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Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Video: Baba in Fiesch (Switzerland)

 Video:

Baba in Fiesch (Switzerland)

Namaskar & misunderstanding + 4 more

Baba
Namaskar & misunderstanding

Namaskar,

It is time to apply the litmus test to see if we and those around us are doing namaskar properly or not.

If you, me, or anyone walks into a room and waits for others to do namaskar, it means they do not know the meaning of this salutation. Because if in their heart and mind anyone understands that namaskar is a salutation to the Supreme, they will be vigilant and ready to quickly do namaskar to anyone they see. Forgetting this point, one will think, "I am a man of respect; let others salute me first." In that case, one will not do namaskar first. That means they have misunderstood the entire essence of namaskar. In such situations, they are merely demonstrating their own disillusionment or ignorance.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

You may have seen such situations. If you walk down the hallways these days in Ranchi or Tiljala, so many “big” Dadas never do namaskar to their junior workers. Rather, such Dadas expect that all should respectfully do namaskar to them and in response they may casually wave or nod their head.

When any high posted Dada does like this, then they have degraded themselves by forgetting the divine truth that namaskar is being done to the Supreme, not to them. But instead such Dadas are puffing up their own ego and vanity thinking that the namaskar salutation is a reflection of one's own greatness or social standing. That is the degree of their misunderstanding.

Then if one tours any overseas sector, often we find that those who have become family acaryas fall into this same awful predicament. With their new found title, those family acaryas think all should honour them by doing namaskar first. Again, this is nothing but proof of their own ignorance. Ultimately, whether acarya or not, any arrogant person is prone to degrading themselves in this way by thinking that namaskar is being done to them.

So we should all think, review the situation, and make sure that we are not falling into this trap, nor allowing others to do so. We should know that when doing namaskar we are offering our salutations to the Supreme.

Wrongly think that namaskar is being done to them


At the same time, problems rarely exist in isolation. Most often two people are involved in any wrongdoing. This is the case with the misunderstanding about namaskar - as well. Up till now, we have been primarily discussing the ignorance of the person who is receiving the namaskar salutation. They wrongly think that namaskar is being done to them.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The other side of the scenario is the person who is actually doing namaskar. The proper spirit should be that we are paying our salutations to the Supreme One.

But it sometimes happens - either to us or others - that we are thinking that an important person has entered the room so we should quickly go and do namaskar. Or we may think that, “The person before me is so great that I must be extra careful to show him my respect by doing namaskar very slowly.” Or anytime the thought infests our mind that the salutation within namaskar is being done to the person in front of us, and not Parama Purusa, then the person doing namaskar has also fallen into dogma. That is a sign of one's own ignorance.

Whenever a so-called great person walks into any room waiting for others to do namaskar to them and whenever a person sees a so-called great person and thinks, “I must honour them by doing namaskar”, then in that moment, both parties involved are 100% ignorant. Both are misusing and misunderstanding the namaskar salutation and degrading themselves.

One other scenario is if an aged, or senior, or so-called respected person sees a 5-year-old boy, then they may think, "Why should I do namaskar to this small child." This is also a diseased outlook. We should always remember that Parama Purusa is timeless and ageless and whatever form is standing before us, He resides within all. No one should fall into ignorance by failing to do namaskar in such circumstances.

Conclusion


Parama Purusa has blessed us with one very special type of salutation to recognise His presence in all circumstances and interactions. This is a spiritual boon. So we should always watch ourselves to ensure we are following the word and spirit of His namaskar guidelines. Failing that - should we become at all ignorant in this regard - then that will only lead to our degradation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Remembering Him is the path of vidya and elevation and forgetting Him is the path of avidya and degradation. When doing or receiving namaskar, we must always bear in mind salutations are being done to Him, and not any unit being.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Divyacaksu

~ In-depth study ~ 

Why namaskar mudra

Ananda Marga ideology states, "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 a human structure. So you do this [palms together at mid-point of chest], and say, Namaska'r."

