Baba
Sheltering in Baba or money?
Namaskar,
Baba is Parama Purusa - the Divine Shelter of all in this universe. He cares and looks after us in all respects - always. While some intellectually understand that Baba cares and looks after them, but internally they harbour a competing idea. They may think that as they grow older they will be safe and happy because they have plenty of money. In that case, they are sheltering in money and not in Baba. This is particularly prevalent in materialistic areas where money is viewed as the prime necessity in life. Yet this is a faulty approach, because money is impermanent - it can disappear at any time.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Not only that, there will come a time when one will have to part ways with their money as that wealth will not accompany them to the burial grounds. Then again they will be shelterless as their cherished money will not be with them. So there is no logic or reasoning for taking shelter in material, transient objects like money. Yet that is what is the prevalent theme today.
So those who think money will save and care for them are not sheltering in Ista. And, remember, such a scenario is not fully a "yes" or "no" approach. This exists along a continuum. If one has 60% faith in Ista and 40% faith in money, then that is the degree to which they are following point #10 of Sixteen Points. At the same time it must be recognised that any true bhakta will harbour 100% faith in Ista; that really is the only way to lead a truly spiritual life.
Objective adjustment is a necessity
As Ananda Margiis, our approach is wholly rational. On the one hand, we only surrender to that eternal, permanent shelter - Parama Purusa Baba. He is the cause behind everything and He is the most powerful Being in this cosmos. Bearing this in mind, we also adhere to His order to adjust with the external world. To help and serve others, to pay heed to our duty, we recognise that material wealth is a distinct need. To that end, we attend to our jobs, collect donations, buy houses, undergo medical testing, and involve in all kinds of mundane efforts to adhere to our familial and social responsibilities. Yet we do not fall prey to the notion that those material events can save us. Rather we surrender at His lotus feet always, and take help on the material plane to maintain life so we may best serve others and do ideological pracara. Hence, ours is the not the camp of Bhagavan Shankaracarya that proclaims the world is an illusion.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Not sheltering in money, and wholly sheltering in Ista, in no way dictates that one must shun all material wealth and advancements. Only it means as sadhakas we use those material gains for the welfare of others and the propagation of the great ideology. This manner is fully in concert with non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista. Here the point is that we surrender to that permanent, unchangeable Divine Entity; that is our subjective approach. And we use material things solely for the maintenance and implementation of dharmic ideals in our social life; that is objective adjustment.
Story: jumping from a minaret
Baba recounts this following story about firm faith in Ista in His Ananda Vacanamrtam series (Hindi). Once two sadhakas were arguing over whose God was more powerful. Mr. Y claimed Krsna, and Mr. Z claimed Rama. Their debate became more heated, each unwilling to forgo any ground. To settle the dispute they embarked in one challenge. They decided to both jump from a very high point, the top of a minaret, i.e. the peak of a very tall spire.
So they both climbed to the very top. It was a very long way down to the ground. It was impossible for any person to survive the fall on their own merit. The grace of God was needed. Mr. Y stood at the very top and jumped. Throughout his free fall to the ground his mind was firmly focused on Krsna. And he survived the fall without any injury. Seeing this Mr. Z was deeply impressed and thought, "Krsna must indeed be very powerful."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Mr. Z then jumped. At first he was repeating “Rama, Rama, Rama”. Then midway through the jump, he suffered from doubt and lacked faith in Rama so he began repeating, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna. When he hit the ground he died instantaneously. Baba uses this mythological tale and example to show that if one is fully focused in Ista then victory is certain. Then one will be saved in all circumstances. Whereas if one harbours any doubt in Ista, then they will never reach the goal; they will never get success. For each and every Ananda Margii, one must have non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista, i.e. Parama Purusa Baba. That is point #10 of Sixteen Points.
The overall teaching from this story is for every sadhaka to be very strict on the point of Ista.
Learn from great bhakta mythological monkey god
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Once upon a time some of the devotees asked Hanuman, “Hanuman, you are a great devotee and learned scholar also, and you know that Náráyańa means Shriinátha, (Shrii means, Lakśmii) Shriinátha means Náráyańa. Shriinátha, i.e. Lakśmiinátha, Náráyańa and Jánakiinátha i.e. Ráma are the same entity; but you never take the name of Náráyańa. Why?”"
