Baba
Namaskár,
Sadguru Bábá says, "Mokśa kárańasamagryám bhaktireva gariyasii."
Meaning: "Bhakti is the best way to mokśa or salvation, the approach of bhakti is the best." (1)
Following is the sequence for a better, more spiritually-charged sadhana practice:
#1: Be sure the stomach is empty.
#2: Do half-bath or full bath.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
#3: Make sure that both nostrils are equal or that the left nostril is dominant. If it is not, then try to switch it. (See note 7 appended below.)
#4: Shasháuṋgásana (hare pose): a few rounds
#5: Shavásana (corpse posture): brief
#6: Sing Prabhát Saḿgiita = minimum one song which you understand the meaning, and which soothes the mental feelings, emotions, and awakens a sense of bhakti.
#7: Sing kiirtana loudly and dance lalita marmika = minimum ten minutes, with the feeling that, “Only I and my Lord are present.”
#8: Saśťauṋga prańáma = with full posture.
#9: Diipanii means ‘torch’ i.e. three shuddhis. (See note 3 appended below.)
#9a: Bhútashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
#9b: Ásanashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
#9c: Cittashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
#10: Mantra caetanya means understanding the meaning of iśťa mantra and dhyána mantra. (See note 4a & 4b appended below.)
#11: Generate longing or bhakti for Parama Puruśa that, “I must get Him.”
#12: Mantrágháta = Repetition of the mantra with meaning, longing, and bhakti to become one with Parama Puruśa. Practice as long as you can.
#13: Strong, unwavering, pointed determination that, “I must become one with Him.”
* * * And after finishing long iishvara prańidhána * * *
#14: Other various lessons
#15: Guru Pújá (varńárghyadána, pratyáhára, offering colors of the mind). Offer colored lotus in shape, color, smell, taste, and touch of disturbance in recent sadhana.
#16: Saśťauṋga prańáma
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Sadhana is the main endeavour of human life. And on the path of sadhana, the arousal of bhakti is absolutely necessary. This longing is a highly significant aspect and the most important step of our sadhana practice. If one does everything but this point is lacking then sadhana will be futile or dry. And if the arousal of bhakti is done successfully then one can realise Him, by His grace.
Namaskár,
In Him
Satyadraśťá
Note 1: The points #9 - #12 are to be applied in both 1st and 6th lessons equally.
Note 2: Regarding points #6 & #7, only listening to Prabhat Samgiita or kiirtana is not sufficient as that will not bring about the desired result. Rather one should sing Prabhat Samgiita and kiirtana with one’s full heart. By singing the mind gets more involved in comparison to just listening.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Key points on sadhana
Note 3: Ananda Marga philosophy guides us,
“Diipa jiṋánaḿ yato dadyát kuryát pápakśayam tatah;
Tasmátdiikśeti sá proktá sarvatantrasya sammatá.”
“One must be initiated according to the prescribed system. Only then will the mantra be effective. This will be clear to those practising Ananda Marga meditation.” (2)
Note 4a: Ananda Marga ideology says,
“Caetanya rahitáh mantráh proktavarńástu kevalam;
Phalaḿ naeva prayacchanti lakśa kot́i japaerapi.” (3)
Note 4b: Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, “If you repeat ‘Krśńa, Krśńa’ – a parrot can also do that! Can that bring about any spiritual progress? Never – because there is no ideation on the meaning. It is mantra devoid of caetanya. So one has to ideate. It is through ideation that spiritual elevation is possible.” (4)
Without love for Him, sádhaná is meaningless
Note 5: Ananda Marga ideology guides us, ““Dhyána” comes from the root verb “dhae,” which means to withdraw the mental propensities and to goad them towards Him. So, if people practice all these things without having love for the Supreme, they won’t be able to get anything. But, if there is an iota of love, if there is a wee bit of love, they gain everything. Only those intelligent people who know this – even if if they are not efficient or proficient in the sphere of dharma; even if they are not efficient in doing japa kriyá; even if they know nothing regarding yoga; even if they know nothing regarding celestial and extra-celestial knowledge; even if they do not understand guru bhakti; even if they do not understand the inner spirit of japa; even if they do not know jiṋána – can get everything if the spirit behind this idea of loving the Supreme is just in a rudimental phase.” (5)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “I love you, not for myself. I love you because I want my love to give you pleasure. So, in that last, final stage, the devotee’s only wish is to give Him pleasure.” (6)
Story of Lord Buddha
Note 6: Ananda Marga ideology says, “The story goes that Lord Buddha practiced sádhaná for a long time, but still did not attain the final goal. So when he sat down the second time, he made a firm determination:”
“Ihásane shuśyatu me shariiraḿ
Tvagasthimáḿsaḿ pralayaiṋca yátu
Aprápya bodhiḿ bahukalpadulabháḿ
Naevásanat káyamatashcaliśyate.”
