Our role as pracarakas + 4 more

Baba

Our role as pracarakas

Namaskar,

Some in our unit were involved in teaching others about Ananda Marga guidelines like yama and niyama etc. Then a Wt intervened and stated that we should not do this as we were "not qualified." So that raises the question: Should we start teaching others about Ananda Marga yama and niyama etc only when we get moksa, i.e. perfection?
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In dharmacakra, some think that after meditation then only a Wt should read and explain a few paragraphs of svadhyaya from Ananda Vacanamrtam like yama and niyama etc. Yet, it could happen that a Wt may be less familiar with a topic but will speak about it anyway, while there may be a margii present who knows far more on that subject. But the margii is overlooked because some think that only those in Wt dress should speak to others about Sadguru Baba's teachings. A few dadas feel that this is their due honour: Since they have the dress then only they can speak before others. This dogma has been brought into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha from the various religions.

Religious dogma & AMPS

Who does not know that in the black pages of history before the invention of the printing press, the Bible was not allowed to be copied and given to anyone. The common people did not have access to it at all. Finally, when the printing press came along the pope did not permit the Bible to be printed and distributed. This went on for some time. And still today there are strict regulations about the Koran (Quran) and the superiority of Arabic whereby those who want to know about it must consult a mullah. This is the way they keep their dogma intact. Similarly, in AMPS, some think that our scriptures should only be read and explained by acaryas. This is the dogma they want to impose.

Yet, on this point, Ananda Marga ideology is extremely different from the dogmatic religions. Baba has blessed us with a revolutionary approach where all have the moral duty to teach yama and niyama, dharma etc. Unfortunately, a few Dadas feel that only they should talk about dharma, i.e. yama and niyama etc. They want everyone to listen to them. That is what their ego tells them. So they feel threatened if a margii sincerely engages in talks about Ananda Marga philosophy with others. But again, Baba's guideline is clear and pointed: Every initiated person in AMPS must teach others about our Ananda Marga way of life. Of course, it is the sole duty of tattvikas and acaryas to teach meditation. But that is not the subject here.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


No bar: all can guide

It is the duty of each and every Ananda Margii to start teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy. Even the day a person is initiated they can start doing pracara with others. Here is the support from Baba's teachings:

(A) SIXTEEN POINTS: It is the duty of every Ananda Margii to follow 16 Points and embedded within 16 Points is service or seva. As we all know there are 4 types of seva in Ananda Marga philosophy: shudrocita seva, ksatriyocita seva, vaeshyocita seva, and viprocita seva. And Baba guides us that we, i.e. all margiis, are to perform all four types of seva, including viprocita seva, which includes guiding others about the ideals of Ananda Marga.

Duty: all must do viprocita sevá (intellectual service)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "We can give joy to Parama Puruśa by serving His creations – human beings, animals and plants – and this service will be the best application of neo-humanism. This service can be done in four ways – viprocita sevá (intellectual service), kśatriyocita sevá (service of courage), vaeshyocita sevá (economic service) and shudrocita sevá (manual service). None of these is inferior: we cannot ignore any one of them. People should render service according to their capacity. Those who like intellectual service, can do that; those who like manual service, can do so. But it will be best if all the four types are performed." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba clearly tells that everyone, new and senior margiis alike, is to engage in all kinds of seva including teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy and lifestyle. Everyone should do this according to their capacity. That means even a newly initiated margii can and should teach the general public about kiirtan, or yama and niyama etc. To the degree one is properly aware about Baba's guidelines and tenets is the degree to which a sadhaka should teach others. Then they will be performing seva and following 16 Points. So this should be our approach.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What Baba tells to do

(B) THE ANANDA MARGA MISSION: Self-realisation & selfless service - concerns each and every Ananda Margii.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things." (2)

Here again Baba is directing each and every person in the AMPS to perform service - i.e. helping to care for and elevate all beings. Upon entering into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, everyone must do this from day 1. Baba does not say that one should do sadhana for ten years, or after getting perfection, i.e. moksa, then one should start doing service. Rather from the very beginning every margii is to do sadhana and perform service by explaining the ideals of dharma to others. So here Baba is guiding us that every Ananda Margii must do Ananda Marga pracara and explain the tenets of Ananda Marga to others.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(C) IN ORDER TO GET MUKTI: In our Supreme Command too Baba tells each and every Ananda Margii to teach others about dharma and inspire them onto the path of spirituality.

The Supreme Command says, "...It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavor to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is this a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness." (3)

By Baba's teaching in the Supreme Command, it is clear that all margiis, young or old, male or female etc, must embark on teaching others about Ananda Marga ideals.


