Baba
Donkey food, kiirtana etc
Namaskar,
Baba's following guideline is instrumental for all sadhakas.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
- "Priityanna: If a person wants to feed you out of genuine intimacy, you should take that food happily, even if it is just grains and vegetables. But if someone invites you only to make a show to people, never accept his/her food.”
- “Ápadanna: When life is jeopardized because of the lack of food and water, you need not consider whether the food is prohibited on any grounds or comes from an unworthy person.”
- “Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to be taken." (1)
Suppose you are invited to a feast
Suppose you are invited to a grand feast at someone's house. To celebrate, that host has the finest chefs prepare the tastiest delicacies and dainties for everyone to eat. The host does this not because he wishes to serve the community with love and affection, but rather because he wants to put on an ornate show and bring prestige unto himself. Proof being that if you cannot attend his feast, then he is not the least bit sorry or remorseful, because he will just get another person to replace you - someone else who will pay him honour and respect.
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Under such conditions, when the host is not governed by a service mentality, but rather is giving a feast with huge pomp and show to heighten his own prestige and self-satisfaction, then attending the program and eating that food is against Guru’s aforesaid guideline in Caryacarya. Because, that food is donkey's food, or gardabha'nna.
Here below is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
If food is not given with that heart-felt feeling and if one's own life is not in danger due to starvation, in that condition then any food offered is donkey food, gardabha'nna. So one must not eat that food. (English summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla])
Under no circumstances - unless one is going to starve to death - should a sadhaka eat food that is presented as a show of one's wealth and greatness. Because that food is nothing but donkey food, or gardabha'nna.
As we all know, in His practical life, on many occasions Baba refused food whenever wealthy people or dignitaries invited Him to dine at their house just to impress others. So we should follow Baba's example and never eat food that is not offered with genuine warmth and kindness. If ever food is given to you with some ulterior motive - such as for prestige and grandeur, not because the host has a heart-felt feeling for you - then that food is veritably donkey food.
What is donkey food
One aspect to keep in mind is that gardabha'nna varies from person to person. For instance, if that same host as described above will feel hurt and upset if you do not attend and eat his food, then for you that food is not gardabha'nna; it is not donkey food. Let's examine this further. If that host invites 500 people and he has very intimate relations with 10 of those invited guests, then for those ten people it is ok to eat the food. Because the host has a genuine and earnest desire to serve and feed those 10 people with love and affection.
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Yet for those other 490 people, the host's feast is donkey food as for them the host's only desire is to put on a big show. The host does not care if those 490 people come or not. If any of them are sick or unable to attend, that host will not be disappointed or upset or wounded; he will simply replace their spot with someone else. That is how the same feast can be sentient for one person yet gardabha'nna for others. It has to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
This type of scenario applies to all kinds of social functions like marriages, house entrance ceremonies, baby-naming gatherings and other social functions. In all such circumstances, the operative factor is the host's individual feeling towards you. If with genuine heartfelt feeling he wants to serve and feed you, then it is fine to eat that food. But if he just wants to make a social display by feeding you then it is gardabha'nna.
Here is another situation related with individual life: It is also donkey food if a person has cooked food with the intention of eating it all. To eat even a small portion of that food is also gardabha'nna as the person who prepared the food has no desire to share any of it.
Gardabha kiirtan, gardabha bhajan
This type of insincere show known as donkey food is not limited to the realm of food. We have all seen various kiirtan players or bhajan singers who perform solely to display their own musical or lyrical talents. That is known as donkey kiirtan because they are singing to glorify themselves, not to serve and please Parama Purusa.
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Kiirtan is all about singing to please Parama Purusa - for His glory, not one's own glory. And the essence of bhajans is to share one's inner heart feeling with the Lord, and not to procure attention for oneself. Yet at retreats or dharmacakra, sometimes it can happen that a person might lead a kiirtan or bhajan in order to win over the admiration of others. If this is done consistently, again and again, such performers run the risk of being converted into microvita at the time of death.
