Baba
Sincere sadhakas follow this
Namaskar,
These days it is common for people to eat company manufactured foods on a regular basis. There are some sadhakas who do not eat any company foods at all—but that is rare. Yet that is the ideal approach. The reasons are obvious.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Alert: are you eating company food?
Companies manufacture food to earn money and increase their revenue / profits. Those companies are not motivated by the spirit of serving humanity. Rather they are wholly goaded by their own self-interest—the profit motive. And to protect their agenda, they tamper with the ingredients list. There are many things that are in their products that are not enlisted. Thus there are many ingredients that are hidden from the consumer. It has been found that such companies even secretly add human DNA to their food products.
Those who consider themselves to be adherents of a sentient / sattvika diet yet regularly depend on company food are not really sentient food eaters. The products they buy are littered with secret, unknown ingredients. The main theme is that what is enlisted on the ingredients is not representative of what is actually in the package. So the consumer does not know what they are getting.
And for sadhakas this is a big deal. Because food affects the mind. So if one eats negative food then sadhana will be severely hampered. Remember we have received a human body and have come on this earth to do sadhana. Everything else is secondary. So eating tamasik company foods in the name of maintaining a sentient diet is deplorable. So watch out.
This is the time to throw away all sorts of company product foods and start cooking in the home—and make this human body a temple of Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion: food labels often deceptive
The central idea is that regardless of what is written on the label—it may be false. So never trust what is enlisted. Other company made products are different such as tools or toys etc. Those you do not eat and if you do not like them you return them or throw them away. But company made food is different. Once eaten, how can you then expel it from the body. When you eat tamasik things or human or rat DNA / specimens, then that gets digested and incorporated into the blood and cells—and then how can you expel that from the body. It is not possible. And that will affect your sadhana. And in worst case if it is carcinogenic it could kill you. So depending on company products and trusting food labels is a form of self-deception. No sincere sadhaka wants to remain lousy at making food choices. True Ananda Margiis are very strict with regard to what they ingest. That is why they never eat company products or food cooked in a restaurant. Such foods are not fully trusted.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Satyanetra
~ In-depth study ~
Pramitáhára: On this sixth secret of success Bábá has given various parameters for the sádhaka to follow:
(1) eat only sentient food;
(2) eat those foods that have the least developed I-feeling;
(3) eat foods from cruelty-free production;
(3) adopt a proper livelihood: earn your living without harming society. Food should be purchased with pure money.
Avoid food:
(1) from a mean-minded cook;
(2) in a támasika environment;
(3) at a death ceremony; or,
(4) at a feast given for show.
The overall tenet is eat a nutritionally-balanced diet, and don’t eat too much or too little. The stomach should be half-full of food, one-quarter water, and one-quarter air. This is the right application of the sixth secret of success.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Wt conduct rules state: "[One] should not touch food by a mean-minded person..." (1)
Baba says, "Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (2)
Baba says, "Those who consume a lot of static food also emit this sort of foul smell...Similarly, an intensely foul smell is emitted from the bodies of tigers because they are carnivorous...A hilsa fish (an Indian herring) is extremely fond of flesh – rotten flesh is its favourite food – hence it produces a kind of repulsive secretion. If a fish bowl or container which held hilsa fish is cleaned with a cloth, and the cloth is used to clean another container, a repulsive smell will be emitted from the second container unless it is properly ventilated. A vegetarian will feel uncomfortable if this container is used for eating, drinking or anything else. Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (3)
Various important guidelines
“‘I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper’ will not do"
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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. Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic qualities. For example, the milk of a cow which has just given birth. Or white eggplant, khesárii pulse [horse gram], red puni [Basella rubra Linn.], or mustard leaves, all of which often grew out of rotten matter. In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that “I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper” will not do." (4)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Támasika áhára: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called támasika. Stale and rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, and all types of intoxicants, are categorized as támasika. Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the rájasika category. The milk of a newly-calved cow, white brinjals, khesárii dál, green vegetables of the type of red puni or mustard are támasika. Masúr dál cooked for one meal will become támasika by the next meal." (5)
You are not a goat or a camel
