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Sunday, August 9, 2026

Mahaprayan of Ac Satyasudhananda Avt

Baba

Mahaprayan of Ac Satyasudhananda Avt

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Acarya Satyasudhananda Avadhuta. Dada ji's mahaprayan occurred on 09 Aug 2026 at 3:40 AM. Dada ji suffered an acute change in blood pressure and was treated at Maharaja Suheldev Autonomous State Medical College & Hospital, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Even with expert medical care, Dada ji underwent his mahaprayan. 

May we all take solace in the fact that Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Harideva

Note: Here is an alert for those cremating a dead body in India or Indian managed cremation homes around the world. Their custom is to put the fire in the mouth of the deceased to initiate the burning of the body. This is prohibited in AM as it is uncivilised. So watch out; do not allow this. If you are not careful, they will end up cremating the body in this manner. Make them aware ahead of time. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The practice of putting fire into the mouth of the dead body is repulsive, it should not be encouraged." (Caryacarya - 1, Disposal of the Dead Body)


~ In-depth study ~

We have seen that when somebody dies then in offering their condolences people say now Mr So-and-so is sitting on Baba's lap. On other occasions when telling a Baba story people also say, "Such and such person sat on Baba's lap." But these days the trend is that "sitting on Baba's lap" is used more in connection with death. And that causes some confusion in the minds of readers. To unknot the situation please read below. 

Dogma: if "on Baba's lap" only used for death

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "May Parama Purusa Baba accept her in HIS divine lap"

- "We pray to Baba - please give him shelter in his lap... "

- "May his soul rest in the lap of our beloved BABA"

- "Now she is taking rest in Baba's Lap."

- "May Baba accept him in HIS divine lap....."

- "May he rest in HIS loving lap of eternity."

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in Bábá's loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in peace taking shelter in Baba's lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

- "We all collectively pray to Baba to take him on Baba's divine lap forever.”

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. These days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's intimate spiritual experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused, and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their inner feelings of bhakti. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.


Baba story: "sitting on Baba's lap"

Some time ago after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba. He said, "After being lovingly scolded by Baba for my wrongdoings, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his factual and historical event, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries. Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this. The new sadhaka sensed that something was wrong, and he said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like how a child need not die in order to sit on his father’s lap.

The idea is that this phrase - Baba's lap - has been linked with death due to extreme overuse. So for some time if sadhakas use this phrase exclusively for spiritual purposes, that will be best. The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its pure spiritual quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

Baba would bless bhaktas and place them on His lap

There are tens of thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply mystical value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and sadhana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply intimate experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a spiritual practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

"Mahaprayan" means death of mortals - confirm for yourself
from the Samsad Bengali-English Dictionary

Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in our Bengal to describe the death of any human being, even ordinary people. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' (death) is one extraordinarily grand term of bhakti to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no bhaktas ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by the leader of a particular group in AMPS. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary 3rd edition on page 848. By checking there, it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it is used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens. And that is the case in this letter also. The term mahaprayan means death, and this is the ideal term for this purpose.

Mahaprayan is only for humans not for Sadguru

Here it should be qualified that there is both a real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being, just like the aforesaid news. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan. That is when certain vested interests try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa. This is grossly inappropriate because when Parama Purusa Sadguru Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is entirely wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa. Those doing mahaprayan for Sadguru are hypocrites. On the one side in meditation they ask His grace thinking that He is ever-present, and on the other side they think that Baba has passed away. That is their hypocrisy.


== Section 2: Links ==


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Saturday, August 8, 2026

Story: Baba explains snake situation + 2 more

Baba

Story: Baba explains snake situation

Namaskar,

Every morning when I awakened, I saw a snake crawl out from underneath my bedding and quietly slither away. Only after meeting with Sadguru Baba weeks later did I learn how and why this was happening. Such was the experience of Shyam Prasad Chakravarty, a teacher in the Ananda Marga school in Ghatal. Here is more of his first-hand account.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Incident: from bed, snake slithers away

I was living and teaching in our Ananda Marga school in Ghatal - it was a mud building with a mud floor and mud walls. Every morning a snake would emerge from my blankets and go away. This was very concerning to me. Each night before sleep I would meticulously make my bed and check all around. Then I would secure it on all sides with my mosquito net. It was sealed all around. Yet, every morning that same snake would slither away from my bedding. Somehow the snake was entering my sleeping area, remaining there all night, and leaving in the morning.

