Namaskar,
I
had gone to Puri (Orissa) for office work and my friends requested me
to visit some historical sites with them. While on tour, I stayed at the
Ramakrishna Mission ashram. I immediately noticed how the ashram had
top-grade facilities - especially the kitchen and dining areas. All the
plates and utensils were absolutely top quality. I was very impressed by
the set-up and how organised it was. I was praising them about their
first-class facilities; and whomever I came across I told how the
Ramakrishna Mission keeps a very wonderful ashram with the best
amenities.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
My experience in Ananda Marga jagrti
Some
months later (1989-90), I went to our Ananda Marga headquarters for my
designated duties and to attend some programs. Certainly, over the
years, I had been there many, many times. This time however it struck me
when I went to eat in the kitchen that the plates and the utensils were
not up to that high standard as I saw at the Ramakrishna Mission in
Puri. This was very unappealing to me and I immediately recalled how
everything was proper at the Ramakrishna Mission ashram in Puri.
While
moving around Ananda Marga headquarters that day I told a few people
about how beautiful the accommodations were at the Ramakrishna ashram
and that their kitchen was top grade. Yet here in Ananda Marga
headquarters all the eating utensils and plates were not of that high
quality. In this manner I spoke with some around the compound.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Baba's presence
Later
that same day I had the opportunity to see Baba. Immediately upon
entering and being called in front of Him, I noticed that He seemed
quite displeased - I did not know why.
All-knowing
Baba, being the Parama Purusa, was fully aware about my thoughts about
our Ananda Marga jagrti kitchen and dining hall. He looked at me and
said, "You know those monks in the Ramakrishna mission have a long
history of using chewing tobacco (khainii) and eating fish. Not only
that, still today Ramakrishna Mission monks smoke tobacco and eat fish.
They have many dirty habits. So you see, externally they may appear to
be of a high standard, but internally they are not. Now see my
sannyasis. They do fasting 4 times per month and do not eat any tamasik
food. Their standard of conduct is far higher; there is no comparison.
Dharma is measured by the conduct, not by superficial matters."
Baba then recited one shloka, "Acaranat dharma".
Baba
says, "Ácárańát dharmah, that is, “Dharma is the assemblage of all your
conduct” – the way you eat, the way you speak, the way you perform
sádhaná. If your conduct is good, dharma is with you; if your conduct is
not good, dharma is not with you." (1)
Hearing Baba's words, I immediately realised my mistake. I understood why He was displeased, and why He was telling me this now.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Mentally,
I begged forgiveness and vowed to never overlook the greatness of
Ananda Marga ideology or take for granted the dharmic standard of our
Ananda Marga by comparing it with other organisations on superficial
grounds. Internally, I promised to never do that ever again. I
understood the shallowness of my assessment and gained a deeper
appreciation for our way of life in Ananda Marga. This positive feeling
has remained with me ever since, by His grace.
Few examples
This
story recounted by Shrii Ramadhar contains many valuable teachings and
some very practical guidelines as well. One of which is to abstain from
comparing the dharma of our Ananda Marga with the superficial qualities
of other organisations.
The
speciality of Ananda Marga is our ideal and conduct, not any type of
social status or mundane wealth etc. We should not fall prey to the
fleeting fame and glamour of others and forget our ideal.
Unfortunately,
some complain about the poor monetary standard of our Ananda Marga
jagrtis, units, and schools, as well as the situation of our Wts. And
they compare our projects less favourably with Christian institutions
whose buildings are grand and fancy. But this is not a healthy outlook
or proper approach. Rather we should adopt a distinctly positive and
assertive stance.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
For
instance, if a person sees the poor situation of one of our schools and
jagrtis, and if in the course of addressing the problem they discuss
some of the negative points with the aim of trying to improve the
overall situation, then that is most welcome. That is a very positive,
proactive approach; i.e. constructive criticism. That would be similar
to a mother complaining to the doctor about her baby's poor health in
order to cure her child and fix the problem. The mother's complaining to
the doctor is not just done out of frustration, exasperation, or for
the sake of complaining without any intent to resolve the situation.
Rather, she is complaining out of love for the welfare of her baby.
Let
us take another example: If someone criticises that sick human babe,
and in comparison praises a healthy pig saying it is better than the
human babe, then the mother will not appreciate it. I think we all
understand this analogy.
Uniqueness of Ananda Marga
To
complain about something just for criticism's sake with no practical
intent to fix the problem is a very bad approach. If someone talks about
the deficiencies of our Ananda Marga projects with this attitude, that
is not at all appreciated. Why? Because there is no interest to make
things better. Such a negative approach is especially bad related with
Ananda Marga activities.
