Baba
This daily practice
Namaskar,
There are thousands of things to do in life. Some of them are done once in a lifetime; other things are done annually; some things are done seasonally; and, some are done occasionally, i.e. monthly, weekly, or daily etc. And then there are some absolutely vital things that are very important and highly related with the regular upkeep and maintenance of one’s existence. If those are not done, that impairs the whole human personality. Such key aspects have been given as Sixteen Points. These duties are fundamental to one’s physical, psychic, and spiritual development. Bathing is one of the Sixteen Points. That is why bathing is so important.
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Blocks waste & disease results
The human body is a machine or factory. And just as a factory emits waste, similarly the body purges itself of waste in the form of urine, stool, and perspiration. Sweat is released through the pores of the skin, but dead skin cells can clog those pores. To open and clean the pores of the skin, bathing is highly essential, otherwise the pores will remain clogged and that blocks the waste, and disease results.
In warm climates humans bathe to keep themselves cool. The problem arises in cold countries, as well as during the winter season of warm countries, when people do not want to take a bath. Because the environment is not conducive to bathing. In India, it is good that bathing is related with their religious rituals. So they are forced to bathe daily. When that type of pressure is not present, some may not bathe daily. But they are not aware that by this way they are harming themselves and inviting disease. Baba has given utmost importance to bath. It is compulsory for every Ananda Margii to bathe one or two times daily.
In point #6 of Sixteen Points Baba has given the most perfect, the most scientific, and the healthiest way to bathe. In that way He beautifully directs us that: “Bathe should be done according to the prescribed system.” (1)
System for bathing
Here following is Baba’s basic guideline for bathing:
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “First pour water on the navel. Then wet the region below the navel by splashing water from the front. Then pour water from behind. Thereafter pour water on the crown of the head in such a way that it trickles down over the backbone. Then bathe all over.” (2)
Then of course Baba has also given other supportive points such as:
(a) Use a proper cleansing agent: A natural or medicated soap without any perfume or artificial fragrance. Besides soap, chickpea flour can also be used as a cleansing agent on the body.
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Use of scrubber
(b) Use a scrubber: In various demonstrations and meetings Baba has pointed out the need to scrub the body briskly with an abrasive (mild to moderate) scrubber to remove all the dead skin cells.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Due to the accumulation of dead protoplasmic cells, a bad smell arises in the body. The reason for this is not taking a proper bath and washing away the dead cells.” (3)
So one should use a scrubber, cloth, netting etc and not just their bare hand.
Watch out: temperature of bathing water
(c) Use cool or cold water, not more than body temperature: This helps tremendously in making the body and mind fresh. It has an overall renewing effect by promoting circulation. Those living in cold climates can bathe using body-temperature water, if they cannot manage cold water. But under no circumstances should they use hot water. Some may prefer to use hot water but this is not supported by Ananda Marga. When it is cold, best is to use water that is just beneath the body temperature. By that way there is a distinct temperature change in the body.
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Unfortunately, some in the cold season do not bathe at all. But taking a full bath every day is extremely important. Once there was a Dada posted in the Tibetan plateau of Ladakh. It is an extremely cold area. And this Dada was not bathing regularly. And when he came for reporting Baba scolded him and guided him to bathe using luke-warm water, i.e. just a degree or two below body temperature.
Some of the key benefits of bathing are the removal of dirt and grime from the body and the temperature exchanges that occur while bathing. In the following teaching, Baba is giving a special health remedy for children and senior citizens and at the same time reminding us that under no conditions should the bath water be warmer than the body temperature.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When children are massaged with oil and then bathed in sun-warmed water it increases their vitality. Sun-warmed water is also beneficial for older people, however for older people it is not good if the temperature of the sun-warmed water is greater than the temperature of the body.” (4)
Bathing dos & don'ts
In various other places Baba also guides us that for healthy adults taking a cold bath is best.
(d) Bathing in a seated, kneeling, or squatting position: The glands and organs should be in a state of rest when bathing. So one must not stand while bathing; in a standing posture, That means not standing when bathing because when you are standing the organs are actively engaged, not resting.
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(e) Not using hot water: This makes both mind and body dull and heats up the lower cakras.
(f) Not using artificially scented soaps etc: For sadhakas such perfumes are detrimental and foul and should be avoided.
(g) Bath should be taken on a daily basis; twice daily or more in hot season:
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Due to the secretion of smelly hormones, an unpleasant odour is emitted from the body. Everyone should take a bath at regular intervals to clean the body.” (5)
When one is perspiring due to climatic conditions or physical exertion etc, bathing multiple times a day is advisable. All those who were around those days know that Baba Himself would bathe four times a day during the hot season in Kolkata.