"I think you have understood it? A very sweet idea. So it is my opinion, my desire, that human society [be] one, indivisible; it is an expressed form, a sweet expression, of Parama Purus'a, to whom you should always pay respect by doing namaska'r." (1)

When namaskar & when namaste

One other dogma floating around the fake and new-age yoga community in the west and in India also is the use of namaste. This is a bit of a separate topic, but in general one should understand that namaskar is to be used with human beings and namaste is only to be used when honouring Parama Purusa directly, not seeing Parama Purusa in the form of some unit being. Our Marga should not fall prey to this dogma. There is an important distinction which can be discussed in greater length. Suffice to say here that we should pay heed to Baba's below guideline.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The generally-accepted rule is that one should do namaska'ra to a human being or a god or goddess, but one should do namaste or namastubhyam only to Parama Purus'a, not to any other entity." (2)

Role of mudra in namaskar salutation


Baba has also detailed another important quality of the namaskar salutation by clearly telling the importance of the mudra. Sometimes people fail to bring their thumbs to the trikuti point or their palms to their heart. But Baba has given a pointed explanation about this. In brief, bringing the palms to the triktui point helps focus the mind and honour Parama Purusa and when bringing the palms to the heart we offer all our feelings unto Him.

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


*        *        *

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 ==

Come secretly

Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This song reflects A-grade bhakti. The sadhaka was intensely involved in meditation and Parama Purusa was present in a close and intimate manner. But then Parama Purusa left the bhakta’s mental plate. In that desperate and painful condition, with deep melancholic longing, the sadhaka is yearning for Parama Purusa to come in an intimate way. Parama Purusa is not gone, only the sadhaka is not getting Him in that deeply intimate and personal way in which he desires to hold Him. From the depths of the bhakta’s heart, this song has emerged. Unfortunately, those who do not have A-grade bhakti for Parama Purusa may not understand this.

“Ámi tomár lágiá jágiá rahechi, satata tomár patha ceye…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0255)

Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.

Purport:

O’ my Parama Purusa, I am remaining awake for You. I am always looking toward Your path, waiting with full anticipation for Your blissful arrival.  By Your grace my mind is in a spiritual flow and I long for You alone. I have prepared the garland for You and arranged everything with the expectation that You will be coming. So please my Dearest, arrive secretly in my mind and become mine alone.

O’ Supreme Friend, why have You tied and bound me with the rope of Your love and affection. Why have You immersed me in my tears of longing for You. My Nearest One, why have You done this? Now I can never forget You. Your image floats across my mental plate always.

Baba, whatever I think, You are always there in the background of my reflection. What a tragedy I have been trapped in? Because of all this, now come secretly and stealthily into my mind, and become my own forever…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

What humans should do

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "O human beings, proceed on the path of oṋḿkara towards subtleness. Do not run after the superficial, pleasant mirage dominated by tamoguńa. Establish yourself in sattvaguńa and then merge yourself into Brahma. Reach the point whence oṋḿkára has started. Awaken your latent dynamism through sádhaná and devotion, arouse your divine wisdom and merge that pure divinity into the endless stream of divine glory. Attain the Supreme state for which you have suffered tremendous privations. Today you have the most favourable opportunity to prove yourself as a human being.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 4, Our Spiritual Treatise


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Dire weakness of democracy

Prout philosophy states, “There are occasions when majority decisions do not create unity in society because people are more or less divided on an issue. In such circumstances, the leaders should be very cautious when making their decisions, and take special care to safeguard the interests of everybody. In particular, they should select a course of action which does not harm the sentiments of any group. For example, suppose there are seven brothers in a joint family, and these brothers are divided on an issue. Four brothers may be on one side and three brothers on another. If the head of the family takes a decision based on the wishes of the majority, the family will be divided into two groups. Therefore, a decision should be taken which safeguards the interests of all the brothers.” (1)

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


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Humans have made their own death bed

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Due to the foolishness of human beings many creatures and objects will not survive the period fixed for them by nature. Prior to their stipulated period of longevity they will be swallowed up by eternity. Human beings due to their utmost folly have annihilated numerous objects and thus prepared their own funeral pyre. Such folly on the part of human beings is unbearable. Human beings must be cautious from now on. They must restructure their thoughts, plans and activities in accordance with the dictates of ecology. There is no alternative.” (1)

Reference
1. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt B


== Section == 

দোষগুলো দ্রুত সরে যায় | বিশেষ করে আলস্য আর দীর্ঘসূত্রতা“এই ছ’টা দোষ সম্বন্ধে অনেকই অনেক ভেবেছেন | তা, এর জন্যে যে তান্ত্রিক সাধনা-পদ্ধতি শিব আবিষ্কার করেছিলেন, এর জন্য তাণ্ডব নৃত্যের প্রবর্তন শিব করেছিলেন, কারণ তাণ্ডব নৃত্যতে কি হয় ? এই দোষগুলো দ্রুত সরে যায় | বিশেষ করে আলস্য আর দীর্ঘসূত্রতা, খুৰ তাড়া-তাড়ি সরে যায় | তাই মানব জীবনে তাণ্ডবের প্রয়োজনীয়তা অত্যন্ত অধিক |” (1)

