Baba
How to win arms race
Namaskar,
Baba's guideline is that moralists should have weapons in order to protect the people and deter anti-social elements, whereas terrorists and rogue parties should be condemned and their might and power should be snatched away. Unfortunately, today the opposite is true. Moralists are not united, and immoralists have banded together and gained access to all kinds of weapons for their various schemes. So bad people have weapons and good people do not. In this complex, battle-torn world, we should arm ourselves with Baba's divine teachings.
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As Ananda Margiis, we should clearly understand Baba's guidelines and policies with regards to weapons and disarmament. Here it should be understood that weapons are not only for external battles but also for internal ones. Thus every individual must be armed with all kinds of sentient weaponry (yama and niyama, Prout, kiirtan, sadhana etc) so they can overcome degrading tendencies of mind and reach unto Parama Purusa. At the same time, in the world arena, nuclear weapons, proliferation, and disarmament are hot topics these days. Power-hungry, materialistic nations are not for universal welfare or global peace. They just want to keep nuclear weaponry exclusively for themselves.
From primitive to modern humans: pebbles to ICBM
(Note: D’helá (ढेला) means a piece of hardened, dried clay which is thrown to strike others from a distance. When thrown, it can travel 100-150 feet and cause someone a serious bruise.)
At the very beginning of human history, individuals would quarrel and physically fight by hitting, scratching, grinning, grunting, grimacing, biting, and clawing. That was the socially acceptable manner to settle disputes. Everybody fought using these same basic techniques. Then one day, one party got an idea. This alpha party discovered that they could attack their chosen target from afar by throwing fist-sized ďhelás. With this discovery, immediately the alpha party had a distinct advantage over their enemies, i.e the beta party. The alpha party could easily vanquish their foes. In response the beta party became outraged, fearing that so many would get hurt and destroyed by these flying ďhelás. The beta party exclaimed, "Come out and fight in a civilized way and meet me face to face - claw and punch. Do not resort to this dangerous method of throwing ďhelás from your hidden position. Everyone will get killed." But the alpha party paid no mind to the pleas and logic of the beta team. And the alpha party continued to attack others using their ďhelá technique. With no other recourse, the beta party decided that they too must use this ďhelá approach. So they did research, study and practice and soon they were also using ďhelás for their main way of fighting. With ďhelás flying in both directions, the alpha party became disturbed and thought that they had lost their advantage. So they looked around and found that rocks were harder and more potent than ďhelás. The alpha team then began throwing rocks which easily bloodied and hurt other people.
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Then humans used stones as a weapon
Once again, the beta party became horrified by this increased level of intensity by the alpha team. The beta person demanded, "Do not throw rocks; they are too hard and dangerous. Too many people are getting hurt. This will destroy society. Only throw ďhelás - that is our agreed upon fighting strategy. Give up this practice of throwing rocks. There should be disarmament or dis-rock-ament, i.e. no throwing rocks - no one should do this." But the beta's pleas fell on deaf ears. The alpha party was very satisfied with the effectiveness of rock throwing. In turn, the beta team began investigating and experimenting with throwing rocks and soon began employing that technique as well.
In this way the level of fighting increased. But it does not stop there. Baba continues to explain the history of weaponry in human civilisation. When the alpha party saw that team beta was also using rocks, then the alpha team looked around and came up with a new technique in order to gain an advantage. The alpha team began using big animals such as horses and elephants to attack their foes. This was quite alarming for the beta party. They were rattled and complained bitterly that the alpha team would destroy all of humanity and kill everyone using this new method. The beta team pleaded that animals not be used for fighting as it was too dangerous and creating too many deaths.
Once again, the alpha party did not listen and they enjoyed their fighting supremacy. The beta party did their related research, trained animals and fighters, and also began using animals in their warfare. The two warring parties were again on equal ground. Next, the alpha party invented swords for intensified hand to hand battle, and followed by that, spears and other sharp throwing devices. The beta team vigorously objected claiming that these spears were too dangerous - everyone will be killed and entire countries destroyed. The alpha party did not pay heed. With no other recourse, the beta team began developing their own spears and sharp fighting tools. In this see-saw manner, the level of fighting increased.
