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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In AM who should and who should not get higher post + 2 more

Baba

This email contains three sections:

1. End Quote: In AM who should and who should not get higher post:
Higher post must never be entrusted to those who are themselves criminals
2. End Quote: Tandava & kaoshikii discourse in Hindi
3. Links


Higher post must never be entrusted to those
who are themselves criminals


Namaskar,
Please read Baba’s following teaching which gives a clear indication about the type of leadership needed in Ananda Marga. Specifically, can XYZ type of persons be the leader - whether that be on the village, regional, sectorial, or global level - or are special qualifications needed? If so what are those traits and characteristics required of a leader. All these answers and more are addressed in Guru’s below teaching.

“A rśi [sage] has said: Samamantreńa jáyate iti samájah [“Society is the collective movement of a group of individuals who have decided to move together towards a common goal”]. That is, whether people are pápii or tápii [sinners or victims], thieves, criminals, or characterless individuals, they are so only superficially; internally they are filled with the potential for purity. The principal object of the sadvipras is to explore and bring this potentiality into play. They will accord human value to everyone without exception. Those who have done hateful crimes must be punished, but sadvipras will never hate them, or put an end to them by depriving them of food, because sadvipras are humanists. The pandits puffed up with vainglory could turn their attention to their books instead of attending on the ailing non-Hindu Haridas, but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found it impossible to remain indifferent to him. He took Haridas in his arms and nursed him carefully, and thus showed respect to human value.”

“However, when the question of social responsibility arises, it must be considered with great care. Irresponsible people cannot be entrusted with social responsibility, because those who shoulder social responsibility will have to lead humanity on the path of development, and correct the ways of sinners. If they themselves are of evil mentality, it will not be possible for them to discharge their social responsibility. It has been said: “The collective body of those who are engaged in the concerted effort to bridge the gap between the first expression of morality and establishment in universal humanism is called society.” So social responsibility should be entrusted to those who are capable of discharging it creditably. If moralism is the starting-point of the journey of society, then those who are at its helm must be moralists. And since society aims to establish universalism, those people must be universalists. And if the gap between moralism and universal humanism is to be bridged, spiritual sádhaná is a must, so those people must practise rigorous sádhaná. Their philosophy of life must be, “Morality is the base, sádhaná is the means, and life divine is the goal.””

“This great responsibility must never be entrusted to those who are themselves criminals. Unless and until such people correct themselves, they will not be given any social value, though in no way will they be denied human value. At present social value is given importance, but those who are selected to discharge social responsibility do not possess the aforesaid qualities. They have occupied their posts on the strength of their money or on the basis of patronage, but this has not resulted in any collective welfare. That is why there is an instruction in our social scripture:”

“Do not be misled by anyone's tall talk. Judge merit by seeing the performance. Remember, whatever position one is in offers sufficient opportunity to work. One whose character is not in accordance with Yama-Niyama should not get opportunity [[to become]] a representative.… to [[vest]] an incompetent person with power means to push society towards destruction knowingly and deliberately.”

“The sadvipras will install qualified persons in power, and the social order which will be evolved by virtue of their leadership will give due importance to one and all. In this new society based on Neohumanism, everyone will find their life worth living. All will regain their lost positions of honour.” (1)

in Him,
Hariish

Reference
1. AFPS-2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles


== Section 2 ==


Tandava & kaoshikii discourse in Hindi

बाबा प्रवचन: ताण्डव और कौशिकी

[Ta’n’d’ava aor Kaos’ikii se Tristariiya Vika’sa, V22-20 ताण्डव और कौशिकी,MGD 5th March 1984 Jammu ]

[मनुष्य का जीवन] जो है, त्रिस्तरीय है | There are three strata in human existence. One physical stratum, second psychic stratum and the third one is spiritual stratum | जहानी, जिस्मानी और रुहानी—तीन पहलू |

तो, ये जो तीन strata हैं, इन तीनों में किसी की अवहेलना नहीं होनी चाहिए | बात सही है कि physical stratum से psychic stratum की क़ीमत ज़्यादे है | मगर physical stratum भी अवहेलनीय नहीं है | ठीक वैसा ही psychic stratum से, रुहानी stratum, spiritual stratum जो है, उसकी क़ीमत अधिक है | मगर, psychic stratum भी अवहेलनीय नहीं है | तो, तीनों की चर्चा होनी चाहिए | जैसे कोई अगर रुहानी चर्चा, अगर spiritual चर्चा, आध्यात्मिक चर्चा नहीं करते हैं—शरीर और मन का करते हैं, तो वे भी आख़िर तक जीव-जन्तु के माफ़िक बन जाएँगे | कोई अगर शरीर की चर्चा करते हैं और रुहानी करते हैं, आध्यात्मिक करते हैं—मानसिक नहीं करते हैं, तो बुद्धि-वृत्ति में जड़ हो जाएँगे | Intellectual progress नहीं होगा देश का, समाज का | कोई अगर physical नहीं करते हैं, तो दुबले लोगों का समाज बन जाएगा | वह भी नहीं चाहिए | तीनों की चर्चा होनी चाहिए | और तीनों में एक balance, एक सन्तुलन रहना चाहिए | जैसे छोटे-से बच्चे, वे भी क्या करेंगे ? खेल-कूद करेंगे, शरीर की चर्चा करेंगे | लिखा-पढ़ी करेंगे, intellectual चर्चा | और कुछ समय के लिए जप, ध्यान, भजन माँ-बाप के साथ बैठ कर कर लेंगे | अर्थात्‌ आध्यात्मिक चर्चा भी हो गई | और, जब बड़े हो जाएँगे कुछ, तो दीक्षा लेंगे, साधना करेंगे | जप, ध्यान, आसन, प्राणायाम करेंगे | लिखा-पढ़ी करेंगे, और शरीर की चर्चा करेंगे, sports करेंगे | तो, ये तीनों का एक सन्तुलन, an adjustment रहना चाहिए | Adjustment नहीं रहने से व्यष्टि की भी क्षति होती है और समाज की भी क्षति होती है |