Conclusion

So it is important to educate oneself about Ananda Marga ideals and consult Baba's discourses by reading Ananda Marga books. And side by side one should practice and teach others.

Every Ananda Margii should be eager and ready to teach Baba's gospel to any and all who are interested. And those who are not interested, we should try and inspire them. Here the culminating idea is that all should teach. At the same time one should know their own personal limits and continue to prepare oneself and expand the boundaries of what you can teach. Baba certainly wants for everyone to teach yet it should be done thoughtfully keeping the above parameters in mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Dayananda Deva

~ In-depth study ~

In the dogmatic religions they mandate how lay / family people cannot teach the tenets. In Christianity only the priest can do; in Islam, only the mullah can do; and in an array of dogmatic religions only the pundits can do. They are the only ones to speak the gospel of their religion, not the common people. So Ananda Marga ideology is unique. Baba says that all can and should do. Unfortunately, a few Wts want to introduce religious dogmas into our Ananda Marga society by stating that only the priest class can guide others. They just want to "copy & paste" such dogmas into our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha.

If you or anyone in your unit is sincerely teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy and a Dada tells you that you are "too new", or "not senior enough", or "not smart enough" etc, then just inform that Wt that Baba's guideline is that, "As an Ananda Margii, it is my duty to perform all four sevas each and every day and that includes teaching others about Ananda Marga ideology, according to the level of my own knowledge base."

Wts / avadhutas cannot give any lame excuse and prohibit any margii, new or old, from guiding others on spiritual life and Ananda Marga ideals.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Dos & don'ts for guiding others

Now that it is clear that it is the duty of every Ananda Margii, family margiis and wholetimers, to perform service and teach others about the philosophy and ideals of Ananda Marga, there are a few easy points to keep in mind.

1) One should not teach others about the lessons of sadhana if one is not qualified. This applies both to margiis and Wts.

2) One should not teach aspects of Ananda Marga philosophy that they themselves are not adequately familiar with. If one does this then two negative results will arise. Firstly, one will spread faulty explanations and confuse others; and secondly, the person you are trying to teach will lose faith in you. This applies to all, i.e. Wts & margiis: If you are not qualified or informed on a particular topic then do not teach that subject. Rather, if you do, you will get exposed as the person you were trying to teach will tell everyone that you are bogus. To overcome this problem one must prepare oneself and in that process teach what you know, not more than that.

Remember in this day and age whatever topic you are teaching can easily be confirmed via the internet. And if they find out you were wrong on a point then your whole position is in question. For instance, one political leader running for prime minister of India spoke something that was historically wrong, so he had to apologise because everyone could easily verify this point. Earlier this was not the case, but now with technology it is so. In result, this candidate was shamed; indeed now every politician is very careful. Similarly for Ananda Margiis, first be properly versed on the topic and then teach it - not otherwise. This applies to all, i.e. Wts and margiis. If a Wt is telling something false to margiis, they will quickly be exposed. Those old days are done whereby there was no means for the people to investigate and get the facts.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

3) Naturally, each and every Ananda Margii knows something about Ananda Marga ideals. It may be even the most basic of principles or something complex; regardless, what you know you should teach those ideas to others. That is how society grows.

How this dogma started

In those days of old, what to speak of not allowing the common people to teach the philosophy, they would not even allow the common people to learn it. If general citizens came in contact with those teachings they would be tortured and shunned - i.e. scarred for life. That was the way those dogmatic religions operated - and still today that is their modus operandi.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "These [common] people were deprived of the right to study the Vedas. The Antyaja Shúdras, if they even heard the Vedic chants, or the controlling Vedic mantra aum, or the “Savitr Rk” mantra, would be committing a great sin and molten lead would be poured into their ears so that their hearing would be destroyed forever. Nor were women, however educated, allowed to hear such sacred chants." (4)

They feel that mantras or prayers can only be solemnized when they are recited by priests etc. According to bhagavad dharma, there is no 3rd person between the bhakta and God, but in such religions, the priest / mullah etc is the so-called intermediary. Here, the point is that, in the dogmatic religions, only the priest is able to pass on religious knowledge, not anyone else.

In the various religions, only select leaders are authorised to explain their religious texts etc. One must be a mullah, or priest, or reverend, or rabbi, or minister, or cleric, or pundit, or some other religious official. There is no scope for the common people to openly guide others about their holy books. One must be a recognised or ordained delegate of that religion.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Summary: call to action

Should we wait until we have been on the path 10 years before teaching Ananda Marga philosophy to others; or should we wait until we become a wholetimer before guiding others about the Ananda Vacanamrtam series of books? When can a general margii start teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy? When should a margii begin teaching the guidelines of Ananda Marga ideology?

