Era of degraded stars + 4 more

Baba

Era of degraded stars

Namaskar,

In this era of rampant materialism and social media, there are many pop stars, dancers, singers, and influencers etc who garner large fan-bases and make huge fortunes by indulging in degrading and lewd behaviour. By exciting and appealing to the lower propensities, those pop stars / social media moguls earn tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars. The common people become absolutely enthralled with those stars and revere them like demi-gods.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/ 

How pop stars harm humanity & enhance their prestige
 
The awful ripple effect is that those degenerated performers poison the minds of impressionable youths, and even some adults. Kids and young adults get derailed and led into all kinds of negative dealings: sensual life, drugs, sex crimes, bad habits, pseudo-culture, half-naked dress, tattoos, intoxicants etc. Instead of honing in on their studies and getting engaged in sentient pursuits, youths are led down the path of hell. Those stars have the power to misguide an entire generation of youths. That is one aspect.
 
Next, to preserve their image and show themselves as caring and concerned activists etc, those same pop stars donate towards good causes, such as the homeless, the environment, underprivileged youth etc. Seeing their “generosity”, the common people get doubly-duped and hold that pop-star in an even higher place of honour. When the reality is that those degraded stars are doing far more harm than good to the society. The lives of so many innocent teens get polluted and ruined by the negative example of those pop-artists, actors etc. But with the millions those stars earn from licentious activities, they donate some pennies to good causes, thereby enhancing their image.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
The situation is just like:

• International pimps donating to shelters that rescue and rehab victims of human trafficking.
  
• Sexual predators donating to women’s shelters.
  
• Logging companies donating to green environmental groups.
  
• The meat industry donating to medical research to find a cure for heart disease.
  
• Candy companies donating to fight childhood obesity.
  
• Drug cartels donating to drug-addiction groups.
  
• Big mafia bosses donating to community action and crime-prevention groups.
  
• The US giving arms and money to both (a) terrorist / guerrilla organisations and (b) for humanitarian aid efforts.
  

Their donation is a masquerade

Those with a clear vision can see through this sheen. They understand the ways of those pop stars are no different from chemical companies or the petroleum industry donating to environmental causes. That donation is done to masquerade their real efforts and intentions, which is to turn huge profits by ravaging the environment. And sometimes, those company executives get a seat on the board of directors of those environmental groups.
 
So it is all just a ploy. By their day to day operations those negative companies destroy society or the environment, and side by side they give money to good causes to present themselves as being concerned about the welfare of society. For instance, the large cigarette companies used to give huge donations to cancer research foundations, yet those same cigarette companies would make exponentially more money by selling addictive, cancer-causing nicotine to the unsuspecting public. This is the way things have been going on in this materialistic era because the public is blind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion
 
The chief solution is maximum public education. Once the people understand that those stars are harming far more than they are helping, that will be a big step in the right direction. At the same time, it is our duty as a society to ensure pop artists, media icons, and influencers are of strong moral character.
 
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sudhiir

~ In-depth study ~
 
Characterless, drunken, or greedy artists are social liabilities
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The youth of a country are attracted to artists; it is therefore the duty of society and the state to monitor these artists’ ideals and character. Otherwise they may exert a harmful influence on young men and women who are the future hope of society. For this reason it is essential for artists to have impeccable conduct, a healthy lifestyle and strength of character. If those whom youths respect as ideal men and women possess an ideal character, the characters of those whom they influence will no doubt also be positively affected. In addition, ideal artists and actors who have a strong character will be able to express their artistic brilliance more sweetly and completely. Characterless, drunken or greedy artists will be considered liabilities by their fans and society.” (1)

How imposing pseudo-culture destroys a society

By injecting sensually-oriented films and music into a society, an entire people will fall into steep degradation. That is how one community captures and exploits another.

This below teaching well describes how the US exports pseudo-culture and Hollywood production to the entire world. For example, in the case of India, there was a high standard of moral values, and on that very basis films, dramas, and writings had moral teachings based on tantric ideas. Nowadays, pseudo-culture has been thrust upon India whereby the Indian population has become completely obsessed with Hollywood style; sadly they have lost the basic value of human life. Indian youths are falling prey to the western US pseudo-culture way of everything. Youths want to give up all traditional Indian values and become western. This type of inferiority complex has essentially ruined their way of thinking. This happened because the wealthy US imposed their pseudo-culture enterprise on the poorer population.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Suppose a particular group has a high standard of arts (theatre, cinema, etc.), but the number of rich people in that group is comparatively few. The culture of another group, on the other hand, is very undeveloped, but among them there is a greater number of wealthy people. Now, the latter group wants to maintain its exploitation over the group that has a more developed cultural heritage, because one way that psycho-economic exploitation can paralyse people in the psychic sphere is cultural exploitation – to impose vulgar cinemas and dramas upon those good people.”
   “As you know, the mind has a natural tendency to degrade itself; it flows more easily downwards than upwards. So if some people, by virtue of their wealth, impose vulgar cinemas and dramas on others, this will break the latters' spines and they will become paralysed. And those paralysed, spineless people will thenceforth never be able to stand unitedly against cultural or any other kind of exploitation. They will never be able to do so, because mentally they will be completely dead – their capacity to raise their heads in protest will have been crushed forever. How can they raise their heads again?”
   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “This exploitation in the cultural sphere is accomplished by the propagation of pseudo-culture. Every honest, virtuous, rational person must fight against this pseudo-culture, and inspire others to do the same. If this is not done, the future of humanity will be sealed. It is proper for human beings to struggle for political freedom, for social emancipation; but if their cultural backbone is broken, then all their struggles will end in nothing – like offering ghee into a fire that has died out.”
   “If one's spine is shattered, it is impossible to hold one's head erect. Can those whose necks and backs are crushed under the weight of pseudo-culture, be expected to hold their heads high in any sphere of life? Hence it is the bounden duty of every rational person to save innocent people from pseudo-culture.” (2)

References
1. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
2. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)

*        *        *

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 ==

Magical spell

“Runu jhunu runu jhunu núpur báje, din gune kál gune phálgune…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0317)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, I can hear the runu jhunu runu jhunu sound of the nupur. I have been counting the days and tracking the moments. Baba, in the middle of this spring season, You came amidst the flowers. Your exquisite arrival is so blissful.