Bathing is highly essential for all of the aforementioned reasons. And one key point iscleaning the pores of the skin. Otherwise the pores will be clogged and that will block waste from being excreted from the body, thereby causing disease.
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Conclusion
Bathing is important for the following two reasons:
#1: Cleaning the waste from various orifices and joints.
#2: Revitalisation of the organs due to temperature exchange.
When cold water is poured over the body then that region contracts and the blood goes away from that area. Over time the body gradually warms itself again and fresh, new, oxygenated blood comes and nourishes that area.That is what happens in the process of bathing. That is why one feels very fresh after taking a full bath.
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Namaskar,
In Him,
Purnendu
References
1. Sixteen Points, Point #6
2. Caryacarya - 3, Bathing Procedure and Pitr Yajiṋa
3. Microvita in a Nutshell, Questions and Answers on Microvita – Excerpt B
4. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)
5. Microvita in a Nutshell, Questions and Answers on Microvita – Excerpt B
* * *
The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Hope of getting You
“Tumi ámár áshár álo, tomár tarei málá gánthá…” (Prabhat Samgiita #1144)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You are my ray of hope and my glimmer of sunshine. You know how to love. I have threaded a garland only for You, singing the tale of Your eternal liila. You are my Is’t’a’.
O’ Baba, during the silent night and the lonely dawn, I yearn for You in my tiny mind and do sadhana for You. In the aspiration of getting You, there is a strong longing and restlessness in my heart. My pain and pleasures, and whatever agonies I undergo, are all related with You.
O’ Baba, I play the games of both joy and sadness with You in times of light and shadow. All my engagements revolve around You. My entire existence is ensconced in You. This is the story of my spiritual realisation, by Your grace...
“Tumi ámár áshár álo, tomár tarei málá gánthá…” (Prabhat Samgiita #1144)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You are my ray of hope and my glimmer of sunshine. You know how to love. I have threaded a garland only for You, singing the tale of Your eternal liila. You are my Is’t’a’.
O’ Baba, during the silent night and the lonely dawn, I yearn for You in my tiny mind and do sadhana for You. In the aspiration of getting You, there is a strong longing and restlessness in my heart. My pain and pleasures, and whatever agonies I undergo, are all related with You.
O’ Baba, I play the games of both joy and sadness with You in times of light and shadow. All my engagements revolve around You. My entire existence is ensconced in You. This is the story of my spiritual realisation, by Your grace...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Gaining victory over lust
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “If one stays away from objects of attraction, one has no chance of using them and they may thus gradually lose their attraction; while if one is near them one may be attracted towards them more.” (1)
Note: Reading negative articles, dirty books and literature, filthy magazines and watching lewd movies invites degeneration. By staying away from such degrading vices, one will step-by-step overcome that type of sensual attraction etc. And the mind will not be overwrought by those low-minded vrttis / degrading inclinations.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
== Section: Important Teaching ==
AMEP & Prabhat Samgiita contradiction?
“Prárthanárcaná mátraeva bhramamúlam.” (1)
Formula: Asking for something from Parama Purusa is bad. Asking for Parama Purusa is good.
If one is asking for Parama Purusa Himself then it is not prayer, and if one is asking something mundane from Him then it is prayer, which is bad and against our AM fundamentals.
When a bhakta is asking for Parama Purusa Himself, then that does not fall in the category of prayer. Then it is parabhakti. However, If a person is asking something from Parama Purusa - such as prestige, money, something mundane etc - then that is the type of prayer that is condemned in AM teachings.
Prabhat Samgiita says, “I do not have any virtue or strength from following Sixteen Points. Just I depend on Your causeless grace. Please give me bhakti; that is the only thing I want - to remain close to You.”
AMEP says, "Prayer is the act of asking for a favour with earnestness. It also means a solemn petition addressed to the Supreme Being for certain benefits. One prays to God for something which one does not possess or thinks one does not possess. One asks God for these favours with the faith that He alone can bestow everything and by His mere wish all wants can be satisfied. By prayer or by begging one wants to awaken His wish so that one may be granted the things one lacks. Does not one’s attempt to rouse the wish of God to fulfil these needs, upon careful and rational thinking, appear to be a reminder to God to give one something of which God has kept one deprived? It would otherwise not be necessary to remind Him in prayer of that thing or to try to arouse His wish to give. For instance, if one is in need of money, one would, with the faith that God alone can give, pray to Him for the favour of giving one money. Does not this request show God’s fault in keeping one in want of money, when He alone can give it? God alone is blamed for it, and by praying to Him for money one is precisely pointing out to Him His partiality in not giving one the money one needed. Therefore, prayer or asking for favours from God is only pointing out to the Sole Giver His mistakes in the distribution of His favours. It only presumes lack of impartiality in Him, and that is why He is blamed for making some very rich and others very poor. Praying to God for favours is only to bring to His notice the charge of partiality levelled against Him. When prayer leads to such a conclusion, it is only ignorance to ask for favours.” (2)
Reference
1. Ananda Sutram, 3-11
2. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, How Should Human Beings Live In This World?