Through His guidelines of Sixteen Points, by His mission statement (Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca), and by the Supreme Command, it is quite clear that every Ananda Margii should teach others about Ananda Marga ideals from the very beginning. To delay this is to go against Guru's teachings. No one should have any complex about this nor should this point be shrouded in confusion. All are to teach others about the principles of Ananda Marga.

Even a new margii can teach our kiirtan mantra to anyone. We can teach them to sing internally or externally.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. 17 May 1982, Calcutta
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, The Four Kinds of Service
3. Supreme Command
4. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 5

*        *        *

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 ==

Always watching me

“Tumi kato liila’ jano…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0311)

Purport:

Parama Purusa Baba, You know how to play a grand variety of cosmic liilas. You play so many types of divine dramas. To spiritually intoxicate my mind, You play a gamut of supreme plays with me. Sometimes You make me cry, and other times You make me laugh. Baba, You shower Your exquisite blessing in countless ways.

My nearest Entity,  Baba, there is nothing that can remain hidden from You. You know and see everything. In each action You exist; You are always there. Without Your grace nothing can happen. You are present in every work. Whatever I do, wherever I go, You are there - watching. Nothing can be done secretly. In Your unfathomable play - liila khela - the whole universe is dancing at Your feet.

Baba, You flood the world with Your smile and laughter, as well as with torrential tears of joy. You shower rays of happiness upon all, and side by side You witness the troubles and torments people undergo. My Supreme Guide, Baba, I love You, knowingly and unknowingly. Your songs of love flow throughout this cosmos.

Parama Purusa Baba, You know how to play a variety of liilas….


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0311:

[1] Liila': In this universe there are innumerable events taking place. When we know the cause of a particular event then that is kriida. And when the cause is not known then it is liila. If the cause was initially not known, and later on becomes known, then that event becomes kriida. Thus as one's knowledge increases - and more and more events can be rationally explained - then for that person the scope of kriida is increased.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "There is a subtle difference between liilá and kriid́a. When the cause of an effect is easily discernible it is called kriid́a, but when the cause is unknown and only the effect is easily discernible it is called liilá." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, To Know Him Is to Be Free from All Fetters

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

So-called saint

   Ananda Marga Philosophy, “There is still another sentiment – human sentiment. Many persons were born in the past who shed copious tears for suffering humanity. But strangely enough, after their eloquent speeches were over, they sat down comfortably at a dinner table and treated themselves to a delicious meal of hilsa and kaimách fish – as if those fish had not suffered pain and death. This human sentiment has expressly violated the interests of non-human creatures, but its proponents have found nothing wrong with it.”
   “Once I read in a certain book that a great saint used to live only on locusts dipped in honey. That saint did not seriously consider that those little locusts also had vital life force throbbing in them.” (1)

Baba says, "साधु का पहला अर्थ :- अपने लिए अपना प्राण जितना प्यारा है, दूसरों के लिए उनके प्राण भी उतने ही प्यारे हैं—जो व्यष्टि यह बात महसूस करतेहैं, और उसी समझ के अनुसार दूसरों के प्रति दया प्रदर्शन करते हैं, उनको ‘साधु’ कहते हैं ।" (2)

Quiz: What is the name of the "great" saint who used to live only on locusts dipped in honey??

ANSWER:

St John the Baptist

Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.--Bible

Reference
1. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Disc 1
2.  Ananda Vacanamrtam 1 - 2 (Pure), chapter 19, “The Purpose Behind the Advent”

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

क्यों जी ? न, तुम तो परमपुरुष से उत्पन्न हुए हो

Ananda Marga ideology says, "जो साधक हैं, जो पक्के साधक हैं, उनके लिए जीवन में ऐसी परिस्थिति नहीं आ सकती है जिसमें उन्हें घबड़ाना पड़े | [मार्गी लोग---"बाबा, बाबा, बाबा !"] और, सिर्फ़ इतना ही नहीं, एक साधक के लिए समूचा विश्वब्रह्माण्ड में ऐसी जगह नहीं है जहाँ उन्हें डरना पड़े | क्यों जी ? न, तुम तो परमपुरुष से उत्पन्न हुए हो | परमपुरुष में स्थित हो, और आख़िर तक परमपुरुष तुम्हारी परागति हैं | परमपुरुष जब साथ हैं, तो तुम इस छोटी-सी दुनिया से डरोगे क्यों ? डरने की कोई बात नहीं है | तुम उनके प्यारे बेटे हो, तुम उनकी प्यारी बेटी हो | तुम किससे डरोगी, तुम किससे डरोगे ? डर नाम की कोई वस्तु तुम्हारे अभिधान में, तुम्हारे dictionary में नहीं रहना चाहिए |" (1) (कः पन्थाः,Kah Pantháh-2, S14-5(H),DMC 20 November 1979 Hisar)

Reference
1. कः पन्थाः,Kah Pantháh-2, S14-5(H),DMC 20 November 1979 Hisar

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हे परमपुरुष ! तुमने सभी को ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा दिया 

प्रभात सङ्गीत 2389 विश्व के जतो छन्दायित सुषमार राशि  दियेछो...

