Distinction: pápa vs sin + 3 more

Baba

Distinction: pápa vs sin

Namaskar,

Often, in the general society, the terms (a) crime, (b) sin, and (c) pápa are used interchangeably. But that is 100% wrong.

Each of these words has a very specific and different meaning and must be understood and used properly. Among the general population, and to a great extent in Ananda Marga as well, people are confused on this matter. Often, Ananda Margiis can be heard saying or even writing that not following 16 Points is a sin. This usage of the word ‘sin’ is not proper. The thing is that due to the lack of a suitable word in English for the term pápa, the word sin is used, but this is insufficient.

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Sin versus pápa

The meaning of the word ‘sin’ is “an act which is not in accordance with the Bible”. For instance, in the Bible, meat-eating is common and sanctions the same, but we know that the slaughtering and killing of animals is not right. Yet, according to the Bible, all the animals are made for the pleasure and enjoyment of humans and they do not have átmá (soul), práńá, or even feelings. Many scientists and psychologists of occidental origin, who have slightly elevated minds, are trying hard to prove to the people deluded by such religious dogmatic thinking that animals do have feelings. People belonging to oriental traditions know this basic fact already that animals do have feelings. Under the influence of the dogmatic biblical teachings, the status of animals is considered to be no more than vegetation.

However, the primary meaning of sin is that which goes against Biblical teachings. An analogous concept exists in Islam called Junah wherein the Quran teachings are violated. Pápa, on the other hand, is going against bhágavata dharma. Crime is going against the law of a country where one is living. For instance, in some countries selling meat is a crime, but in some other places it is not the case.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, “Another thing to bear in mind is that “sin” in the English language is not the pápa of Sanskrit. As already said, “sin” means to go against that prescribed in the Bible. But pápa is explained in the phrase Paropakárah puńyáya pápaya parapiid́anam – that is, “Any action by one individual which leads to the development of others is puńya [virtuous deeds], and any action which does the opposite is pápa.”” (1)


Crime & pápa

According to Baba’s teachings, when it comes to choosing between avoiding crime and pápa, one should give priority to avoiding pápa. If by avoiding crime one is acting against humanity then one should choose to commit that crime, wholly disregarding the consequences. For instance, if there is a law that prevents helping the poor then one should commit that crime by helping the poor. During the communist regime in West Bengal, a bill was passed to prevent Ananda Márgiis from offering service projects to the flood-hit people. The underlying reason behind passing such a law was the anxiety of the communists of the increasing popularity of Ananda Marga. A stay was, however, put on the law later by the higher courts of India. The main point here is that even if such laws exist which are against humanity then, according to Ananda Marga, they can be violated.
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For example, in India from 1975-77, there was a martial law emergency whereby AM was banned, and sadhana was treated as a crime. Remaining in AM was a crime. Even then margiis remained in the Marga, and due to that they were arrested and sent to prison. In the language of government, those Ananda Margiis were committing a crime by doing their meditation practices and following their AM way of life.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Criminal codes are generally framed by politicians according to their own standards. Sometimes they include a tinge of humanity and sometimes they do not. Thus the present-day legal codes are not necessarily humanitarian. Rational people may defy a legal code but they should never violate cardinal human values. I would never tell the people of a country to follow their legal codes blindly, but would tell them to always follow cardinal human values. The cardinal human values are the silver lining between the psycho-spiritual world and the spiritual world. They are at the meeting-point of these two strata – the spiritual stratum on one side and the psycho-spiritual stratum on the other.” (2)


Bhágavata dharma: touchstone between pápa & punya

According to bhágavata dharma, helping others is puńya and harming others is pápa. Ananda Margiis should only be concerned with following bhágavata dharma. In light of this, the word sin, being of biblical origin, should not be used in the place of pápa. The word sin should only be used where the intent is to explain the concept of going against the Bible. Laws should be based on cardinal human values.

