Baba
Way to become famous
Namaskar,
In our human society, there is no dearth of "celebrities". In politics,
Hollywood / Bollywood, big business, and sports etc, there are all kinds
of heroes who are famous throughout the globe. They are thought of as
being great and magnificent. They are revered all over and receive huge
attention. What is the reason behind this? Why are self-engrossed stars
embraced by the general public; whereas, selfless, well-wishers of
humanity are overlooked by society.
Why drunkards appreciate drunkards
The main theme here is that to understand something more refined, a
certain calibre of mind is needed. When that is lacking in common
people, they cannot appreciate higher ideals and / or subtle thoughts.
In general, people only develop an appreciation for those qualities or
characteristics that they themselves desire. For instance, drunkards
have regard for those who can drink more alcohol. The wealthy are awed
by those who have more riches than they have. And every example works in
this direction. Those drunkards and avaricious capitalists will not
have great respect for a sadhu. Indeed, they will not even be able to
recognise a sadhu. People can only appreciate those who have something
that they themselves wish to gain.
Example: majority of people are close to animality
Everyone in this cosmos reaches out for what interests them. A dog
appreciates a slab of meat; a cow runs toward the grass; vultures desire
dead bodies; and alcoholics dream of getting more liquor. Or we can say
people gather around and appreciate those who share their own values.
Neo-humanism states, “Within a gang of thieves, one of them says
appreciatively, “Oh! The sleight-of-hand of such-and-such other thief is
marvellous – he has made a fool of me!” Here one pickpocket is praising
another, because they belong to the same group.” (1)
Or look at it this way: Illiterate folk do not revere those who are
learned and scholarly. Because it demands a certain calibre of mind to
recognise real greatness. Since the mentality of the majority of common
folk is always comparatively lower, that means the people whom they
revere are not really great. Just those famous people appeal to the
public standard. In essence, the majority of the general society does
not have the requisite quality of mind to see real greatness. Knowing
the formula for achieving fame and social recognition, no one on the
path of Ananda Marga should then get frustrated because the public does
not recognise or support us. Our duty is to please Parama Purusa and
serve Him - living according to His mandates.
Two types of people revered by the masses
>From era to era there two categories of people who get praise. The first
and chief competition is between those acting in degrading ways - i.e.
in this present era that refers to movie stars, rock stars, and
pseudo-culture icons etc. Such persons indulge in lowly dealings and are
hailed as supreme by the masses. They get the most adulatation.
The second competition for praise and and respect is amongst those who
are just a little bit above the standard of the majority of people. This
includes certain writers with literary talent but use that to excite
the lower propensities. And then there are (a) certain caste, racial,
communal leaders, (b) as well as leaders of certain movements that
promote average ideas, and (c) pseudo-dogmatic gurus etc. These people
are also revered by the masses but not nearly as much as those who are
degenerated filmy or sensual beings.
Finally, Ananda Marga ideology is far above the public standard; so
Ananda Margiis do not fall within either of these categories. That is
why those strict in Ananda Marga ideals will never receive widespread
acclaim. To get praise, one must be either very low or a little above
the common standard.
Ananda Marga is far above average people
The standard of Ananda Marga is high - far above. Though yoga has become
so popular with the masses as tens of millions attend classes everyday,
yet still that is not translating into huge numbers of new people in
Ananda Marga. If we get even a few new people who are serious about
Ananda Marga sadhana and lifestyle then that is a lot.
So we must not be concerned with numbers or popularity. That is not
where our value lies. Our worth to society lies in upholding the tenets
of bhagavat dharma. We should always remember that life is not a
popularity contest - i.e. a competition to garner the praise of others.
Because the public standard is low and they become easily swayed in
either direction.
The overarching idea is that a person can express appreciation only
according to their own understanding. So when the majority of the public
is low-minded we should not expect them to start singing our praises.
Rather we should know ahead of time that they are going to worship pop
stars etc. Bearing this in mind, there is no chance we will become
confused - rather we will remain unaffected by public praise and censure
and we will move ahead in our dharmic works and spiritual practices.
Why great people never recognised in their lifetime
Baba has graciously blessed us with eyes to see. We should not care
about public opinion and look only towards Him. Then we will keep a
balanced mind and be ready to carry out His orders and dharmic
teachings. Focusing on Him will lead us to greatness and the Goal. We
are to serve and please Him. That will bring welfare to all. And while
we may not get the respect and praise of the common people, in the due
course everyone will pay heed to what we have done on this earth, by His
grace.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "You should remember that those who are
the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a
microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious.
Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the
future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle
safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once
opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the
obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The
funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it
is due. This is the natural law." (2)
If you appeal to their desires you will degrade yourself
The common people who are goaded by materialistic values do not have the
capacity to understand the greatness of Ananda Marga ideology. And this
is not just limited to the teachings of Ananda Marga. Those common
citizens do not value so many who have done great works for society.
Such pioneers are never recognised in their lifetime, rather often they
are attacked and persecuted. In the past, so many great writers, social
thinkers, scientists, and philosophers were mistreated in this way. Only
after their death and centuries have passed by are such pioneers
revered.
Just as the owl cannot appreciate the beauty of the daytime, similarly
common citizens cannot appreciate higher ideals. Those who want the
respect of materialistic-minded persons will have to behave in a similar
fashion, i.e. in accordance with the aims and desires of the majority
in the general society. Remember, people have emerged slowly after
passing through countless animal lives. So on the whole, they are far
more familiar with those lower propensities than higher ideals. They
prefer animality to humanity, what to speak of divinity.
So no sadhaka should stand in front of the common people and hope to be
appreciated. They should not harbour this desire. Because what the
common people appreciate is not what you have, and if you appeal to
their desires then you will degrade yourself. So do not think about how
much praise you are receiving from the common people, but rather how far
you are leading a life according to the tenets of universal humanism
and the great cosmic ideology.
Conclusion
Remember, people have emerged slowly after passing through countless
animal lives. So on the whole, they are far more familiar with those
lower propensities than higher ideals. They prefer animality to
humanity, what to speak of divinity.
By this entire letter and all of Sadguru Baba's divine teachings, we can
understand that as sadhakas we should not seek out the praise of the
common people. The general population is of a lesser psychic standard.
To gain their adulation, one will have to plunge themselves in all kinds
of degrading behaviour.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Abhimánaḿ surápánaḿ. Gaoravaḿ raoravaḿ
dhruvam – – “self-aggrandizement has got its abode in naraka [hell].”
Pratiśt́há shúkariiviśt́há – “pratiśt́há, that is, love for a social
position, is the worst thing, and you should give up this thing.” (3)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Bhaktidha’ra’
~ In-depth study ~
Majority of fools
Prout philosophy states, "There are several forms of governmental
structure, and among them the democratic structure is highly appreciated
[by some persons]. Democracy is defined as “government of the people,
by the people and for the people.” But in fact it is the rule of the
majority. Hence democracy means “mobocracy” because the government in a
democratic structure is guided by mob psychology. The majority of the
society are fools; wise people are always in a minority. Thus, finally
democracy is nothing but “foolocracy”." (4)
Great people are always very few in number
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Suppose there is a virtuous discussion
going on somewhere. If you invite two hundred people to this
discussion, you will find that only sixty invitees have turned up, at
the most. Out of these participants about ten or twelve people at most
listen with patience and devotion to the talks; and out of these
listeners, only some properly understand the subject discussed. Then
again, out of this small group that has understood, only a very few may
retain in their minds what they have understood. Lastly, only one or two
persons of this last group may practice in their daily lives what they
have learnt and understood. This is only due to the clash between vidyá
and avidyá in the mind, and in this clash the triumph of avidyá or the
extroversive force means running from the introversive bent of vidyá. It
is because of the samskaras of animality that the introversive momentum
is rare in the average human mind. The sensuous desires of avidyá
continue to infiltrate into every thought process. Such a situation
continues for a long time in a sádhaka’s life." (5)
Very few humans learn and embody dharmic ideals
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Even after getting human life, only a few
get the opportunity to listen to dharmika discourses. Among those, only
a few develop the desire to practise dharma sádhaná. And even among
these, only a few actually grasp the spirit of Sádhaná. Those rare ones
who understand, perform sádhaná, and reach the goal are truly blessed.
In the effort to perfect oneself, even if one faces obstacles and
hindrances from one’s elders and near ones, one must ignore them. This
is not a sin, not a crime." (6)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Among so many people in our human
society, very few get the opportunity to acquire spiritual knowledge.