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष ! तुमने इस पूरे विश्व में  सुर- ताल की सुन्दरता लबालब भर दी है। अब मैंने अपने मन में उस सुन्दरता को वीणा के सुरों के साथ मिला लिया है। तुम्हारा स्वागत करने के लिए  प्यार से मैंने मानसिक घुंघरुओं की ध्वनि और वीणा के झन्कार के साथ रत्नों से जड़ा दीपक जलाया है

हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! मुझे और कुछ नहीं चाहिए । जो कुछ तुमने मुझे दिया है उसी में सभी प्रकार के सन्तोष का अनुभव करने लगा हूँ। उतने में ही मैं अपनी सभी प्रकार की उन्नति करना चाहता हूँ। अपनी सामान्य बुद्धि की भीतरी कमजोरियों के कारण मेरे मन में अहङ्कार और भवजडता आ जाती है। हे प्रभो ! मुझे ऐसा आशीष दें कि तुम्हारे द्वारा कृपा पूर्वक जो मुझे प्रेम और भक्ति का आध्यात्मिक धन  दिया गया है उसे मैं अपनी मानसिक कमजोरियों से खो न बैठूँ ।

मनुष्यों ने परमपुरुष से बहुत पाया है, फिर भी वे उनसे इस भौतिक जगत की वस्तुओं की माँग करते थकते ही नहीं  हैं। उनकी यह भूख कभी  मिटती ही नहीं है।  परमपुरुष ने जो कुछ भी दिया है वे उन दिव्य उपहारों का सदुपयोग नहीं  करते वरन् दुरुपयोग करके उसे धूल में मिलाते जाते हैं। मनुष्य  केवल अपनी भूख मिटाने के लिए  बार बार भौतिक वस्तुओं की माॅंग करते रहते हैं। यह उनकी नादानी है।

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

How to manage vrttis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-this-disaster-happened-4-more.html

Best use of time

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-get-guideline-from-sadguru.html

Spirituality: essential aspect of nitya karma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/nitya-karma-3-more.html

Golden rule: inherent flaws

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/11/self-centered-theology-vs-am.html

Link between sadhana lessons

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-and-what-about-sadhana.html

Story: how Baba made me victorious

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/05/story-how-baba-taught-me-surrender-part.html

Ananda Marga vs dogmas of epic

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2022/04/baba-yudhisthira-dogma-namaskar-in.html

How to manage vrttis + 4 more

Baba

How to manage vrttis

Namaskar,

Sadguru Baba has given that at present human beings have 50 vrttis, or 50 propensities of mind. And the sadhaka is to goad all those vrttis to that one singular point of spiritual attainment. This is done through regular sadhana, kiirtana, asanas, fasting, sentient diet, and following Sixteen Points etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In contrast, those not on the spiritual path generally succumb to one vrtti or another. And, in certain instances, people become fully consumed and dominated by one particular vrtti. It might be greed, fear, sex, jealousy etc. And when that happens, i.e. when one single vrtti captures their whole existence, their rational mind ceases to function. No amount of logic will be able to convince that person as they are under the spell of that vrtti.

Infatuated with sex instinct

For instance, suppose Mr Tim is infatuated with a member of the opposite sex. That means whenever Tim is around Sally or not around Sally, either way he is only thinking of Sally, Sally, and Sally. Tim’s mind is wholly consumed with the thought of going close to Sally. In that psychic condition, Tim’s rational mind will not work. He will not be able to think and evaluate the situation in a balanced manner. Why? Because he is completely infatuated with Sally. In that case, even if Sally is an HIV patient and mistreats, cheats, and abuses Tim, still Tim will be keen to go close and give his whole life's savings to Sally because he is infatuated with her. No amount of logic or reasoning will be able to sway Tim in another direction. The reason is that he is intoxicated by that vrtti, and he is unable to clearly evaluate the situation for what it is.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here is a second example. Same is the case if one is consumed by greed. If Shyam is very greedy then if his house is on fire he will remain inside trying to collect all the money he has hidden in various parts of the house. Until finally, Shyam dies in the fire. Under normal circumstances, the rational mind says to run for safety outside the house, but Shyam was completely consumed by greed so his rational mind was not working. That is what happens when a person is completely captured by a particular vrtti.


