Baba
Wandering children
Namaskar,
Baba has blessed us with all the practices and ways to build up a healthy human society. One unique facet of this is our baby naming ceremony, ja'takarma. As you know, our Ananda Marga baby naming ceremony is not just a casual affair but a commitment.
The occasion of ja'takarma (baby naming) is an integral and revolutionary part of how we are to create a single universal family based on love, affection, and mutual respect. As we know, it demands our lifelong commitment and dedication. Let's take a closer look at this program of ja'takarma and examine just exactly what it entails.
In our Ananda Marga units and at our regional and sectorial retreats, baby naming ceremonies are commonly held. Over the years, we might have attended dozens of such programs.
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Every attendee takes an oath to care for the child
The first and foremost point to keep in mind is that in our Ananda Marga baby naming ceremony, everyone who participates - i.e. each and every attendee - is taking an oath to be an active force in raising that child.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The mantra of ja'takarma is the first step of human approach in rousing the sense of responsibility and affection in man. Those, who will be present on the occasion of the child’s ja'takarma, must also indirectly have to bear the responsibility of bringing up the child. In other words it will not do to sit inactive saying that the direct responsibility in this connection is on its parents." (1)
All participants - all attendees - of the baby naming ceremony are bound under oath to take an active role in ensuring the welfare of that child, from its first feeding up till adulthood and beyond. We should also remember that the oath taken by every attendee present at the ja'takarma program is done in the name of Gurudeva. It is a serious commitment. As long as we are living on this earth we should consider and fulfill this responsibility. Indeed, as Baba says, this is part of our sadhana.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The oath taken on the occasion of ja'takarma will reawaken the sense of that duty again and again. Any grown-up person or any father shall not forget his duty when he has once looked at the helpless face of the child. It does not end here. In pursuance of the mantra of ja'takarma in A'nanda Ma'rga, a child has not simply been regarded as a child only but also a manifestation of Brahma in the child. So, serving the child, shall be a part of sa'dhana' (Brahma-Sa'dhana') to him." (2)
Our oath to watch for the welfare of the newborn is not just a commitment to a particular person, but an oath to watch over that baby as a manifestation of Brahma. This oath is to Parama Purusa and comes within the scope of our dharma sadhana.
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Collective oath relieves pressure on the parents
People in the general society commonly think that when a married couple has a newborn then that child is the sole responsibility of the parents. Most of the communities and countries of the world function under this paradigm. A person, even a new margii, might think that it is solely the duty of the parents to bathe, clothe, feed, educate and look after the newborn up to adulthood.
But in Ananda Marga this is not our approach. Nowadays society is suffering terribly and one of the reasons is that parents are overwhelmed and challenged socially, economically, spiritually, and in so many ways. Under such pressure, they cannot raise children by themselves. That is why the population in decreasing in Japan. To eradicate these problems and bring relief to those parents in need, Baba has given this special system of ja'takarma.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It will not do to sit inactive saying that the direct responsibility in this connection is on its parents." (3)
Rather in our unique system, that child is society's responsibility and in particular those in attendance at the ja'takarma ceremony are taking an oath to care for and ensure the proper growth of that babe. As we all know, bearing the responsibility and taking oaths are part of our debt and service to Guru. We are most fortunate to have been graced with such an opportunity.
Ananda Vanii says, "...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." (4)
Meaning of ja'takarma mantra
Now, let us take a closer look at the baby naming ceremony itself as well as the oaths involved.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "When an infant is six months old (or any time between six months and one year of age), at least five members of Ananda Marga will gather together on a convenient day, and the infant will be laid before them." (5)
In Caryacarya Baba further guides us about the program and also presents the oaths to be taken by all attendees - i.e. all A'nanda Margiis attending the program.
First we are under oath to watch for the physical well being of the child.
“O gracious Brahma, may we unitedly be able to arrange for the upkeep, medical care and physical growth of this infant who has entered our society today.”