O’ Parama Purusa, with all my heart I want to make You my own - in my remembrances, in my manan, in each and every prahara - all the 24hrs. Now that You have come, please remain here, in Your most attractive mohan form, along with me forever - making my heart overflowing with bliss.  

Parama Purusa, with Your rhythmic tempo and exuberant sweetness, with which mystical, magical spell have You spiritually intoxicated the world. You are the dignity and pride of everyone. You are the quintessence of all. Today, by receiving Your sway, all dance. By Your energy and by Your grace, all are prancing and rejoicing….


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0317:

[1] Runu jhunu: The sound of omnkara.

[2] Nupur: This universe exists in the mind of Parama Purusa and is marked by three processes: creation, sustenance, and destruction. Those processes are represented by three sounds: A - U - MA. That is the sound of omnkara. Thus Parama Purusa is dancing in the rhythm of creation, sustenance, and destruction. These are the sounds emanating from the ankle bell of Parama Purusa.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Listen to these three sounds of aum: a, u, ma. They represent the creation, the retention [or preservation], and the destruction. The first sound, a, represents creation; the second sound, u, represents retention; the third sound, ma, represents destruction. So all those innumerable sounds, all those fifty sounds, are represented by these supreme sounds, a, u and ma; and collectively a-u-ma becomes aum.” (1)

For unit beings the sound they hear depends upon the degree of their realisation. If, by His grace, their mind is in an exalted state then they will hear the full omnkara sound. If one's mind is less elevated they will hear a different type of sound like the roar of the ocean, the sweet melody of the flute, the chirping of the crickets etc. At different stages of realisation the sadhaka can hear these sounds as detailed in the discourse, “The Six Stages of Realization.”

So it is all dependent upon the quality of mind. That determines which sound a person will hear. It is similar to someone looking at a very colourful flower. If their eyes are perfect they will see all the colours of that flower. And if their vision is compromised in any way or if they are colour-blind they will only see one or two of the colours. It depends upon the quality of their vision. In the same way, hearing the omnkara sound is wholly dependent upon the quality of mind of the aspirant.

[3] Manan: This is the contemplation or ideation of the Supreme Entity by repeating the Lord's name or remembering His tales in the mind. This special process Baba has described in-depthly in His various teachings of devotional and spiritual life.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "To attain Him human beings have to take recourse to shravana (constantly hearing His name), manana (constantly ideating on Him) and nididya'sana (constantly meditating on Him). The Supreme Entity is Gurha, that is, He is lying hidden in the innermost recess of the human entity. To attain Him one must penetrate deep within oneself, and for that the development of an introversial outlook is essential." (2)

[4] Prahar: Each day is broken up into eight segments or eight periods. And these periods are known as 'prahar'. In that way, each prahar is three hours in duration. Here Baba explains more about prahar and various other segments of time.

Baba says, "The verbal root 'mas' means 'to measure'. By adding 'ghain' to 'mas' we get ma'sa whose etymological meaning is 'a measurement of time' or 'a period of time'. Thus ma'sa in this sense means 'era', 'lunar year', 'lunar month', 'lunar day', 'solar year', 'solar month', 'fortnight', 'week', 'solar day' or ahora'tra (from sunrise to sunrise), prahara (three hours), hour, minute, second, fraction-of-second and so forth -- all of these." (3)

[5] Mohan: Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and in His role as Mohan and He attracts bhaktas towards Him. 
 
  Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When I lose myself, when ́I’ becomes dear to that Entity, when ́I’ becomes the source of joy to that Entity, a stage is finally reached when my unit existence is completely lost in that Entity. The losing of oneself, the state of being lost or as a matter of fact, the beginning of the process of losing oneself to the very source of joy, is known as mohanavijiṋána, or the science of supra-aesthetics. And the Entity to whom we lose ourselves is Mohana, or the embodiment of enchantment. Parama Puruśa is Mohana as He enchants one and all. Had not Parama Puruśa enchanted the world, no one would have wanted to live here.”
   “Can you imagine the gravity of the countless problems in the world? Exasperated at the acute problems, human beings would have bidden goodbye to the world and fled. But one fails to do this because one has come under the overwhelming influence of Mohana, i.e., Parama Puruśa and thus has become unable to flee from this world. Even if one does not like this world, one somehow remains here due to love for Parama Puruśa. And when one falls in love with Parama Puruśa, and when one is dear to Parama Puruśa, where will one go? For this very reason it has been said that human beings invented Dharma as a result of their love for Mohana, or due to falling into His charming clutches.In this way, Dharma or spirituality first appeared in human life.” (4)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam-14, Acoustic Roots
2. Tattva Kaomudii - 3, Integral and Non-Integral Outlook
3. Shabda Cayanika-2, Disc: 13
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 10, Aesthetic Science and Samgiita

