Baba
Chanakya and Prout
Namaskar,
2300 years ago, the economic minister of the Maurya dynasty (India), Chanakya advised that if top capitalists remain unchecked they will take over the political arena in order to exploit the masses and hoard more wealth. And that is exactly what we see happening today, most notably in nations like the USA etc. Savvy capitalist agents have lobbied for and put into legislation all they need in order to accumulate huge piles of money, thereby strangling the remaining masses of society.
The common people cannot get health care; wages are stagnant; poverty is rampant; housing costs are skyrocketing; university education is unaffordable etc. Verily every fundamental aspect of daily living is beyond the means of ordinary citizens. The people can no longer survive, yet still the capitalists are strategizing how to increase their profits. The proof is the upper .1% of the population controls more wealth than the remaining 99.9%. Such is the state of affairs in nations like the US; and, that is what Chanakya warned about long ago. That is the main cause of suffering humanity.
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How capitalists exploit & profit from natural calamities
Prout philosophy states, “The help that vaeshyas extend to poor people in difficult times, during floods and famines, they afterwards recover with interest. They are benefited in various ways. First, their businesses continue to run and they make good money. Secondly, people who are disgruntled with the vaeshyas’ exploitation are to some extent pacified and their wounded minds are temporarily soothed. Of course these comments do not apply to those vaeshyas who do social service out of humanitarian or spiritual inspiration. No doubt there are some honest vaeshyas who are worthy of veneration by everyone.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “Whatever dignity a person possesses as a human being in either the Kśatriya Age or the Vipra Age is dealt its heaviest blow in the Vaeshya Age. In the Vaeshya Age a person's dignity is measured in terms of money. The repercussions of this defective evaluation of human beings are not confined only to the realm of dignity; they have far-reaching effects in all spheres of society.” (2)
Rich people are worshiped in capitalism
Prout philosophy states, “No matter how many other qualities they may possess, vipras and kśatriyas who think independently, possess a sense of dignity or are self-reliant, cannot establish themselves unless they learn to flatter the vaeshyas in a psychological way. Even the unworthy son or relative of a wealthy person has the opportunity to sit at the head of society, and through the power of money an unattractive daughter is properly married to a good bridegroom. A good marriage cannot be arranged even for the sons of the poor, intelligent and educated though they may be, let alone the daughters of the poor. In fact in the Vaeshya Age people cannot hope to be respected unless they are rich. Those who hope for respect or have gained it, depend or have depended on the mercy of the vaeshyas.” (3)
Yasyásti vittaḿ sah narah kuliinah;
Sa pańd́itah sah shrutavána guńajiṋah.
Sa eva vaktá sa ca darshaniiyah;
Sarve guńáh káiṋcańamáshrayanti.
[Those who have wealth are high-caste, are well-educated, possess many abilities, are good orators and are good-looking. They have all these qualities because they have money.]
“The methods of social exploitation used in the Vipra and Vaeshya Ages are somewhat similar. Certain aspects of society in the Vipra Age therefore remain unchanged in the Vaeshya Age, such as the social system, the law, the status of men and women and the right of inheritance.” (4)
Opposing super rich is very difficult
In the capitalistic era, opposing the super rich is very difficult because the purchased vipras and ksattriyas will attack you by the order of the wealthy.
Prout philosophy states, “The difficulties faced by those who have tried and are trying to break apart the structure of the Vaeshya Age in order to rebuild society on a humanistic foundation, are not less, but are in fact a little more, than the indescribable social tortures that great people suffered in the past when they tried to reform the social structure of the Vipra Age. This is because those who wanted to break apart the vipras' structure had to fight the vipras and also the kśatriyas and shúdras under their protection, but those who want to strike at the vaeshyas' structure have to fight against all the vipras, kśatriyas and shúdras who are obedient to the vaeshyas.” (5)
Prout philosophy guides us, “But there are similarities between the two. The common people misunderstand great people who act on their behalf and for their welfare, or even if they understand them, they do not give them their support. Their nerves, courage and labour are bought with the vaeshyas' money.” (6)
Until people give-up religious dogma they will not be able to free themselves from the grip of capitalism.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com
Prout philosophy states, “The vipras exploit the masses in the Vipra Age under the pretence of religion, which cannot be challenged. The same thing occurs in the Vaeshya Age, but vaeshya exploitation is more dangerous. In the Vipra Age the vipras exploit others through religion in order to promote their personal interests, but in the Vaeshya Age the vipras exploit others through religion in order to promote both their own and the vaeshyas' interests.” (7)
Prout philosophy states, “Those who try to break the structure of the Vaeshya Age and show the downtrodden the path of liberation, will have to advise the people to free themselves from the intoxicating effect of the opium of religion; otherwise how will they be able to serve the downtrodden people?” (8)
False propaganda by purchases intellectuals
Purchased intellectuals propagate capitalists are fortunate and the poor are lazy and the cause of their suffering.