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “All-round restraint is indeed necessary. It will not do to simply eat what you get or do what you desire. When you eat you must consider if it is sentient, mutative or static. While eating you must think carefully as to what influence it will have over your body and your mind. You are not a goat or a camel that you will eat whatever you get. You have to think when you act.” (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states:
“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.” (7)
Effulgence emanates from these cells creating an aura
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "As a result of eating sentient food and performing spiritual practices, the cells of the human body become sentient. Naturally, an effulgence emanates from these cells creating an aura around the physical body of the spiritual aspirant. This is the reason why many pictures of mahápuruśas [highly-evolved persons] show them with radiant auras. If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of the cells affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat the correct diet, because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any food item, whether good or bad, must not be taken indiscriminately because it may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants must follow the dictum: Áhárashuddhao sattvashudhih [“A sentient diet produces a sentient body”]." (8)
If one eats less, one’s strength increases
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Śaśt́hainca pramitáháro. There is a Bengali saying: uno bháte duno val, bhará pet́e rasátal. If one eats less, then one’s strength increases and one does not fall sick, but if someone overeats, then they fall sick. Here it has been said: pramitáhára. Pramitáhára and parimitáhára are not the same. Parimitáhára means that I have not eaten a lot, nor have I eaten a little. That is called parimitáhár. And pramitáhár means that I have eaten little but I have eaten nourishing food. That is pramitáhára. You have the custom of eating sentient food. If you follow that then you meet the objective of pramitáhára.” (9)
Decomposed beef turned to onion
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “By gradual transformation their mind-stuff reaches a stage where they cannot be called human beings. Who can say that the fire-burnt cane has been transformed into the plantain tree, and the decomposed beef has been transformed into onion through natural changes, and that the rice-water has produced tańd́uleraka leaves? Likewise, no one will be able to recognize you as a human being in your degenerated condition.” (10)
Dharma is highest authority
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (11)
References
1. 32 Rules for Avadhutas, pt #20
2. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Excerpt C
3. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Excerpt C
4. Ananda Marga Philosophy In A Nutshell, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
5. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Eating
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
7. Ananda Marga Philosophy In A Nutshells, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
8. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
10. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science (Sádhaná and Madhuvidyá)
11. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I am summoning Him again
PS Intro: This song depicts that initial time when Guru first comes into the life of any bhakta. In that special moment, it often happens that one does not really understand the great importance and pure divinity of that charming Personality. But then later on, after further reflection and sadhana, one gradually develops an inner appreciation of the greatness of that Sadguru. Then the sadhaka wants Parama Purusa's proximity more and more. With this feeling, the sadhaka will look back upon those old memories with repentance. Because when Parama Purusa first came to the sadhaka then he - the sadhaka - was not able to receive Parama Purusa properly in his heart. The sadhaka could not fully grasp the true value of Sadguru's gracious visit. So now when the sadhaka has a more developed longing and yearning for Parama Purusa, then he feels that he foolishly wasted that earlier opportunity when Parama Purusa Himself came in his life. Because now at present it is not so easy to get Parama Purusa by oneself - by one's own doing. That type of scene is expressed in this following Prabhat Samgiita.
"Path cine esechilo aja'na' pathik, mor duya're ks'an'ik da'nr'iyachilo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2371)
Purport:
How gracious that Divine Entity is. Ajana Pathik came to my home with great intent and stood directly in front of my door for a moment. Tragically, that time I was not aware about who He was so I did not invite Him to come inside. Thus with His sweet and gentle smile He slowly went away that time. Afterwards, the tender image of His sweet, charming face was floating in my mind again and again - I could not forget Him. A few moments passed like that.
After some time, I realised my blunder and I opened the door and desperately ran outside as fast as I could and looked around trying to find Him - hoping to find that divinely charming Entity. I searched for Him in near and far places, but that was all in vain; He was not there. Alas, I could not find Him; only His ma’la’ was there. Where has He gone.
Today, I feel deep repentance. In human life, so many mistakes happen; and, people also feel remorseful for those past wrongdoings. So now I am summoning Him again and again with a very deep, heart-felt longing and with an upsurge of emotion. But I do not know if that call is reaching His ears or touching His heart.