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Wrongly blaming Parama Purusa

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Logically it has been proved that the experiencing of the reaction (karmaphala) of an action cannot be evaded. That being so, blaming God (Bhagaván) for the consequences of our actions or praying to be released from bearing the consequences is only foolishness. One who performs actions will have to bear the reactions also. If you plunge your hand in fire you will surely burn it. To blame God for burning your hand is merely ignorance or stupidity. It is the nature of fire to burn, and whatsoever comes in contact with it will be burnt. Similarly, it is a self-evident law of Prakrti or Her very nature that all actions will have reactions. God (Bhagaván) is not in the least responsible for it. The performer of the actions is responsible for it. The performer of the actions is responsible for the reactions also, since God has not performed the actions. He cannot be responsible for the reactions. It is only people who are responsible for actions as well as for bearing the consequences of these actions." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, How Should Human Beings Live In This World?

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Both needed: good works + fight injustice

Ananda Marga ideology says, "You must continue doing good to society, and at the same time must fight against the bad...On the path of dharma, one is not only to do noble deeds; one must also fight against the dishonest people both are virtuous actions. There are many good people in the society - noble people engaged in noble deeds - who are not ready to fight against wrongs and injustices. This sort of passive benevolence does not really promote the cause of human progress in the world. What is desirable is to acquire virtue by doing noble deeds and fighting against all sins and crimes. Both are mandatory, both an integral part of dharma." (1)

Note: If we follow Baba's above mandate, our organisation will be free from all kinds of negativity. Stagnant-minded people will not get the opportunity to pollute Baba's ideology by imposing their dogma.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, What Should Human Beings Do?

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout: cause of most wars

Note: In Prout philosophy, the terms shudra, ksatriya, vipra, and vaeshya are commonly. But some readers find it difficult to understand in a substantive way who these people are, and how to recognise them in the present day society. The following section is a very good description for understanding who is a vipra. 

After reading Baba’s below guideline it will be clear that Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, bin laden, Hitler and thousands more around the globe are negative vipras, i.e. recent and present day intellectual satans who created wars. 

Prout philosophy states, “At the slightest sign from the vipras [ministers], major wars break out in different countries and states. The vipras  [intellectual demons] themselves do not fight. By whispering of war in the ears of the king, they send kśatriya generals into battle. Kśatriya soldiers, running the risks for the vipras  [intellectual satans], wage war on land, on sea and in the air, and the vipras [intellectual demons], understanding their physical and mental weaknesses, entice them with food or money, or inspire them with hollow, idealistic-sounding slogans, and land them in a holocaust.”

“Thus in the Vipra Age kśatriyas [military personnel] fight and die while shrewd vipra ministers receive triumphant ovations. This happens in every country where vipras [intellectual satans] play a dominant role. The names of vipra ministers are blazoned across the pages of history, but history does not record the numbers of soldiers who died on the battlefield or how many of them saw their golden dreams fade into darkness under cannon fire.”

Prout philosophy states, “When a vipra minister dies, the newspapers write it up elaborately. Condolence meetings are held; condolence messages come in by the thousands; flags are flown at half mast; and marble statues are erected at intersections in public parks. But the press will never acknowledge the kśatriyas [soldiers] whose blood enriched the ground for the harvest of victory. And actually, why should they? How can so many names be published in a newspaper anyway!”

“All the great warmongers, the great politicians of the world, belong to this vipra gang of satanic intellect. At their command, or due to their fiery lectures or diplomatic intrigues, millions of foolish shúdras have lost their lives and thousands of hot-blooded kśatriyas [soldiers] have served as instruments in the slaughter.”

“The pages of world history reveal that all the crusades and jihads of the Middle Ages were plotted by these satanic vipras [religious priests]. Caught in their intrigues, the shúdras [common mass] took the beatings; and the kśatriyas [soldiers] fought as religious warriors, but never thought deeply about whom they were fighting for.”

Prout philosophy states, “Was it only in the Middle Ages that this happened? In today’s world also, satanic vipras [war-mongering intellectuals], the protected agents of the capitalist vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters], have led and are continuing to lead millions of people along the path of death and destruction. Evil vipras [demonic intellectuals] are fanning the flames of the vaeshyas’ [wealthy exploiters] insatiable, demonic hunger. Neither the shúdra masses [common citizens] nor the warlike kśatriyas [soldiers] are responsible for the problem of the millions of refugees in different countries, for the heart-rending cries of the mothers, wives, sons and daughters of the soldiers who died on the battlefields, for the blazing flames of communal riots, for communalism itself, provincialism, nationalism and casteism. The responsibility lies with a small group of shrewd vipras [intellectual satans and religious priests] who, out of petty self-interest, have instigated the shúdras [common people] and kśatriyas [soldiers] to commit heinous acts.”

“The meanness and brutality of such vipras [intellectual demons] put on a ghoulish graveyard dance, seeming to make a mockery of the vipras’ intellect. In the Vipra Age the vipras [religious priests] drew power from this type of brutality, and through a staged display of black magic, vipras bestrode society. In the Vaeshya Age the vipras [intellectual demons] commit similar sins in order to shine like fancy shoes on the feet of the vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters].” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society part 2 - The Vipra Age

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout song

- FEE FY FO FUM -

Morality is the demand of the day
Prout' the cry of the suffering humanity.
Wise you be, may not or may,
If sincere, success a certainty.

Fee Fy Fo Fum.

Expel the demons from physical stratum.

Fee Fy Fo Fum.