Prout philosophy states, “In the Vaeshya Age this religious exploitation is more psychic than physical, because the vaeshyas use the vipras to try to spread intellectual propaganda among the masses to prevent them from finding any philosophical justification for their suppressed grievances against the vaeshya structure. This intellectual propaganda aims to convince people that they are the victims of circumstance. It argues, “Everything is destiny. Everything is preordained.” Such doctrines help the vaeshyas to perpetuate their structure. They destroy the personal force of people and make them the playthings of fate. People accept the idea that everything is preordained, and support the status quo.” (9)
Conclusion
Seeing the present conditions and studying the above Prout teachings, it becomes clear how insidious the vaeshyan exploitation really is. Those scheming capitalists choke humanity at every turn. Chanakya's warning of long ago applies readily to the inequalities and exploitation of today's world.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com
In Him,
Vaebhav
~ In-depth study ~
Chanakya niti & the present situation
The famed pundit Chanakya put forth his views on political ethics and economy in his nitishastra. He warned how the greed of capitalism will strangle society and bring any kingdom to its knees.
Prout philosophy states, "Chanakya said that a business person who becomes extremely rich is harmful to the state. If a king finds that somebody has become extremely wealthy, he should reduce the person’s wealth and property by imposing direct and indirect taxes on them. If he does not do this, the vaeshyas may destroy the structure of the government unless they can make it the tool of their exploitation." (10)
Capitalism destroys the human personality
Affected by capitalism, people will cheat even their neighbors, nay their own family members.
Here are further thoughts how capitalism destroys the human personality. People become worse than animals - sadly. Even animals care for one another in their herd, flock, or group. They all move together. They have their inherent feeling for one another. Whereas in extreme capitalism this is not the case. Due to extreme greed, people will cheat even their neighbors, nay their family members.
One clear-cut and graphic example is this. Animal mothers will always keep their babies in sight - sleeping together - breastfeeding - and being around them all the time. In contrast, in the top capitalist nations, a basic trend is that some females are more concerned about their own physical appeal than their child's welfare, hence they do not breast feed their children and they do not keep their children nearby when sleeping. Rather those females fashion themselves as tools of allurement for males, and the baby comes as an afterthought. This does not apply to absolutely everyone, but it certainly is a pervasive trend in capitalist countries. Some females have even drowned their own babies if they felt their male lover would be happier if she did not have babies.
Really the situation of people in the capitalist era is worse than that of animals in many respects.
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Thus in so many ways, the integrity of society gets completely washed away by the excessive desires, ills, and distorted values of capitalism / materialism.
References
1 -> 10: Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age
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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.
* * *
== Section 2: Main Topic ==
Annihilate all the demonic forces
“Ulká ashani bahiche vahni,saphańa kálo sarpa…” (Prabhat Samgiita #4599)
Purport:
O’ human beings, nowadays, the demons are destroying all of humanity. Meteors and lightning are striking from the sky and fire abounds in all directions. The anti-social elements are like hooded serpents and biting the common people. At present, society is in despair as human civilisation is at its nadir point. Everything is bleak. O’ moralists of the earth unite, let’s awaken our universal human family, destroy the devilish dealings, and annihilate all the demonic forces.
O’ human beings, God has graciously bestowed the vast sky, air, and this entire cosmological system upon us all. It is not any individual's private property; the owner is Parama Purusa. The star-studded sky, the expansive land formations of this planet, the rich, grand savanna, verily all of the natural wealth of the world is for all. Parama Purusa has created these resources for everyone’s all-round progress. O’ human beings, let us come and cooperatively share and enjoy this wonderful abundance; we are proud and respectful of all and belong to one singular universal family.
O’ human beings, the resources Parama Purusa has provided on this planet are more than sufficient to sustain all living beings. But due to the misguided, greedy hoarding of material wealth, there has been so much bloodshed and loss of life. This destruction was going on in the past and is unfolding at present also. It is a terrible loss for us all, and has led to untold suffering. Today, in the eastern horizon, the joyous new dawn has come. With that refulgence we will satiate our heart and mind. What humans could not accomplish in the past we will achieve today, by His grace. We will form one human society, live peacefully, and realise our spiritual Goal - Parama Purusa…
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Non-sadhakas cannot propagate Prout
English summary of original Bangla
A new theory [Prout] cannot originate or be brought into practice by a mind of limited dimensions, but only from a person who looks at this universe from an evolved, enlightened mind. There is no other alternative. (English Summary)
Faulty English version by Tiljala Publications
Here below is the printed English version by Tiljala Publications. Unfortunately, they missed the key point that Prout cannot be established by non-sadhakas.
“A new theory [Prout] cannot originate from a mind of limited dimensions, but only from a person who looks at this universe from an evolved, enlightened mind. And for this, Paramártha is a very important factor indeed.” (1)
Original as-is Bangla version
Ananda Marga ideology states, “এখনও কথা হচ্ছে, এই অর্থের ব্যাপারে তো ৰলেই দিলাম, এই জন্যে একটা নোতুন theory-র দরকার | সেটাকে কার্যরূপ দিতে হৰে | আর সেই নোতুন theory-ও ক্ষুদ্র মন নিয়ে তৈরী করা যায় না | ৰৃহৎ মন নিয়ে যে জগতের সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে আছে, কেবল সেই এই ধরণের theory দিতে পারে, বা একে কার্যরূপ দিতে পারে | অন্য কোনও উপায় নেই |” (2)
Note: To implement Prout in the society, one must be a sadhaka with an expanded mental outlook. That is what Baba is teaching us in the above guideline. But those in Tiljala Publications could not convey this idea in the English version. The yellow highlighted section in the Bangla version was not included in TP’s English translation.