Thereafter we take an oath to ensure the proper psychic growth of the newborn.
“O gracious Brahma, may we be able to provide adequate education for the mental development of this infant who has entered our society today.”
Then we take an oath to care for the spiritual development of the child.
“O gracious Brahma, may we succeed, through proper education, in effecting the spiritual elevation of this infant who has entered our society today.”
Finally, we take the oath to always remember that the child is but a manifestation of the Supreme.
“O gracious Brahma, may we be able to see Your pervasive manifestation in this infant, in the form of which You have appeared to us today. We collectively give this baby the name . . . . . . .”
Upon the completion of this oath the newborn is given its Saḿskrta name.
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Oath is strict commitment to Guru
By all respects then, the oaths administered in the ja'takarma program are most comprehensive and serious. It is verily a strict commitment by every Ananda Margii present. To go against any of the oaths is to break our vow to Guru. We should all take particular attention as to how we are to fulfill this oath. By taking the oath seriously, Baba will surely gives us the courage, ability, insight, and opportunity to properly fulfill that oath.
Many in our Marga are aware about all this and have taken (in)direct responsibility for many newborns and babes in our Marga society. And for others, perhaps there is scope for improvement. This is a moment to re-evaluate the content and responsibility associated with our jata'kjarma ceremony.
In the mundane society, thieves, politicians, lawyers, and all kinds of people take oaths, only to soon break those oaths in a matter of days or weeks. But in Ananda Marga oath means a strict commitment to Guru; it is a lifelong responsibility.
Baby-naming ceremony creates long-lasting social bond
Here Baba describes how the ja'takarma program helps create a human society based on love and fraternity.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “In this occasion no covering of the child has been prescribed so that such a fine picture of the occasion may be stamped in the minds of those present in the ceremony, as will not fade even when the child will be full-grown. In later years, when the child will come to him dressed as a gentleman, he will look on him as the self-same child of the past ja'takarma ceremony and not as a gentleman of the present day and will express signs of tenderness and responsibility in his dealings. The fact that he had taken oath regarding the child will rise afresh in his mind. When the child also, thus dressed as a gentleman, will learn that he is one among those who took part in his ja'takarma ceremony, he will respect and regard him as a father and this will result in a sweet social relation.” (6)
We should carry this forward; by this way so many good results will occur in the society. Through this unique ja'takarma system, no one will feel isolated - all will feel cared for - no one will be left behind. Gradually the whole society will purified. Through these oaths, all are seen as family members and those elders rightly earn the respect of the youths. Indeed, when the baby grows then there is a sweet and blissful relation amongst all. That is Baba's teaching.
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Conclusion
The Ananda Marga baby-naming ceremony is highly unique. Such a system is not present anywhere else. We should all aim for that high ideal and carry out all oaths accordingly. By properly fulfilling the oaths related with ja'takarma, a great new society will flourish on this earth, by His grace.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Society must ensure that proper care is taken of human babies who are totally dependent on the care and protection of their parents for their existence. These helpless children can only convey their pain and discomfort through tears. To raise children from infancy to maturity is an immensely important task. I have said before that the members of society must advance in unison. The newborn babe is another traveller on the path. To adopt a child as our companion, as one included in the society, is called the “ja'takarma” of the child." (7)
We should all be (a) eager to attend the baby-naming ceremonies in our Marga and (b) ready to fulfill our moral, social and spiritual duties with regards to the raising of that child. By taking an active role and attending to our oath in a serious manner, Sadguru Baba will surely grace us with the energy, understanding, and ability to be successful.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Bhaktavatsal
Actual time of birth
Human life starts at conception, but in various ceremonies the start of life is recognised as at the time of birth. Even then, we should be more precise as to the time of the actual birth. The precise point of birth starts when the child first starts crying, as this marks the moment when their lungs are working. At this point the babe is functioning independently on its own. In that case, the time of birth could be a few seconds after the newborn emerges from the birth canal. Sometimes you have to make newborns cry so their lungs start functioning. So again the real time of birth is when the child first cries as that indicates that their lungs are working. Unfortunately, people often note down the wrong time.