Reference
1. MGD, 3 January 1982 Ananda Nagar


== Section 4: Links ==

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

How to rein in sexual crimes + 3 more

Baba
How to rein in sexual crimes

Namaskar, 

Long, long back, amongst those primitive human beings of 25,000 years ago, when their sex glands were active, women used to come closer to men, and when the glands were inactive then they did not desire to go close. Similar activities can also be observed in animals. 

Nowadays, the clothing for women is designed in such a way that a significant portion of the body is exposed and the overall sizing is made in a very scanty manner. The mini-dresses & mini-skirts etc are made to show the secret parts of the body. Materialists impose the overt and subliminal message that small sizing is a symbol of style and prestige. Women do get indoctrinated into such notions and run after buying and wearing such scanty dresses. As a result men get attracted towards women and may even attack them to fulfill their sexual desires. In today’s society we have to understand how materialists increase the rate of sexual violence against women.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why shorter dress for women but not men?


In our Ananda Marga system, according to Baba, when women are out and about in society then they should dress in a respectable manner. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “While going out of their house, women should wear simple and decent clothes and cover their bodies properly.” (1)

Unfortunately, in today’s materialistic society women are encouraged to roam the streets with their secret parts uncovered. Even in formal professional attire, women’s fashion is designed to highlight their curves and bare skin. Whereas men cannot enter a professional environment with maximum skin showing - they would be sent home or even lose their job. But a similar standard does not apply for women. Women should understand that these types of rules are set by men to make women vulnerable and to be seen as sexual objects. No matter how many men are arrested by police for sexual violence, as long as such rules exist sexual crimes will keep happening. Merely confronting the perpetrators will not solve the problem. Instead proper education and social norms should be imparted, and the mind should be trained appropriately as to what is right and what is wrong.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How short dress recipe for sexual violence?

Sex vrittis (instincts) are higher in men than women. Influenced by fashion or becoming tools of the male-dominated society and diverted from human dharma, women wear short scanty dresses to show more of their bodies and highlight and even expose their private parts etc. By seeing this, men get attracted towards women, their sex glands become more active, and they cannot control themselves. Not only that, women and men get together these days —  they go to dance parties, drink alcohol, meet at private places, etc. As a result, sex violence is rampant, women are harmed and violated, and the men are found guilty and subjected to punishment. But such type of punishment is not the permanent solution, as the root cause is not being treated. The real solution is teaching and training men how to control the mind. Unfortunately up till now, since the root cause is not being treated, violence happens time and again.

Women viewed as objects for enjoyment


Again, in today’s materialistic society, women are viewed as sexual objects. That is how society is portraying women and that is how scanty dresses are designed, and rules are created. Viewing women as sex objects is not a high ideal of a human being. No matter how strong the punishment, the number of men involved in sex violence will not decrease. And punishment is not the only solution for transforming a human being. For example, in the United States severe punitive rules are in place for anyone who is involved in sex violence. Names are included in a sex registry when they are found to be involved in sex violence. And it is a very serious, life-altering offence. Even though such rules are in place, sexual violence in the US is on the rise. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Dress code for women & men


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us that both men and women should dress properly. Neither males nor females should be involved in indecent exposure. Nor should men and women spend time in idle gossiping, and baseless talks. Men should have male friends, and women should have female friends. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “They [men and women] should not engage in gossip as its results are not beneficial. It should be remembered that a woman’s friend is a woman and a man’s friend is a man.” (2)

But in today’s school system and social environment, the concept of boyfriend and girlfriend are visible in all levels of schooling, even in primary schools. Socially, for children, having a close relationship with the opposite sex, i.e. having a boyfriend or girlfriend, is a matter of prestige. Side by side, without looking into the root of the problem, people complain that sexual violence against women is rampant. What they fail to realise is that the current social milieu is a breeding ground for sexual crimes. Sadly, all the ingredients are present for women to be sexually violated and harmed. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Solution: controlling sensory organs


People should be taught (a) about their vrttis (instincts), (b) why the glands and organs are attracted towards sensuality, (c) how to control those tendencies, and (d) how to channelize them in a proper direction. This curriculum should be developed in classes, and people can be educated about how to control vrittis (instincts). 