In so many discourses, Baba tells the story of the mythological bhakta Hanuman who would only worship Rama, not any other entity. When in problem, Hanuman could have repeated the names of so many other gods like Narayan, Krsna, Shiva, Vishnu etc, but he only repeated the name of Rama - not any other. In the same way, a sadhaka of Ananda Marga should only repeat and call the name of Sadguru Baba only. That is what is meant by strictness in Ista, i.e. never have any doubt towards the Parama Purusa, Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
“Shriináthe, Jánakiinathe Cábhedah Paramátmani
Tathápi mama Sarvasvah Rámah Kamalalocanah.”
Namaskar,
In Him,
Jayaprakash
Here is an English summary of the His Hindi teaching from धर्म और प्रगति, Dharma aor Pragati, NP, DMC 1 January 1963 Patna:
When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No entity can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different things. Then what is the meaning of sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and feel that Parama Purusa alone is my everything. Up to the time when living beings are thinking that they are working with their own strength, then you should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati. (English summary)
True Ananda Margiis will take their sick baby to the hospital. According to their God-given capacity and strength, they will provide all kinds of nursing, medicine, medical care, and whatever is needed. And side by side, they will go on thinking: "O' Lord, with the strength given by You, I am trying, but without Your grace nothing will happen. You are the real Doer. I am fully surrendering unto Your sweet will. Let Your desire be fulfilled."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Bhaktas think one should use all their inherent abilities to solve any crisis and cultivate the idea that, “It is His strength and that He is supplying the energy - and without His energy, I cannot do anything. If He wishes then only will I be rescued - it is fully dependent on Him.” Whatever strength God has given must be utilised remembering that He is the final doer. This is the ideal way of surrender.
Some naive people depend on fate not God
Here below Ananda Marga philosophy clearly guides that fate is not what human beings should shelter in; rather one must live under the eternal shelter of Parama Purusa.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Niyati or fate also cannot be the Supreme Reflecting One (carama pratisaḿvedii). I would like to add further that those who are fatalists are also misguided. It is wrong to leave everything to fate without taking any initiative at the time of grave danger. Once a person has created his or her fate through his or her own actions, it is certainly not proper to completely surrender to that self-created fate." (1)
So one should never think that fate, crystals, astrology, palmistry or any other such expression takes precedence over the Divine Entity. Rather, Parama Purusa is the Controller of all. And this following teaching about microvita leads in the same direction. Parama Purusa lords over microvita so none should think that microvita is some independent force outside the realm of Parama Purusa's control.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The majority of people today do not know the technique of using microvita. The Universal Entity, sitting in one place, has been using microvita to accelerate the spiritual growth of individuals in different celestial bodies in different ways. Only that Supreme Entity who is conversant with these techniques and can teach them to individual spiritual aspirants is the Supreme Guru. He keeps all within His contact, and with the help of microvita, elevates all spiritually.”
“Living beings, through their own individual efforts, can achieve only a little progress in the carbonic world, but in the non-carbonic world only the grace of the Supreme Guru can lead them towards the supreme goal.”
“Hence, it has been rightly said, Gurukrpá hi kevalam - “The Guru’s grace is everything.” This alone is the supreme truth. This is the be-all and end-all of life." (2)
Blind people rely on multiple gods & goddesses
Here below Baba is clearly depicting how one dogmatic worshiper prays to multiple so-called gods and goddesses. Such an aspirant or bhakta is extremely weak on the point of Ista.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "A person whom I was very close to, a relative of mine, used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (3)
References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, The Omni-Reflective Cognitive Consciousness
2. A Few Problems Solved - 8, The Neo-Ethics of Multi-Lateral Salvation
3. 11 April 1979, Kolkata
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Kindly accept my pranam
Bhálobási ámi tomáy, tumi bhálobáso ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4592)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, I love You, but You do not have any affection for me. Since You are not coming to me, it means You do not love me. If You cared about me then You would not remain faraway.
My distant Supreme Guide, from where You are, kindly accept my pranama. From Your far, “remote” abode, I request You to send this blessing: That my sadhana will be successful.
Prabhu, I do not desire any boons from You. All that I want is to continue doing Your dhya'na. Please bestow this spiritual gift upon me. Baba, You are mine; kindly fill my entire consciousness with this eternal truth.
When You are not coming, my days just pass in vain...