हम लोग का यह जो ताण्डव नाच है, यह शरीर की पुष्टि में सहायक है, मानसिक उन्नति में भी सहायक है और आध्यात्मिक उन्नति में भी सहायक है | इसलिए हम चाहते हैं कि लोग सीखें | जिनकी अधिक उम्र हो गई, वे थोड़े time के लिए घर में करें, साधना के time में | और जो कम उम्र  वाले हैं, वे कसकर करें | आपस में competition भी करें |

यह ताण्डव महिलाओं के लिए ठीक नहीं है, due to biological reasons | किन्तु, उन लोगों के लिए भी तो कुछ चाहिए | इसलिए हम पटना में कौषिकी नाच को invent किए हैं | वह भी क़रीब-क़रीब ताण्डव का काम करेगा | कुछ हद तक तो करेगा अवश्य | और वह हम देखे, कि, वह मर्द के लिए भी है, औरत के लिए भी है—दोनों कर सकते हैं, दोनों के लिए फ़ायदेमंद है |

तो, तुम लोग जो यह ताण्डव competition, कौषिकी competition करते हो, यह बहुत अच्छा है | और मैं पूरा इसका समर्थन करता हूँ | अधिक से अधिक करोगे | जहाँ मार्गी हों, जहाँ मार्गी नहीं हों वहाँ भी इसका competition हो | इससे फ़ायदा ही है | कोई क्षति नहीं है, कोई हानि नहीं है |[1]


Reference
1. MGD 5th March 1984 Jammu



Sunday, June 21, 2015

Fish justice + 2 more

Baba

This email contains three sections:

1. End Quote: Fish justice
2. PS #1971: Why are you not joining us in the blissful occasion of this grand festival
3. Links


Fish justice

Namaskar,

Baba says, "The reign of fish is known as matsya-nya'ya (fish justice). Fish justice means a disorderly, unjust condition where the strong eat the weak. When this situation arises in our social life then we say that in society fish justice is going on." (1)

Note 1: These days fish justice is a common phenomenon in society. Sadly, those who are exploited the most don't even know that they are being exploited. For example, capitalists are exploiting in all spheres of life, but the common people think that those capitalists are helping them. In the US and many places, the people think that those big corporations are providing jobs, food, and stability, and are thus doing a great service to society. Yet those capitalists are doing this for their own selfish profit motive; they have no regard for the common people.

In our Proutistic outlook, we know that the entire property of the cosmos belongs to Parama Purusa, but the common people in the west think that those wealthy people are fortunate and blessed - regardless of how they acquired their riches and fortune.

In India, the people think that the super rich did some great virtue in their past life and that accounts for their tremendous wealth in this life. And those same commoners believe that, “I am poor because of my past misdeeds.”

The west is exporting pseudo-culture everywhere by various media. Yet naive people think that the west is helping them and they feel proud and glorified by adopting western pseudo-culture. But by that way those simple communities are being swallowed whole by those big capitalist entities.

So wherever you look exploitation is going on yet the people are not aware. That is the sad state of affairs these days. Mass awakening is needed to turn this situation around. When people become cognizant of the presence of exploitation, then the tides will begin to turn in the right direction.

These are all examples of fish justice.

Note 2: In Sanskrit literature different words and analogies have been formed based on the characteristics of various creatures. The above teaching on fish justice is one such example. The main purpose is to educate the public about the inherent qualities of those animals and demonstrate how this concerns our human society. To this end, in Sanskrit literature, there is an abundance of words and phrases related with the natural world, i.e. animals, birds, and various other creatures. 

In Him,
Adhyatman

Reference
1. SC-20 Bangla, disc 156


== Section 2 ==


Why are you not joining us in the blissful occasion of this grand festival 

Prabhat Samgiita Intro: Here in this song Parama Purusa is addressing the bhakta in a disguised manner using indirect language. Specifically, Parama Purusa is talking to the devotee while referring to Himself in the third person. So the bhakta is unaware that the Entity addressing him is actually Parama Purusa. That is the unique aspect of this song. No one should get confused and think that in this song two devotees are speaking to one another. Rather, it should be clear to all that this song depicts the special dialogue between the Lord and His bhakta whereby the Lord Parama Purusa is keeping His identity hidden.

"A’nanderi ei nimantrańe, tumi eká kándo keno, base..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1971)

Purport:

O' human being, with the invitation of bliss on this auspicious occasion, everyone is dancing and the whole atmosphere is filled with the fragrance of flowers. Everything in this entire universe has become charged with such a divine and spiritual vibration. Mahasambhuti Baba has taken advent and brought forth a new ideology. In this joyous moment of the advent of the Divine Entity, why are you crying alone in an isolated corner? Why are you not joining everyone in the blissful celebration of this grand festival. O’ human being, you should come and join everyone on this exquisite occasion.

Today, everyone is dancing in laughter and joy. The waves are also dancing on the ocean. Even the molecules and atoms are dancing. For whose longing are you remaining aloof. Why are you keeping yourself by the wayside? The day is full of new vigour and a divine vibration.

O' human being, there is no need for hopelessness and despair. Parama Purusa Baba, the Creator of the universe, is also yours. That very Entity Who is very sweet and Who is helping everyone and Who loves all, that very Divine Entity Baba also loves You. And you are also His.

O' human being, why are you feeling helpless and passing the days in a dark corner. Come join together with all on this unique celebration...


Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Majority is intelligent or fool

Baba

This email contains two sections:

1. End Quote: Majority is intelligent or fool
2. Links



Majority is intelligent or fool

Namaskar,

Prout philosophy states, “There are several forms of governmental structure, and among them the democratic structure is highly appreciated [by some persons]. Democracy is defined as “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” But in fact it is the rule of the majority. Hence democracy means “mobocracy” because the government in a democratic structure is guided by mob psychology. The majority of the society are fools; wise people are always in a minority. Thus, finally democracy is nothing but “foolocracy”.” (1)

What is the current criteria for voting


Given the present political climate around the world, democracy is the best option. But democracy does have its shortcomings. Currently, the chief criteria for voting is age. If one has reached a certain age then that makes them eligible to vote. Yet we all know that age alone does not certify that one is truly qualified one to vote in a mature and meaningful manner. To cast a meaningful vote, socio-political awareness is needed.