Expel the exploiters from economic stratum.

Fee Fy Fo Fum

Expel the brutes from psychic stratum.

Fee Fy Fo Fum

Expel the parasites from spiritual stratum.
Human body is to serve one and all,
Human mind to attend Cosmic Call,
Human spirit at the alter Supreme,
Surrender and be Supreme.

Note: Baba has given this Prout song after coming out from the jail. Those days, in each and every program, all the Wts and margiis were singing this revolutionary song. Now is the time to bring it back. We should put forth this call to the people - all our brothers and sisters of this universe.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Human tongue has six tastes

Baba says, “The six tastes are: tikta – neem (bitter); kat’u – chilli (hot and spicy); kas’ava – plantain (alkaline); lavan’a (salty); amala (acidic); and madhu (sweet).” (1)

Note: Not only are there six tastes in the human palate but those type of foods should be taken in a distinct order. Bitter taken in the beginning and sweet in the end.

Reference
1. Ideal Farming, Some Important Crops

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Bringing new people onto the path 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/sadhana-queries.html

Bank account & sadhana

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/10/those-committed-in-sadhana-4-more.html

Religion vs dharma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/ananda-marga-alone-is-dharma-how.html

Cow's milk not sentient--when?

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-most-of-time-cows-milk-is-tamasika.html

How pranayama helps

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-some-cant-do-proper-meditation.html

Those beings in Shabda Cayanika stories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/so-called-ghost-2-more.html

Bringing new people onto the path + 2 more

Baba

Bringing new people onto the path

Namaskar,

What Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna taught has been almost completely lost. Their dharmic teachings on sadhana have been converted into idol worship. The pictures of Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna that people use nowadays are merely a figment of the artist’s imagination. Thousands of years ago there was no concept of pictures, and people did not even know how to make idols as their craftsmanship was not refined enough. In the old caves of India, if you look at traces of pictures then you cannot even recognize the face properly. Making idols and idol worship is a recent phenomena.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadhana in ancient days: photography

In the dhyana mantra of Lord Shiva, it states that Lord Shiva was fair in colour; and, Lord Krsna was also of fair complexion. In ancient times, sadhakas were taught to imagine the form as there was no photography; that made sadhana very challenging. The life of sadhakas was very difficult in ancient times, struggling for their daily existence, what to speak of having time for artistic pursuits. Nowadays, dogma has crept in as the colour of Lord Shiva’s complexion is portrayed as blue, but that is wrong. Yet, with the mushrooming of religious art, there are innumerable images that reinforce this dogma. In that manner, many of the original and true features of Lord Shiva discussed in the dhyana mantra have long been forgotten, as the pervasive nature of today’s paintings of Lord Shiva create an entirely different portrayal.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Ask for help from God

Ta’raka Brahma comes to the earth in yuga sandhi (crucial times) where there is a need, and He shows us the path. The most important thing is faith in Sadguru. Faith originates in a sadhaka when there is an urge for liberation. In this creation, Paramatma has no favoritism; all beings are His children. That is why freedom is granted to each human, whereby they have the right and opportunity to ask God for help. Those who utilize this freedom and ask for divine help get the path of sadhana.

The principal meaning of the Ga’yatrii mantra is, “O’ Lord, lead me along the path of righteousness.” There is only one path; do japa of the Ga’yatrii mantra with a clear and sincere understanding of its meaning. Or in your mother tongue recite, “O’ Lord, lead me along the path of righteousness.” Here the point is that the idea is the key point. So one can do the practice without knowing the Sanskrit version. 

By reciting the mantra japa of the Ga’yatrii mantra or cultivating that idea in the mind, one develops the desire for liberation, and by His grace one will get the right path. It will be clear in the mind that Ananda Marga is the right path; the mind will realize this truth. Unfortunately, many  non-margiis in India do not follow the proper approach. Rather, they do the Ga’yatrii mantra japa to get a good marriage for their children, for success in exams, to get a prestigious job, or other mundane desires and allurements.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


One will get the right path

There is always a play between vidya maya and avidya maya, and one should always try to request the Lord that, “There are many beliefs, and many sayings in this world, and as an ignorant person I do not know what is the right path. Please show me the right path so that I can come closer to you.” When one’s longings become intense, and one searches for the right path, then one will get the tantra of Ananda Marga. This process happens and will continue to happen in the future as Parama’tma is one and seated within you and listens to your longings.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “One requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sádhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters.” (1)

In Him,
Nira’ka’ra

~ In-depth study ~

What to do

Question: Baba says that Parama Purusa should be called by one name only. But our Ista mantra and Baba nam kevalam are two different names. So how can Parama Purusa be called by one name?
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why different names in sadhana & kiirtan

In one’s own puja one should use the given Ista mantra in the sadhana lessons one does. But kiirtan is different. Kiirtan is common for all. In kiirtan, one takes the Lord’s name loudly so that others can also listen. Kiirtan is not done silently, unlike japa. When one is doing kiirtan then one conveys the meaning to the others around that Parama’tma’ is everything. The common name in kiirtan is Baba. Everybody will understand while singing kiirtan that one is taking Parama’tma’s name. Ista mantra is an indirect name of Parama’tma’ and it points towards the one omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient Entity. 

The Ista mantra given to the sadhaka is used in meditation, whereas a name which refers to Parama Purusa and is common to all should be used in kiirtan. For example, a mother has various names — people call her using a different name in the office, at home, and in the neighborhood; in all these places she is called by different names. But for a child, a mother has a special link or connection. If the child calls the mother as Madam, or using her full name, then the mother will not like it and it will not be a good feeling for the child. 

