Baba
Upcoming festival: how to celebrate
Namaskar,
Our Ananda Marga is the Path of Bliss. A'nanda means bliss, and Ma'rga means path; hence, Am is the "path of bliss." And if one follows this path - His teachings of Ananda Marga - then one becomes ensconced in bliss: By reaching up to Parama Purusa and becoming one with Parama Purusa, by His grace.
A'nandam' Brahma itya'huh (1)
Meaning: This a'nanda is called Brahma
So our Ananda Marga is the path to Brahma. And Shravanii Purnima is the day when Baba blessed humanity with this path. This is one highly memorable occasion as it marks the birth of Ananda Marga as we know it. It was on Shravanii Purnima that those bhaktas began performing Ananda Marga sadhana, by Baba's grace. Later on, the organisation (AMPS) was formed in 1955; but, by then, already Baba had beautifully created so many followers of Ananda Marga sadhana. That is why Shravanii Purnima in 1939 is the real birth of Ananda Marga - the path of bliss.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The deep significance of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima'
Since that very day of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima', the cosmic play started between the divine forces and crude forces. And, ultimately, the kundalinii was awakened and started rising up, by His grace. The overall idea is that Baba has infused this whole world with His special vibration. And in that way there will be victory over the crudeness and staticity. That is what happened through that historic initiation in 1939 of Kalicharanji, the notorious bandit who became a dedicated yogic monk.
In Ananda Marga history, this day of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' has deep importance, not just physical history, but psychic and spiritual history too. It carries a special significance because that day Parama Purusa infused His spiritual power and energy which is working and will work in future also. So this Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' has great value.
Ultimately, human beings come on this earth to reach and achieve this Goal - Parama Purus'a. And Parama Purusa comes in the form of Mahassambhuti. That is what was auspiciously started by our Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji in 1939 when He graciously performed His first initiation into Ananda Marga sadhana.
The auspicious advent of Taraka Brahma
As every Ananda Margii has realised, His divine advent (Ananda Purnima) itself is very meaningful; and, so is the special day of Shravanii Purnima when He blessed humanity by initiating aspirants onto the spiritual path of Ananda Marga tantra sadhana. Both days are historic events. Because Ta'raka Brahma comes on this earth to liberate one and all from the various types of bondages: physical, psychic, and spiritual.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "No one need harbour any doubt that Parama Purus'a exists to promote the well-being of all created beings. If He was not concerned about the welfare of the living unit beings, He would have remained in His unqualified stance forever and would not have manifested Himself as Ta'raka Brahma or Sagun'a Brahma. But He did manifest Himself in this way and has just showed His intention of promoting the well-being of humanity. That is why He has given the assurance:"
"Paritra'n'ya..."
"Now what is the necessity for His repeated advent into this world? To ensure human welfare; about that there is no doubt. Human welfare primarily means welfare in the spiritual stratum." (2)
Shravanii Purnima in Baba's presence
Many may recall how in Baba's presence Sharvanii Purnima was always an auspicious and festive occasion. Always Baba would graciously deliver a discourse. Plus on many, many Shravanii Purnima gatherings Baba would shower His divine blessing by giving His varabhaya mudra. Furthermore, on a few select Shravanii Purnima gatherings, Baba also gave an Ananda Vanii; that happened three times: Shravanii Purnima '57, Shravanii Purnima '58, Shravanii Purnima '63.
So Shravanii Purnima is a grand festival. There are two or three days a year when Baba would deliver a discourse, shower His varabhaya mudra blessing, and put forth an Ananda Vanii. And Shravanii Purnima was one such occasion. The two other main dates were New Year's Day and Ananda Purnima.
How we should celebrate
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Shrávańii Púrńimá: Twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, literary meetings, procession with táńd́ava dance in the afternoon." (3)
Baba has given great scope for celebrations and rejoicing on this day. In addition to the various festivities enlisted above, the day can start with nagar kiirtan in the early morning, and include poetry readings, sports and games, feasting, 3-hour akhanda kiirtan, RAWA and Prabhat Samgiita performances, narayan seva and other social service projects, activities for children, prizes, spiritual talks and seminars, and other elaborate festivities etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As Baba guides in numerous discourses, social functions and festivals are great unifying forces in society, as they generate family feeling amongst all. People come together from near and far with their family members and remember that they are part of one universal human family under the divine shelter of Parama Purusa. Those margiis who are not regular in attending dharmacakra throughout the year come for Shravanii Purnima and get recharged and revitalised. In their heart they feel great love for Baba. And verily there are some margiis who may not be strict in all aspects of Sixteen Points yet feel deeply connected with Ista. In their heart they feel their life is for Baba and coming out for Shravanii Purnima each year helps remind them of this.