“Unless I attain the supreme height of enlightenment, I won’t move an inch from this posture, even if my body withers, and my bones, flesh and skin are destroyed.” (7)
For more info
Note 7: If any point is unclear, please write us.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 6, Bhakti Is the Best
2. Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, Tantra and Sádhaná
3. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 24, Incantation and Human Progress
4. Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
5. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 1, Who Is Gopa?
6. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 1, Who Is Gopa?
7. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 4, The Four Stages of Human Progress
Only for sincere sadhaka
Namaskár,
Sadguru Bábá says, "Mokśa kárańasamagryám bhaktireva gariyasii."
Meaning: "Bhakti is the best way to mokśa or salvation, the approach of bhakti is the best." (1)
Following is the sequence for a better, more spiritually-charged sadhana practice:
#1: Be sure the stomach is empty.
#2: Do half-bath or full bath.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
#3: Make sure that both nostrils are equal or that the left nostril is dominant. If it is not, then try to switch it. (See note 7 appended below.)
#4: Shasháuṋgásana (hare pose): a few rounds
#5: Shavásana (corpse posture): brief
#6: Sing Prabhát Saḿgiita = minimum one song which you understand the meaning, and which soothes the mental feelings, emotions, and awakens a sense of bhakti.
#7: Sing kiirtana loudly and dance lalita marmika = minimum ten minutes, with the feeling that, “Only I and my Lord are present.”
#8: Saśťauṋga prańáma = with full posture.
#9: Diipanii means ‘torch’ i.e. three shuddhis. (See note 3 appended below.)
#9a: Bhútashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
#9b: Ásanashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
#9c: Cittashuddhi = as taught by your ácárya
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
#10: Mantra caetanya means understanding the meaning of iśťa mantra and dhyána mantra. (See note 4a & 4b appended below.)
#11: Generate longing or bhakti for Parama Puruśa that, “I must get Him.”
#12: Mantrágháta = Repetition of the mantra with meaning, longing, and bhakti to become one with Parama Puruśa. Practice as long as you can.
#13: Strong, unwavering, pointed determination that, “I must become one with Him.”
* * * And after finishing long iishvara prańidhána * * *
#14: Other various lessons
#15: Guru Pújá (varńárghyadána, pratyáhára, offering colors of the mind). Offer colored lotus in shape, color, smell, taste, and touch of disturbance in recent sadhana.
#16: Saśťauṋga prańáma
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Sadhana is the main endeavour of human life. And on the path of sadhana, the arousal of bhakti is absolutely necessary. This longing is a highly significant aspect and the most important step of our sadhana practice. If one does everything but this point is lacking then sadhana will be futile or dry. And if the arousal of bhakti is done successfully then one can realise Him, by His grace.
Namaskár,
In Him
Satyadraśťá
Note 1: The points #9 - #12 are to be applied in both 1st and 6th lessons equally.