That said, it is not just the musicians who are prone to such downfalls. Sometimes a kiirtan or bhajan participant may dance with such extroverted tendencies or sing with such ego that it is quite evident to all around that that person is doing just in hopes of drawing attention to themselves - so that others will think they are a great bhakta.
Whenever one is driven by ego or show, that derails their ability to go close to Parama Purusa. That is why we call these misguided approaches: Gardabha kiirtan and gardabha bhajan, i.e. donkey kiirtan and donkey bhajan.
Gardabha sa'dhana'
This can occur in the stratum of sadhana as well. Before giving an example, it has to be said that the sincerity and earnestness in spiritual practice is quite high in our Ananda Marga, so this letter by no means aims to cast doubt that abc or xyz persons are doing donkey practices. Most are fine and okay - this is just a general letter for everyone's awareness and knowledge. After all, each and every person knows there own situation best.
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Now let's say someone rarely does sa'dhana' in their own home etc, but then when they go to the jagrti or to a retreat, then suddenly they start sitting for long, long sadhana, as if that is their regular way each and every morning and evening. And not only that, but when they finish their sadhana they are keen to see if others are taking notice of how long they sat. And if still they do not feel that they got the attention they deserved, then during meal time they will casually say that, 'It was very good to be able to sit for 3hr sadhana today etc', and then quickly scan the eyes and faces of others to see if they were impressed or not.
From all these instances, we can easily understand that that person is doing sadhana not to please Parama Purusa - not to serve Him - but rather to bring name, fame, and prestige unto themselves. They want people to think that they are a great sadhaka. That is why their sadhana is just donkey sadhana.
Donkey practices can be very dangerous
Okay, let's say someone you know does do donkey kiirtan, or donkey bhajan, or donkey sadhana on occasion. Then they must be extremely careful, lest they harm and degrade themselves. Because what they are doing is just a superficial show. They are highlighting themselves: So they are focusing on their own unit existence, not Parama Purusa. In that case, the mind becomes smaller and more selfish. Unfortunately, by that way, they degrade themselves and place themselves onto the path of negative pratisaincara towards animal life. That is the very real concern.
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For such persons, their kiirtan and sadhana is motivated by duplicity and hypocrisy. They feign bhakti and harbour the desire to glorify their own existence. Their hypocrisy is the sad sign of downfall and degradation. Such persons should take notice.
There remains a glimmer of hope, by Baba's grace. No doubt donkey kiirtan, donkey bhajan, and donkey sadhana cause false vanity etc, yet our Ananda Marga mantras are charged by Sadguru. So while repeating the mantra, even if one was initially motivated by selfish desires, one may develop sincere love for Parama Purusa. And that is the greatest achievement and blessing. But for this to occur, there must be sincerity and an earnest desire to change.
So if they change their ways they can progress on the path, by Baba's grace. Otherwise such hypocritical displays of donkey sadhana will lead them in the wrong direction. Best is to ideate on Parama Purusa and not fall prey to such donkey kiirtan and sadhana, i.e. superficial show of kiirtana and sadhana.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Remember, everyone is entitled to sa'dhana'. For this, nothing, neither pedigree, education, knowledge nor any asset, is necessary except only two things – implicit faith and sincerity. Arouse these two things through your will-power and victory is yours, it must come." (2)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Indrajit
~ In-depth study ~
Baba warns us that one must not go into debt in order to arrange any kind of feast or feeding - not for any occasion.
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Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Arranging the feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited." (3)
When food becomes donkey food
Here is more about what Baba has to say about donkey food. The following is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
(a) Donkey food (Gardabha'nna) is that food purchased with ill-begotten money or sinfully earned money.
(b) If someone feeds you with deep love, respect, and affection and that feeling is conveyed through their expression, talk and conduct, and by feeding you they feel blissful ("Toma'ke kha'iae a'nandit hobe") and very content, and if you do not eat then they will feel pain, in this situation whatever food you eat in their house-- even if it is just boiled grass-- will be treated as priityanna (proper & sentient food). Any meal or food not prepared under such ideal conditions is donkey food.