Plus new people are also bound to attend. No organisation or family can last without generating new people. This is an essential aspect of any community. So big festivals and social functions are excellent ways to attract and inspire new people. Thus on many levels and in various ways, having elaborate and grand festivities on the occasion of Shravanii Purnima is beneficial. Every unit should make strong efforts to build up wonderful and festive gatherings for the special date of Shravanii Purnima.
We are fortunate and especially graced that Baba has taken us in His loving shelter. When He has accepted us as His disciples, it means we are in His great care. Those who are bhaktas have the real understanding. They know that Baba is with them, and that He is always remaining within their heart. Every sadhaka can have His communication and get His blessing.
Baba's personal account of Shravanii Purnima
Here below Baba recounts the scene of that auspicious Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' when He performed His first initiation.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "This is Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima'. It is an important day. Then I was very young, studying in Vidy'asagar College in Calcutta. One evening a very interesting event took place. Suddenly a wicked person came near me. I use the word 'wicked', but it is not a permanent state of human beings. A person who is wicked today may be a noble person tomorrow, and one who is dull or stupid today may be wise tomorrow. These are all relative matters bound by the bondages of relativity. No one can be called permanently wicked. It should always be borne in mind that one should always try to develop the good and the subtle in a wicked person."
"That evening a certain wicked person came to me. What could he expect from me? But then he came. In accordance with natural human psychology, I asked him, "What do you want? Why do you adopt this evil path?" In the course of our conversation, he realized that he should change the course of his life, and he took initiation. That was the first spiritual initiation I ever imparted to anyone. And that same day, Shra'van'ii Pu'rnima, has again returned."
"A long time has elapsed since then. That was perhaps in 1939." (4)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings - That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidya (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty." (5)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Chandra Shekhar
This letter shares some of the highlights of the special occasion and festival of Ananda Marga: Shravanii Purnima (Monday, 19 Aug 2024). Most every Ananda Margii is aware that Sadguru Baba started giving initiations into Ananda Marga sadhana 1939. That began one auspicious and glorious era. This is a special occasion because on that very day the Lord initiated the first sadhaka Kaliicharan unto the path of Ananda Marga. Verily, Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' marks the occasion when Sadguru Baba first initiated someone according to the Ananda Marga sadhana system.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Sutram, 2 - 4
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 11, The Physical, Psychic & Spiritual Strata
3. Caryacarya - 1, Social Functions and Festivals
4. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
5. Caryacarya - 2, Sadhana, point #1a
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I will go on dancing
Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.
"Tomár lági kata vyathá, tumi táhár khonja rákho ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0345)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, do You know how much melancholic pain I have for You, how much I want You. You don't understand my feeling, my longing. You keep Yourself very busy with this universe. You are completely involved in the maintenance of creation, and busy with so many important and great tasks. You only care about great bhaktas and don't care about an ordinary sadhaka like me. You never give any importance to the longings and feelings of small, insignificant people like me. You do not know how much I cry for You in my sadhana.
Baba, O’ Parama Purusa the Supreme Guide, now I will pluck the most wonderful flowers in the garden of my mind. By Your grace, I will make a special garland only for You, and see whether You accept it or not from an ordinary bhakta like me.
O’ Supreme Entity, I will sing songs in Your divine melody. Baba, by Your grace I shall sing with the deepest feelings of my heart and produce grand resonance from within. I will surrender my mind at Your altar. I will go on dancing around You and see whether You look towards me or not.
You do not understand, O’ my Lord, the pain I deeply feel for You. Parama Purusa, You really don't feel my longings...
Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.
"Tomár lági kata vyathá, tumi táhár khonja rákho ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0345)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, do You know how much melancholic pain I have for You, how much I want You. You don't understand my feeling, my longing. You keep Yourself very busy with this universe. You are completely involved in the maintenance of creation, and busy with so many important and great tasks. You only care about great bhaktas and don't care about an ordinary sadhaka like me. You never give any importance to the longings and feelings of small, insignificant people like me. You do not know how much I cry for You in my sadhana.
Baba, O’ Parama Purusa the Supreme Guide, now I will pluck the most wonderful flowers in the garden of my mind. By Your grace, I will make a special garland only for You, and see whether You accept it or not from an ordinary bhakta like me.
O’ Supreme Entity, I will sing songs in Your divine melody. Baba, by Your grace I shall sing with the deepest feelings of my heart and produce grand resonance from within. I will surrender my mind at Your altar. I will go on dancing around You and see whether You look towards me or not.
You do not understand, O’ my Lord, the pain I deeply feel for You. Parama Purusa, You really don't feel my longings...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How materialists lost to those religious exploiters
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 3: Links ==