So when one gets one’s Ista mantra, that is used in the various lessons in sadhana. Since kiirtan is done collectively, one cannot use the Ista mantra in kiirtan. That is why the Ista mantra is given uniquely to each individual sadhaka, and one collective mantra is used in kiirtan.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For committed sadhakas

Note: The below section is quite brief; only those will be able to understand who have some background in Ananda Marga philosophy.

Question: There are some people who use one name both in pu’ja’ and in kiirtan. For example, the name of “Hare Ram Hare Krsna” both in pu’ja’ and in kiirtan.

One who likes “Hare Ram Hare Krsna” can certainly say that. But where spirituality is concerned there is a need for Sadguru and complete surrender to Sadguru is needed. When one has been caught in the grasp of maya, then one cannot get liberated from maya because the hands are tied by the noose of maya no matter how strong one individual is. That is why it is said in sadhana, tantra, and spiritual science that one has to take help from Sadguru. So whatever name Sadguru tells to chant, the sadhaka takes that very name---and does not choose whatever they like. If Sadguru says to use the name “Ram” then the sadhaka will use the name “Ram”. In this way, one has to have full faith in Sadguru. If one does not have faith in Sadguru then the path is dark. If one chooses whatever one likes, as every individual has the freedom to choose what one likes, then sadhana is doomed. There are about seven billion people in this world, and each one has unique knowledge as well as freedom. Many people choose whatever they like and very few choose the path of sadhana. Many people may say why not take the name of Christ or “Hare Ram Hare Krsna”. But that is not the tantric way.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Stages of Samádhi

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Problem with clerics / priests

Note: Human beings have an infinite longing which can't be quenched by worldly possessions, mundane collections, or material gains. So people get attracted to religion, but religion is not the answer. A true seeker has to search within one’s through yoga and meditation because the Lord is sitting in your heart. If one does meditation then all of their infinite longings will be fully quenched and the aspirant will feel and practically realise that blissful state of eternal peace and tranquility. Religion is not the answer. Sadly, in the name of God, religious agents exploit the common mass and innocent people in endless ways. They camouflage their dealings in various shapes and forms. Those with keen eyes can understand the falsehood that religions propagate. History bears testimony that religion has been the cause of so much human suffering. And still it is going on.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “If someone argues that an arum dish rather than a potato dish should be offered in the temple of Jagannath because potato is non-indigenous it is the height of absurdity. Does Jagannath make any discrimination between different countries? Is there any difference for Him between the river Ganges and the Jordan?” (1)

Note: Lord Jagannath means the Lord of the universe. There is a rule in the Jagannath temple that foreign foods should not be offered to Lord Jagannath. However, this is completely dogmatic because for the Lord of universe nothing is foreign. All falls within His domain. 

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “All lands are His own land; everything is within His mind, created with His own atoms and molecules, and resonated with His sacred ideation. Those whose preachings encourage such discriminatory feelings are the worst enemies of humanity.” (2)

Note: The central idea of the above teaching is that on this earth or  in the universe there is no such thing as a holy place. No place is holier than anywhere else because all places are the home of the Lord. There is no place where He is not; so each and every place in this cosmos is equally holy.  

“These are the people who in every age in the name of religion have caused blood to flow, and have injected the fear of heaven and hell, of ghosts and demons into the human mind. These are the people who made human beings lifeless puppets.” (3)

Note: In His above teaching, Baba is talking about fundamentalist priests (mullahs, rabbis, clerics, and other religious leaders) who impose a fear complexes and irrational beliefs on their unsuspecting followers in order to control and manipulate them. 


Greed & cruelty

Note: In the below teaching, Baba guides us that no religion can hand out or guarantee one’s salvation. It is not based on one’s birth or social standing. Those are just the dogmatic proclamations of the various religions. Rather, the way to progress on the spiritual path is to adopt a cosmic outlook, do sadhana sincerely, and look upon one and all as an expression of the Supreme Entity. 

   Ananda Marga ideology guides us “It is said, “One who knows Brahma becomes a brahman.” But this definition of a brahman is inconvenient for them so they have declared that the son of a brahman is a brahman and the son of a vipra is a vipra, whether they merit the title or not. In this way they have cheated the simple, mute and gullible masses for centuries together.” 
   “They do not have the key to salvation; no, they hold only one thing in their hands: the binding rope. They don’t possess the spirit or the valour to sing the songs of human emancipation. Their eyes do not shine with the radiance of universalism, but squint with the greed and cruelty of vultures. Buddha was the first person to revolt against their cruelty and devouring greed.” (4)

Note: In religion, there is nothing positive. In the name of God, religious agents exploit the common mass and innocent people in endless ways. They camouflage their dealings in various shapes and forms. Those with keen eyes can understand the falsehood that religions propagate. History bears testimony that religion has been the cause of so much human suffering. And still it is going on.

About Islamic cruelty

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Humanity, in its all-out quest for this aesthetic science, attained spirituality. One must acknowledge this. Herein lies the excellence of aesthetic science. For this reason, I have given my whole-hearted and explicit support for nandana vijiṋána. You know that there are certain religions which do not encourage aesthetic pursuits. You will notice that in those religions inertia, inferiority complexes and a sense of violence are predominant.” (5)

Accumulated wealth of  religious temples

Kindly see the below image to understand what is going on in these religious temples. On the one side, our human society is suffering terribly from all kinds of economic problems and disparities where many lack the basic, minimum requirements of life whereby millions of impoverished people are starving and dying due to lack of proper food, shelter, medicine, and education, and on the other side these religious places have massive stashes of unutilized wealth. The best response would be if those religious sites utilized their wealth for general economic development of their locale or for the greater population.  