Bhálobási ámi tomáy, tumi bhálobáso ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4592)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, I love You, but You do not have any affection for me. Since You are not coming to me, it means You do not love me. If You cared about me then You would not remain faraway.
My distant Supreme Guide, from where You are, kindly accept my pranama. From Your far, “remote” abode, I request You to send this blessing: That my sadhana will be successful.
Prabhu, I do not desire any boons from You. All that I want is to continue doing Your dhya'na. Please bestow this spiritual gift upon me. Baba, You are mine; kindly fill my entire consciousness with this eternal truth.
When You are not coming, my days just pass in vain...
== Section: News from 2018 ==
Terror of old snakes (Rudrananda) - 2018 News
"बूढ़े साँपो (Rudrananda) का आतंक"
"बूढ़े साँपो का आतंक"
2018 मई/जून के रांची के DMS में दादा रुद्रानंद रूपी सांपो के ग्रुप ने 5 बाबा भक्त मार्गियों को डस लिया, लेकिन परम पूज्य बाबा की कृपा से उन 5 बाबा भक्त मार्गियों को जीवन दान मिल गया। इन 5 बाबा भक्त मार्गियों में 2 मार्गी रांची (जो दोनों सगे भाई जन्म से ही अच्छे मार्गी परिवार से है), 2 मार्गी भाई (पूर्णिया के एक मार्गी भाई, जो पोलिस विभाग में कार्यरत है, उनको पत्नी सहित यानी एक ही परिवार के पति एवं उनकी धर्मपत्नी) और एक मार्गी भाई, टाटानगर के जो अभी भी रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप को 24 घंटे दूध पिलाते थे,,।
इसमें कोई भी शक नही है, आज जो रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप इतना खरनाक हो गया है, उसको, लगभग हम सभी ने, जाने या अनजाने में दूध अवश्य ही पिलाया है। दूध पिलाने में सिर्फअंतर इतना ही है, किसीने अपने स्वार्थवश जानकर पिलाया है, और किसी ने बिना स्वार्थवश अनजाने में पिलाया है। पर पिलाया सभी ने ही है।
पर रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप , दूसरो को चींटिया समझ रहे है। लेकिन रुद्रानंद रूपी साँप को यह समझ लेना चाहिए कि अब वोह बूढ़े हो गए है। उनको 10 तरीके की शारीरक एवं मानसिक बीमारियां हो चुकी है। और बूढ़े होने की वजह से उनके शरीर मे घाव भी हो चुके है। और घाव में जब चीटियां प्रवेश हो जाती है। तो सांप को तड़प तड़प कर मरने के अतिरिक्त, कोई दूसरा रास्ता नही नही राह जाता।
इन 5 मार्गियों को 2018 मई/जून के DMS में जाने से रोक गया था। आप पांचो मार्गियों ने रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप के अनुसार बीन नही बजाय थी।
क्या यह चिंतन का विषय नही है?
क्या अभी भी हम सब लोग, रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप के अनुसार बीन बजाकर संस्था के आदर्श के विरुद्ध कार्य करना चाहते है।
या
संस्था के आदर्श की रक्षा के लिए सब मार्गी भाई और सन्यासी भाई-बहन यूनाइट हो कर बाबा के आदर्श को बचाने के लिए अपनी आवाज उठाना चाहते है।
यदि ऐसा चाहते है, तो सांप से बचने के लिए आपको सांप पकड़ कर किसी सपेरे के द्वारा उस सांप को किसी बर्तन में बंद करना होगा। जिससे वह सांप इस बुढ़ापे में आराम कर सके, और किसी को भी डस भी न सके।
निर्णय करने का अधिकार व्यक्तिगत है।
Mantracetananda
* Dharmendra Sinha (Tatanagar), Hemant & Jitendra (Ranchi), and two margis from Purnua were not allowed in annual DMS organised by Ranchi this year. It was official announcement by RANCHI AMPS.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Digesting & chewing food
Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "In order to digest starches and carbohydrates, the saliva of the mouth must help at the preliminary stage. Chewing food brings an adequate quantity of saliva into the mouth. No sooner does the food mixed with saliva enter the stomach than the liver and the pancreas are enabled to start secreting their bile and digestive fluids. So unless food is chewed well, the liver can never function properly." (1)
Note: In the fast-paced life of this 21st century, people no longer give themselves proper time to attend to their basic life duties, such as eating food. Instead people just rush off from one appointment to another and "grab a bite to eat" along the way. In their hectic pace, instead of chewing their food properly they just take a bite or two and swallow it. Or they nearly inhale their meal, without chewing it at all. As Baba warns us, this way of "eating" is terribly hazardous to the health and invites many diseases.