Why it is such a sensitive point


However, nowadays this is a very delicate issue. People feel that all should be allowed to vote - not just a select few. Because, since long, in the name a selecto-electoral system, voting rights were only given to the dominant group. For instance, in the US, only white males were allowed to vote for nearly two centuries. Relatively recently, after an extended battle, voting rights were granted to women, African-Americans, and others etc.

That is why today, if you mention the benefits of the selecto-electoral system, people become terrified. They think that only the ruling group will have voting rights and all others will be subjected to unfair treatment. They feel they just eradicated that misery and now you want to bring it back.


What will a socially & politically conscious electorate do

Yet as society advances, people will realise the need to have a socially & politically conscious electorate. One should have sufficient knowledge of the various parties and what their platforms are. If such a system is properly implemented, and really only socially & politically conscious people can vote, then the world will be a different place. There will be so many positive changes. In due course it is going to happen.

Unfortunately, because of the shortcomings in present-day system, the majority of voters are fools. Hence, democracy is nothing but "foolocracy."

In Him,
Pradiip

Reference
1. Discourses on Prout



== Section 2 ==

Links


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Example how sadhakas are not ordinary + 2 more

Baba

This email contains three sections:

1. End Quote: Example how sadhakas are not ordinary
2. PS #4504: By understanding that You love me, I found my true self
3. Links


Example how sadhakas are not ordinary - not xyz

"Even after getting human life, only a few get the opportunity to listen to dharmika discourses. Among those, only a few develop the desire to practise dharma sádhaná. And even among these, only a few actually grasp the spirit of Sádhaná. Those rare ones who understand, perform sádhaná, and reach the goal are truly blessed." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba is revealing how each and every margii is extraordinary as they have already crossed so many hoops to become an Ananda Margii. And there are a few more hoops to go. So one should always be alert not to get stuck in the present stage. Please read the above guideline carefully to understand which stage you have crossed and where you are going.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Ranjiit

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná



== Section 2 ==


~ By understanding that You love me, I found my true self ~

"Tomár bhálobásá bujhe, nijeke khunje peyechi, tumi ele dhruva tárá seje,tava páne ceye calechi..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4504)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, You are so gracious. By understanding that You love me, I found my true self. By Your grace I realised that I am not just this physical body; I have an eternal relation with You. Since thousands & thousands of years and beyond, You have been with me, and You have cared for me. Earlier I was confused about who I was. I thought I was just physical body and that my life started with the birth of this body. I was always feeling sad and pessimistic about my future. But now, by Your grace, in my heart I feel Your love - I feel that I am under Your shelter at Your lotus feet - always. I now know that You love me so much & that You are always with me - all the 24hrs. Now, by Your grace, I understand where I am; my life has become meaningful. You have emerged as the polestar of my life. I am moving towards You. It is Your grace.

O' Divine Entity, when I get fatigued & tired by involving in mundane works, and when negative thoughts ruin my peace and tranquility, and when the dark clouds of hopelessness float in the sky, then in that bad hour I take shelter in Your divine love to save me from all sorts of problems.

O' my Lord, my mental sky, my air, my breath, my entire existence, my everything is dancing according to the rhythm of Your sweet melody - Your ankle bell. My hopes get consolation, fulfilled by Your samvit [1].

From the land of divine effulgence - with an unknown magical spell, one angel is beckoning me; O' my dearmost Parama Purusa Baba, You are that very apsera' (angel). I have understood this truth in my ańudhyana, by Your grace.

Baba, by Your grace, I am completely ensconced in Your love and now I understand that I am completely sheltered in Your lap...


End Note for Prabhat Samgiita #4504:

Samvit: "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (1)

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Brahma Cakra





Monday, June 15, 2015

Pracara strategy: to convince dharmic points to bad people + 5 more

Baba

This email contains six sections:

1. End Quote: Pracara strategy: to convince dharmic points to bad people
2. PS #338: O' Parama Purusa, with the stroke of Your colour and brush
3. PS #327: हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण
4. Comment: Re: Blaming Sadguru for giving test to lose faith
5. Comment: Re: Those who can't do deep meditation
6. Links


Pracara strategy:
to convince dharmic points to bad people


Namaskar,
When discussing Ananda Marga teachings with negative elements or bad people in a particular area, then it is better not to go alone. Having more than one, two, or three margiis present - or as many as you can take - will give greater psycho-spiritual strength to overpower those bad minds. By this way those negative elements can be convinced and brought into the fold.

This strategy is especially applicable when anyone feels uncomfortable going alone to meet with such anti-social elements, or so-called very famous people. In that case, bring other Ananda Margiis along with you to help convince that party about the ideals of Ananda Marga, and turn  them into ardent sadhakas.

    Baba says in Ananda Marga ideological scriptures, "Every human being has certain merits and demerits. Suppose a person has forty  percent merit and sixty percent demerit: the resultant demerit is twenty percent. If a weak person whose resultant demerit is forty percent comes in contact with a person whose resultant demerit is more than forty percent, he will certainly degenerate. Obviously, a thief will not be a durjana (wicked person) for a perfectly honest person because the latter will easily counteract the thief's negative qualities. But for an ordinary person without any notable attributes, the thief will certainly be a durjana. Those with less psychic or spiritual power can easily be influenced by a wicked person. Those who are psychically and spiritually developed, however, are not so easily influenced and for them even a very wicked person may not be a durjana."
    "It is the duty of every human being to avoid wicked people. You may ask, 'Can wicked people ever become virtuous?' Of course they can, but remember that only those people having greater psychic power than them should try to transform them. So what should you do? Instead of going alone, you should take five or ten friends with you so that your collective psychic strength will be greater than theirs." (1)

The same approach applies when addressing those wts who are not following Ananda Marga WT conduct rules. If you think a particular Wt will not listen to you when you raise the matter, then go en masse with other margiis and address that worker. Then surely you will get success. That is the gist of the Baba's aforesaid quoted guideline.

in Him,
Harideva

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, What Should Human Beings Do?



== Section 2 ==


O' Parama Purusa, with the stroke of Your colour & brush,
You have made humans great

“Raunga beraunge sabáre sajáyecho,tomár manomata sáj je diyecho...” (Prabhat Samgiita #338)

Purport

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, You have decorated all of creation with various colours. You have given everything new splendour. You gave them dress according to Your wish. Some You made as inanimate objects, and others as plants, animals, and human beings. You gave them shape and form according to Your desire.

