Story: comparison
Namaskar,
I had gone to Puri (Orissa) for office work and my friends requested me to visit some historical sites with them. While on tour, I stayed at the Ramakrishna Mission ashram. I immediately noticed how the ashram had top-grade facilities - especially the kitchen and dining areas. All the plates and utensils were absolutely top quality. I was very impressed by the set-up and how organised it was. I was praising them about their first-class facilities; and whomever I came across I told how the Ramakrishna Mission keeps a very wonderful ashram with the best amenities.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
My experience in Ananda Marga jagrti
Some months later (1989-90), I went to our Ananda Marga headquarters for my designated duties and to attend some programs. Certainly, over the years, I had been there many, many times. This time however it struck me when I went to eat in the kitchen that the plates and the utensils were not up to that high standard as I saw at the Ramakrishna Mission in Puri. This was very unappealing to me and I immediately recalled how everything was proper at the Ramakrishna Mission ashram in Puri.
While moving around Ananda Marga headquarters that day I told a few people about how beautiful the accommodations were at the Ramakrishna ashram and that their kitchen was top grade. Yet here in Ananda Marga headquarters all the eating utensils and plates were not of that high quality. In this manner I spoke with some around the compound.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Baba's presence
Later that same day I had the opportunity to see Baba. Immediately upon entering and being called in front of Him, I noticed that He seemed quite displeased - I did not know why.
All-knowing Baba, being the Parama Purusa, was fully aware about my thoughts about our Ananda Marga jagrti kitchen and dining hall. He looked at me and said, "You know those monks in the Ramakrishna mission have a long history of using chewing tobacco (khainii) and eating fish. Not only that, still today Ramakrishna Mission monks smoke tobacco and eat fish. They have many dirty habits. So you see, externally they may appear to be of a high standard, but internally they are not. Now see my sannyasis. They do fasting 4 times per month and do not eat any tamasik food. Their standard of conduct is far higher; there is no comparison. Dharma is measured by the conduct, not by superficial matters."
Baba then recited one shloka, "Acaranat dharma".
Baba says, "Ácárańát dharmah, that is, “Dharma is the assemblage of all your conduct” – the way you eat, the way you speak, the way you perform sádhaná. If your conduct is good, dharma is with you; if your conduct is not good, dharma is not with you." (1)
Hearing Baba's words, I immediately realised my mistake. I understood why He was displeased, and why He was telling me this now.
Mentally, I begged forgiveness and vowed to never overlook the greatness of Ananda Marga ideology or take for granted the dharmic standard of our Ananda Marga by comparing it with other organisations on superficial grounds. Internally, I promised to never do that ever again. I understood the shallowness of my assessment and gained a deeper appreciation for our way of life in Ananda Marga. This positive feeling has remained with me ever since, by His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Few examples
This story recounted by Shrii Ramadhar contains many valuable teachings and some very practical guidelines as well. One of which is to abstain from comparing the dharma of our Ananda Marga with the superficial qualities of other organisations.
The speciality of Ananda Marga is our ideal and conduct, not any type of social status or mundane wealth etc. We should not fall prey to the fleeting fame and glamour of others and forget our ideal.
Unfortunately, some complain about the poor monetary standard of our Ananda Marga jagrtis, units, and schools, as well as the situation of our Wts. And they compare our projects less favourably with Christian institutions whose buildings are grand and fancy. But this is not a healthy outlook or proper approach. Rather we should adopt a distinctly positive and assertive stance.
For instance, if a person sees the poor situation of one of our schools and jagrtis, and if in the course of addressing the problem they discuss some of the negative points with the aim of trying to improve the overall situation, then that is most welcome. That is a very positive, proactive approach; i.e. constructive criticism. That would be similar to a mother complaining to the doctor about her baby's poor health in order to cure her child and fix the problem. The mother's complaining to the doctor is not just done out of frustration, exasperation, or for the sake of complaining without any intent to resolve the situation. Rather, she is complaining out of love for the welfare of her baby.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Let us take another example: If someone criticises that sick human babe, and in comparison praises a healthy pig saying it is better than the human babe, then the mother will not appreciate it. I think we all understand this analogy.
Uniqueness of Ananda Marga
To complain about something just for criticism's sake with no practical intent to fix the problem is a very bad approach. If someone talks about the deficiencies of our Ananda Marga projects with this attitude, that is not at all appreciated. Why? Because there is no interest to make things better. Such a negative approach is especially bad related with Ananda Marga activities.