It never bit me, nor did it hiss at me, nonetheless it was very concerning to me. I began telling others about it and asking their advice. Some of the local villagers and margiis suggested using chemical carbide - a toxic agent. I tried it but it did not succeed. Still the snake was coming. I had no idea how to resolve the situation and was very disturbed by this whole affair.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

PC with Baba

Time passed and a month later I went for reporting - everyone told me that I should seek Baba's help about this matter. I was blessed and got the opportunity to see Baba.

Baba asked me how I was and I said that everything was fine. I felt there was no need to tell Him of my problem because already He is knowing everything.

Then Baba said, "You are having a problem with one snake."

I replied, "Yes, Baba."

Then Baba explained in great detail what had transpired.

Secret behind snake

He said, "When you were growing up you had one very dear friend, Bankim. As boys, you two used to do everything together - during school, after school, always. You were inseparable. You two were bosom buddies. Then, in 1984, you both were initiated into Ananda Marga sadhana. Although Bankin was a good boy, he was not regular in doing his sadhana. Bankin did not perform sadhana twice daily as per our Ananda Marga system. One afternoon, two years later, in 1986, Bankim put down his books, left the school and walked out across the field in the village of Vyangamatii (Purulia Dist) and suddenly died from an epileptic attack."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

"You were deeply saddened by his death. You two were so close - Bankim's death was a real shock. And because Bankim was not doing his sadhana morning and evening regularly as prescribed, he was reborn as a snake. And the snake he became is the same snake that is staying with you every night. That snake is very fond of you."

I  listened intently as Baba told everything.

Then Baba said to me, "Even though Bankim was not regular in sadhana, and did not do meditation twice daily, if you wish he can again get human life. What do you want: Shall I grant him human life."

I said, "Yes, Baba, please again give him human life."

Snake falls to the ground and slips away

Baba lovingly spoke, "You need not be concerned about this snake problem any longer. It will come to you for one more month, but you need not worry - it will not bite you. The snake will not bother you at all. Only you will see it as usual when you arise in the morning. After this month-long period, it will get human life."

My session with Baba ended - I did sastaunga pranam, He graciously blessed me, and I slowly left the room.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

I returned to the school in Ghatal and that very first night back the snake was with me again. Every day I tried my best to clean and arrange my bed and tie the mosquito net securely to prevent the snake from entering. But no matter what I did, every morning when I lifted up and shook my bed sheets, then the snake would fall to the ground and slip away. Although this was not pleasant for me, I knew that Baba had told that in one month this problem would be over. Each morning I checked for the snake, and each morning it was there. It seemed to be an endless problem. Then one morning I lifted the bed sheet and I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to find that the snake was not there. It was gone. I then counted the days and realised it was exactly 30 days since I had seen Baba. I never saw that snake again. Per Guru's wish, the snake left this world and was blessed to have human life.

Why & what about this incident

(#1) If one does sadhana regularly (two times daily) one will get mukti (liberation) - that is Guru's guarantee. But if one is remiss in doing their sadhana, what to speak of mukti they may not even get human life. That was the case with Bankim as he was reborn as a snake.

(#2) If one does not do sadhana twice daily they will have to face the consequences and reap all their samskaras.

(#3) In this world one should be most attracted to Parama Purusa and not any unit person or mundane thing. Since Bankim was so attached to Shyam Prasad then, as a snake, he had the strong desire to be with him.

(#4) All who take initiation are benefited in some way - even if they do not get mukti (liberation). Even though Bankim was not regular in sadhana, He was specially graced to quickly again get human life, after living for a short spell as a snake. Had he not been initiated his samskara would have been worse and longer lasting.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(#5) Every initiated Ananda Margii must be very vigilant in doing their sadhana - twice daily without any exception.

(#6) Only Parama Purusa is the benevolent Goal and Eternal Entity. While walking this earth, one must ideate on Him, and not anything else.