Other points
Sadly, some misguided Dadas are very keen to implement Prout with socialist / communist leaders. Those Dadas fail to understand that non-sadhakas can never establish Prout.
References
1. Tiljala Publications: Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 4, Artha and Paramártha
2. “As-Is” Artha and Paramártha AV-04-10(B)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to solve any problem
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda Marga ideology the philosophers' stone. Just as the philosophers' stone is meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any problem.” (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #36
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to identify and deal with hypocrites
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
"(5) Hypocrites are:"
"(a) Those who give indulgence to falsehood;"
"(b) Those who are ungrateful to their benefactors;"
"(c) Those who do not keep their word;"
"(d) Those who betray;"
"(e) Those who slander behind one's back."
"(6) You may come to a temporary truce with a hypocrite, but do not forgive till his/her nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society. Those who cherish class distinctions, communalism, provincialism and casteism while indulging in propaganda about universalism are also hypocrites." (1)
Reference
1. Caryacarya, part 2, Society, points #5 - 6
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Through nityánitya viveka, human beings become aware of the fleeting nature of transient objects. They observe that with change in time, place and person, corresponding changes occur in social, political, economic, and all other spheres of life take to which they have to adapt themselves. Those who are reluctant to adapt themselves to the changed circumstances are doomed to destruction. A religion or an “ism” is created in a certain age which itself is a product of the three factors of time, place and person. However, the religion does not recognize the necessity of adjustment with the change in social life. It refuses to realize that the old rules and regulations of the previous age are now only mere historical records, having lost their relevance in the present dynamic society."
"To stifle the progress of humanity, the followers of these religions play on human sentiments and other weaknesses. They want to perpetuate the hold of the vested interests by infusing an inferiority complex into the human mind. While preaching their religious ideas, some claim that the social, economic and political systems were direct creations of God and hence destined to be observed in all ages and all times with equal veneration. They pronounce that those who refuse to follow this divine decree will be doomed to burn in the scorching heat of God’s wrath, or dammed to suffer eternal hell-fire. To deny people the scope of verifying the rationality of different scriptures they declare that such-and-such scriptures are infallible and so nobody has the right to question their veracity. If the philosophical texts contradict the scriptures, then their propounders will be declared as atheists."
"So it is seen that in the absence of nityánitya viveka the propounders of religion want to thwart the intellectual progress of human society at large. They knowingly refuse to understand that any observation regarding the spatial, temporal and personal factors, from whatever person it might come, is bound to lose its relevance in a transformed situation.."
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life, Part 7, p.553
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
"(5) Hypocrites are:"
"(a) Those who give indulgence to falsehood;"
"(b) Those who are ungrateful to their benefactors;"
"(c) Those who do not keep their word;"
"(d) Those who betray;"
"(e) Those who slander behind one's back."
"(6) You may come to a temporary truce with a hypocrite, but do not forgive till his/her nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society. Those who cherish class distinctions, communalism, provincialism and casteism while indulging in propaganda about universalism are also hypocrites." (1)
Reference
1. Caryacarya, part 2, Society, points #5 - 6
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How religion is deadly
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Through nityánitya viveka, human beings become aware of the fleeting nature of transient objects. They observe that with change in time, place and person, corresponding changes occur in social, political, economic, and all other spheres of life take to which they have to adapt themselves. Those who are reluctant to adapt themselves to the changed circumstances are doomed to destruction. A religion or an “ism” is created in a certain age which itself is a product of the three factors of time, place and person. However, the religion does not recognize the necessity of adjustment with the change in social life. It refuses to realize that the old rules and regulations of the previous age are now only mere historical records, having lost their relevance in the present dynamic society."
"To stifle the progress of humanity, the followers of these religions play on human sentiments and other weaknesses. They want to perpetuate the hold of the vested interests by infusing an inferiority complex into the human mind. While preaching their religious ideas, some claim that the social, economic and political systems were direct creations of God and hence destined to be observed in all ages and all times with equal veneration. They pronounce that those who refuse to follow this divine decree will be doomed to burn in the scorching heat of God’s wrath, or dammed to suffer eternal hell-fire. To deny people the scope of verifying the rationality of different scriptures they declare that such-and-such scriptures are infallible and so nobody has the right to question their veracity. If the philosophical texts contradict the scriptures, then their propounders will be declared as atheists."
"So it is seen that in the absence of nityánitya viveka the propounders of religion want to thwart the intellectual progress of human society at large. They knowingly refuse to understand that any observation regarding the spatial, temporal and personal factors, from whatever person it might come, is bound to lose its relevance in a transformed situation.."
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life, Part 7, p.553
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== Section 4: Links ==
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