Baba, You coloured and dyed the light of the dawn, and in a flash spread it across the horizon. You have given greenness to the creepers and trees. With this green vegetation, You have filled my mind with peace.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, You have infused sweetness in the human mind. You have filled the human mind with love, affection, and sacrifice. With the stroke of Your color & brush, You have brought the     humans very close to divinity. You have graciously blessed humans and elevated them to the status of veritable gods...

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.

== Section 3 ==


हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण

प्रभात संगीत 327 सौम्य शान्त  चेतनानन्द, चरण... दाओ गो आमाय...

भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! तुम सदा शान्त और आनन्द हो ! तुम  शुद्धचेतन , प्रेमस्वरूप! हो, तुम कृपा कर अपने चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण स्वीकार करो और मुझे आशीष  दो ।  हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम हतास की आशा  हो, व्यथित हृदय के लिये प्रेम हो, आश्रयविहीन भटकने वालों के तुम्हीं अंतिम आश्रय हो।

बाबा! तुम सभी लोकों  में प्रारंभ से अंत तक रहते हो, और मेरे जीवन में तुम दिव्य प्रेम की फल्गु-धारा बहाते रहते हो । तुम्हारी असीम करुणा लगातार सभी दिशाओं में बहती जा रही है। तुम सबके अति  प्रिय हो, और सबके सर्वाधिक पूज्य हो। तुम मनुष्यों की विद्या और बुद्धि से परे हो। हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम अपने चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण स्वीकार करो.

हे मेरे प्रभु, बाबा! मेरी पैदाइस इस सीमित जगत में, तथा मैं हूँ भी  इस सीमित जगत में,परन्तु तुम तो सीमा से परे हो, और मैं सीमा से परे अनंत सत्ता को सोच भी नहीं सकता। जब मैं तुम्हारा चिंतन करता हॅूं तो मेरा मन तुम्हीं में घुलने लगता है, खो जाता है । हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम अपने चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण स्वीकार करो.

हे मेरे प्रभु, बाबा! मेरे मन की मंजूषा , मधुर केवड़े के पराग के सामान है। मेरा मन सबकुछ मधुरता लेकर, तुम्हारी ओर दौड़ रहा है। बाबा!  हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम अपने चरण कमलों में मेरा समर्पण स्वीकार करो, और मुझे आश्रय दो। 


- Trans. Dr. T.R.S.

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.



== Section 4 ==



Re: Blaming Sadguru for giving test to lose faith

namaskar..

I have always wondered.. how many of us.specially WT's, really have unflinching faith in HIM..?

Engineer

(a link to the initial letter on this topic has been appended below.)



== Section 5 ==


Re: Those who can't do deep meditation


Nice... Good information.

- From Dada J

(a link to the initial letter on this topic has been appended below.)



== Section 6 ==

Links

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Circumcision is killing innocent boys we have to save

Baba

This email contains two sections:

1. Posting: Circumcision is killing innocent boys we have to save
2. Links


Circumcision is killing innocent boys we have to save

Namaskar,
Baba has given the rule that Ananda Margiis should not circumcise their infants/boys. This Baba gave in 1955 - now 50 years have passed. Yet still we are keeping those teachings to ourselves, and we could not disseminate these important guidelines to the entire world. In result, so much undue suffering has been occurred.

See here below how countless innocent youths are suffering and getting maimed. If we had propagated Baba’s teachings then this terrible situation could have been averted.


In South Africa, circumcision ritual becomes health crisis

JOHANNESBURG — The young South African thought he was going to the hills to become a man. He came back with a horrifying injury that made him an outcast.
Asanda lost his genital organ to gangrene in a botched circumcision ritual performed by a traditional surgeon wielding the same spear on more than a dozen initiates. He was an unusual case among thousands of men hospitalized after such ceremonies in past years because he broke a code of secrecy about the tradition and spoke out in protest. For that, he endured public humiliation and even a severe beating a few months ago.

“People would just stare at me, as if I were not a man,” 25-year-old Asanda told The Associated Press. He did not want his family name published for fear of a bigger backlash from his community.

See below that damaged child that lost its genital due to circumcision.




This month, youths in some rural areas will head to secluded huts for circumcision rituals meant to usher them into manhood, an annual rite of passage during the current South African winter, and in the summer at year’s end. Officials hope to prevent another wave of injuries and deaths triggered by factors including infection and the tight binding of genital organ wounds, which cuts off blood supply, as well as sleep deprivation, exposure to winter cold and other harsh conditions.

Septic shock causes many fatalities. The problem is most severe in the Eastern Cape province, where nearly 500 young men have died in circumcision rituals since 2006, including 83 last year, according to the provincial health department.

Officials further north in Mpumalanga province reported 31 deaths in 2013. Twenty-three people, including doctors and traditional surgeons, face charges including negligent killing for the Mpumalanga deaths, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority announced Tuesday. - Modal Trigger

Initiations are mostly practiced by the Xhosa tribe in eastern South Africa. Tens of thousands of young men undergo ritual circumcisions every year.

Asanda was circumcised near Lusikisiki town in the Eastern Cape. He fled the initiation school, but was forced to return and was beaten, said Dingeman Rijken, a Dutch doctor who later treated him. A bandage on Asanda’s genital organ cut off blood flow and he was hospitalized, according to Rijken. After the gangrenous flesh fell away, Asanda was discharged with a catheter to help him urinate.

Rijken said an injured genital organ with dry gangrene eventually falls away from the body by itself, while a genital organ with wet gangrene sometimes has to be amputated to prevent further infection.

“Amputating a genital organ is not something you do easily, because of the mental implications,” Rijken wrote in an email. “We know that these boys are going to lose their genital organ, but they will often blame the doctor for taking it off. Most of them come with hopes that it will become all right or grow again (which is what they are also being told by traditional nurses). On arrival, they are tired (sleep deprivation), malnourished (diet restrictions), dehydrated (fluid restriction): it takes a number of days for them to be able to discuss these things.”

A 21-year-old man who identified himself only by his first name, Bheki, described in an AP interview how he lost the tip of his genital organ in a ritual.