Conclusion

When people are captured by a particular vrtti then their rational mind stops working. So in one’s individual life, if ever someone becomes struck by a given vrtti and gets infatuated on that point, they should not make any major life decisions in that frame of mind. They should delay, seek help, and get counsel etc. Here the key point is not to decide anything so long as the mind has been kidnapped and overpowered by that vrtti. Only when the pull of that vrtti weakens and one’s rational mind is again functioning should that individual make important life decisions etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Liila
Leslie Gerraro


~ In-depth study ~

Premature death: nothing can save human beings

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “So whether in the material world or in the intellectual world, the predominant tendency that makes today’s people, both individually and collectively, rush headlong without control, is the instinct of greed. The propensity of greed, if not controlled by rationality, or benevolent intellect, or spiritual practices, will lead to premature death. Nothing can save human beings from this. This instinct of greed has brought the present humanity to such a state that people no longer consider anything as sinful. Rather, they consider the “sin psychology” as a mental weakness, and the worst of sins are being glorified as the height of intellect, not only indirectly but also openly.” (1)

People will develop different types of cunningness

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Human beings have fifty vrttis (psychic urges), and those fifty vrttis are also complex in their functioning. As the vrttis become more complex, so do their functions.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The number of vrttis may further increase. The more complicated social life, family life, the realm of thought and the realm of intellect become, the more vrttis will develop. For example, the vrtti, cunningness, may be expressed in many more ways. To fulfil their desires, people will develop different types of cunningness which may become different vrttis in future. For example, the cunningness required to procure an object by devious means, the cunningness needed to give a promise knowing full well that one will never keep it, and the cunningness required to trick someone into believing that one did not tell a lie when in fact one did tell a lie, may all become separate vrttis in future.” (3)

Sahasrára cakra controls 1000 propensities

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “The number of vrttis varies according to the complexity of the physical structure. The more complex the structure, the greater shall be the number of vrttis. The more-developed animals, therefore, possess more vrttis than the less-developed ones. Generally there are one thousand vrttis in the human structure. In their development and expression on the ordinary crude level they are fifty in number. The collective number being one thousand, the seeds of all those thousand vrttis are present in the brain. Because of the existence of these seeds of one thousand vrttis in the pineal gland, the yogins have named it sahasrára cakra [sahasra means “thousand”]. The subsidiary glands control forty-eight vrttis and the pituitary controls two – saḿkalpátmaka, or one leading to parávidyá (knowledge of the Great) and vikalpátmaka, relating to aparávidyá (knowledge of the mundane). The pineal as a structure controls all these fifty vrttis taken internally and externally by all ten indriyas. 50 x 2 x 10 = 1000. Yogis having control over the sahasrára cakra attain nirvikalpa samádhi, a state where they are beyond the approach of all the vrttis. Within the scope of these vrttis lies the seed of saḿskára – good or bad. So the attainment of such a state means the end of all the saḿskáras, exhaustion of all the previous momentum accumulated by the mind due to its previous journeys in Brahma Cakra. This is what is called mokśa – union with the Transcendentality.” (4)

Alliances with antisocial elements for sake of party

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The vanity of lineage is associated with the cultural superiority complex also. That is, the supremacy of any particular culture is dependent on an ism. Although according to perfect logic the culture of all humanity is one and indivisible, the exponents of isms do not understand this. They prefer to assert that the different sets of script and language, behaviour and habit, and local variations in expression, are actually the constituents of human culture.”
   “The supporters of political isms do not even hesitate to commit heinous acts for the sake of their ism. In the medieval period communalism dragged humanity to the nadir of degradation. Incredibly, a few people in the twentieth century still try to revive medieval communal feelings. Today people who make a habit of delivering high-sounding lectures do not hesitate to form unholy alliances with antisocial elements for the sake of their ism. We can therefore say without any doubt that they are under the evil influence of the static force.” (5)

How to utilize the vrttis

Ananda Marga ideology states, “In this introversial phase, all fifty vrttis should be directed towards the Supreme Goal. The mind which was swayed away by the fifty vrttis should now be redirected. How? The activities of the ten organs should first be withdrawn and suspended in the mind, and the suspended mind should be directed towards Parama Puruśa. In the process of withdrawal or pratyáhára, all the organs should be channelized towards the subtle mind. What is dhyána? To suspend all the vrttis and then to direct them towards the Supreme One is dhyána.”(6)