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 6, The Only Way to Salvation
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 6, The Only Way to Salvation
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 6, The only way to Salvation
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 6, The only way to Salvation
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10, Yatamána – the Stage of Perseverance

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Bank account & sadhana

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/10/those-committed-in-sadhana-4-more.html

Religion vs dharma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/ananda-marga-alone-is-dharma-how.html

Cow's milk not sentient--when?

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-most-of-time-cows-milk-is-tamasika.html

How pranayama helps

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-some-cant-do-proper-meditation.html

Those beings in Shabda Cayanika stories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/so-called-ghost-2-more.html

Bank account & sadhana + 4 more

Baba

Bank account & sadhana

Namaskar,

At dharmacakra, we repeat the Supreme Command. And one of the special teachings of our Supreme Command is: "Without yama and niyama sadhana is an impossibility." About this, people have their various perspectives. Some sadhakas think: "Yama and niyama is very easy; I am certainly following that." Or, in contrast, others think, "Yama and niyama is impossible to follow; it is too vast."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Whatever the case may be, here the main question is why has Baba given so much emphasis and importance to yama and niyama and given the warning that, "Without yama and niyama sadhana is an impossibility." The question naturally arises, "What does yama and niyama have to do with sadhana?"


How yama & niyama linked with sadhana

There are ten components of yama and niyama. But here we are primarily concerned with one central aspect. Namely, how is yama and niyama so deeply interlinked with success in sadhana. As an experiment, let's take the point of santos'a. The practice of santos'a (mental contentment) is very important for doing proper sadhana.

When one starts sadhana the mind must be calm, quiet, and tranquil. The sadhaka should have only one single desire: To reach Parama Purusa. If prior to sadhana, the mind is flickering and the nerve cells and nerve fibres are conveying an unfavourable vibration to the mind then the mind will obviously be disturbed. One will not feel content. For example, suppose the mind receives the message that something is needed or missing, then, in place of yearning for Parama Purusa and getting Him, one gets drawn towards thinking about that mundane object. Ironically, most often these "needs", which distract one in sadhana, are trivial concerns.

For instance, a person who already has a fully functional motorcycle may dream of getting a fancier motorcycle; and, a person with a proper computer may long for getting the latest laptop etc. The reason is that in materialistic communities, stature and importance are given to mundane objects; in turn, people yearn for those things. Generally they do not really need those items - just they are allurements imposed from society. People latch onto the desire to accumulate. All this Baba has beautifully described at length in various darshans and discourses.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

One other interesting feature is this: Those living in so-called poor countries "need" less than those living in so-called rich countries. Reason being that they are content with what little they have; whereas, people in so-called wealthy regions have what they need, but, side by side, think they need 20 times more.


Relationship between bank account & spirituality

The question arises, “Does the amount of money one has indicate their spiritual inclination or degree of santos’a?” And the answer is “yes”, but it must be qualified: 

(a) If someone is of modest means and repeatedly rejected high-powered financial jobs in order to pursue a yogic lifestyle then clearly that person’s life is guided by their spiritual inclination. Because their mental feeling is that, “I do not need more money; I only need Parama Purusa.”

(b) If a person spent their entire adult life pursuing business opportunities in hopes of earning more and more money, then it is apparent that person is not inclined towards spirituality because they were a beggar and yearned for money their entire life. The dominant idea in their psyche is that, “I need to increase my income - I need to make more money.”

(c) If a person became wealthy due to an inheritance etc, and they spend most of their time in service and sadhana, then we can understand this person is keen to lead a spiritual life. In their inner mind they think, “What can money do for me - nothing, only I should dedicate myself towards realizing and serving Parama Purusa.”

(d) If a person was highly successful on Wall Street but later on rejected the financial sector and began leading a truly meditative, service-oriented life, then it is clear that person has been transformed and they are indeed on the path of spirituality. In their mind they think, “I have no need for money, rather what money I have I will use in service of others, and I shall dedicate my time for dharma sadhana.” 
 
The key point in this equation is what is the dominant idea in their mind. If they feel they do not need money and instead feel they need Parama Purusa, then that person is fully immersed in santos’a. One’s mental feeling is the main thing. So the inherited dollar figure in one’s bank account is not the sole indicator if someone is leading a spiritual life or not, rather the operative factor is what is their quality of mind in the present moment, and what ideas do they harbour and yearn for in life. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


True santosa

The key point in this equation is what is the dominant idea in their mind.
(a) If they feel they do not need money and instead feel they need Parama Purusa, then that person is fully immersed in santos’a. 
(b) One’s mental feeling is the main thing. 
(c) So the inherited dollar figure in one’s bank account is not the sole indicator if someone is leading a spiritual life or not, rather the operative factor is what is their quality of mind in the present moment, and what ideas do they harbour and yearn for in life.
(d) If however, one has been greedy for and hoarding huge money their entire life - and still they feel they need more - then that is clearly against the code of santosa. Again here the main point is the driving idea in the mind. 
(e) The only way to experience true santosa is if one feels, "I just need Parama Purusa."


Conclusion: who is rich

The conclusion is that in order to do proper sadhana yama and niyama are needed. Although all the points of yama and niyama are very important, santosa has its own special beauty. Real satisfaction in life comes with the wealth of santosa. Devoid of this wealth, even a king becomes like a beggar: always terribly hungry, desiring more and more material things.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So this is the secret. That is why Baba says: Who is rich? Those who have santos'a. And who is poor? Those who do not have santosa. That is the real definition of rich and poor. But those who are confused do not think in this way; rather, they calculate this based on their bank balance.