As society progresses, laws will become more aligned with bhágavata dharma. Ananda Margiis should actively struggle for directing the society in the direction of bhágavata dharma in their own spheres as far as possible. The change has to begin at the individual level and only then the collective change can be expected to take place. For instance, if a majority of people are inclined towards meat-eating then putting a legal ban on the meat industry will not work. First, people have to be awakened. Today’s society is much better in terms of animal rights, racism, etc. compared to the society of a hundred years ago. However, there is a long way to go for society to be structured in accordance with bhágavata dharma. In such a society that is based on bhágavata dharma, pápa and crime will be the same. It is not so, however, today.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Wise people will never entertain a conception of sin based on religious dogma. Rather, they will judge with discrimination the correctness of the code according to cardinal human values.” (3)


Conclusion

We should use words very carefully. Ananda Márgiis should use proper terminology in their conversations and writing. It is the responsibility of Márgiis to educate those who are unaware or ignorant in this context.

In any country, even if an act is considered legal but is against bhágavata dharma then it is pápa. Negative samskáras are definitely formed due to pápa and may or may not be formed due to what is considered as a crime according to the laws of a country. Crime is related to the local administration and pápa with dharma. Thus, the negative effects of pápa are far reaching compared to that of crime.

If a bad man murders an innocent person but gets acquitted after bribing the court, even then they will have to undergo the negative reaction. The requital of negative samskáras will not be achieved. By the influence of mundane wealth, one may get acquitted by the court of a country, but not by the cosmic law.
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We are thus to obey the cosmic law which is governing the whole srśťi. Those who practice sádhaná regularly with bhakti get this experience that the cosmic law is one. Certainly, one should obey the laws of the country in which one lives to be a good citizen, but over and above that one must follow bhágavata dharma. Whenever there is a conflict between the law of the land and bhágavata dharma, one should give priority to bhágavata dharma.

In Him,
Bhakti

Cardinal human values

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Long ago Vyása said the following about sin:

Aśtádashapuráneśu Vyásasya vacanádvayam

Paropakárah puńyáya pápaya parapiid́anam.

"That is, that action which checks the progress of the society is sin, and that action which accelerates social progress is Punya or virtue. This is a fact. But what is crime? Any action which goes against the different legal codes made by the different nations, according to their spatial, personal and collective differences, is crime. In Saḿskrta crime is known as Aparádha. Sin or pápa should be formulated on the basis of cardinal human values. This was also supported by Vyasa.” (4)

References
(1) Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 21, Niiti and Dharma
(2) Prout in a Nutshell Part 8, The Three Causes of Sin
(3) Prout in a Nutshell Part 8, The Three Causes of Sin
(4) Prout in a Nutshell Part 8, The Three Causes of Sin

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Importance of Shrii

Baba says, "The Samskrta word Shrii means 'the most charming personality'. The word 'shrii' is derived from sha + ra + uniis. 'Sha' is the acoustic root of the mutative principle, and 'ra' is the acoustic root of energy. With the help of these two things, 'sha' plus 'ra', human beings are moving, dancing, speaking, and doing so many things. Obviously they need 'sha' and 'ra' very much. The Supreme abode of 'shrii' is Parama Purus'a." (1)

Note: In this above quote, Baba is describing the meaning of 'Shrii' so that we can understand why we call Him 'Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji'-- not 'Mr. Anandamurtiji'.  Naturally in our life we should then address Him in the way which He likes to be called.

However, because of their dogmatic beliefs, some jinanis prefer the term 'Mister Sarkar' or even just plain 'Sarkar' instead of 'Shrii'. In that case we should gently try to make them aware about their dogma.

The central idea is that 'Shrii' is a very meaningful term and we should not only use this when addressing our Beloved Guru, but everyone should use the term 'Shrii' before their own name as well. This is Baba's direct teaching.

Reference
1. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12, To Whom Do You Belong? Where Do You Come From?