References
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva’s Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10)
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sádhaná, Abhidhyána and Kiirtana
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sádhaná, Abhidhyána and Kiirtana
4. Idea & Ideology, Mind, Práńendriya and Vrtti
5. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Ism and Human Progress
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sádhaná, Abhidhyána and Kiirtana

*        *        *

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 ==

How to put it to memory

Namaskar, 

Baba's below teaching discloses the reason why our scripture has been composed in the genre of poetry: Because poetry is easy to memorise. For this reason, Baba has composed our scripture - i.e. Ananda Sutram and Prabhat Samgiita - in poetic verse.
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In the absence of rhythm it is difficult to memorize. That is why since ancient times, for 15,000 years, the common practice has been to bring every valuable branch of knowledge within the scope of rhythm. Human beings do not easily forget rhythm. One may forget the contents of knowledge, but not the rhythm. That is why all Vedic Rks were composed in 7 meters. All literary compositions were brought within the gamut of the seven Vedic metres...as they are valuable for the memory." (1)

Set to rhythm
 
If you want to learn or memorize anything, the easiest way is to set it to rhythm. One paragraph of prose is very difficult to memorise, but one stanza of a poem, shloka, or song is comparatively easy to memorise. Rhythm helps in memorising anything. That is why in their infancy, children are introduced to language via rhythm in nursery rhymes and songs etc. By this way, they can quickly learn and advance.
 
In the distant past, before the invention of any script and before paper came into vogue, people used to keep everything in their mind. There were no books or other media as we see nowadays: audio, video, writings, etc. There was nothing.


What yogis did in the past
 
So when there was no way to store ideas or teachings on paper or cassette, the only option was to store it all in their memory. The best technique for doing that was to create rhythmic poetry. So all those past yogis, rishis, sages, thinkers, and munis put their realizations into shloka, poem, or any kind of rhythmic expression like the vedas, purana etc. Even when script was first invented, most people did not know how to read or write, so those thinkers continued to put their teachings into poetic verse. This happened all across the globe.
 
This is not only for those of the past. Today also if you want to memorise anything then put it in rhythmic form. Cunning advertisers create jingles or rhymes to influence consumers, and film-makers do the same.
 
So to keep something readily in the mind then take help from a rhythmic flow, otherwise it will be very difficult to store that in your memory. For this reason Baba has given the key of Ananda Marga teachings - i.e. Ananda Sutram - in poetic form, and Prabhat Samgiita as well. And in virtually every discourse He has included a shloka. By that way - by memorizing one rhythmic shloka - one can get the seed idea of the entire discourse. That is how to memorize that entire discourse in key form.
 
In His series of discourses on the Faculty of Knowledge, Baba has given so many points about memory and rhythm.

In Him, 
Viniit
 
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, The Faculty of Knowledge – 4

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Posture for elimination

Ananda Marga health guideline: “Straining at stool often aggravates the disease. Remember that without constipation and defective functioning of the liver one can never suffer from piles.” (1)
 
Ananda Marga health guideline: “A hernia patient should also remember to maintain a slight but continuous feeling of hunger. Hernia patients should get out of the habit of straining while defecating.” (2)

Ananda Marga health guideline: “Cancer is a disease of the whole body as well as a tridośaja disease [involving disturbances of váyu, pitta and kapha]. This disease is a combined effect of many different factors. It is ordinarily observed that persons who suffer from constipation as a result of violating the health rules, and who likewise are lazy, lack self-restraint, sleep during the day and keep late nights, are most likely to be attacked by cancer.” (3)

In most western countries a toilet seat is widely used where one sits on it like a chair at the desk, but that causes constipation and related diseases. If you see animals, you will notice that they defecate in a half-seated / squatting posture. The best natural and anatomical position for humans is to defecate in a squatting posture. That is the natural position for elimination and will ward off constipation.

Those using an Indian sanitary pan - as displayed below on the right are already defecating from a squatting position. And on the left is how to properly use a western style toilet. 

References
1. Yogic Treatments, Haemorrhoids
2. Yogic Treatments, Hernia
3. Yogic Treatments, Cancer

== Section: Important Teaching ==

No words for exploitative vaeshyas

Prout philosophy states, “If, in the history of human struggle, the role of the vipras [intellectual exploiters] is one of parasitic dependence on others, I cannot find words to describe the role of the vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters]. Both the vipras [religious exploiters] and the vaeshyas exploit society, but the vipra exploiters are not as terrible as the vaeshya exploiters. The vaeshyas are like a deadly parasite on the tree of society which tries to kill the tree by sucking dry all its vital sap. But if the tree dies, the parasite will also die. The vaeshya parasites understand this and therefore try to ensure the survival of society by making some donations; they build temples, mosques, churches and pilgrims’ inns, give little bonuses, feed the poor; etc. Calamity only comes when they lose their common sense out of excessive greed and try to suck society completely dry. Once the social body falls unconscious, the vaeshyas will die along with the rest of the body. Otherwise, before allowing themselves to die, the exploited shúdras [toiling mass], kśatriyas [warriors] and vipras [intellectuals] can unite to destroy the vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters]. This is the rule.” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Key point before sadhana

Here is the English summary of Baba’s Hindi teaching of Átmatiirtha, V24 25(H), 22 Nov 71 Purnea, Bihar AV 24-25.

