Baba
Baba ji
Namaskar,
One day Baba graced me by giving me the opportunity to see Him in an intimate and unique setting. I was blessed with the duty of picking Him up from the airport. So that morning I took Guru mantra and drove in my car to the airport to receive Him. Atmanandaji and other margiis were also in the car.
We arrived at the airport early and waited. Then, Sadguru Baba and His entourage were in sight. It was so beautiful to see Him. We escorted Baba to my car and arranged a special place for Him to sit. When we were sure He was comfortable, we departed from the airport. I could only think how graced I was to be driving Baba in my own car en route to the house where He was to stay.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Receiving at airport
During the ride, Baba started talking to Atmanandaji and He told that, “There is a Punjabi speaking margii from Bangalore who addresses Me as "Babaji." Hearing this I immediately became acutely aware. Although I knew that Baba was not speaking about me because I was living in Mumbai, instead Baba was referring to a margii brother in Bangalore, I was extremely interested to hear what Baba was going to say about being called "Babaji."
So Baba was telling that, "There is a margii from Bangalore raised in the Punjabi tradition, and that margii addresses me as Babaji." I was listening intently.
Baba continued, "Although this margii's intention may be pure, actually I do not feel comfortable being called Babaji. The suffix -ji is a formality; it creates distance. With margiis I have a family relation; ours is a personal relation, so they should address me as "Baba." There is no need to add the suffix -ji, rather by doing so I feel uncomfortable."
That was what Baba was telling that day while I was driving Him in my car. Although Baba did not directly point me out on this, I got the lesson. Since then I stopped adding "ji" when addressing Him - either in person or in sadhana etc. I understood that using "Baba" is a more personal, familial way to relate with Him. And that was His preference too.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
From that day forward, I would always address Him simply as "Baba." I can never forget the great care and love Baba displayed in giving me this important lesson. Still today, I feel completely blessed.
Why Baba commented
In the 1950's and 60's when I initially came into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, I was calling Baba as "Babaji". Although I was living in Mumbai, I was raised in the Punjabi tradition. Since my childhood I learned that to whom you respect you must add the suffix "ji" to their name when you address them. It was understood that one should not just call a respected person simply by their name. We all were taught to add the suffix "ji". And it was well known that if you do not add the suffix "ji" to the name of a respected person, then people would think you are dumb and uncultured. This was the tradition in which I was raised.
Naturally, since I had great reverence and regard for Sadguru Baba, initially I was calling Him, "Babaji". Out of respect, I added the suffix -ji to His name. I thought just calling Him "Baba" would be uncultured. In fact, I was feeling uncomfortable when I heard others simply calling Him "Baba", without using the suffix ji. This was my manner and way of thinking those days.
Now, however, by Baba’s grace I understand things differently. In our social life members of the same family do not add formalities (i.e. special prefixes and suffixes) when addressing one another. They do not say "Shrii", or "-ji",or "Mister", or "Sir" or any other title. They feel close to one another and address each other accordingly. And we do the same with Baba because He is our nearest and dearest relation.
Certainly though when referring to Baba in a lecture to the general public we will say "Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji" or use some other formal address. But that is only because we are speaking with the common people and they should understand that the Marga Guru should be referred to in a most respectful manner etc. We have to teach them this point. However, when sadhakas and bhaktas address Him personally, we just say "Baba."
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion: family relation
As Ananda Margiis, we have a very close and intimate relations with Him. The very process of sadhana removes any and all boundaries, barriers, and complexes between the sadhaka and Parama Purusa. That is how we come to feel Him as the nearest and dearest One. That is why we simply address Him as “Baba.”
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The Entity whom you are trying to attain – Parama Puruśa – is your own innermost self. Your relation with Him is not external, to be defined by courts, laws, or society. It is a family relationship...Your relation with God is personal. No one can sever this relationship. It is part of your being, your birthright." (1)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Madhukar
Ananda Marga ideology says, "In the scriptures the state of feeling insignificant beside the vastness of Parama Puruśa is called “mahimnabodh”. One is uncertain how to approach Him, unsure how to speak to Him...spiritual aspirants should not give this sort of inferiority complex and scope to develop in the mind." (2)
The above is the first-hand account of a senior margii, Laksmi Chand Anand, of Mumbai, India.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 23, Your Personal Relationship with God
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Lord of Mortality and Immortality
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.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I also went to Jamalpur but
"Tomáy khunje khunje priya, din je ket́e jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3982)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, with deep longing in search of You, my days are passing in vain. In the absence of getting You, my whole life is being wasted. Where have I not looked. I have wandered around seeking You in the seven oceans, on the mountain peaks, as well as across this earth, and also in the caves - in every nook and corner of this world, but alas I could not get You.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, day and night, secretly I sought You in the flower garden, forests, and in various, so-called holy lands and “tiirthas” like - Tiljala, Jamalpur, Varanasi, Puri, Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem; and I also went to Ananda Nagar, and the top of the Himalayan mountain ranges etc. All done with the ardent desire of getting a glance at You. I checked all over with the hope that one day I will find You. But, in the end, all my efforts were for naught.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, with deep bhakti in my heart, I have scoured the galaxies, meteors, nebulae, and in the stars - everywhere. I also explored the dark, black-coloured clouds on rainy days, the scorching heat of the summer season, and the shade of the trees in springtime. Baba, I have called for You with a deep yearning and prema in my core - and looked for You everywhere.