Our
Ananda Marga has so many positive attributions in comparison to the
dealings of other organisations and movements. Thus when something in
the mundane sphere, like the quality of the kitchen utensils, is not up
to the mark then we cannot outrightly reject everything and label it as
being lowly and useless, because we have so many other plus points that
are not found elsewhere.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
For
example, our schools may not have palatial buildings with
air-conditioning. We may even be holding classes underneath a tree. But
our schools are bastions of neo-humanism. That is far better than a
school with a great, big building that is filled with dogmatic
preachings and teachings.
Likewise,
our margii brothers and sisters may not be super rich, but they are far
superior to followers of other organisations who may indulge in all
kinds of degrading and dogmatic behaviours. Other followers may have a
good name and social recognition, but that is not the basis upon which
we should calculate who is great and who is not. Rather, one must see
the qualities of the human being, i.e. whose life more strictly adheres
to dharma, i.e. Sixteen Points.
Conduct is main thing not wealth
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "Dharma is the assemblage of all your conduct” –
the way you eat, the way you speak, the way you perform sa'dhana'. If
your conduct is good, dharma is with you; if your conduct is not good,
dharma is not with you. And if dharma is not with you, what comes about
is your sarvana'sha, or sarva'tmaka vina'sha – that is, your physical,
mental, and spiritual ruin....Conduct is the principal factor in
dharma.” Be a sadácárii, a person of good conduct, and you will surely
attain Paramátman." (2)
Baba
says, "Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your
social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal." (3)
Ananda
Marga ideology guides us, "It is said, Dharmasya tattvaḿ nihitaḿ
guháyám: that is, the inner essence of Dharma is hidden in the
existential “I” feeling of the human mind. That which controls human
conduct and behaviour – indeed, human beings’ entire lifestyle – is
called Dharma. In Dharma lies the greatest joy, the supreme beatitude of
human life, the path of realizing the Supreme Entity. Hence it is
mandatory for all people – young and old, strong and infirm, wise and
foolish, to follow Dharma.” (4)
Final reflection
In
this story, the margii was thinking about the poor standard of Ananda
Marga jagrtis; and, he was furthermore aiming to criticise without
offering any substantial avenues for fixing the situation. This was not
the proper approach or intention, just criticism. That is why Baba was
displeased with him and corrected his mindset.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ultimately,
this type of defective outlook should not be encouraged. Ananda Marga
ideology and our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha organisation are ours.
Whatever shortcomings exist, we should try to fix and collectively
address those matters in order to improve the situation, and not just
indulge in criticism for criticism's sake.
Those
who are good margiis will set their sights on fixing the situation.
That is constructive criticism, which is very positive as in their heart
of hearts they are working to make things better.
Namaskar,
at His feet,
Madhusudan
Note: The above is a first-hand account by Shrii Ramadhar ji, an important margii from Bihar.
Story: when Baba visited one village
I
remember when Baba arrived in Choti Jamin village in Bhagalpur. He sat
in a small grass hut with a thatched roof that served as our Ananda
Marga jagrti, and He was praising how it was so beautiful to hold
dharmacakra in our own jagrti. It was a very blissful occasion, and He
blessed everybody that day. One thing that stands out is that Baba did
not hold His darshan in a big, fancy church or temple. Rather, He sat in
one grass hut and was completely content.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
By
this we can understand that Baba does not place any value on the size
of the building or any other superficial quality, rather He appreciates
the ideal and conduct.
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma
3. Ananda Vanii #13
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, What Is the Way
Plagiary?
It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:
1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).
2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story:
“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”
This will be treated as the standard protocol.
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
You love me
“E kii praheliká e kii kuheliká káche káche ácho dhará náhi diyecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1769)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, what a riddle - what a strange fog. I know that You are with me, yet You do not come within my grasp. I cannot hold You. Baba, why is Your love covered, as if it is hidden in the deep, dense fog?
The fountain of refulgence merges into infinity. The resonating melody of the viina is filled with tears. Baba, please come closer and remove all my bondages, blackness, impurities, and dogma, along with whatever other defects and dark aspects I have.
O’ Parama Purusa, Baba, I love You and this much I also know: You love me; You know me. I have offered my heart and my everything at Your lotus feet. Baba, please come alone in my core, in the hub of my mental lotus, and kiss it with Your sweet smile...
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Pratyava'ya is worse than pa'taka." (1)
And not just once but in numerous places He repeats the same warning.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Pratyava'ya is more reprimandable than pa'taka." (2)
Note: As we know there are two types of sin in Ananda Marga: sin of commission (pa'taka) and sin of omission (pratyava'ya). A sin of commission means committing an act that contravenes dharma. A sin of omission means not performing those dharmic deeds that should be done. Of the two, a sin of omission (pratyava'ya) is more severe.
References
1. Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, “Take Refuge in Parama Puruśa with Unswerving Attention”
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 1
Recent Postings