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Humans used tooth & nails -> canons & firearms
The alpha team then invented the bow and arrow, and again the beta team exclaimed that this was too harmful and the alpha team should be civilised in their fighting. The alpha party ignored their plea so the beta party created their own bow and arrow. Then around four hundred + years ago, explosive weapons came into vogue like guns and canons. The alpha team enjoyed unparalleled superiority and the beta team was aghast by the wreckage of such weapons, and petitioned that such weapons be banned. But instead the beta team was defeated and destroyed.
At this point in His Mumbai discourse, Baba tells the history of how King Babur invaded Delhi from the Middle East and at the battle of Panipat, King Babur used his advanced weaponry to defeat Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi. Actually Ibrahim Lodi had a much bigger army but because Babur's troops had cannons, firearms, and other weapons they were victorious. Abraham Lodi did not have canons - he only had standard, conventional weapons of the day as well as lots of foot soldiers and animals. But because he did not have firearms his party suffered big losses and he was defeated.
Then Baba tells that across history that those who have ultramodern weapons are victorious.
Baba's question to margiis
Baba then posed this question: Do you want to be in the alpha party or beta party?
The margiis responded: Alpha party.
Baba replied: Yes, you are moralists, so you have to save the weak and suffering people from the demons so you need ultramodern weapons.
Baba continues to explain that weapons should always be in the hands of sadvipras and that such moralists should have the latest weapons. Indeed, sadvipras should be ever vigilant to create more refined and powerful weapons in order to save the suffering society. Side by side, never allow weapons to fall in the hands of the wrong people. Terrorists, imperialists, and other anti-social elements must not be armed with strong weapons otherwise they will harm others.
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Moralists must always have superior weapons to counteract and solve problems caused by rogue elements. Baba's mandate is that moralists must have ultra-modern weapons in the external and internal worlds. Our internal weapons include Prout, kiirtan, yama and niyama and sadhana.
When war ensues
If we look at world history over the course of the 20th century, it becomes quite clear how having newer weapons is so important. For instance, during World War II, the US dropped the atom bomb on Japan because the US knew that Japan did not have that weapon. Thus Japan suffered terribly. In contrast, during the cold war, the US did not drop the atom bomb on the USSR because the US knew that the Russians also had the bomb. In the latter case there was no actual war - just the cold war.
In a similar fashion, India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, but there has not been a war since each got nuclear weapons. The teaching from all this is that wars happen when one party feels they can crush their weaker opponent without suffering much damage.
More recently, Iraq was attacked because at that time there was no fear that they could retaliate with strong weapons - though that seems to be changing nowadays, whereas the western powers have not attacked North Korea because there was the very real threat that North Korea would use their nuclear arsenal.
In the more distant past, India was negligent in developing weapons which is why the Indian subcontinent was often overrun by invaders - either Moguls or Britishers. That is the history, and the teaching we should all get is that the weak get destroyed and ransacked by belligerent parties. Having the latest weapons maintains the peace.
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Weapons with moralists alone
In Ananda Marga philosophy, our main point is that moralists should always have the latest weapons because good people should never suffer at the hands of those exploiters, imperialists, or terrorists. We never advocate that terrorists should also have weapons. Rather top weapons should be in the hands of moralists alone. In order to bring world peace, moralists must have the best weapons; and terrorists and imperialists must not be allowed to have weapons at all. But now the opposite is the case. Good citizens do not have weapons while terrorists have huge weapon supplies.
It is always the case that those who have been in power and possessed top weapons, petition to not allow others to get weapons. Because they want to maintain their dominance. The same is the case with the US today. And that is the psychology since the prehistoric era: Always those with might have been keen to not allow others to get weapons.
All in all it looks like the race for arms is a dangerous game, but the truth is that it is only dangerous if weapons are only in the hands of negative people. To establish peace all moralists must play this game of armament in order to save humanity. There is no other option. Then only, there will be peace and security.
Psycho-spiritual weapons
Finally, armament does not just mean guns and other external weapons. Enemies exist externally and internally (in the form of negative propensities), and in both cases ultra-modern weapons are needed. Those following religious dogmas or idol worship will not be able to free their mind from narrow-mindedness and the baser propensities.