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References
1. Tattvika Diipika - 4
2. Tattvika Diipika - 4
3. Tattvika Diipika - 4
4. A'nanda Va'nii #23
5. Caryacarya - 1, Infant's Játakarma: The Naming of and First Feeding of Solid Food to an Infant
6. Tattvika Diipika - 4
7. A Few Problems Solved - 6, The Spirit of Society
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Way to bring sinners onto the path
Namaskar,
When discussing Ananda Marga teachings with negative elements or bad people in a particular area, then it is better not to go alone. Having more than one, two, or three margiis present - or as many as you can take - will give greater psycho-spiritual strength to overpower those bad minds. By this way those negative elements can be convinced and brought into the fold.
This strategy is especially applicable when anyone feels uncomfortable going alone to meet with such anti-social elements, or so-called very famous people. In that case, bring other Ananda Margiis along with you to help convince that party about the ideals of Ananda Marga, and turn them into ardent sadhakas.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every human being has certain merits and demerits. Suppose a person has forty percent merit and sixty percent demerit: the resultant demerit is twenty percent. If a weak person whose resultant demerit is forty percent comes in contact with a person whose resultant demerit is more than forty percent, he will certainly degenerate. Obviously, a thief will not be a durjana (wicked person) for a perfectly honest person because the latter will easily counteract the thief's negative qualities. But for an ordinary person without any notable attributes, the thief will certainly be a durjana. Those with less psychic or spiritual power can easily be influenced by a wicked person. Those who are psychically and spiritually developed, however, are not so easily influenced and for them even a very wicked person may not be a durjana. It is the duty of every human being to avoid wicked people. You may ask, 'Can wicked people ever become virtuous?' Of course they can, but remember that only those people having greater psychic power than them should try to transform them. So what should you do? Instead of going alone, you should take five or ten friends with you so that your collective psychic strength will be greater than theirs." (1)
The same approach applies when addressing those Wts who are not following Ananda Marga WT conduct rules. If you think a particular Wt will not listen to you when you raise the matter, then go en masse with other margiis and address that worker. Then surely you will get success. That is the gist of the aforesaid Baba’ quoted guideline.
in Him,
Harideva
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, What Should Human Beings Do?
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Some characteristics of Sadguru
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In the Vedic language, the word 'guru' is derived from the root 'gur' plus the suffix 'un'. The root 'gur' means 'to train others how to speak, how to behave in a dignified manner'. The Guru teaches us to follow a methodical way of life. To love is not the only work of the Guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real Guru." (1)
Note: Along with the Guru-disciple relation, this aforesaid Baba's teaching is equally applicable in (a) ideal parent-child relations, (b) ideal "shraman'a"-trainee relations, and (c) ideal teacher-student relations.
And the following stanza from Prabhat Samgiita #4528 projects this same idea:
ápan bolei karo shásan,duhkhe sukhe ápanár janaándhár ráte mańir matan,álo jvalo tákáini,bhuleo kabhu bhávini
Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Why worse than animals
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Human beings devoid of bhágavata dharma are just like animals. I have already said that if human beings lack bhágavata dharma they are actually worse than animals. Animals do not have a developed intellect or consciousness; human beings do. If human beings fail to utilize their developed intellect and consciousness, choosing to avoid the pursuit of bhágavata dharma, they are the enemies of humanity and a slur on the human race. Their actions, having no relation to bhágavata dharma, should be considered contrary to humanity and their innate characteristic. Their future is bound to be doomed, like that of a huge tree struck by lightning. The downtrodden masses who long to better themselves should embrace the path of bhágavata dharma. The easiest and most natural way for human civilization and humanity to grow is through bhágavata dharma. There is no other way. Hence, those who sincerely seek the welfare of humanity must uphold bhágavata dharma.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life, Bhágavata Dharma
== Section 3: Links ==
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