Parama Purusa, in the end, on one colourful golden dawn, saturated in the refulgence and aroma of a newly blossoming floret, You arrived after a long, deep, dark, and painful night. Alas, in the end, You are here in my heart. Baba, my most adorable One, You are so gracious...
"Tomáy khunje khunje priya, din je ket́e jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3982)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, with deep longing in search of You, my days are passing in vain. In the absence of getting You, my whole life is being wasted. Where have I not looked. I have wandered around seeking You in the seven oceans, on the mountain peaks, as well as across this earth, and also in the caves - in every nook and corner of this world, but alas I could not get You.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, day and night, secretly I sought You in the flower garden, forests, and in various, so-called holy lands and “tiirthas” like - Tiljala, Jamalpur, Varanasi, Puri, Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem; and I also went to Ananda Nagar, and the top of the Himalayan mountain ranges etc. All done with the ardent desire of getting a glance at You. I checked all over with the hope that one day I will find You. But, in the end, all my efforts were for naught.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, with deep bhakti in my heart, I have scoured the galaxies, meteors, nebulae, and in the stars - everywhere. I also explored the dark, black-coloured clouds on rainy days, the scorching heat of the summer season, and the shade of the trees in springtime. Baba, I have called for You with a deep yearning and prema in my core - and looked for You everywhere.
Parama Purusa, in the end, on one colourful golden dawn, saturated in the refulgence and aroma of a newly blossoming floret, You arrived after a long, deep, dark, and painful night. Alas, in the end, You are here in my heart. Baba, my most adorable One, You are so gracious...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Tips to understand dharmic teachings
Ananda Marga ideology, “Saḿgacchadhvaḿ” “moving together” does not mean march or double march, here “moving together” means that all portions of society, all portions of the collective body, should have the spirit to move ahead. Suppose you have gathered sufficient money, and there is no dearth of food in your house, but the remaining portion of society, your neighbours, your friends, are suffering from a dearth of money, or food, or clothes. Then it means that you are not following the spirit of “saḿgacchadhvam”. “Saḿgacchadhvam” means to build a strong, well-knit society where there shall be no exploitation, no superiority complex or inferiority complex.” (1)
In all realms, Baba's teachings are crystallized points of dharma - very concise. So to properly understand any guideline or teaching, it demands a little concentration or mental thought. For example a group of fools may think that by walking together to McDonald's for a hamburger they are following samgacchadvam, since they are all "moving together". But that has nothing to do with samgacchadvam.
Here the point is that a literal interpretation of Guru's teachings will never work. Rather, a greater explanation is needed to get the proper picture. That is why when Baba has given the pin-pointed sutras of Ananda Sutram, then side by side He also gives a purport so that those distilled teachings, i.e. sutras, can be understood in the proper way. This should be done with each and every aspect of Sixteen Points. Because Guru's teaching is distilled and given in seed form.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Original Ananda Vanii states: “The purport of Dharma Sádhaná is to look upon every person, every object of this universe as one integral entity. To jeopardize the unity of the human race by creating factions is not the purpose of Dharma. Those who encourage vested interests survive on the mental weaknesses of people and their dissensions, and that is why they are scared of the spread of the ideals of Dharma and exhibit their intolerance towards it in all sorts of immoral ways, such as abuse, false propaganda and lies. People must not be cowed by this, they have got to march ahead. It is to be borne in mind that hindrances are beneficial to human beings on the path of righteousness and to continue to fight against them is what is sádhaná.” (Ananda Vanii #4)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Which is worse: Animals in animal form or animals in human form
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Animals are guided by instincts. They do not know the why and the how of things. Human beings, on the other hand, are led by the mind. Animals cannot go beyond their instincts. In case of [great] intellectual clash, however, the animal mind, like the human, gets more subtle. This is generally found to occur with those animals who remain in contact with humans. But the development that is discernible in this case is not spiritual, it is simply intellectual. Dogs and monkeys who are trained, for instance, can be made a bit [more intelligent] than other ones."
"Human beings, on the other hand, have the capacity to develop even in the spiritual realm. Those who do not pay heed to this special gift are animals, nay, even worse than animals. Animals are unable to make efforts for their spiritual development, whereas humans do have this ability." (1)
Note: Here above Baba is pointing out some of the basic differences between humans and animals. Animals are dominated by instinct, whereas humans are mind dominated and have the capacity to grow spiritually. Even then, tragically, some degenerated human beings surrender this cherished human quality and foolishly submit their existence at the altar of instinct. Even though they possess a human mind they live like animals - always in the grip of their baser propensities. Verily they are worse than animals. By Baba's causeless grace we are fortunate that to have been blessed with a human body and mind, and with the tools of spiritual sadhana so that we can progress and become divine, by His grace.
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, Mysticism and Spirituality
== Section 3: Links ==
Recent postingsOther topics of interest