The dress code should be based on sentient expression where both males and females dress in a comfortable, modest manner according to the climate, where they are covered from the neck down to the feet. That can help in reducing sexual violence against women. Education along with a dress code are important aspects of the solution, along with the idea that men should interact with men and women should interact with women. If proper rules and regulations are not in place, sexual violence will increase. Side by side there will be public protests against such sexual crimes but the solution will remain out of reach. 

Yes, attraction for the opposite sex is a natural phenomenon of this creation. If men and women will not interact then there will not be any newborns. But unnecessary mixing, treating females as sexual objects, and poor social values (i.e. loose talk, dance parties, alcohol drinking etc.) leads to sexual violence and that should be stopped.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And the permanent solution is guiding people how to redirect their vrttis (instincts) towards the more subtle realm, redefining the current materialistic relationship between men and women, and implementing stricter social codes etc. Social punishment, jail sentences, and the threat of imprisonment are not enough to curb or solve the problem.

Namaskar, 
In Him, 
Nira’ka’ra

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "You can help someone become good by making him understand [moral values], but no one becomes good through the application of force [punishment]...If the sinner is engaged in sinful acts or keeps moving ahead on a sinful path, you can prevent that person from doing so by the application of force [punishment]. But you cannot transform [make moralist] in this way." (3)

References
1. Caryacarya, Part 1, Dress
2. Caryacarya part 1, Social Relationship between Men and Women
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam-10, The Witness-ship of Parama Puruśa Is of Supreme Importance


*        *        *

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 ==

With new hope

Intro: This song is spiritual. One may think it is about the summer season: the rains have come. The song, however, is a metaphor. The dry, hot summer season symbolizes the dry, intellectual mind – the mind that is away from Parama Purusa. When the rains come, they make everything fresh, fragrant and revitalised. Similarly, the mind is dry until Parama Purusa's rain of grace showers the bhakta. Bliss infuses his or her entire psyche. So this is not a seasonal song. The post-summer rains do not bring the type of bliss described in the last three stanzas. That bliss only comes with the arrival of Parama Purusa. He blesses the dry mind with His shower of grace.

"Ese chile prabhu megha garjane ghanaghor varśáy.." (Prabhat Samgiita #0298)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, in the form of the roaring of the clouds and the pouring rain, You came. Since ages this dry and barren earth has been waiting for Your auspicious arrival. The heat-stricken earth has received You today with new hope. After a long gap of time, my dry heart has been satiated by the showering of Your causeless karuna.

Parama Purusa, with Your grand arrival, my mind goes on singing countless tunes and melodies. The peacock of my mind is spreading its feathers and dancing in hundreds of ways. By Your presence, my speechless mind has been graced with the language to express its bhava to You. And now it is rushing headlong towards the Infinite Entity Taraka Brahma who is the embodiment of supreme love and bhakti.

Baba, in having You today very intimately, my heart is overflowing with bliss. All the directions are swaying in Your cosmic effulgence. The ten directions are drifting in bliss of Brahma bhava.

Parama Purusa Baba, today for me there is nothing else to do. Very intently I go on staring at Your most charming form without blinking. I am doing shravana, mañana, and nididhyasana; I am thinking, meditating, and ideating on You. Ensconced in You, I go on seeing Your form. Baba, the cravings of the triloka, and the nectar of the three arenas have mingled into one. All my physical, psychic, and spiritual hunger has been satiated, by Your grace.

Baba, it is Your karuna (divine compassion); today You have come and bestowed everything…

Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0298:

Triloka:
There are 3 lokas: (a) sthu'la or crude mind, (b) su'ksma or subtle mind, and ka'ran'a or causal mind. The controller of all these lokas is Turiiya. So triloka means crude mind, subtle mind, and causal mind. These are the three lokas. Parama Purusa is the controller. Humans have three types of hunger as described in this song. With getting Parama Purusa, all the layers of hunger (crude, subtle, causal) are extinguished – i.e. fully satiated. Then that mind always wants to remain in His bliss. There is no desire for anything else. That is what is expressed in this song.