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. 

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.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

No charge for diiksa

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “To ensure the subsistence of ácáryas (spiritual teachers), all kinds of sacrifice should be accepted.” (1)

Note: Sadguru Baba has given the rule that acaryas are not to charge or accept remuneration for giving sadhana lessons, initiations, or presiding over any social ceremony like baby naming, marriages, death, or house entrance etc. So the question arises how will they survive? The answer is that it is the duty of family margiis to provide Wts with their basic requirements. By this system, Wts can perform their duties per Baba’s guideline. Unfortunately we see that some fake Wts like Dada N* etc are charging money for the aforesaid duties. Teaching sadhana has become his business. It is disgraceful. 

Baba made initiation without charge because in the society some are economically poor and some are economically healthy. So Baba made Ananda Marga sadhana and social ceremonies equal for all. That is why there should not be any charge. In a mundane manner, just think what would happen if firefighters started asking for money and charging before putting out the fire. In that circumstance, the whole society would collapse and crumble.

* The Dada N in the above note is Nabhanillananda.

Reference
1. Caryacarya, part 2, Society, point #11

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How not to digress from the ideal of the Great

Ananda Marga ideology states, "You exist in a vast, limitless ocean of rasa or essences. A never-ending, radiant wave of manifestations is surging within and without you and radiating through all the ten directions – the indescribable vibrational expressions of small and great, accented and unaccented, eternally flowing thought-waves. Behave properly and reasonably with every expression, with every manifestation of the Cosmic mind. But always remember the One, Who is the essence of all these diverse vibrational manifestations. Train yourselves in the ideal of the lily, which blossoms in the mud and has to keep itself engaged in the struggle for existence day in and day out, parrying, bracing and fighting the shocks of muddy water and the force of storms and squalls and various other vicissitudes of fortune; and yet it does not forget the moon above. It keeps its love for the moon constantly alive. It seems but a most ordinary flower: there is nothing extraordinary about it. Yet, this most ordinary little flower has a romantic tie with the great moon. It has focused all its desires on the moon. Similarly, perhaps you are an ordinary creature – perhaps you have to pass your days in the ups and downs of worldly existence – yet do not forget that Supreme One. Keep all your desires inclined towards Him. Always keep yourself merged in His thought. Go deep into the mood of that Infinite Love. By this your worldly activities will not be hampered in any way."

Kumud candramá dúrete rahiyá yemati rákhaye priiti,
Temati Shrii Rádhá kánu páne cáhi grha káj kare niti.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "No matter what circumstances you are in, never lose sight of the Infinite One. Degradation is impossible for those who have accepted the Supreme Being as the Ideal of their lives. Indulging in mean thoughts only engenders crude vibrations in the Citta, as the result of which you will have to take rebirth in lower species in order to suffer the lowly Saḿskáras created by those crude vibrations. Thus you must arouse higher vibrations in your Citta. Even a man of King Bharata's calibre had to take rebirth as a deer because at the time of his death he was deeply anxious about a fawn. Thus regardless of what you are at present or what you may possibly become in the future, do not digress from the ideal of the Great in any circumstances: do not stray even a step away from the path of realization of Absolute Bliss. Ananda Marga or the path to eternal bliss is the only path for you." (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

बाबा, सुख भरे अच्छे दिनों में, मैं तुम्हें भूला रहा

"प्रभात सङ्गीत 966 आलोकेर एइ झरना धाराय, स्नान करे तुमि एशेछो …"

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष ! तुम आध्यात्मिक दिव्य रौशनी  के झरने में स्नान करके आए हो। तुम परमसत्ता हो। हे प्रभु ! मैं गन्दगी में डूबा हुआ था।  माया में पूरी तरह जकडा हुआ था। बाबा, तुमने मेरे हाथ पकड़कर माया के कीचड़ से बाहर निकालने की कृपा की। कीचड़ को साफकर तुमने कृपाकर मुझे अपनी दिव्य गोद में  स्थान दिया।