Reference
1. Yogic Treatments, p.1
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बहुत दयालु हो, तुम मेरे सबसे अधिक पास हो।
प्रभात सङ्गीत 486 काछे नाहीं आशो कभु ए कि तोमार भालोबासा
(जो साधना का 6th पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष ! तुम कभी भी मेरे उतने पास में नहीं आते जितना मैं चाहता हूँ। तुम अधिकतर मुझ से दूरी ही बनाए रहते हो मेरे पास नहीं आते हो। बाबा ! तुम्हारा यह किस प्रकार का प्रेम है? किस प्रकार का लगाव है ? तुम्हारे लिए मेरे मन में बहुत पूज्य भाव रहता है। मैं तुमको अपने हृदय से बहुत चाहता हूँ फिर भी तुम हमेशा मेरे ध्यान में नहीं आते हो। तुम मुस्काते हुए मेरे बहुत पास में क्यों नहीं आते हो। तुम क्षण भर के लिए आकर तुरन्त भाग जाते हो। मेरे हृदय के साथ यह आने जाने वाली कैसी लीला खेल रहे हो ? बाबा ! तुम मुझे सबसे अधिक प्रिय हो । तुम्हारी कृपा से मेरा हर एक विचार और गतियाॅं तुमको केन्द्रित कर ही होती हैं। तुम मेरे जीवन के केन्द्र विन्दु हो। तुूम मेरे जीवन के लक्ष्य हो। मैं तुम्हें बहुत चाहता हूँ।
हे बाबा ! जब भी मैं फूलों की मधुर सुगन्ध के सम्पर्क में आता हॅूं तब तुम्हारी कृपा से तुम्हारा दिव्य रूप मेरे मन में उसी समय उभर आता है। जब वह फूलों की सुगन्ध हवा में फैलती है, तो मैं हमेशा तुम्हारी उपस्थिति का अनुभव करता हॅूं। उन आनन्द भरे क्षणों में , मैं हमेशा तुम्हारे बारे में सोचता हॅूं। यह तुम्हारी कृपा ही है। बाबा ! जब मैं प्रसन्न होता हॅूं तब अचानक तुम आकर मेरे मन और हृदय में अपना आभास देते हो। उस समय तुम मेरे बहुत पास आ जाते हो। तुम मेरे हृदय का उत्साह और शरीर के प्राण हो। मेरी सब इच्छाऐं और अपेक्षाऐं तुम्हारे चारों ओर घूमती हैं ।
बाबा ! हे परमपुरुष ! जब मैं तुम्हें अपने हृदय की गहराई में नहीं पाता हॅूं तो मैं बेचैनी और निराशा का अनुभव करता हॅूं। उस असहाय अवस्था में, मैं तुम्हारी चाहत में बहुत ही रोता हॅूं, रोता ही रहता हूँ। मेरी सब इच्छाऐं और चाहतें विशेष रूप से तुम पर ही निर्भर हैं।
हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बहुत दयालु हो, तुम मेरे सबसे अधिक पास हो। तुमने कृपा कर मेरे जीवन को प्यार से भर दिया है। तुमने अपनी करुणा और प्रेम में मेरा पूरा अस्तित्व डुबो दिया है। बाबा ! तुम मेरे सब कुछ हो। मेरी तो केवल एक ही इच्छा है, तुम्हारे और अधिक पास में आना । हे बाबा ! मुझ पर दया करें।
References
1. Hindi purport translated by Dr. T.R. Sukul from original English purport by Ananda Marga Universal.
2. 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: Ananda Vanii ==
All are on the move
Original Ananda Vanii states: “Everything in this universe is moving. The hours, days, human beings, stars, planets, nebula – all are on the move. Movement is a must for all, there is no scope for its cessation. The path of movement is not always smooth or strewn with flowers nor is it always beset with thorns or encumbered with violent clashes. According to the nature of the path, human beings will have to prepare themselves and move courageously. In that movement alone lies the very essence of life.” (Ananda Vanii #74)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, every sadhaka will surely get His blessing.
== Section 3: Links ==
Other topics of interest