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sad plight of dry heart

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Some so-called bhaktas – those who do not have genuine devotion - pretend to be devotees just to cheat others. That is, they ring the bells as they should be rung and light the candles as they should be lit, but without any feeling, so that after some time they become like machines. A person lacking devotion becomes like a machine. There is no more joy; only the mechanical turning of the parts. A heart devoid of joy is as barren as a desert. When one becomes as dry as the desert sands, one is compelled to cry out, “Oh Lord, save me. Protect me from the scorching heat of the desert.”" (1)

Note: In the life of a sadhaka on the spiritual journey, the first and foremost ingredient is surrender. Yet surrender itself is defined and described in a multitude of ways. In the above quote, surrender is explained in a very simple manner.  

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Must supply jobs before taking away livelihood

Prout philosophy states, "For the all-round welfare of human beings, society needs to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish."

"First people should not be retrenched from their livelihood unless alternative employment has been arranged for them."

“In India during the time of the British, many small kingdoms were ruled by rajas and maharajas. When India became independent, these kingdoms merged into India, and the Indian government decided to pay the former monarchs a stipend. However, this scheme was not a good idea, because many former monarchs wasted money and lived luxurious, sycophantic lifestyles. After a particular leader became prime minister, the scheme was abandoned at short notice. This caused economic hardship for some of the less well-off recipients who were unable to make alternative financial arrangements. Some old people in particular found it difficult to adjust. While the government should not have adopted the scheme in the first place, having adopted it, the government should have withdrawn it gradually and taken the responsibility for looking after the elderly people on humanitarian grounds.”

“Now you understand the consequences of retrenching people without arranging a suitable alternative livelihood for them.” (1)

Note: Here it should be understood that the term retrenchment means losing one's job. The worker has been dismissed, fired, or let go whereby they no longer have a job. The term retrenchment is commonly used in Australia and South Africa. People from other regions may not be familiar with this usage of the term.

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Right pose for meditation

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/10/lazy-sadhana-how-one-can-exhaust.html

We only salute Parama Purusa

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/05/do-you-salute-human-beings-more.html

Identificar el dogma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/04/identificar-el-dogma-ps-3894-espanol.html

Degrees of bhaktas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-we-are-here.htm

Receiving Baba with PS

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/02/story-reception-with-songs.htm

Story: backlash to principled life

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/03/baba-story-very-strict-5-more.html

We only salute Parama Purusa + 5 more

Baba

We only salute Parama Purusa

Namaskar,

In our Ananda Marga, our goal is Parama Purusa – not any second or third entity. Parama Purusa is the focus of our each and every thought, word, and deed. He is our ideal. Naturally then, when we do namaskar, we are paying salutations to Him, i.e. to that Supreme Consciousness residing within another unit being. We are not saluting any unit individual, per se. Only we are paying our respect and homage to Parama Purusa, in the form of that person, when we use the namaskar greeting.
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Unfortunately, some completely misunderstand this basic aspect of our Ananda Marga way of life. They think that during the namaskar salutation (a) others are saluting them, or (b) they are saluting another human being. This wrongful approach leads to ego and vanity in the mind of those receiving namaskar. And those doing namaskar develop feelings of inferiority, and all kinds of complexes in the mind. In addition, they are doing the namaskar greeting improperly. In that case, the whole namaskar salutation is ruined, and one will be degraded. The aim is to save anyone from degradation and keep all moving on the sentient path.


Dogma: people bow & salute other humans

Although we use the namaskar greeting on a daily basis, here is Baba’s clear-cut guideline about this practice. After reviewing this guideline we will apply our litmus test and see who is misguided and ignorant about the namaskar salutation.

Baba states that when doing namaskar, we are paying salutations to Parama Purusa – The Divine Entity. In the dogmatic religions and in the kingdoms of old, people would bow and salute other human beings. Our namaskar mudra is not at all like this.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, “Tadekam’ jagatsa’ks’iiru’pam’ nama’mah. “If there is anyone to whom spiritual aspirants should surrender, if there is anyone to whom they should pay salutations, it is Parama Purus’a.” The system behind salutations is to look for the Supreme Being that is the inner essence of a person, and to pay salutations to that Parama Purus’a.” (1)

So when doing namaskar we are recognising the Supreme within another jiivatman, we are not bowing or greeting another human being.