And among these, a still smaller percentage get the chance to undergo
practical training. Why? Because the science is rare, the aspirants are
rarer, and the teachers are rarer still." (7)
References
1. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Physical, Psychic and Spiritual Strata
3. Subhastita Samgraha - 24, The Cosmological Order
4. Discourses on Prout, Point #5
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Shreya & Preya
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, The Three Prerequisites for Spiritual Knowledge
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Baba, You have done everything for me
"Nútan varaśe práńeri haraśe,prańati jánái tomáre,
ámár jiivane varańe varańe,ańur manane ácho bhare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3626)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, Baba, on the auspicious occasion of this New Year's Day, with full gratitude and reverence, I am surrendering myself at Your lotus feet. In every facet of my life - in various colours and forms - You pervade my unit mind. You have inundated my life with abundant blessings. You are in my whole existence; my each and every atom feels gratitude towards You.
O' Parama Purusa, You have provided me with all the necessities: food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine, and education. You have also given fruits and flowers. Your effulgence has made the cimmerian darkness disappear. You have given everything: the sweet breeze filled with the flower fragrance as well as the soothing, cool shade in the burning heat of summer. O’ Prabhu, You are showering Your love, which is saturated with mineness and fills my entire existence. You have satiated my heart with Your unparalleled, divine love. Baba, on this occasion of the New Year's Day I do sastaunga pranam to You.
O' Parama Purusa, in the shivering cold, winter night You have given me the warmth of the fire and You have filled the flowers with a sweet, aromatic fragrance. You have granted me the strength of intellect and the willpower to fight against all sorts of enemies - degenerative forces, demons in human form. O’ my Bandhu, what have You not given me. It is Your affection. You have granted me every single thing. Indeed, You have provided more than that what was needed. In this way, You have blessed me. In spite of all this, I’ve forgotten the divine path which You showed me, and I am intoxicated in matter. I have not properly treaded the spiritual path; I have not obeyed You. Instead, I have degraded myself and fallen from the path, due to deep attraction with the material world. By seeing my pitiful state, You have always felt for me and forgiven me again and again. And You have always lovingly lifted me up from the dust and placed me on Your lap. Baba, You have done everything for me; words alone are incapable of singing Your glory. O' Lord, on this holy occasion of the New Year's Day, I offer my all at Your lotus feet by doing sastaunga pranam.
O' Parama Purusa, on the blissful occasion of this New Year's Day, I am doing sastaunga pranam over and over again with full reverence at Your lotus feet. Baba, You are my everything...
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे परम पुरुष! तुम मेरे घर क्यों नहीं आए ?
प्रभात संगीत 3780: की दोष कोरेछि बोलो ना, केनो आमार घरे एले ना...
भावार्थ
हे परम पुरुष! तुम मेरे घर क्यों नहीं आए ? मेरी क्या गलती है? तुम तो सब कुछ जानते हो, फिर यह क्यों नहीं समझते हो कि मैं तुम्हें अपने पूरे हृदय और मन से कितना प्रेम करता हॅूं?
हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम्हारे न आने से, इस प्रभात संगीत का लय तान और स्वर व्यर्थ ही रहा, तम्हारे लिये बनाई गयी फूलों की यह माला भी किसी काम की नहीं रही। तुम्हारे न आने से अब इस माला के बनाने और इस गीत की तैयारी करने का कोई अर्थ ही नहीं रहा। हे परमपुरुष! तुम्हारे बारे में सोच सोच कर कभी तो मैं रोता हॅूं और कभी मुस्काता हॅूं, कभी मन में मैं तुम्हारी छवि बनाता हूँ और कभी उसे मिटा डालता हॅूं, यह सब मेरे मन में ही चलता रहता है।
हे बाबा! जब मैं अपने मन मंदिर में तुम्हारे ध्यान में बैठता हॅूं, तो तुम वहाॅं पूरे आकर्षण में बैठे मुस्कुराते रहते हो। तुमने मुझे अपने दिव्य आध्यात्मिक रंग में रंग लिया है। तुम्हारी कृपा से मैंने तुम्हारे गीत और नृत्य में अपने को डुबो दिया है। मेरा हृदय तुम से दूर रहना ही नहीं चाहता। मैं तुम्हारे निकट, बहुत ही पास में रहना चाहता हॅूं , मैं तुम से दूर नहीं रह सकता हॅूं। यह तुम्हारी कृपा है।
बाबा! मैं तुम्हें प्रेम करता हॅूं , कृपा कर मेरे घर में आओ, आजाओ....
Reference
1. Trans: Dr. T.R.S.
== Section 3: Links ==
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1. PS #3982: Baba, You have done everything for me
2. Posting: Way to become famous
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