Conclusion

Bankim had a snake samskara from his past deeds. But, if he had done sadhana as per the prescribed system, then that old snake samskara would have been burned. When one does sadhana their accumulated samskaras get burned very quickly. As long as one has samskaras, that individual has to take rebirth in order to face those torments. So Bankim had his bundle of samskaras, but since Bankim did not do sadhana that old samskara took over. That is why, after his death, Bankim went in the reverse direction and was reborn as a snake. After he finished his snake samskara then again he was blessed with human life.

It is not the rule that if one does not do sadhana then they automatically become a snake. Ananda Marga philosophy states that if you do not do sadhana regularly then you will suffer from your old samskaras, either in this life or the next, whatever those samskaras may be. Whereas, if you do sadhana regularly, then most of your old samskaras will be exhausted. Only in rare cases, if one has done terrible, nasty deeds in their previous lives, then their samskaras may not get exhausted due to the sheer vastness of those samskaras. Then what? When the sadhaka dies then only some of their previous life samskaras get burned. And still they have a huge pile of unexpressed samskaras. In that scenario, Guru’s divine promise takes effect from the Supreme Command. However many samskaras are left, Guru graciously takes away all those samskaras and He grants liberation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Supreme Command says, "Those who perform sadhana twice a day regularly - the thought of Parama Purusa will certainly arise in their minds at the time of death; their liberation is a sure guarantee. Therefore every Ananda Margii will have to perform sadhana twice a day invariably; verily is this the command of the Lord."

Intelligent sadhakas do their sadhana regularly - at least 80 times japa and 15 minutes minimum of iishvara pranidhana, and maximum as much as they can.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Mukul Basu

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.



*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Present & future science

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Human beings will definitely be able to increase human longevity by scientific techniques. In certain special cases they will even be able to restore life to dead bodies. The endeavour to expedite the advent of that auspicious day of science is certainly an important part of social service.”

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “One day human beings will also learn how to produce human babes in science laboratories. Perhaps then it will be possible for human beings to place an order for their children and to get children according to their choice. Why should these laboratory babes lag behind modern humans with respect to intellectual and spiritual wealth! Those opposed to science today challenge, “Let human beings demonstrate that they can produce living entities!” By producing laboratory babes, the human beings of the future will give a befitting reply to this challenge.”

“The development of intuition will make human beings more spiritually inclined. What Saguńa Brahma [the Qualified Supreme Entity] is directly doing today will be done increasingly by the human beings of tomorrow. In that age the reproductive capacity of the human body will gradually cease to exist.” (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #25, 1959


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ananda Marga Ideology states, “On deeper analysis we find that the Charvaka and other schools of materialistic philosophy propagated certain doctrines which were more a revolt against the prevailing religions than an expression of a rational and benevolent outlook. They protested loudly against the clergy or religious traders who composed the so-called scriptures in the name of dharma (in fact it     was not dharma, but religion); who took advantage of the fear psychosis, in the name of god, to ruthlessly exploit society. The Charvaka and other materialistic philosophies were motivated to strike against religious exploiters. They were fully aware of the way the vested interests exploited society, and they knew that nobody had the right to deprive others of their properties, since every thing of this earth is the common patrimony of all, yet they did not endeavour to lead humans along the path of rationality or formulate a healthy social and spiritual ideology.” (1)

Ananda Marga Ideology states, “The reason for this was that they lacked convincing arguments to stand against the sharp intellect of the vested interests [religious exploiters]. Thus, they merely attempted to negate the fundamental tenets of the vested interests  [religious exploiters], often with rather abusive language. Due to the weakness of their argumentation it was easy for the vested interests  [religious exploiters] to emerge and gain strength in the subsequent period.” (2)

References:
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, In Adoration of the Supreme
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, In Adoration of the Supreme


== Section 2: Links ==

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Friday, August 7, 2026

Comparative view: tantra vs pop yoga

Baba

Comparative view: tantra vs pop yoga

Note: There are many sincere, innocent, kind-hearted people who have been drawn into the contemporary yoga scene, but sadly they are not given the practices or answers they deserve to progress. It is our duty to help them. So we should know the wide gap between AM and the modern “yoga” movement and develop convincing and appealing strategies to draw them onto the path of true tantra, i.e. Ananda Marga sadhana and spirituality. 