Conclusion

This is the fundamental guideline about doing namaskar: we are saluting Parama Purusa in the form of a unit being. For others it may look like we are saluting human beings, but that is not what we are doing. When we do namaskar, we are paying salutations to Parama Purusa - not x, y, z.
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at His lotus feet,
Niranjana’

Namaskar to whom

Ananda Marga ideology says, "What is our style of extending goodwill? We do, Namaska'r. That is, “I pay respect to the Supreme Entity residing within you.” You should remember this. “I concentrate all the good feelings of my mind here in the trikut'i [between the eyebrows].”

“In your mind there are so many propensities. Propensities are called vrtti in Sanskrit. So there are so many vrttis, so many propensities..."

"So many thoughts are in your mind. But you should concentrate all your thoughts at a particular point, here – that is, with all the strength and goodwill of your mind you are doing this – you are touching these two palms here [trikut'i]. That is, you are concentrating all your goodwill here, because you are paying respect to Parama Purus'a residing within this body...[pointing to different people]. First do this."

"And not only mental concentration, you are human beings, you have got so many sentiments also. Human sentiment, you know? When you feel much joy you burst into tears, when much sorrow you burst into tears. These are sentiments. And human beings are guided by sentiment, more by sentiment than by logic, you must not forget it – more by sentiment than by logic. So your sentiment is also there, so with all the concentration of your mind and with all the sweetness of your sentiment, from the very core of your heart, you are paying respect to Parama Purus'a residing within human structure. So you do this [palms together at mid-point of chest], and say, Namaska'ra." (2)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Intuitional Science of Tantra
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Parama Puruśa within Everyone

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Two mudras for health: all should know

These two mudras - uddayan mudra and utksepa mudra - are very important for all-round health as they serve as prevention and treatment for numerous diseases. In the Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments book, these two mudras are pervasively used. So all should know how to practice these mudras - i.e. when to inhale and when to exhale etc. The instructions are printed in Caryacarya part 3 for all to see. Everyone has access to this knowledge. People should therefore take it upon themselves to acquire the foundational knowledge of basic Ananda Marga practices, like these two important mudras.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Ud́d́ayana mudrá: Standing, place the hands above the knees and bend forward a little. Gradually breathe out, to a state of complete exhalation. Keeping the breath out, draw the abdomen and lower abdomen inward as hard as possible, to touch the spine. Maintain this position for eight seconds. Then gradually inhale fully. Practise eight times.” (1)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Utkśepa Mudrá: This mudrá should be practised in bed immediately upon waking. While lying on the back, one should flex both the arms and legs, bringing them over the chest, and then return them immediately to the extended position. After doing this three or four times, sit up in bed and drink a glass of cold water without allowing the water to touch the teeth. After this you should expose the navel area to the air, and walk up and down in this way for some time in the open air.” (2)

References
1. Caryacarya - 3, Mudrás and Bandhas
2. Caryacarya - 3, Different Yoga Practices

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Kalachand’s wrath against Hinduism

Prout philosophy states, “The second inviolable principle is that people should not be forcibly converted from one religion to another. People will not leave a religion if it is able to guide them properly on the path of Dharma….”

Prout philosophy states, “There is a well-known story about a Zamindar from Bengal called Kalachand Roy, later Kalapahar, who was a follower of Kálii. He worshipped a stone image of Kálii with great devotion. At that time some invaders, belonging to another religion, started a campaign to destroy all Hindu temples and deities. When Kalachand’s temple was about to be destroyed, he prayed to Kálii saying, “Mother, I do not have the power to protect you, so please protect yourself.” But how can a stone idol protect itself? In due course his temple and idol were destroyed, and Kalachand lost faith in Kálii. He was converted to the religion of the invaders, and became known as Sheik Kaluddin Khan. He launched his own campaign of terror throughout Bengal and Orissa and forcibly converted people to his new religion. He disfigured deities, destroyed temples and threatened people with physical violence to convert them. Once he travelled to Kashi and set about converting a widow who also happened to be his elder sister. She refused to succumb to his threats, and scolded him mercilessly for his bad behaviour.”