हे मेरे प्रभो ! मेरे सुख और  प्रसन्नता  भरे अच्छे दिनों में, मैं तुम्हें भूला रहा। मैंने साधना नहीं की और न ही सोलह विधियों का पालन किया । मैंने तुम्हें तभी पुकारा जब कष्टों ने आ घेरा और खतरे में पड़ गया। अपने सुख के दिनों को मैंने अकेले ही भोगा। अपने पापों का पहाड़ बन जाने के बाद ही मैंने बचाने के लिए  तुम्हें पुकारा। मैं सभी से कहता फिरता था कि मैंने कठिन परिश्रम से सफलता, प्रसन्नता और योग्यता पाई है।  सबको अपने पराक्रम का गर्व से बखान किया करता था। घमण्ड में डूबकर यह भी कहा करता था कि इसमें परमपुरुष ने कुछ नहीं किया है। परन्तु  जब कुकर्मो में फंसकर पाप करने लगा तो तुम्हें दोष देना लगा। इतना ही नहीं यह भी आरोप करने लगा कि तुमने मेरे मन को गलत दिशा में मोड़ दिया। अपने पहाड़ जैसे पापों का दोष तुम्हारे ऊपर मढ़ने लगा। मैं सदा ही घमण्ड में डूबा रहा।  तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में कभी समर्पण नहीं किया। इसके बाद भी तुमने मेरी ओर कितने प्रेम और आकर्षण से निहारा। सचमुच तुम मुझे बहुत चाहते हो।

हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! मैं तो केवल अपनी महानता का ही गुणगान करता रहा। पूरे समय अपने आपको शाबाशी देने में  ही व्यस्त बनाए  रहा। तुम्हारे बारे में तो कभी सोचा भी नहीं, बिलकुल नहीं ।  मैं सदा स्वार्थ के  कीचड़  में ही फँसता चला  गया। सही और धार्मिक कार्य तो मैंने किए  ही नहीं। केवल दूसरों के लिए  इनकी शिक्षा अवश्य देता रहा और खुद इनसे दूर बना रहा । अपनी महानता बताने को  मैं  दिखावे के लिए  महान भक्त होने का नाटक करता रहा। इतना सब होते हुए भी  हे बाबा ! तुमने मेरे सभी गलत कामों  को माफ़  कर दिया तथा  मुझे धर्म और नीति के सच्चे रास्ते पर ले आए ।  तुम कितने कृपालु हो !

About spiritual effulgence: Parama Purusa has no shape but in the language of philosophy it is expressed that He is the embodiment of spiritual effulgence. From time to time for the welfare of humanity and His creation He descends on this earth in human form as Mahasambhuti. So in the language of poetry, it is expressed that, O’ Mahasambhuti You have come after bathing in spiritual effulgence. You are blemishless, without any samskara. However You take Your samkalpa in that way You manifest Your liila in day to day life. Alternately, human beings are bound by their samskara, i.e. stains.

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why sadhakas undergo more bad samskaras

   Ananda Marga ideology states, “Reactions in requital to past actions normally occur more in a spiritual aspirant’s life than in an ordinary person’s life. The reason is that when all original actions are surrendered to Brahma, there remain only the reactive actions. The reactions may be good or bad [according to whether they are resultants of good or bad original actions]. But think about how many of the deeds you performed before coming to the path of sádhaná were good and how many were bad. To tell the unpleasant truth, ninety-nine percent of your deeds were bad. Hence it is often the case that sádhakas have to suffer much more from bad reactive momenta than get to enjoy good ones. It can even be said that the more one suffers from reactions, the more one is progressing along the path of sádhaná.”
   “Of course, the requital of the reactive momenta may possibly be pleasurable instead of painful; it all depends upon the nature of one’s actions. In either case, the more one surrenders one’s actions to Brahma, the shorter will be the period of requital caused by the reactions. In this case the intensity of the requital will be greater than normal; but this is a good sign, because intense requital means the exhaustion of the requital within a short period.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology in a Nutshell - 8, Sádhaná

== Section 3: Links ==

Prabhat Samgiita Day - 14 Sep

Sharing heartfelt feeling: role of PS

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/05/choosing-ps-3-more.html

Starting point of Prabhat Samgiita 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/history-what-devotees-were-singing.html

Postings to Read

Best use of time

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-get-guideline-from-sadguru.html

Spirituality: essential aspect of nitya karma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/nitya-karma-3-more.html

Golden rule: inherent flaws

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/11/self-centered-theology-vs-am.html

Link between sadhana lessons

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-and-what-about-sadhana.html

Story: how Baba made me victorious

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/05/story-how-baba-taught-me-surrender-part.html

Ananda Marga vs dogmas of epic

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2022/04/baba-yudhisthira-dogma-namaskar-in.html