Bheki, who is reluctant to tell his father about his injury and did not want to give his family name for fear he would be humiliated in his community.

Asanda shocked his community by complaining about unsafe circumcisions at a local meeting. The next morning, Asanda was beaten by several villagers and accused of being an “impipi,” or “traitor” in the Xhosa language, he said.

“I would always feel like sitting on my own,” he said, describing his ordeal. “It would feel like I’m not alive.”

Asanda left his home village but now wants to return. He’s not sure when he’ll go back, though, or what kind of reception he’ll receive. (1)


Senior Acarya Diary on circumcision:
not a part of our Ananda Marga way of life


Following is Baba's guideline from Senior Acarya Diary where He clearly states that circumcision is not done in Ananda Marga. This is not one of our accepted practices. Instead, after reaching puberty the foreskin should be pulled back. If for any reason, the foreskin cannot be pulled back, then the below process should be done. Be aware that from infancy up to puberty, there is no need to pull back the foreskin.





Caryacarya part 2 - Bangla edition:
no scope for circumcision


In the Bengali edition of Caryacarya part 2 and point #2 of Sixteen Points, Baba simply gives the instruction to pull back the foreskin. That is point #2 of Sixteen Points - there is no option given for circumcision.





When to pull back the foreskin


Here Baba guides us that for health and hygiene, one should pull back the foreskin at the time of puberty - before that age the foreskin can remain as is.

"Immediately upon reaching adolescence (in India, one reaches adolescence in between the ages of twelve and fourteen), males should start using Kaopiina (laungot́á) and should pull back the foreskin of the penis." (2)

"The foreskin should be pulled back and the area washed and kept clean." (3)

Thus there is no scope for performing circumcision at the time of birth - or at any time. Guru's guideline is that from birth to pre-adolescence the foreskin should remain as is, and then at the time of puberty the foreskin should be pulled back.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Liila
Leslie Orenbach


Note 1: Seminal Book on Circumcision

Following is the very informative book on this point of circumcision. If you want to educate oneself on the negative side of circumcision you can go through this.

CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA is the first intensive exploration of the unrecognized psychological and social aspects of this increasingly controversial American cultural practice. The book has been endorsed by dozens of professionals in psychology, psychiatry, child development, pediatrics, obstetrics, childbirth education, sociology, and anthropology, including Ashley Montagu, Christiane Northrup, Warren Farrell, Sheila Kitzinger, Sam Keen, and Penelope Leach. Without much knowledge, the American public generally assumes that our cultural practice of circumcision is a trivial and benign procedure. Plain facts and research results conflict with these beliefs and raise serious questions. Dr. Goldman's application of psychological and social research coherently explains both the tenacity of the practice and the contradictory information and beliefs about it. After a review of the surprising abilities of infants and their responses to circumcision pain, the long-term psychological effects of circumcision are examined from the perspectives of both traditional and innovative psychological theories. We learn that circumcision has potential effects not only on men and sexuality, but also on mother-child relationships, male-female relationships, and societal traits and problems. The text is supported with clinical reports, interviews, surveys, and thorough documentation. CIRCUMCISION: THE HIDDEN TRAUMA identifies an overlooked source of early pain and points us in the direction of both healing and preventing this pain. It is of particular interest to men who seek to explore their sexuality and deepen self-awareness; women who want to understand men better; parents and children's advocates; childbirth educators and allied workers; and mental health, medical, and academic professionals. The book has wide appeal because, more generally, it is about trusting our instincts, questioning some of our cultural values and assumptions, and reflecting on who we are and who we can be as individuals and as a society. Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., is a psychologist, educator, and executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston (www.circumcision.org), a nonprofit educational organization. He gives lectures and seminars on the psychological and social aspects of circumcision and provides consultation to expectant parents and circumcised men. Dr. Goldman has been a featured guest on local and national radio and television shows and has been cited in numerous newspapers and periodicals.

References
1. Courtesy of http://www.cbsnews.com
2. CC-3, General Health Rules, For Males, Point #1
3. CC-3, General Health Rules, For Males, Point #2



Thursday, June 11, 2015

If you want to memorise anything + 4 more

Baba

This email contains 6 sections:

1. Comments: Comments From Ac Shambhushivananda Avt & Others
2. What to eat - What not to eat
3a. End Quote: If you want to memorise anything here is the way
3b. End Quote: Why under the dark veil of the iron curtain
4. PS #3837: हे परम पुरुष, मैं अपने हृदय का प्रेम तुमसे कैसे व्यक्त करूँ 
5. Link



Comments From Ac Shambhushivananda Avt & Others

[A] From: Dadaji < shambhushivananda1...>

DEAR  BRO. MICHAEL WEAVER :

Thankyou for bringing to my attention some blunders that have crept in GK Magazine. Usually we are careful in this matter but if any such thing has happened, it is good to bring it to our notice before going public. Yet, we do not mind at all your pointing out our defects. That is how we progress/
Best Regards,
S.



---

[B] From: Engineer

Namaskar,
I recollect one long time MLA at Badarpur-Delhi writing  his  name every where  as  " Shri Manniya Netaji Ram Singh Choudhary Vidhayak.. He is still doing that..Not only this gentleman, but many of us are suffering from this complex..

Namaskar,
Engineer


---


[C] From: Vyas

Namaskar!
I think this is one of the best postings I have seen in a long while. It teaches us many things such as respect, disrespect, pride, ego, devotion, genuine love for Parama Purusa, strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista, courage versus cowardliness, etc. I personally did not know about Baba indicating His full name was not on warrant and that "P.R. Sarkar" was not His name in that warrant.Anyone around those days or who knew about that story should know better. That story alone would tell us how to talk about Baba in public in addition to what He said in Caryacarya on appreciating the majesty of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamrtiji.

Great job!

Vyas
When the police came to arrest Baba, they arrived with an arrest warrant that said "PR Sarkar". Baba refused to recognise the warrant as being legitimate. He said, "That is not my name; that warrant could be for so many other people whose initials are PR." On this point, the police accepted defeat so they left without Baba and came back with a new warrant that stated Baba's complete name.

Note: A link to the initial letter on this topic has been appended below.

== Section 2 ==


What to eat - what not to eat

"Every object of the world is dominated by one of the three principles – sentient, mutative, and static. Food is no exception, and according to its intrinsic nature, is divided into the same three categories."

"Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products."

"Mutative food: Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good for the mind, but certainly not harmful for the mind, is mutative."

"Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static." (1)

Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development


== Section 3 ==

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

*********************************************
If you want to memorise anything here is the way

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.

"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)

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 1 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.

So when there was no way to store ideas or teachings on paper or cassette, then there was no option but to store it all in their memory. The only way to do that was to create rhythmic poetry. So all those past yogis, rishis, sages, thinkers, and munis put their realization in shloka, poem, or any kind of rhythmic expression like vedas, purana etc. Even when script started, most people did not know how to read or write, so those thinkers also 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 of 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.


Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, p.353

---

Why under the dark veil of the iron curtain



"Question – Why is everything in the communist countries done under the dark veil of the iron curtain?"

"Answer – Because they are conscious of the inherent defects and loopholes in their system and they do not want the world to know what they are doing." (1)


Note: A similar thing is going on in Ananda Marga these days. To hide their hypocrisy group leaders do like this.

Reference
1. PNS-18, Questions and Answers [on Society] – 4, Question #12
*********************************************

== Section 4 ==


हे परम पुरुष, मैं अपने हृदय का प्रेम तुमसे कैसे व्यक्त करूँ 

प्रभात संगीत
 3837: आमी तोमाय भालोबासी,जानाइ की करे....


भावार्थ

हे बाबा ! तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं तुमको प्रेम करता हॅूं। मेरे लिये तुम सब कुछ हो ,तुम जानते हो कि तुम्हारे प्रेम में, मेरी आॅंखें  विना रुके कितने आॅसू बहाती हैं। बाबा! कृपा कर बताओ कि मैें तुमको प्रेम करता हूूॅं यह मैं किस प्रकार व्यक्त करूं? ए परम प्रिय! मेरे हृदय का प्रेम तुम्हारेे हृदय के साथ अनुनाद करता है, इस प्रकार तुम समझ सकते हो। इसके अलावा मेरे पास कोई शब्द  नहीं हैं जिनसे मैं अपने हृदय का प्रेम तुमसे व्यक्त कर सकॅूं।

हे बाबा! हर प्रातः काल में जब सूर्य अपनी अरुणिमा ले कर उदित होता है तो मुझे लगता है तुम अपनी दिव्य आभा से उदित  हो रहे हो। बाबा, तुम कितने सुंदर हो, तुम अपनी आभा हर स्थान पर विखेरते हो। असंख्य फूलों  और उनकी सुगंध में तुम अपनी दिव्य मधुरता उडे़लते रहते हो। पूर्वी गुलाबी क्षितिज में तुम मधुर नर्म समीर के द्वारा मुझे बुलाते हो और कृपा कर अपनी छाती से लगा लेते हो।

 हे परम पुरुष बाबा! रंगीन सूर्यास्त की शाम  के शुभ  आकर्षक क्षणों में तुम अपने अनन्त प्रेम से हमेशा  मधुर मुस्कान विखेरते हो। उस समय तुम बार-बार आश्वाशन  देते हुये, मुझसे कहते हो कि अब जाओ तुम्हारे आराम का समय हो गया है, कल  फिर तुम्हें बुलाते हुए आ जाऊंगा। यह मीठे शब्द  उस कोमल क्षण में तुम मुझे कान में फुसफुसाते हो। बाबा, तुम बड़े दयालु हो, तुम हमेशा  मेरे साथ हो। बाबा तुम्हारी  मनोरंजक कथायें और प्रेम कहानियाॅं इस विश्व  में और मेरे मन और हृदय में सदा ही तैरती रहती हैं।

बाबा तुम मेरे सबकुछ हो । मैं तुम्हें बहुत चाहता हॅूं......

टिप्पणीः  प्रेम एकपक्षीय नहीं होता है ।

इस गीत में भक्त और परमपुरुष के बीच के प्रेम को द्विपक्षीय बताया गया है एकपक्षीय नहीं । अनेक अवसरों पर बाबा ने यह कहा है कि मानव परमपुरुष को प्रेम करते हैं और वे  परमपुरुष, मानव को प्रेम करते हैं । यह पारस्परिक होता है, एक पक्षीय नहीं और यह भौतिक चीजों के आकर्षण वाली वासना नहीं, यह दिव्य प्रेम होता है।


- Trans: Dr. T.R.S.

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.




Thursday, June 4, 2015

Cause and solution of monotony of life

Baba

"Saba'r priyo tumi saba'r a'pan..."  (P.S. 4723)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, You are everyone's most loving and closest One - everyone feels that You are their own. Baba, You are, I am; and this whole universe also exists.  
  
O' Supreme Entity, from the peak of the snow-covered, sky-kissing mountain to the deep, serene ocean, from the sun of the crimson dawn to the colourful evening sunset - everything in this universe is Your divine creation. The flowers, fruits, shrubs, forest, and garden - all are Your expressions. O' my Dearmost, You are the divine Lord of everything and everyone.

O' Parama Purusa Baba, with Your compassion You are looking after one and all; You never hate anyone. You reside in the mind & You are in the heart. Even then I do not see You, but I feel You. O' my Lord, O' Baba, You are so great: I am always asking for Your forgiveness and for Your grace. By Your divine krpa, with full surrender I always do sastaunga pranam to You - each & every moment.

O' Baba, You are the most loving One, the most dear Entity of one and all. You have created this entire vast universe. You are so gracious; Baba, I surrender...


== Section 2 ==


Cause and solution of monotony of life

Introduction

Due to lack of higher goal if a small problem arises, people get frustrated and lose interest in life. Those without a spiritual goal and do not have higher values in life and get overwhelmed by when confronted with a terminal illness or when some bad event happens. For human welfare, the propagation of spirituality is highly important. If there is a higher goal then people will not commit suicide.