Prout philosophy states, “This made him realize the error of his ways, and he abandoned his campaign. If Hinduism had not practiced idol worship, Kalachand would not have been converted. Because of his forcible conversion, Kalachand became extremely hostile towards Hinduism and launched his own campaign of terror against it. A religion [in real sense dharma] should be so strong that no one can be converted from it.” (1)

Note: In the last paragraph the term religion was used but the real sense is dharma. Baba is talking about dharma, because as we know all religions have defects. 

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Incense is a pollutant

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "If peoples blind attachment to sacrificial rituals and love for outmoded customs are intense, they will not disappear when confronted with logical arguments or shaken by the first jolt caused by psychic clash. But if one can create a suitable environment of constant psychic clash their blind attachments are bound to disappear. Some people believe that the fragrance of the sacrificial smoke purifies the air and kills germs. This is not true. On the contrary, the increase in the amount of carbon particles makes the air more impure. A highly pungent smell is much more effective in destroying germs. Thus, due to the impact of constant psychic clash, people eventually understand the defects of old systems and ideas." (1)

Some have taken to the practice of lighting incense when doing meditation or in other gatherings etc. They do so under the dogmatic belief that it will make the air cleaner and the room more sentient. But nothing could be further from the truth. In His above teaching, Baba clearly guides us that the burning of incense increases the level of carbon dioxide and pollutes the air. So there is not an iota of truth to the notion that incense cleans the air. That is just a dogma of religious ritualism. Everyone should be aware about this.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Struggle and Progress

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to boost your sadhana

Here is the English summary of Baba’s below Hindi teaching.

After involving in mundane works one is generally plunged in worldly thoughts. So then if one sits in sadhana, in the mind you will think that 'Tomorrow I will go to Arariya town. Indeed I have to go in the morning. I will have to catch the first bus'. You will sit in sadhana and go on thinking like this. In this situation what should you do? Before sitting for sadhana you should do kiirtan-- either 2 min, or 5 min, or 10 min. So first one should do kiirtan. Because by doing kiirtan the mind will get elevated. After that immediately one should sit in sadhana. Then you will see that there will not be any worldly thoughts. Then sadhana will be proper...Do not worry you have learned sadhana and I am always ready to help and serve you. (1)

Note: Every sincere Ananda Margii wants to do sadhana. Yet most of the time this aforesaid problem occurs. And our Guru understands this. That is why He has graciously given such a beautiful solution-- as mentioned above. I think many may be following His divine guideline; and for those who are not, they should do so from now onwards, i.e. sing kiirtan before doing sadhana.

Reference
1. Átmatiirtha, V24 25(H), 22 Nov 71 Purnea, Bihar AV 24-25

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Benefit of kiirtana

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The benefit of kiirtana is that one whose mind is dirty becomes purified and one whose mind is already pure becomes even purer. One whose mind is holy becomes even holier. One whose mind was soiled but is no longer so is vimala, and one where it is not known if there was dirt in his or her mind or not, but at present there is not, is called nirmala.” (1)

Note: In the mirror of a pure mind Parama Purusa can be visualised. In this above teaching Baba is giving the way how to clean that mind by kiirtan. That is why after one after kiirtan, sadhana is better.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Source of Internal Stamina

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Degrees of bhaktas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-we-are-here.htm

Receiving Baba with PS

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/02/story-reception-with-songs.htm

Story: backlash to principled life

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/03/baba-story-very-strict-5-more.html

Should we do “moment of silence”?

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2022/02/why-moment-of-silence-is-bogus.html

How kiirtana got ruined

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2024/05/how-to-get-kiirtana-siddhi-2-more.html