But the spiritual approach for determining who is wealthy is based on how much a person thinks they need. If someone does not need anything, they are the most wealthy person. And, if they need more and more things, they are a beggar. That is a beautiful definition. It has nothing to do with how much money one actually has. It depends on one's psychic outlook and spiritual realisation. So we should never forget Baba's special teaching that santosa and aparigraha are inextricably linked together and both are highly needed for doing better sadhana.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Ananda

~ In-depth study ~

Human beings always want more

To teach sadhakas, Baba has given the example of animals and insects. Day and night bees collect honey; yet, they do not need such a massive amount of honey. Even they have more than they can store, as the extra honey is oozing out from the honeycomb. There is a huge overflow, yet those honey bees are restless and desperate to collect more honey. In contrast, dogs are easily satisfied with the food they get. They do not spend their life collecting food which they will never use.

As human beings, we actually need very few things to survive. After all, how much can one eat? But people collect so many food items - far more than they can ever eat. And, ultimately, it becomes rotten. Likewise, just a small place is needed to live. The human body is 6 feet long and certainly not more than 7 feet tall. But people are restless to acquire larger domiciles and houses. To this end, they are willing to indulge in cheating and deception - and worse. Or they just waste their whole life hankering for that big house and in the end they die.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The basic theorem is that when the nerves send negative vibrations to the mind; the mind becomes restless. If someone thinks, “I need more prestige and respect”, an unfavourable message gets sent to the mind. And this makes the mind jumpy, uncomfortable, and unhappy. One can look at those running after worldly allurements as a mad dog. By seeing their situation, one can easily understand how restless and uncomfortable they are. In such a condition, sadhana is completely impossible.


What is needed to begin sadhana

To start sadhana, the mind needs a basic level of tranquility and composure. It needs to be balanced. This is the prerequisite factor. The message from the nerves should be given to the mind: "I do not need anything; I have enough. Whatever material things I have are enough; more than that I do not need. I need only Parama Purusa."

When the mind gets this type of message from the nerves then the mind feels calm and quiet and it is ready to do sadhana. And in the opposite case, the mind remains restless and disjointed. To do proper sadhana the mind should be fed a positive message: "I do not need anything; I have enough. Whatever material things I have is enough; more than that I do not need. I need only Parama Purusa." And that positive message is only possible when one has santos'a.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

One interesting thing which Baba tells us is that without aparigraha, achieving a state of santosa is just a dream - i.e. it is impossible. So we can say that aparigraha and santosa are intimately linked together. If one wants to follow santos'a they have to follow aparigraha strictly. And if one is already following aparigraha then maintaining santos'a is easy.

So one has to train their mind that, "I do not need useless things; my needs are limited." Sadhakas should not blindly copy people from the general society on the point of mundane acquisition. If one keeps the Goal in the mind, and if one thinks, “I am a human being and I have come here to reach Parama Purusa”, then success in sadhana is sure.


Key points for success

To this end here are some key points to keep in mind:
(a) life is very short;
(b) material possessions are not the aim of life;
(c) there are also the psychic and spiritual realms;
(d) spiritual wealth is the most significant attribution;
(e) only spiritual wealth remains with you life after life. That is the special nature of spiritual wealth.

If these types of ideas are fed to the mind by auto-suggestion then the practice of aparigraha becomes far easier. And when aparigraha is easy and attained, then one will not unnecessarily run to accumulate worldly things at the cost of their spiritual practice. In that case, the feeling of santosa arises; and, when there is santosa, the mind will receive the favourable message: "I am satisfied; I do not need anything, I need only Parama Purusa." With this strength and pointedness the sadhaka will then yearn for Parama Purusa and sadhana will be blissful, by His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "On your plane of morality, there are two divisions: psycho-physical emanation and physico-psychic movement. In Sanskrit, this psycho-physical emanation is called Yama and physico-psychic movement is called Niyama." (1)


The equation for true santos'a

When one is truly established in santosa, then all mundane things become like the dust of the earth. One must not forget this guideline from Baba. By this way, one can really understand if they have a deep sense of santosa or not. If one has true santosa then this idea must come. Next Baba says that without santosa - if one is aimlessly running after crude desires - then they cannot maintain a peaceful or balanced mind.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Santos'a, therefore, means a state of proper ease. Contentment is not at all possible if the individual is running after carnal pleasures like a beast. As a result of extroversal analysis, the objects of enjoyments go on increasing both in number and abstraction and that is why one's mental flow never gets any rest. Under such circumstances how can one attain perfect peace of mind?" (2)

In the following teaching, Baba shows how without aparigraha one cannot achieve a state of mental ease and satisfaction.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Millionaires want to become multimillionaires, because they are not satisfied with their million. Ask the millionaires if they are happy with their money. They will say, 'Where is the money? I am somehow pulling on'. This answer indicates their ignorance of aparigraha. But such feelings have another adverse effect on body and mind." (3)

And if anyone reads “A Guide to Human Conduct”, they will find many more quotes on the importance of both santosa and aparigraha.


References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
2. A Guide to Human Conduct, Santośa
3. A Guide to Human Conduct, Santośa

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Heartfelt affection

Prabhat Samgiita Intro: In this song everything is expressed in a very poetic, artistic manner and should not be taken literally i.e on a mundane level.