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

For those with linguistic sentiment

Prout philosophy states, “The problem of language is affecting human society like a chronic disease. Ignorance of the proper meaning of different languages has made the confusion worse. Language is a medium of expression. There are six stages in the process of expression. The seed of expression is called Parashakti and lies in the Muládhára Cakra (or basic plexus). In the Svádhisthána Cakra (or fluidal plexus), a person mentally visualises the expression. The mental vision of one’s expression is called Pashyanti Shakti. In the Mańipura Cakra (or solar plexus) this mental vision is transformed into mental sound which is called Madhyamá Shakti. The person now wants to express that feeling. This endeavour to express the feeling is called Dyotamáná Shakti. It works between the navel area and the throat. In the vocal cord it transforms an idea into language. This is called Vaekharii Shakti. After Vaekharii it is transformed into actual spoken language and is termed Shrutigocará. Thus linguistic differences are manifest only in the sixth stage of expression. In the first five stages there is no distinction or variation in the expression. A great deal of inter-community conflict could be checked if linguists and the mischief-mongers who create language disputes knew this fundamental fact. In essence, it is ignorance that brings untold miseries to humanity. It is a great folly on the part of prakrti to create so many languages, but diversity is the law of nature." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Root of hatred

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Your psychological reaction to a person's behaviour or action that creates pásha [external fetters] or provokes ripu [internal enemies] is called hatred. Since hatred is also a type of pásha, and it must be opposed through reasoning and intellect. The word ku can be used for this hatred." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 4, Ku to Kuiṋjara (Discourse 27)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to preach universalism

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being. Those in whom this feeling has arisen will be called followers of Bhágavata Dharma. They are doing the sádhaná of Bhágavata Dharma.” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “All beings are made of the same consciousness. So although we may find ourselves at different stages of psychic elevation, a Bráhmańa and a Kśatriya, an Indian and an Englishman, a sweeper and a scavenger, a Zulu and a Maori, and even a tiny ant, are all linked by the bonds of fraternity. If we remember this fact, if we work for the well-being of all, then undeveloped human beings will be able to develop their spiritual potentiality when they come in contact with us. Even cows, dogs, tigers and bears who come in close contact with us will develop psychic wealth and gradually acquire spiritual treasures.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “He is the Supreme Progenitor, and everything in this Universe is His progeny. He is the Supreme Father, and others are His children. Then, when all are the children of the Supreme Father, the relationship between man and man is that of fraternal bond. You have got a universal tie of brotherhood because everything created has got the same father. The source is the same. When the spiritual aspirant knows this fact, he cannot get any kind of inferiority complex or superiority complex in his mind. He is not inferior to anyone, as he is one with his brothers and sister.” (3)

The editors wrote: “Our first step is to realize that the true goal of humanity, the ultimate goal of evolution, is not the amassing of more and more material wealth but the expansion of consciousness. Through proper education and practical techniques of mental expansion, humanity will come to realize that the hoarding of wealth and all the ills of corruption and scarcity it creates, are nothing but the misdirected longing of the human soul for infinite happiness – a longing which cannot be satisfied by money but only by internal bliss. Thus as human attention and activity is directed more and more toward subtler pursuits such as artistic endeavour and spiritual practice, the selfishness and greed which dominate people’s minds today will be replaced by a new feeling of love and brotherhood. As we expand our minds toward the Infinite and learn to share our mundane treasures, we will realize more and more that we are all indeed one humanity, that we are all the sons and daughters of one Infinite Intelligence Who is guiding us all to perfection. Instead of being based on competition and mutual hostility, society will be operated through mutual cooperation and love.” (4)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
4. The Great Universe, Introduction


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Now is the time for asanas & pranayama

Ananda Marga ideology guides, "Our social code provides clear guidelines on how members will adapt to this modern, rapidly changing world. There have been more changes in the past 200 years than in the 800 years prior to that. In education, culture, dress and food habits major changes have taken place. Old, outdated wooden shoes, turbans, etc. have been replaced by modern shoes, hats and clothes made from scientific fabrics with contemporary designs. Primitive bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages, hackney coaches, etc., have been replaced with fast-moving cars, trains, and aeroplanes. In the past, people used to travel by elephant, but now they can travel to other planets by rocket. There should be a proper adjustment between the body and the mind to keep pace with the fast speed of the development in the world. For this reason, Ananda Marga spiritual practices place much importance on ásanas, práńáyáma, etc.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Social Treatise


== Section 4: Links ==

Monday, June 8, 2026

Religion & food: hypocrisy + 4 more

Baba
Religion & food: hypocrisy

Namaskar,

A human mind can store information obtained from the present life as well as earlier lives in a layer-by-layer fashion. Animals, on the other hand, can hardly remember anything from their present life, let alone from their past lives. Baba has given many demonstrations in which He would enable people to access their past life information for a limited period. A child is ever curious to learn things at a very high rate and collect a lot of information.