Note 2: Regarding points #6 & #7, only listening to Prabhat Samgiita or kiirtana is not sufficient as that will not bring about the desired result. Rather one should sing Prabhat Samgiita and kiirtana with one’s full heart. By singing the mind gets more involved in comparison to just listening.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Key points on sadhana
Note 3: Ananda Marga philosophy guides us,
“Diipa jiṋánaḿ yato dadyát kuryát pápakśayam tatah;
Tasmátdiikśeti sá proktá sarvatantrasya sammatá.”
“One must be initiated according to the prescribed system. Only then will the mantra be effective. This will be clear to those practising Ananda Marga meditation.” (2)
Note 4a: Ananda Marga ideology says,
“Caetanya rahitáh mantráh proktavarńástu kevalam;
Phalaḿ naeva prayacchanti lakśa kot́i japaerapi.” (3)
Note 4b: Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, “If you repeat ‘Krśńa, Krśńa’ – a parrot can also do that! Can that bring about any spiritual progress? Never – because there is no ideation on the meaning. It is mantra devoid of caetanya. So one has to ideate. It is through ideation that spiritual elevation is possible.” (4)
Without love for Him, sádhaná is meaningless
Note 5: Ananda Marga ideology guides us, ““Dhyána” comes from the root verb “dhae,” which means to withdraw the mental propensities and to goad them towards Him. So, if people practice all these things without having love for the Supreme, they won’t be able to get anything. But, if there is an iota of love, if there is a wee bit of love, they gain everything. Only those intelligent people who know this – even if if they are not efficient or proficient in the sphere of dharma; even if they are not efficient in doing japa kriyá; even if they know nothing regarding yoga; even if they know nothing regarding celestial and extra-celestial knowledge; even if they do not understand guru bhakti; even if they do not understand the inner spirit of japa; even if they do not know jiṋána – can get everything if the spirit behind this idea of loving the Supreme is just in a rudimental phase.” (5)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “I love you, not for myself. I love you because I want my love to give you pleasure. So, in that last, final stage, the devotee’s only wish is to give Him pleasure.” (6)
Story of Lord Buddha
Note 6: Ananda Marga ideology says, “The story goes that Lord Buddha practiced sádhaná for a long time, but still did not attain the final goal. So when he sat down the second time, he made a firm determination:”
“Ihásane shuśyatu me shariiraḿ
Tvagasthimáḿsaḿ pralayaiṋca yátu
Aprápya bodhiḿ bahukalpadulabháḿ
Naevásanat káyamatashcaliśyate.”
“Unless I attain the supreme height of enlightenment, I won’t move an inch from this posture, even if my body withers, and my bones, flesh and skin are destroyed.” (7)
For more info
Note 7: If any point is unclear, please write us.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 6, Bhakti Is the Best
2. Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, Tantra and Sádhaná
3. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 24, Incantation and Human Progress
4. Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
5. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 1, Who Is Gopa?
6. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 1, Who Is Gopa?
7. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 4, The Four Stages of Human Progress
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Child & mother
Note: This composition is a lullaby about the shiuli (parijat), or night flowering jasmine.
“Ráter beláy sabái ghúmáy, shiuli keno jáge…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0361)
Purport:
O’ mother, everyone sleeps at night so you have to tell me why does the shiuli stay awake all night long? All of the other flowers are awake during the day and sleep at night. During the day, they spread their aromatic fragrance and sing sweet songs because flowers love the daytime as much as I do. So I know them all very well.
At night, everyone sleeps including the myna birds, the puppies, and also the honey bees etc. But the shiuli smiles and says "Look, I am still awake!" O’ mother, tell me, out of love for whom does the shiuli remain awake at night.
Listen, my darling child, the shiuli likes the nighttime so it remains awake during the darkness of night. It feels shy in the light of day so in the morning it droops over on the ground and lies there. At the end of night, during the dawn, the shiuli falls over. And, at that time, my darling child, your sleep will vanish, and you will rise…
== Section 3: Links ==
Other topics of interest