Baba's Original Guideline

एक ही भावना से, एक ही तरह की चर्चा तथा ज़िक्र से monotony आ जाती है | जिनमें आध्यात्मिक साधना नहीं है, बुढ़ापे में वे कहते हैं—”अब मरना ही अच्छा है |” जिनमें आध्यात्मिक साधना नहीं है, कम उम्र में भी मन पर अधिक चोट लगने से अथवा चोट लगने की शङ्का रहने से मनुष्य ख़ुदकुशी कर बैठते हैं, आत्महत्या तक कर देते हैं | क्यों जी ? न, higher pursuits नहीं है | मन में monotony आ जाती है | Applied psychology में मैं ऐसा ही कहूँगा |

तो, इस monotony से बचने का उपाय क्या है ? न, मन को एक ऐसा object चाहिए, mind के objective counterpart में एक ऐसा विषय चाहिए जो कि अनन्त हो | अर्थात्‌ जिसके contact में आने से मनुष्य के मन में कभी भी किसी भी हालत में monotony नहीं आएगी—हमेशा नया, नवीन, नवीनतर, नवीनतम | परमपुरुष एक ऐसी सत्ता हैं, जो हमेशा नूतन हैं, हमेशा नवीन हैं | इसलिए life की monotony से बचने के लिए आध्यात्मिक साधना हर इनसान के लिए फ़र्ज़ है | रुहानी तरक़्क़ी के लिए तो फ़र्ज़ अवश्य ही है; Life की monotony से बचने के लिए भी यह फ़र्ज़ है | (1)

English Translation

Involving in mundane thinking and worldly works all day long brings monotony. Those who do not practice sadhana in their old age say, "Now it is better to die." Those lacking in spiritual practice, even in the tender young age, if they are emotionally hurt or they anticipate feeling mentally hurt, commit suicide. Why? According to applied psychology, I would say they don't have any higher pursuits; hence, the feeling of monotony consumes their mind.

Now, what is the way to prevent such monotony? The objective counterpart of the mind should have such an object which is infinite. That means, coming in contact with such an infinite object of ideation, people will never harbor feelings of monotony - not in any case. That object [Parama Purusa] is ever new, newer and newest. Parama Purusa is that entity who is ever new, always new. Therefore, it is the duty of every person to do spiritual practice to prevent any feelings of monotony in life. For spiritual progress, certainly it is the duty of everyone to do sadhana.  And indeed it is your duty to do sadhana to protect yourself from the monotony of life.

- Trans: Dr. T.R.S.

Reference
1. Kya' Dharma Vaeyas't'ika Jiivana ka' U'rdhva-Sam'vega Hae, athava' Sa'magrika Vishva ka' Tristariiya Mukti Sopa'na Hae? Subhasita Samgraha, Part 15, Chapter 02 (H) DMC 29 July 1980 Ranchi

Monday, June 1, 2015

Dogma: Worshipping The Deceased

Baba

This email contains three distinct sections:
1. Posting: Ideal Shraddha Ceremony For Mangal Bihariji
2. End Quote: Queen Was Beaten Mercilessly
3. Links


Dogma: Worshipping The Deceased

EXAMPLE OF DOGMATIC SHRADDHA

Unfortunately, nowadays several dogmatic trends have made their way into our Ananda Marga shraddha (death) ceremonies - a.k.a. shra'ddhanustha'nas. Here following is a critical point that we see again and again - plus other issues are brought to the fore as well.

So that the deceased does not suffer in the cold or become hungry in heaven, family members engage in the mass distribution of blankets and clothing (see photos below) - as well as food distribution (narayan seva). They think their offerings will actually reach to their dear one in heaven.

Hindus think that by offering food and blankets then their deceased relative in heaven will get the virtue (punya) of that offering. Such persons actually believe they can enhance the stature and comfort of the deceased through this ritual. They think that blankets given to the poor will be automatically transferred to their loved one in heaven - thus the deceased will be warm. This is their motivating rationale.

Now in our Ananda Marga that same approach has been taken - tragically. Some have adopted these Hindu rituals.

Another common phenomenon is that margiis do two ceremonies: One according to Caryacarya and one according to Hindu dogma, in order to appease their neighbors & village folk etc. But this is not the answer. Baba warns us to never compromise with dogma.

Here is how this type of dogmatic shraddha happened in one Ananda Marga unit a few months ago in a different place:

(Note: This letter continues after the below photos. Eds)


#1Dogma: Garlanding The Deceased

Here the deceased is being garlanded [dogma] by one avadhuta 
at recent AM Shraddha ceremony and notice also Baba's photo.



So again we should remember that during the death ceremony, no one should succumb to the dogma of offering flowers. Although it may seem innocent, that will plant the seeds for one full on dogma. Best is to follow Baba's guidelines and use only water.

#2: Dogmatic Offering So Deceased Will Receive
In Other World and Live Comfortably in Heaven


#3: Dogmatic Offering So Deceased Will Receive
In Other World and Live Comfortably in Heaven



Baba has specified that only water should be used during the death ceremony to make it easy and convenient for everyone on all parts of the globe. Then money will not be an issue - there will be no question of financial hardship. If flowers or the offering of a mala is introduced in the shraddha (death) ceremony then those people in cold regions like Alaska or in the desert regions may have to order malas and have them delivered by airplane etc. And people will be forced to incur debt just to get flowers for the deceased. It will become a terrible burden. Religious dogma is like that. Plus there will be competitions for who offered the biggest garland and when great people die they will receive thousands of garlands. Already some of the religions suffer in this way.

The key point is that when a dogma is small it looks harmless and innocent but when it takes full form it is horrendous for the people. That is why today the offering of a garland looks innocent but even then this ritual should not be introduced. Because if done then in due course it will be disastrous.

The best way to proceed is to follow Baba's guidelines. His teachings are rational.


NO CEREMONY TO OFFER MATERIAL GOODS TO THE DECEASED

Baba has strictly forbidden such things in our Ananda Marga system. Our shraddha ceremony is to be performed in a simple, dignified, and respectful manner, without any ostentatious, pompous display or costly arrangements, as happens in Hindu dogma. In our Ananda Marga, one must follow the system described in Caryacarya. True Ananda Margiis always adhere to this slogan: Dogma no more- dogma no more. Thus there is no scope in such a ceremony to offer material goods to the deceased. Yet that has suddenly been undermined by the presence of Hindu dogma in some Shraddha ceremonies organised in AM.

So it is quite heartening to see that the shraddha ceremony of Mangal Bihariji was done in a strictly dharmic fashion. This should stand as an example for all Ananda Margiis.