Namaskar,

The Ananda Marga system of yoga is the unique method given by Taraka Brahma Himself based in tantra. AM is the path of dharma that leads to the all-round growth and development in all the spheres of life. It stands on its own, completely independent of the current ways of pseudo-culture yoga in the popular domain. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Food in today’s yoga scene

(A) In our AM, Baba has given the philosophy of sentient / sattvika food which positively affects one’s quality of mind, the secretion of hormones, as well as one’s spiritual ideation etc. This is fundamentally lacking in the contemporary yoga movement. 

(B) Our AM system of eating gives specific guidelines about when and how often one should eat, as well as how many items one may take at a given meal. Moreover, Baba guides us not to eat when others are taking tamasika food etc. 

(C) The idea of engaging in spiritual ideation while eating is completely new. So eating is not a mundane affair but part of our spiritual approach to life. In addition, Baba warns us not to eat food if the person cooking is of debased mind or making a show for their own prestige. For more info, please read the points in Caryacarya part two about shráddhánna, priityanna, and ápadanna.

These above points are wholly absent in the contemporary yoga / pseudo-culture yoga scene.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Contemporary yoga: wrong asanas & dogmatic pranayama

(D) In AM, our asana practice is fixed. The total number of recommended asanas is forty-two. And each practitioner performs a specific number of asanas daily according to an exact number of repetitions with a standard duration for each posture. Moreover, all of the AM asanas are based on the secretion of hormones, control of the vrttis, and the channelization of the mind, thereby making the whole human existence a fertile ground for spiritual practice. So, in all respects, our AM system is completely scientific, whereas the contemporary yoga style has hundreds of asanas that are done in a free-form manner. Each person does their asanas according to their own feeling and liking.

(E) The reality is that the current physical yoga movement is not based on a rational approach. Sadly, in an attempt to cure something, they invite more problems. For example, in order to turn their gray hair black, they do shiirs'asana (headstand). But what they fail to understand is that by doing this posture their blood pressure is adversely affected and their eyesight deteriorates.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(F) So contemporary yoga folks do not know the harmful effect of doing certain asanas like shiirs'asana (headstand). This asana is their most highly regarded posture. That's why even the first prime minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru - used to practice this asana. The main point is that shiirs'asana is harmful in many ways, including being highly detrimental to the eyes. But, today, the contemporary fake yoga movement has fully embraced shiirs'asana as the king of asanas. 

(G) In our Caryacarya, there are twenty-one specific rules regarding the practice of asanas. In contrast, there are no such rules in the pseudo-culture yoga classes for asanas.

(H) The pranayama of fake yoga is just related to physical exercise or even a fashion statement by the way they hold their nose. Their pranayama is completely devoid of ideation and mantra. In this type of crude approach, pranayama is just a worldly, breathing modality, and, in this way, they invite serious psychic diseases and physical ailments.

(I) They even teach kumbhak pranayama -- holding of the breath -- to new practitioners. And, if not done properly, it can be very harmful to one’s physical health such that kumbhak pranayama can create a hole in the lungs, and it can also cause various types of psychic diseases. For more, kindly reference the Caryacarya section on rules for pranayama.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Fasting: AM vs pseudo-culture yoga 

(J) Baba has given all the details about fasting including the number of hours and how to conduct the fast. He has also clarified that fasting does not mean starvation but upavasa -- remaining close to God. These are completely new ideas. In contrast, the "system" of fasting in today’s yoga movement is essentially non-existent. And if they do some type of fast it is done according to their own whim or convenience because, unfortunately, they just do not know what to do. 

(K) In the name of fasting they eat all kinds of things – fish, partial food, milk, garlic water, prasad and sweets – on that day, or, at the very least, they drink juice. So there are no clear-cut rules for fasting as we have in AM. 

(L) In our AM, Baba's revolutionary approach reveals for the first time how to break fast properly. We have our special process for breaking upavasa with lemon / salt water. A minimum of 2-3 litres is needed to clear and cleanse the entire digestive tract. So, in AM, there is a proper system. 

(M) Baba says that animals also do fasting, but they don't know how to properly break their fast. In a similar manner, those few in the contemporary yoga scene who have adopted some type of fast also do not know how to break that fast. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Misc: laungota & myrobalan

(N) Still today, in India, many males do not know the proper way of using a laungota - and more commonly they may even just use western underwear. In both cases, they wrongly place the organ in a downward direction. This creates impotence - and thus causes public misunderstanding and fear. Even today, the so-called yogacaryas and fake sannyasis use this incorrect and harmful approach. While in the contemporary yoga movement outside of India, they have no idea whatsoever about the use of a laungota. For more about this, please read the addendum at the end of this letter.  