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Thus Baba's entire discourse serves as an analogy for spiritual progress. The aim is for every sadhaka to wage a war against all depraving tendencies of mind and reach to Parama Purusa. One must defeat all the internal enemies - i.e. kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), mada (vanity), moha (blind attachment), matsarya (envy), and all other crude propensities.
In that case, ritualistic worship is totally impotent. That is the equivalent of fighting one's inner battles with antiquated weapons like sticks and stones. Such weapons are useless. Stronger weapons are needed, i.e. Ananda Marga sadhana.
Gun policy in Ananda Marga
In society there will always be a struggle between vidya and avidya. That is why it is essential to put restrictions in place to ensure bad people do not gain access to guns. In contrast, good people, i.e. strict moralists, should lawfully be able to carry guns. By this way they can defend themselves and protect innocent persons. So there have to be laws in place that keep guns out of the hands of bad people, yet at the same time empower, well-trained moralists to be gun holders. And this approach is not just in theory but it took practical shape as well in our AMPS
Within our own organisational structure, Baba formed the VSS to ensure the safety and security of our Marga. And each and every trade has their own VSS cadre. Here the aim was to stand up for the cause of righteousness in the physical sphere. This demonstrates that, as appropriate, good people should be able to carry firearms, but weapons should not fall into the hands of bad people. So ours is not the way of Gandhism or pacifism. We actively combat anti-social elements and fight for the peace and security of the general populace. After all, one of the sevas in Ananda Marga is kśatriyocita seva, i.e. standing up for the physical safety of all.
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Conclusion
Ananda Marga sadhana is the very logical and ultra-modern weapon that will lead one to His altar. Just as in the material plane, moralists must have the latest and greatest weapons in the form of bombs and lasers in order to maintain social order and keep the peace; similarly in the inner world, one must be armed with neo-humanism, Prout, kiirtan, sadhana, yama and niyama, and His ever-present grace. Then one is sure to get victory.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "In this fight against avidya shakti one must have sufficient weapons. You know, a soldier requires weapons, and sadhana is a fight. In your internal sphere, that is, in your mind, you should have ten weapons. Those ten weapons are five yama and five niyama [moral principles]. And similarly, while fighting against evil forces in this crude physicality, you should have ultra-modern physical weapons also. Those who want disarmament and those who want to ban the atom bomb are not friends of human society. They do not want to accelerate the speed of human society. Rather they want to retard its progress. Weapons you must have, but you should have control over your body and mind. There must not be any abuse or misuse of your weapons. Now, in this progress, that is, in the realm of intuitionalism, you should have ten internal weapons – yama and niyama – [for] your progress in sa'dhana'." (1)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Para’nurakti
Below is the related Baba discourse:
Reference
1. “I Have Become a Hero”, Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 34
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I never feel hopeless
“Ańur vyathá eta dine, bujhale priya anumáne...” (Prabhata Samgiita #4593)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, after such a long time, by guessing, You have realized the sufferings of this unit being. All these days You were enjoying in Your goloka (spiritual kingdom) with Your bhaktas. So You did not have time to look towards this little being to ask his problem. Now You guessed that he might be in pain, so You thought to come.
People say to me, “Why do you call Him by japa, dhyana, and kiirtana etc. That way your loved one will not come to You. He will not pay heed to your longing.” They also say, “Don’t you know, He is unkind; His heart is like a stone. He does not care. In all the scriptures, this has been written, so everybody knows this. Yet You go on calling Him through your sadhana, japa, and dhyana etc, but He will not pay heed to your attempts. He is indifferent.”
In spite of what they say, I never feel hopeless. I know that He will come and sit next to me, and grace me...
Courage: requisite factor for true writers
Ananda Marga teachings guide us, “When for age after age society spins in the murky eddies of evil and vice, when individual and collective knavery masquerades as intelligence, when hypocrisy, bribery and fraud are the yardsticks for measuring the ability to lead – it is then that the genuine followers of Bháratii [the goddess of learning] must struggle on in spite of constant humiliation. Only taunts and insults will be their fate. Those who are afraid of these insults are incapable of offering anything really lasting to humanity. How can people who lack moral strength, under whose feet the soil is not hard and strong, invite anyone into a cool, refreshing shelter and impart happiness to them? It may be possible to drag oneself through life by sucking the blood of others like social parasites, but this will not bring fulfilment to either sáhityikas or their readers.”