HOW PRIEST CHEATS PUBLIC

This following teaching from Ananda Marga philosophy opposes the Hindu dogma that the deceased will utilise the food and receive the blankets in heaven. Moreover, usually in Hindu dogma the priest extacts a lot of goods and money from family of the deceased family. Here below it is described how such dogmatic and unscrupulous priests cheat the grieving family.

"A priest may say that your father will die only once, and so after his death you should arrange for a sufficient quantity of food-stuffs, a sufficient quantity of edibles, a sufficient quantity of clothes, etc., for him. And that has been done in India for about five thousand years, since the time of the Atharva Veda. And people have generally offered rice and sesame, also honey and ghee, to be consumed by that person who has left the world."
   "Regarding these things, Maharshi Charvaka (*) said “If you are in a room, and another man is in the courtyard a few yards away, and you offer rice and sesame for that man, he won’t get that rice and sesame, and his hunger won’t be satisfied. And if a man is in another world, Aparaloka, and you are offering rice and sesame for him, will he get them? Is it reasonable? No, no. All these things are exploitation by the privileged class.”"
   "After offering rice, sesame, clothes, etc., what do you find? The rice is consumed by the purohita in his house. Go to his kitchen, and all that rice is being consumed by his family. That dhuti which is being offered by you for your late father is being used by the purohita, and the sháŕii by the purohita patnii; and the gamci, the towel, if it is surplus, is sold in the market. And the utensils are also sold in the market. So your deceased father, your parents, who are now inhabitants of Aparaloka, won’t get anything." (2)


SCOUNDRELS' PHILOSOPHY

"And the second thing you will see, or you will feel, is that they do not require these things. The microcosm, or unit spirit, does not require any food or clothes or sesame or utensils. All these ideas are scoundrels’ philosophy. And they have been doing this type of exploitation for the last five thousand years, since the time of the Atharva Veda." (3)


DEPARTED SOUL GETS NOTHING

The Ananda Marga shraddha ceremony is done for the welfare and psychological support of the grieving family and loved ones. The deceased does not gain anything from the ceremony.

"The departed soul does not get any advantage from the shráddha ceremony [memorial ceremony]. It is only meant for the psychic satisfaction of the person performing it." (4)



OFFERING OF GOOD WILL TO DECEASED

   "So what should one do? Haven’t we any social responsibility for dead persons? When the necessity arises, we should offer shraddhá [good will] for them, not barley or wheat or woollen clothes or wrappers or ghee or sesame. What can we do? As long as a man is here in our society we have a social responsibility for him. Human beings are social beings, we have a social responsibility for them. And when the leave this world and go to the other world, they go beyond the scope of our responsibility. We cannot render any service to them. Our social responsibility is over as soon as the cremation is done."
   "So what can we do? We can say “O Parama Puruśa, while that man was with us we tried our best to do whatever we could do. But now they are beyond our scope, they are beyond our jurisdiction, so please do take care of them.” This much of a request can be made by us, and nothing more than that. And the Ananda Marga shráddha is just like that. Here we require no edibles, no clothes or anything else. We offer our shraddhá [good will], and we do nothing else, and we can do nothing else." (5)


Ideal Shraddha Ceremony For Mangal Bihariji:

IDEAL VS DOGMATIC SHRADDHA CEREMONY


Namaskar,
As most are aware, Years back Mangal Bihariji's shraddha ceremony was performed by the family within the allotted 12-day period. In fact, all aspects of the shraddha ceremony were done in accordance with Baba's teachings. Food was not served to the attendees. All Wts who attended took food off premises at the jagrti etc. In sum, 2500 people attended the shraddha ceremony. The family made all arrangements according to Caryacarya - II. They upheld the code of dharma.


A VERY SIMPLE CEREMONY

Baba's instructions in Caryacarya for performing the shraddha ceremony are very simple and straightforward. There is the recitation of the mantra followed by a sharing of water, and that is the entire ceremony. Anything more than that is contrary to His teachings.

   "An ácárya/á, a minimum of five healthy persons, and the performer of the shráddha will be present on the occasion. The nearest relation of the dead person will be considered the main performer of the shráddha ceremony. Of course, it is the right of all Margis to perform shráddha."
   "Everyone in the ceremony will follow the ácárya/á in reciting the following mantra:"

Omn madhu vátá rtáyate madhu kśarantu sindhavah...

"A Few Directives:
The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days. If you wish, you can perform the shráddha ceremony any day within this period according to convenience. During the period of mourning you should not subject yourself to unnecessary mortification or ostentatious penance." (1)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Brahmeshvar


End Note:
(*) Maharshi Charvaka: He lived in India about 2500 years ago, during the time of Lord Buddha. He was a bit senior to Lord Buddha. Charvaka’s disciple, Ajit Kusum, was a contemporary of Lord Buddha)


REFERENCES
1. CC-1, Shráddha Ceremony
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Shraddha
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Shraddha
4. Caryacarya-3, Shráddha Ceremony
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Shraddha


== Section 2 ==

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

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Queen Was Beaten Mercilessly

"England’s Henry the Eighth was an unruly king. Once he came to Paris with the queen. In Paris many kinds of covetable drinks were available, thus when they were in Paris his desire for drink naturally increased. One day, while under the influence of liquor, he beat the queen so mercilessly that one of her legs became practically crippled. For several days she was obliged to drag it behind her as she walked. When the time came they returned to London (In those days they did not call it London but rather Londre in the aristocratic French language). The residents of the city fell head over heels in the nooks and crannies of the royal residence trying to see whether or not the king and queen had brought back any new fashions from Paris. They saw [princess] Elizabeth dragging her leg and thought perhaps that this kind of walk was some kind of ultra-modern French style. Women have one great quality; they can easily imitate others. Thus it happened that within three to four days most of the women in the aristocratic households were dragging their leg behind them when they walked and taking a lot of pride in it. It is not written in the histories whether they ever discovered what the real story was behind the queen dragging her leg when she walked. Elizabeth’s style of walking while dragging her leg was called the “Elizabethan gait”." (Varna Vijiana, Language and Dialect – 2)
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== Section 3 ==


LINKS

Here is a letter / announcement of the mahaprayan (death) of Mangal Bihari.


SUBJECTS TOPICS