(O) Regarding the use of myrobalan, Sadguru Baba has given the strict rule that in 24 hours one must not take more than ¼ quantity of myrobalan, otherwise the lymph will dry out, the functioning of the brain will be disturbed, and one will be at risk for becoming impotent. But those dogmatic sadhus of India do not have any such warnings or regulations. And outside of India, most have never heard of myrobolan, and thus have no idea of its benefits. 

(P) Sixteen Points is entirely unique, newly given by Sadguru Baba. And AM is grounded in the Sixteen Points. There is not even a shadow of a hint of this in the contemporary yoga scene. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

AM is the tantrika path given by Taraka Brahma Himself that leads to self-realization and liberation. The path of Ananda Marga is unparalleled and unprecedented — a gift of Parama Purusa, Mahasambhuti. In contrast, the contemporary yoga scene is more of a fad or activity that has numerous defects, demerits, and dogmas. It is our duty to draw those followers onto the path of tantra. Sincere seekers will appreciate the depth and rationality of Ananda Marga.

In Him,
Ramsvarupa

~ In-depth study ~

Hatha / contemporary yoga is fake

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Hat́ha Yoga is not Yoga. In Yoga one has to do Vrtti nirodha, and for Vrtti nirodha one has to withdraw oneʼs mind from the crude objects and direct it towards Paramátman, then only suspension of propensities is possible. There has to be a goal without which suspension is not possible.” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “If yoga is treated as a means of realizing Parama Puruśa and not as a type of hat́há yoga, then this is the real yoga.” (2)

Such so-called yogis cannot get liberation

Ananda Marga ideology states, “This particular type of yoga where a yogii does not bear love for the Supreme Entity is called “hat́ha yoga” in Saḿskrta. It is dangerous for human elevation. “Hat́ha” comes from “ha” and “t́ha”. “Ha” represents the súrya nádii or [[piuṋgalá]] nádii” and is the acoustic root of physical force. “Tha” represents the candra nádii or [[id́á]] nádii” and is the acoustic root of the mind. So “hat́ha” implies forcible control of mind by physical force. In popular parlance whenever something happens very abruptly or all of a sudden we use the word “hat́hát” i.e., “Hat́hena kurute karma.” Obviously a practitioner of “Hat́ha Yoga” can not attain liberation.” (3)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Regarding the definition of yoga, it is said that yogashcittavrttinirodhah – the suspension of all mental propensities is yoga. Hat́ha yoga is another name for such yoga. Suppose people suspend their mental propensities by artificial methods, by stopping the activities of their nerves. Will that help in attaining God-realization? When people fall asleep, their mental activities remain suspended – does sleep help in attaining Brahma? Hence, this is also not the correct approach. The logic that the suspension of mental propensities leads to supreme spiritual attainment is also false.” (4)

No scope for service

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Many people criticize this path of hat́ha yoga because, they say, the practices of ásanas, práńáyáma, and so on, are not very congenial for spiritual progress. In fact, the defects of this system are as follows: first, such yogis cannot render any useful service to the world, for they have to keep themselves engaged in these practices for twenty-four hours a day. Yet, human beings have to do so many things in life, not only the practices of ásanas, práńáyáma, and so on. They must learn many things and teach many things to others. If, instead of doing that, some people spend a major portion of their days practising práńáyáma, how will they find time for setting an example for others?” (5)

Misuse of the term “yoga”

Ananda Marga ideology states, “You should be careful about the frequent misuse of the word “yoga” nowadays. In this connection you should remember one thing. In the Sanskrit language, the verbs yuiṋj and yuj do not have identical meanings. Yuj means “to add”, while yuiṋj means “to unify, to become one without any difference”. [In the same way,] jiivátmá and Paramátmá become one. The jiivátmá no longer has any separate identity. It has merged itself in Paramátmá. Brahmavid brahmaeva bhavati – “One who knows Paramátmá becomes Paramátmá Himself.” He no longer has any separate existence. In the spiritual domain, yoga is used in this sense (in the sense of “unification” and not in the sense of “addition”). You should remember that maybe one has learnt a few ásanas such as shiirśásańa, sarváuṋgásana, pashcimottanásana, and so on, but does one thus become a yogi? It does not happen like this. It is not so easy to become a yogi.” (6)