"Gáner málá tomár tare, genthe rekhechi áj bhore, eso tumi karuńá kare, parábo paráń bhare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3323)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, since the early dawn, I have prepared this garland of songs for You. My Lord, please be gracious and by Your karuńá come close. With heartfelt affection I want to garland You, my Adored One.

Divine Entity, in the hope and preparation of Your arrival, after bathing I wear my holy silk cloth and carefully collect flowers of bhakti. Prabhu, I have decorated the golden wicker tray with rhythm, melodies, and tunes to offer You. I have prepared everything for Your auspicious reception. Now I am gazing towards the path of Your arrival.

My Parama Purusa Baba, this flower of mine is not found in the garden. It does not bloom in the wild. This flower blossoms in the depths of my mind, in my heart - amidst streams of bhakti, in the charming magic upon the strings of the viina, on a secret journey of supreme love for the Unknown. Parama Purusa You are that Unknown Entity. When I cry in longing for You then this song flows from my heart.

I am waiting for You…


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3323:

[1] Arcana: Some Hindu worshipers collect physical articles, lamps, and flowers and do certain rituals to honour and call the Lord. That is arcana. In our Ananda Marga that physical, external, and ritualistic approach does not belong. But if anyone is doing this spontaneously in their contemplation then it is approved - as it has a positive value. But this is not a song to be taken literally on the mundane level. Meditation is a psycho-spiritual practice and bhakti means gaining psycho-spiritual proximity with the Lord. If in their mind, one actually performs the steps outlined in this song then their mind will be goaded towards Parama Purusa. And ultimately the mind will become fully ensconced in deep samadhi where the bhakta feels oneness with Parama Purusa. So the above song can depict what a sadhaka is actually doing in their contemplative approach. If anyone is thinking about or engaging with someone then their proximity with that person increases. That is the practical teaching from this song. And that closeness is bhakti. A sadhaka feels Parama Purusa in the mind - His closeness to ultimately become one with Him.

This song describes how the sadhaka is engaging their mind in meditation. The song may be interpreted as a metaphor, or in a more direct manner because psycho-spiritually the sadhaka really is taking these actual steps in their contemplation. This depicts a bhakta’s strong desire to have the proximity of Parama Purusa. And when Parama Purusa is not coming close, then see how that bhakta ideates and communicates his feeling with Him. 

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How Vedas were lost & saved

Ananda Marga teachings state, “Even though the preservation of the Vedas through memorization was made somewhat easier by this tripartite division, it was still a difficult matter. Thereafter the song-predominant portions were collected together and arranged according to their relative antiquity. In many cases, in addition to this time-wise division, an attempt was made to classify the songs according to their metres. Despite making it easier in this way to preserve the Vedas by memorization, they were still on the verge of being erased from the canvas of memory. At one point, after close examination, it was found that many important portions had disappeared – permanently disappeared, never to return again. At that time, a group of pandits from Kashmir disregarded their age-old inhibitions in order to save the Vedas from destruction and set them down in writing for the first time in the old Sáradá script of that region.” (1)

Reference

1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 3, Disc: 15

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हेे बाबा! तुमने मेरे जीवन को तृप्त कर दिया है।

प्रभात सङ्गीत  4471 जे गान तोमाके शोनाई तुमी की शोनो ना प्रियो.....

(जो साधक साधना का छठवाँ पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )

भावार्थ

हेे मेरे प्रियतम बाबा ! जो गाना  मैं तुम्हारे लिए गाता हूँ, तमको सुनाता हूँ , क्या तुम उन गीतों को नहीं सुनते हो ? मेरे हृदय से निकले उन पुकार गीतों को तुम क्या अनसुना कर देते हो ? मेरे हृदय की भावनाओं और प्रेम से भरे मेरे उन गीतों की क्या तुम कोई चिंता ही नहीं करते ?

हे परमपुरुष ! इस धरती पर खिलने वाले फूल, हमेशा अपनी सुगन्ध को चारों ओर बिखेरते हैं। परन्तु जब वे धूल में पड़े रो रहे होते हैं, तब उन्हें क्या अनदेखा किया जा सकता है ? क्या उन्हें यों ही भुला दिया जाना चाहिए ?

हे मेरे प्रभु , मेरे बाबा ! शब्द , स्पर्श , रूप , रस और गन्ध से भरकर तुमने मेरे जीवन को तृप्त कर दिया है। फिर कभी यदि तुम मुझे भिखमँगा बना दो, तो मुझ भिखारी की बात भी कभी-कभी याद कर लेना।

हे बाबा ! हे परमपुरुष ! कृपा कर मेरे हृदय से निकले गीतों को सुन लीजिए । 

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Today's leadership crisis

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The behaviour of the respected and elder persons in society is an example and ideal for others; it is followed and imitated by the succeeding generations as well. Today there is catastrophe and misery in human society and there is one reason: the defective leadership of society. People blindly follow even unintelligent leaders. The leaders hypnotize and attract thousands with their tall talks, gestures and other dramatics. Understand that the poverty and misery of any people in any country are the sins of the leaders. True leaders should always be vigilant and think how to work best for human society: they must be ever cautious that under their guidance the people are not led to darkness, death and immorality." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, The Conduct of an Ácárya

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Religion vs dharma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/ananda-marga-alone-is-dharma-how.html

Cow's milk not sentient--when?

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-most-of-time-cows-milk-is-tamasika.html

How pranayama helps

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-some-cant-do-proper-meditation.html

Those beings in Shabda Cayanika stories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/so-called-ghost-2-more.html