When I was not aware about who He was then at that time He came, but I did not receive Him. And now, by His grace, I feel love for Him in the inner core of my being, but He is not paying heed to my yearning for His proximity. My Divine Entity, please do not play hide and seek with me any longer. Please come, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2371:
[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner He goes from place to place.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
PS Intro: This song depicts that initial time when Guru first comes into the life of any bhakta. In that special moment, it often happens that one does not really understand the great importance and pure divinity of that charming Personality. But then later on, after further reflection and sadhana, one gradually develops an inner appreciation of the greatness of that Sadguru. Then the sadhaka wants Parama Purusa's proximity more and more. With this feeling, the sadhaka will look back upon those old memories with repentance. Because when Parama Purusa first came to the sadhaka then he - the sadhaka - was not able to receive Parama Purusa properly in his heart. The sadhaka could not fully grasp the true value of Sadguru's gracious visit. So now when the sadhaka has a more developed longing and yearning for Parama Purusa, then he feels that he foolishly wasted that earlier opportunity when Parama Purusa Himself came in his life. Because now at present it is not so easy to get Parama Purusa by oneself - by one's own doing. That type of scene is expressed in this following Prabhat Samgiita.
"Path cine esechilo aja'na' pathik, mor duya're ks'an'ik da'nr'iyachilo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2371)
Purport:
How gracious that Divine Entity is. Ajana Pathik came to my home with great intent and stood directly in front of my door for a moment. Tragically, that time I was not aware about who He was so I did not invite Him to come inside. Thus with His sweet and gentle smile He slowly went away that time. Afterwards, the tender image of His sweet, charming face was floating in my mind again and again - I could not forget Him. A few moments passed like that.
After some time, I realised my blunder and I opened the door and desperately ran outside as fast as I could and looked around trying to find Him - hoping to find that divinely charming Entity. I searched for Him in near and far places, but that was all in vain; He was not there. Alas, I could not find Him; only His ma’la’ was there. Where has He gone.
Today, I feel deep repentance. In human life, so many mistakes happen; and, people also feel remorseful for those past wrongdoings. So now I am summoning Him again and again with a very deep, heart-felt longing and with an upsurge of emotion. But I do not know if that call is reaching His ears or touching His heart.
When I was not aware about who He was then at that time He came, but I did not receive Him. And now, by His grace, I feel love for Him in the inner core of my being, but He is not paying heed to my yearning for His proximity. My Divine Entity, please do not play hide and seek with me any longer. Please come, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2371:
[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner He goes from place to place.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
बाबा ! मैंने तुम्हें घर के अन्दर आ जाने को कहा
(जो साधना का 6th पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )
प्रभात सङ्गीत 99 भावी निको आसबे तुमि शीतेर राते -- --
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष ! हे बाबा ! मैंने कभी सोचा भी नहीं था कि इतनी कड़कड़ाती ठण्डी रात में तुम मेरे दरवाज़े पर आओगे। तुम पास आ गये, पर मैंने तुम्हें और अधिक पास आने के लिए कहा ही नहीं। बाहर दाॅंत कटकटाती ठण्डी वायु के झोंके थे। मैं भीतर से सभी दरवाजों की सिटकिनियाँ अच्छी तरह बन्द कर बैठा रहा । बाबा ! मैंने दरवाजा खोला ही नहीं और न ही तुम्हें घर के अन्दर आ जाने को कहा। मैं यह समझ ही नहीं पाया कि मेरे चेहरे की ओर देखकर तुम क्या कहना चाहते थे। एक बार भी मैंने तुमसे यह नहीं पूछा कि तुम क्या चाहते हो। मेरे इस व्यवहार से उस समय तुम्हारे मन में कष्ट हुआ। बाबा ! मेरे द्वारा तुम्हारी परवाह न किए जाने पर तुम रास्ते में तेज चल रही ठण्डी वायु की चिन्ता न करते हुए अकेले दूर चले गए। ओह ! कितना दुर्भाग्य मेरा, कि एक बार भी मैंने तुमसे यह नहीं कहा कि घर के अन्दर आ जाओ। (1)
References
1. 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 3: Links ==
Festival - Niilkantha Divas - 12 Feb 2024
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