(c) So if food is not given with that heart-felt feeling and if one's own life is not in danger due to starvation, in that condition then any food offered is donkey food, Gardabha'nna. So one must not eat that food.
Note: In western society that food which is not fit for human consumption is typically labeled as 'dog food'. And a similar idea Baba has conveyed above by the term donkey food - "Gardabha'nna". (English Summary Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla])
This type of spiritual practice does not work
Simplicity, sincerity, and honesty are some of the main pillars in the life of any sa'dhaka.
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Ananda Vanii says, "The most valuable treasures on the path of human progress are honesty, simplicity and spiritedness. In no stratum of life should you allow the standard of honesty to deteriorate..." (4)
If one approaches their life duties like preparing food and doing sadhana with an earnest desire to serve Parama Purusa and His creation, then there is no question of any donkey food or donkey kiirtan. Then all one's actions will be pure and sentient. Here Baba warns about superficial displays in spiritual life.
Jap tap vedajiṋána vidhi bhakti japadhyán ihá haite mádhurya durlabh
Keval ye rágamárge bhaje Krśńa anuráge táhe Krśńa mádhurya sulabh.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who repeat their ista mantra mechanically, or undergo severe penance, or endlessly study the scriptures, or express a show of devotion, or practise meditation in a ritualistic way, can never feel the charm, the joy, of spiritual realization. That sweet discovery is only possible for those who worship [Parama Purusa] out of deep devotion to Him." (5)
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #37
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer
3. Caryacarya - 1, Marriage Ceremony
4. Ananda Vanii #54
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion – the Only Path
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
“Tumi je esecho a’j, vyathit janer katha’ bhavite…” (Prabhata Samgiita #0647)
Purport
My Parama Purusa, feeling the cry of the tormented heart, You have taken advent today. To remove the stains of dogma and staticity in all minds, and to love all living beings, You have come here on this earth. The whole society was facing various types of tortures, humiliations, and exploitation. No one was there to think about the exploited masses, i.e. those who were crying and suffering. The common folk were engulfed by various dogmas and their minds were completely stained. You have come to remove cimmerian darkness from their existence. In the wake of Your holy arrival, You filled their lives with the refulgence of divinity. My Lord, feeling the cry of their heart, You have taken form today. You are so gracious.
The entire universe was looking toward the eastern horizon anxiously awaiting Your auspicious arrival; since ages people have been eagerly waiting for You. The general citizens were under excruciating torments; their entire existence was completely wounded, with obvious signs of injuries on their bodies. Their limbs were racked by the blows of severe suffering. Due to carrying the heavy load of those burdens and bondages for such a long time, facing abuse and ignominy, not even a tinge of happiness remained in their lives. Long back all their joy completely vanished. Today, You have rescued them from tyranny, and removed their pains and suffering. You have come to shower Your bliss and love upon all. It is Your supreme compassion on everyone.
Parama Purusa Baba, You are so gracious. I am requesting You to shower maximum illumination in the bosom of this universe. With Your infinite prema, please inundate the hearts of everyone with more and more exquisite nectar. With Your sonorous yet thundering voice, You are calling out to all that there is no reason that they should keep their heads hung in despair. Rather they should keep their chin held high.
Baba, the Supreme Entity, You have taken advent today…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Lowliest of the low
Ananda Marga scripture says, ”People often hold Parama Purusa responsible for calamities that befall them, but in fact they alone are responsible, as the suffering of fate is only reaction of their own previous actions. How can Parama Purusa be responsible? Human beings themselves are answerable for their fate as it is their actions alone which create it. They alone will have to bear the consequences of all their actions. No one else can substitute for them. Their good deeds beget good result, while bad ones beget bad results, and they will have to experience both without exception. This is the law of Prakrti and no one can change this law.” (1)
This topic is very hard for some people to understand - indeed it seems it is almost impossible for them to grasp. In their mind, they cannot think that they should not blame Parama Purusa - i.e. they cannot think that Parama Purusa does not give tests to harass His devotees.