Our Ananda Marga has so many positive attributions in comparison to the dealings of other organisations and movements. Thus when something in the mundane sphere, like the quality of the kitchen utensils, is not up to the mark then we cannot outrightly reject everything and label it as being lowly and useless, because we have so many other plus points that are not found elsewhere.
For example, our schools may not have palatial buildings with air-conditioning. We may even be holding classes underneath a tree. But our schools are bastions of neo-humanism. That is far better than a school with a great, big building that is filled with dogmatic preachings and teachings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Likewise, our margii brothers and sisters may not be super rich, but they are far superior to followers of other organisations who may indulge in all kinds of degrading and dogmatic behaviours. Other followers may have a good name and social recognition, but that is not the basis upon which we should calculate who is great and who is not. Rather, one must see the qualities of the human being, i.e. whose life more strictly adheres to dharma, i.e. Sixteen Points.
Conduct is main thing not wealth
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Dharma is the assemblage of all your conduct” – the way you eat, the way you speak, the way you perform sa'dhana'. If your conduct is good, dharma is with you; if your conduct is not good, dharma is not with you. And if dharma is not with you, what comes about is your sarvana'sha, or sarva'tmaka vina'sha – that is, your physical, mental, and spiritual ruin....Conduct is the principal factor in dharma.” Be a sadácárii, a person of good conduct, and you will surely attain Paramátman." (2)
Baba says, "Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "It is said, Dharmasya tattvaḿ nihitaḿ guháyám: that is, the inner essence of Dharma is hidden in the existential “I” feeling of the human mind. That which controls human conduct and behaviour – indeed, human beings’ entire lifestyle – is called Dharma. In Dharma lies the greatest joy, the supreme beatitude of human life, the path of realizing the Supreme Entity. Hence it is mandatory for all people – young and old, strong and infirm, wise and foolish, to follow Dharma.” (4)
Final reflection
In this story, the margii was thinking about the poor standard of Ananda Marga jagrtis; and, he was furthermore aiming to criticise without offering any substantial avenues for fixing the situation. This was not the proper approach or intention, just criticism. That is why Baba was displeased with him and corrected his mindset.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ultimately, this type of defective outlook should not be encouraged. Ananda Marga ideology and our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha organisation are ours. Whatever shortcomings exist, we should try to fix and collectively address those matters in order to improve the situation, and not just indulge in criticism for criticism's sake.
Those who are good margiis will set their sights on fixing the situation. That is constructive criticism, which is very positive as in their heart of hearts they are working to make things better.
Namaskar,
at His feet,
Madhusudan
Note: The above is a first-hand account by Shrii Ramadhar ji, an important margii from Bihar.
Story: when Baba visited one village
I remember when Baba arrived in Choti Jamin village in Bhagalpur. He sat in a small grass hut with a thatched roof that served as our Ananda Marga jagrti, and He was praising how it was so beautiful to hold dharmacakra in our own jagrti. It was a very blissful occasion, and He blessed everybody that day. One thing that stands out is that Baba did not hold His darshan in a big, fancy church or temple. Rather, He sat in one grass hut and was completely content.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
By this we can understand that Baba does not place any value on the size of the building or any other superficial quality, rather He appreciates the ideal and conduct.
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma
3. Ananda Vanii #13
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, What Is the Way
Plagiary?
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
Sin of omission: worse
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Pratyava'ya is worse than pa'taka." (1)
And not just once but in numerous places He repeats the same warning.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Pratyava'ya is more reprimandable than pa'taka." (2)
Note: As we know there are two types of sin in Ananda Marga: sin of commission (pa'taka) and sin of omission (pratyava'ya). A sin of commission means committing an act that contravenes dharma. A sin of omission means not performing those dharmic deeds that should be done. Of the two, a sin of omission (pratyava'ya) is more severe.
References
1. Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, “Take Refuge in Parama Puruśa with Unswerving Attention”
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 1
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:
1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).
2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story:
“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”
This will be treated as the standard protocol.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Pratyava'ya is worse than pa'taka." (1)
And not just once but in numerous places He repeats the same warning.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Pratyava'ya is more reprimandable than pa'taka." (2)
Note: As we know there are two types of sin in Ananda Marga: sin of commission (pa'taka) and sin of omission (pratyava'ya). A sin of commission means committing an act that contravenes dharma. A sin of omission means not performing those dharmic deeds that should be done. Of the two, a sin of omission (pratyava'ya) is more severe.
References
1. Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, “Take Refuge in Parama Puruśa with Unswerving Attention”
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 1
== Section 3: Links ==
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