Those who come to Ananda Marga at a more mature stage of their lives inevitably bring many things they learned in their childhood. Many such childhood learnings and memories may be helpful in one’s spiritual life, but then there are many childhood lessons that can present obstacles.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For example, if one is indoctrinated into idol-worship, casteism, apartheid, etc during one’s childhood then they drag those dogmas into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha. Such dogmas need to be overcome, otherwise one’s spiritual progress will be blocked. It is easy to teach a child new things, but very difficult to teach an aged person. Due to this, Baba says that spiritual teachings should be imparted at as young an age as possible.

What is the dilemma of “good food”?


Every Ananda Margii is bound to propagate the teachings of Ananda Marga, and it is important to know the wrong teachings that are present in society, as well as the ways to educate common people to help them unlearn such teachings. This is very important particularly in the case of food as in different parts of the world people have a different conception of what is “good food”.

Illogical beliefs of religious meat-eaters


For example, Jews consider their food as ‘kosher’ / holy wherein there are elaborate guidelines with respect to slaughtering animals and storing the meat and other food. Muslims consider their ‘halal’ food as holy. It should be known that kosher and halal are defined based on the way the animal is slaughtered. In such a “holy” way of slaughtering, the animal is slowly cut using a serrated knife, while some hymns are uttered. The animal wails in pain and dies a slow and painful death. Sikhs consider “jhatka” as holy in which the animal is slaughtered in a quick and sharp blow. If the animal does not get beheaded in a single blow then the meat is considered impure and not eaten. Both methods include the killing of an animal for food, but one considers slow slaughtering as holy while the other considers quick slaughtering as holy. The so-called holiness in the aforementioned cases contradicts each other and is questionable due to the meat-eating involved. Those who have come from such backgrounds need to be taught what is proper food before coming onto the path of AM, otherwise they may still cling to their old beliefs.
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The illogical beliefs of Jains

Jains are vegetarians and prohibit killing even small insects, but their rules were developed around 2500 years ago when science was not developed. They still hold onto those unscientific beliefs. For example, they tie a cloth mask on their nose thinking that it will prevent the killing of microbes while breathing. It is now well known that microbes cannot be filtered by cloth masks as they are very small compared to the mesh in the cloth mask. Those same Jains also sweep their pathway before taking each step to prevent killing any insects. It is well known now that there are many organisms that are not visible via the naked eye. Jains hold many other unscientific beliefs like not eating roots such as potatoes because while harvesting them insects die. They prohibit eating red-coloured vegetables like tomato and beetroot as their colour resembles blood.


Universal guideline of Ananda Marga: food

Ananda Marga presents a scientific way to discern between edible and inedible food. Ananda Marga defines food as sentient that helps in the nourishment of both body and mind. Food that is not good for the body or the mind is prohibited. A Jaini is permitted to eat white eggplant as it is not blood-coloured and is vegetarian, but for an Ananda Margii, white eggplant is not permitted as it has a negative effect on one’s mind. There are other vegetables, like snake gourd and mustard greens etc, that are not permitted in Ananda Marga due to their negative effect on the mind. Only vegetables  that have a positive effect both on the body and the mind should be eaten. Milk is sattvik, but the milk obtained from a newly calved cow is tamasik. For one week after the birth of a calf, the milk of a cow is tamasik. The Hindu religion outrightly rejects all fermented food as rotten. However, fermented food can be sattvik and extremely good for the body and the mind. For example, lime pickles are fermented yet sattvik. In contrast, alcohol is bad for the body and mind and hence tamasik, not just because it is fermented.
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Conclusion

Food should be selected based on its short-term, as well as its long-term, effect on the body and the mind. The food that causes the mind to be guided by animal vrittis like hunger, fear, sleep, procreation is tamasik and should be avoided. Unscientific dogmatic ideas, such as selecting food based on its colour, should not be the determining factor. Red meat should not be eaten because it is not good for the body as well as the mind. However, one can eat red-coloured tomatoes because they have a good effect on the body and the mind. In the future, the earth may not remain habitable and people may have to explore other planets wherein the vegetation can be entirely different. Even then, the universal technique of food selection in Ananda Marga is based on their effect on the body and the mind, and that will apply to new vegetation or even chemically synthesized foods. Ananda Marga provides a list of sattvik food for the present conditions, and also provides a fundamental and universally applicable rule to select new items based on their suitability on the body and mind.