Not real yoga

Ananda Marga ideology states, “If yoga is treated as a means of realizing Parama Puruśa and not as a type of hat́há yoga, then this is the real yoga. Otherwise if one practices práńáyáma for a long portion of the day, then oneʼs coming onto this earth becomes meaningless. Many people suspend their vital energy by means of hat́há yogic practices. Others wrongly think that since such people can suspend their life-force, they must be great personalities – mahápuruśas. Such a notion is wholly defective. Through regular practice, oneʼs life-force can be suspended, but that does not prove oneʼs greatness. One can survive for long without food; there are some specific techniques for that; but most people in the world do not know those methods. If those who know the methods are called mahápuruśas, this is not correct.” (7)

Devoid of Cosmic ideation

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When práńáyáma is done without fixing the mind on a particular point of concentration, and without imbibing Cosmic ideation, it is called hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma” (8)

Part of avidya tantra

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Depending upon the difference in the controlling points of the cakras, spiritual sádhaná can take either of two forms: (#1) Controlling the hormone secretion of the glands and strengthening the controlling points of the cakras is the system known as hatha yoga, because it is more physical in character. This science is more extroversive in character and consequently part of avidya tantra. (#2) To surrender oneʼs mind to Shrii Krśńa – This is introversive or ideational in character and is part of Vidyá Tantra. This is the real sádhaná, where the entire psycho-physical entity surrenders itself to Parama Puruśa.” (9)

Addendum: It is written in our AMPS publication on Sixteen Points: "It is proper and desirable to pull back the skin of the genital organ and to wear a laungota holding penis upright." 

References
1. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 18, Yoga and Bhakti
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12, How An Ideal Person Should Live
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 2,  Love – the Essential Prerequisite
4. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 11, What Is the Way?
5. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12, How An Ideal Person Should Live
6. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 13, A Yogi Must Certainly Be a Theist
7.Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12, How an Ideal Person Should Live
8. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation
9. Discourses on the Mahábhárata, Mahásambhúti Krśńa


*        *        *

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 look upon the world

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “This world is changing, moving. The word jagat (world) is derived from the root, gam-kvip, which means moving. This universe is the psychic manifestation of Brahma. All thought processes are moving and restive, and that is why this world, the psychic manifestation of Brahma. All thought processes are moving and restive and that is why this world, the psychic manifestation of Saguńa Brahma (the Subjectivated Transcendentality), is moving and restive. A thing that appears beautiful today is not necessarily so tomorrow. A sandesh (sweetmeat) that is delicious today will not be fit for consumption after a few days. Indeed one cannot even vouch for its shape still being intact. Every unit is in a state of change, and that is why the pleasure derived from unit objects cannot last permanently. So what should a Sádhaka (spiritual aspirant) do? He or she must ascribe divinity to every unit object. Everything is the manifestation of God. Whether it is land, home, river, mountain, respect, insult, day or night – everything is He and His manifestation as a unit. Make proper use of all objects thinking that they are His gifts to us. To enjoy or endure anything is to enjoy or endure Him. Avoid the attraction of the unit and make contact with the integral whole. When you are able to live this way, the desire to steal the property of others will completely disappear. In Ananda Marga there is a special process through which one can dedicate everything to God. The ascription of divinity to objects means the pursuit of the Infinite, leaving the finite behind. Are you feeding your son? No, no, you are feeding the son-like manifestation of Brahma. Are you tilling the field? No, no you are serving the finite manifestation of Brahma with your plough. Really speaking, the ascription of divinity to objects precludes their material enjoyment, as the objects then merge in the non-material Supreme Brahma. Thus the mind of one, who has established him or herself in real Vaerágya (the renunciation of all sensual pleasures) can never become attached to finite objects. Even in their midst he or she remains beyond the reach of their attraction and gains eternal peace after death.” (1)

Note: Some people are not aware of how to practice second lesson (brahamacarya, madhuvidya). They merely repeat their mantra without taking any ideation. What they do not realise is that ideation is key for the efficacy of second lesson.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1


== Section 3: Links ==

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