I know one wt who lost his faith in his Guru and he was blaming that “Guru is the cause, my Guru polluted my mind.” I was shocked to hear this.
Those who know a little about Ananda Marga philosophy know that one must face the consequences of their bad deeds and these bad deeds bring about all kinds of suffering in their lives. And the cause of suffering is not other than they themselves, but due to their ignorance, they blame their friends, their neighbors, and ultimately Guru and God for their suffering. But the fact is they themselves are the culprits, as they are the one’s who are guilty of committing the sin. So this is the irony. But those who are 3rd class devotees never realise.
Some, as the wt indicated above, went to such an extent that they wrote an entire book blaming Parama Purusa for “giving tests and misdirecting my mind and in result I committed wrongs and sins.” Those who blame Parama Purusa in this way, unfortunately suffer from dry sadhana.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, p.86-87
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Two reasons for advent of Taraka Brahma
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Now why does He come in contact with the quinquelemental factors? Why does He come within the jurisdictions of the temporal-spatial-personal factors, these three fundamentally-related factors? What's the cause? There are two reasons. One thing is, the human intellect may get satisfaction after coming in psychic contact with the Impersonal Entity, but the human heart is not satisfied with that Impersonal Entity. The human heart wants something closer, something more sentimental, something more pleasing. And that's why just to satisfy, just to give pleasure to, His progeny, He comes within the scope of these relative factors. Parama Purus'a becomes Táraka Brahma. And the second reason is that in this created world, in this universe, each and every progress is a progress through clashes and cohesion. And human beings must have sufficient intellectual stamina to move forward, fighting against all those pebbles of obstacles. When the human intellect fails to do something new in helping society to move forward, Parama Purus'a finds no alternative but to bring Himself within the scope of the temporal-spatial-personal factors just to guide the depraved and degenerate human society." (1)
Note: In the above guideline, there are two distinct points. According to Ananda Marga philosophy, firstly, Parama Purusa comes as Taraka Brahma to satisfy the longing of His bhaktas who yearn to have a personal relationship with the Supreme Entity. Secondly, Parama Purusa has come as Taraka Brahma to wipe away the existing dogmas and hurdles and give the guidelines to build up a bright, new human society.
When Parama Purusa remains as an impersonal Entity then the heart of the bhakta does not get satisfied. And when He comes in human form and teaches and guides the way to reach to Him, then He teaches sadhana also. And with that support, bhaktas reach Him.
The process of dhyana can link from form to formlessness. That is why the culmination of dhyana is the merging into formlessness - dissolving the mind.
Bhaktas always feel that Baba is residing in their heart. We see that across the history of mysticism, each and every bhakta in the world feels that the Parama Purusa is with them. Bhaktas feel that Baba is living in their heart.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Coming of Táraka Brahma
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Unique portrait of Rg veda
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Although the Rgveda is mainly concerned with hymns, it also contains various tales and anecdotes. While not all of these stories and tales carry equal spiritual value, they are representative of the cultural heritage of those ancient humans. They paint a portrait of the gradual advancement of human thinking and the structure of society. When considered from this point of view, the language, literature and expression of the Rgveda is of special value to the world." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We can roughly say that civilization first started sprouting after the prehistoric age of the human race, that is, from the days of the first composition of the Rk Veda, about 15,000 years ago. A major change took place during the days of Lord Shiva towards the end of the Rk Vedian period (which lasted 10,000 years). (2)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika-2, Rk to Rkśa (Discourse 11)
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sadvipra, Táraka Brahma, Sadáshiva and Shrii Krśńa
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Brahmacarya and conjugal relations
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it. So the question of giving it up for intuitional practice does not arise. It was said earlier that sádhaná is waging war against Prakrti and defeating Her. The force of intuitional practice is certainly greater than the strength of Prakrti, and by means of it one can attain Brahmacarya.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
== Section 3: Links ==
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