=== Section ==
जो परमपुरुष की शरण में आ गए, तो परमपुरुष उनके लिए अवश्य ही कुछ करेंगे
“तो, देखो एक मनुष्य मान लो बहुत-सा पाप किए | अब, उन पापों का अगर उनको फलभोग करना पड़े, तो एक ज़िन्दगी नहीं, वह हो सकता है बीस पचीस, पचास ज़िन्दगी लग जाएगी | तब ? उसका क्या भविष्य नहीं है ? वह केवल बार-बार दुनिया में आएगा पाप का फलभोग करने के लिए | उसका भविष्य क्या है ? भविष्य अन्धकार है ? तथाकथित-सभ्यता का जितना अधिक विकाश हो रहा है, उतना ही मनुष्य तो नीचे की ओर गिर रहा है, मन नीचे गिर रहा है | उतना ही मनुष्य पापी बन रहे हैं | तो, पापी का कोई भविष्य नहीं है ? यह क्या बात है ? कर्म का प्रतिकर्म अगर पूरा भोगना पड़े, तो मुक्ति-मोक्ष तो हर मनुष्य के लिए बहुत दूर की बात रह जाएगी | तब ? पापी का भविष्य नहीं है ? तो, हाँ भविष्य अवश्य ही है | जो परमपुरुष की शरण में आ गए, तो परमपुरुष उनके लिए अवश्य ही कुछ करेंगे | पापी के लिए भी कुछ करेंगे | क्यों ? न, उन परमपुरुष के सम्बन्ध में कहा गया "ऊतामृतत्वस्येशानो |" अर्थात् वे नरक के भी ईश हैं, नरक के भी ईश्वर, और, स्वर्ग के भी ईश्वर | तो, नरक में बसनेवाले जो पापी हैं, वे भी परमात्मा के, परमपुरुष के साथ हैं | क्योंकि वे भी परमपुरुष के प्यारे हैं | और उनको प्यार देने के लिए परमपुरुष को नरक में भी रहना पड़ेगा उनके साथ |”
[यह बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया, बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्द मार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं] (1)
Reference
1. हिंदी, अप्रकाशित,Transcribed ver. GD 12 August 1978 Patna
“तो, देखो एक मनुष्य मान लो बहुत-सा पाप किए | अब, उन पापों का अगर उनको फलभोग करना पड़े, तो एक ज़िन्दगी नहीं, वह हो सकता है बीस पचीस, पचास ज़िन्दगी लग जाएगी | तब ? उसका क्या भविष्य नहीं है ? वह केवल बार-बार दुनिया में आएगा पाप का फलभोग करने के लिए | उसका भविष्य क्या है ? भविष्य अन्धकार है ? तथाकथित-सभ्यता का जितना अधिक विकाश हो रहा है, उतना ही मनुष्य तो नीचे की ओर गिर रहा है, मन नीचे गिर रहा है | उतना ही मनुष्य पापी बन रहे हैं | तो, पापी का कोई भविष्य नहीं है ? यह क्या बात है ? कर्म का प्रतिकर्म अगर पूरा भोगना पड़े, तो मुक्ति-मोक्ष तो हर मनुष्य के लिए बहुत दूर की बात रह जाएगी | तब ? पापी का भविष्य नहीं है ? तो, हाँ भविष्य अवश्य ही है | जो परमपुरुष की शरण में आ गए, तो परमपुरुष उनके लिए अवश्य ही कुछ करेंगे | पापी के लिए भी कुछ करेंगे | क्यों ? न, उन परमपुरुष के सम्बन्ध में कहा गया "ऊतामृतत्वस्येशानो |" अर्थात् वे नरक के भी ईश हैं, नरक के भी ईश्वर, और, स्वर्ग के भी ईश्वर | तो, नरक में बसनेवाले जो पापी हैं, वे भी परमात्मा के, परमपुरुष के साथ हैं | क्योंकि वे भी परमपुरुष के प्यारे हैं | और उनको प्यार देने के लिए परमपुरुष को नरक में भी रहना पड़ेगा उनके साथ |”
[यह बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया, बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्द मार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं] (1)
Reference
1. हिंदी, अप्रकाशित,Transcribed ver. GD 12 August 1978 Patna
== Section 4: Links ==