“The artist or sáhityika who assumes the responsibility of leading humanity along the path to light from the caverns of darkness will have to heed the road signs on that path. It is not possible to guide others with mere cheap, superficial knowledge, like a half-baked pandit who reads a half-a-dozen books and then spouts a few mouthfuls of grandiloquence, and who has obtained a doctorate by plagiarizing others’ works. Rather it is necessary for the sáhityika or artist to have a keen and vigorous insight, without which all their endeavours will prove fruitless. Merely juggling words or depicting defects in society will not satisfy the hunger of the human mind – and such creations of art are indeed valueless for social progress as well. One must know the path, and one must also know how to move on it. If those who have not comprehended what the form of society will be, allow the trends of the past that have shaped the present to proceed unchecked, they can never lead society to the path of perfection. They will in fact thrust society into darkness in the name of social reform; they will encourage license in the name of freedom. Instead of modelling a woman after the ideal of a goddess, they will mould the image of the goddess after the ideal of a harlot.” (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
“Ańur vyathá eta dine, bujhale priya anumáne...” (Prabhata Samgiita #4593)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, after such a long time, by guessing, You have realized the sufferings of this unit being. All these days You were enjoying in Your goloka (spiritual kingdom) with Your bhaktas. So You did not have time to look towards this little being to ask his problem. Now You guessed that he might be in pain, so You thought to come.
People say to me, “Why do you call Him by japa, dhyana, and kiirtana etc. That way your loved one will not come to You. He will not pay heed to your longing.” They also say, “Don’t you know, He is unkind; His heart is like a stone. He does not care. In all the scriptures, this has been written, so everybody knows this. Yet You go on calling Him through your sadhana, japa, and dhyana etc, but He will not pay heed to your attempts. He is indifferent.”
In spite of what they say, I never feel hopeless. I know that He will come and sit next to me, and grace me...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Courage: requisite factor for true writers
Ananda Marga teachings guide us, “When for age after age society spins in the murky eddies of evil and vice, when individual and collective knavery masquerades as intelligence, when hypocrisy, bribery and fraud are the yardsticks for measuring the ability to lead – it is then that the genuine followers of Bháratii [the goddess of learning] must struggle on in spite of constant humiliation. Only taunts and insults will be their fate. Those who are afraid of these insults are incapable of offering anything really lasting to humanity. How can people who lack moral strength, under whose feet the soil is not hard and strong, invite anyone into a cool, refreshing shelter and impart happiness to them? It may be possible to drag oneself through life by sucking the blood of others like social parasites, but this will not bring fulfilment to either sáhityikas or their readers.”
“The artist or sáhityika who assumes the responsibility of leading humanity along the path to light from the caverns of darkness will have to heed the road signs on that path. It is not possible to guide others with mere cheap, superficial knowledge, like a half-baked pandit who reads a half-a-dozen books and then spouts a few mouthfuls of grandiloquence, and who has obtained a doctorate by plagiarizing others’ works. Rather it is necessary for the sáhityika or artist to have a keen and vigorous insight, without which all their endeavours will prove fruitless. Merely juggling words or depicting defects in society will not satisfy the hunger of the human mind – and such creations of art are indeed valueless for social progress as well. One must know the path, and one must also know how to move on it. If those who have not comprehended what the form of society will be, allow the trends of the past that have shaped the present to proceed unchecked, they can never lead society to the path of perfection. They will in fact thrust society into darkness in the name of social reform; they will encourage license in the name of freedom. Instead of modelling a woman after the ideal of a goddess, they will mould the image of the goddess after the ideal of a harlot.” (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to see Paramátmá
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “It is said about the way in which the Paramátmá [Supreme Soul] can be seen in the átmá: In the same way that something can be seen in a mirror, a person can see the Paramátmá by analysing the átmá...Just as a reflection is seen in water, Parama Puruśa can be found in the gandharvaloka." (1)
Note: Everyone knows that in our Ananda Marga philosophy it is explained that atma is a reflection of Paramatma. It is just like seeing the reflection of the sun in a mud puddle. It is not actually the sun but a reflection. That is similar to how our atma is a reflection of Paramatma.
Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 1, Disc: 5