In Him,
Bhakti

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (1)


~ In-depth study ~

Sáttvika, rájasika, & támasika áhára

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “In every object of the universe, one of three attributes – sattva, rajah and tamah – will always be predominant. So food is also divided into three categories according to the dominancy of the attributes.
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(1) Sáttvika Áhára: All the staple food-grains such as rice, wheat, barley, etc.; all the pulses except masúr [an orange-coloured lentil] and khesári; all fruits and roots; all kinds of vegetables except violet-coloured carrots, white brinjals [white eggplants], onions, garlic and mushrooms; milk and milk products; all green and leafy vegetables except red puni and mustard.

All varieties of spices except garam masalá and all kinds of sweets, can be taken.

A sáttvika diet is required for those who practise ásanas. Those who find it difficult to give up the habit of rájasika food all of a sudden may eat a piece of haritakii [myrobalan] after the meal. Those who take sáttvika food should avoid taking a large quantity of mustard or mustard products. Rájasika food-eaters should gradually try to change over to sáttvika food and támasika food-eaters should try to give up such food as early as possible.

For the avadhútas and avadhútikás of Ananda Marga there is only one kind of food, sáttvika food.

All foods that are beneficial to both body and mind are considered sáttvika.

(2) Rájasika ahára: Any food that is beneficial to the body but is neutral to the mind, or vice versa, is called rájasika. Foods that do not fall into the sáttvika or támasika categories are of rájasika nature. In certain countries where there is a heavy snowfall, rájasika food can be treated as sáttvika and támasika food as rájasika.

(3) Támasika áhára: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called támasika. Stale and rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, and all types of intoxicants, are categorized as támasika. Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the rájasika category. The milk of a newly-calved cow, white brinjals, khesárii dál, green vegetables of the type of red puni or mustard are támasika. Masúr dál cooked for one meal will become támasika by the next meal.” (2)


Sentient, mutative, & static food

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Every object of the world is dominated by one of the three principles – sentient, mutative, and static. Food is no exception, and according to its intrinsic nature, is divided into the same three categories.
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Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products.

Mutative food: Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good for the mind, but certainly not harmful for the mind, is mutative.
Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static.

Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic qualities. For example, the milk of a cow which has just given birth. Or white eggplant, khesárii pulse [horse gram], red puni [Basella rubra Linn.], or mustard leaves, all of which often grew out of rotten matter.

In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that “I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper” will not do.” (3)


Not all fermented food is tamasik

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “When wine ferments it is transformed into vinegar, losing its intoxicating power and developing a few sentient qualities. The sediment from the production of wine is called “yeast” and is particularly useful in the bakery industry.” (4)

References

1.  Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
2. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 3, Áhárya
3. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
4. Prout in a Nutshell Part 21, Intoxicants


*        *        *

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 ==

Of greatest import
 
"Tumi kata na' liila'i ja'no, tumi kata na' liila'i ja'no..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0272)

Purport:

Baba, so many liilas You know. You have infinite ways to play Your divine game. Nobody can understand. Without any obstacle or impediment, You effortlessly move around the entire universe, everywhere-- and keep everything within Your control. Your chariot is moving around in all the 10 directions-- including the blue sky and deep ocean. You love everyone. You cry in the pain of others, and You smile seeing others' joy. When there is agony, pain, and suffering, You shower the blessing of Your varabhaya mudra. Of greatest import, the most beautiful thing is that when You look towards me, You always smile in a sweet and loving way... 


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Prout’s stand on capital punishment
 
Prout philosophy states, “You know that nothing is perfect in this universe of relativity. So it is quite natural that the judicial system of the world, whether in the past, present or future, can never be perfect. Therefore nobody should be given capital punishment on the basis of this imperfect system.”
 
“Each and every individual, whether they are a criminal or not, can claim a chance to rectify their conduct from society. So in PROUT’s legal structure everybody should get ample scope for rectifying their character and conduct. If a person is condemned to capital punishment, he or she won’t get such scope, so PROUT denounces this sort of punishment.”
 
