form, in the realm of imagination, have today descended down into the core of all mortals. All have started thinking about bhagavad dharma. With this kindling of light on earth, every jiiva is now trying to merge into the seven realms - and play the divine flute in unison, with one Supreme Goal in mind...
Recent postings
"Áji, tomári parashe tomári haraśe, dharańii ut́hilo hási…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0734)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, today, basking in Your ever-flowing krpa of joy and moved by Your warm touch, all mortals - all my brothers and sisters - have started smiling. Everyone is wholly ensconced in Your cosmic rhythm and infinite bliss. From all corners, human beings everywhere are expressing their heartfelt feeling by proclaiming: "Supreme Entity, my Dearmost, I love You so much.”
Most Compassionate One, in the flow of Your grace and blessings, the dark fog has lifted in the mere blink of an eye. Those sinners were like that dark fog and were trying to extinguish Your brilliant effulgence. Today those very sinners have suddenly vanished from the world in a flash. Spirituality, universal ideology, and teachings of neo-humanism are flourishing. It is Your krpa.
Those thoughts which were previously lying suppressed in seed form, in the realm of imagination, have today descended down into the core of all mortals. All have started thinking about bhagavad dharma. With this kindling of light on earth, every jiiva is now trying to merge into the seven realms - and play the divine flute in unison, with one Supreme Goal in mind...
== Section 3: Links ==
Recent postings
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