“But in very special cases, where a person has become a demon and is going against the collective interest and there is no chance of rectification, circumstances may arise which warrant capital punishment. For example, during war this exception may sometimes be permissible. But generally we should not support this punishment on principle. Punishment should be appropriate to the offense.” (1)
 
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Recipe for success - 4


Namaskar,

Every human being wants to be successful. Who does not want to be successful? Whether in the realm of art, law, medicine, schooling, business, literature, science, or architecture - or any other field or endeavor - everyone wants to be successful. Knowing how to be successful then is an important recipe.

Baba has graciously given us His special guidelines wherein He explains how the 'Seven Secrets of Success' apply not just to spiritual life, but to worldly life as well. Here we examine the fourth secret of success: samatábhávo, which essentially means keeping a balanced mind or psychic equipoise.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “A man must not labour under any sort of complex – that is, a man, a spiritual aspirant, must be free from all complexes; he must have neither superiority complex, nor inferiority complex, nor fear complex, nor defeatist complex. That is, the mind should be completely balanced.” (1)

Samatábhávo: In the spiritual sphere, this means complete mental balance. And this same type of psychic equanimity is needed in worldly life. For instance, if a student or interviewee is very nervous or shy, then they will not be able to perform well. A student may become so nervous that they even get easy questions wrong, because they have lost their mental composure. Likewise, a professional seeking employment or putting on a presentation may be so shy that they are unable to convey their skill-set or knowledge to others in the room. And there are so many other examples. For instance, one's marriage may end in misery, if one constantly gets angry or acts in an erratic manner toward their spouse. So mental balance is highly needed in all aspects of worldly life.

Baba has blessed us all with great teachings which lead us to success, including how to utilize the Seven Secrets of Success in our worldly endeavours. So we should pay heed to this doctrine not just in spiritual life but in all our worldly dealings as well.

Baba says, "You, boys and girls, should remember the points and do accordingly. It will help you in your all-around success." (2)

Here below in this next passage Sadguru Baba outlines some of the various complexes: (a) superiority complex, (b) inferiority complex, (c) fear complex, and (d) defeatist complex.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Now when you are suffering from a superiority complex, you think that you are a better person and others are worse persons; as a result of which you are unable to accept the external waves in proper style. So your thinking gets polluted, gets distorted, as a result of which the refracted portion, that is, the memory, also gets distorted, becomes defective.

"So you must not have any superiority complex. You should remember that you are not superior to anybody else. All are children of the same Supreme Father, all are progeny of the same Supreme Progenitor. Nobody is superior to anybody.

"The second complex: Sometimes you may think that “I am an ordinary man, and that man is so big, so learned, such a big scholar – so rich, and I’m poor” – like this. If you think like this, what will happen? There will not be proper expression of your mind, there will not be proper emanations of your thought-waves; as a result of which the thought will become distorted and the refracted thought, that is, the memory portion, will become defective.

"Similarly, the fear complex: Sometimes people suffer from a fear complex. The psychological side of the fear complex is as follows: Due to the presence of something stronger, or due to the presence of something which is imaginarily stronger, not actually stronger, what happens? Mental flows are blocked, are choked. They cannot find the proper avenue of expression; as a result of which thoughts also get polluted. There cannot be free thinking. A man suffering from a fear complex cannot think properly. And if the thought is defective, the memory will also be defective. So you must never suffer from any sort of fear complex.

"Why should you suffer from a fear complex or an inferiority complex, when the Supreme Father is your father, when you all are the children of the same Father; why should you suffer from any inferiority complex or any fear complex, when the Supreme Father is with you? You are not weak. You are very strong, because the Almighty Father, the omnipotent Supreme Father, is with you to help you – so you must not encourage the psychology of weakness, or an inferiority complex or a fear complex. He is with you, always He is with you to help you. You are never alone.

"And sometimes there is a defeatist complex. “Oh, I am defeated in this world,” “Oh, I am defeated in this struggle for existence.” Such a sentiment, such a psychology, sometimes goads a man to commit suicide even. “I am defeated, I am defeated in the struggle for existence.” You must not encourage this type of psychology. When your father is the Supreme Father, your father is the most powerful entity in the entire universe, why should you think that you have been defeated in the struggle for existence? No, a bright future awaits you. Your future is glorious, your future is luminous, your future is effulgent.

"So you must not suffer from this psychology of helplessness or hopelessness or of despair. This defeatist complex may also be called “sinner’s psychology”.” (3)

Namaskar,
Bhakti Bhusana

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, Be Free from All Complexes
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, Be Free from All Complexes


== Section 4: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS