Baba
This undermines bhakti
Namaskar,
This letter addresses perhaps the most personal aspect of life for an Ananda Margii: That Is't'a is one and we should cultivate this ideal throughout the day, especially during our spiritual practices. One should not sing songs like Shivagiiti etc during paincajanya. There are many points related with this key spiritual topic outlined below.
We have to remember that Baba has given His teachings not just for Ananda Margiis, but for the entire humanity. For instance: Soon the whole world will be following the ways of Prout, whether they be margii or not. Likewise, Baba's remedies in Yogic Treatments are for everyone; and, His various grammar books are to be studied in all schools around the globe. In the same way, Prabhat Samgiita collection is for the whole humanity - not just for the relatively small number of people who are Ananda Margiis. Here then comes the crux of the matter.
There are some Prabhat Samgiita composition that state, "O' Lord Krsna, please come in my heart." In that case that song is for non-margiis. And those songs which say, "O' Prabhu, please come in my heart, come in my mind", then that song is for Ananda Margiis. Because here Prabhu means Lord and that can easily be goaded to Is't'a (i.e. nearest and dearest One), Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The collection of Prabhat Samgiita compositions are for all kinds of people. As Ananda Margiis, we should only sing those songs which goad the mind toward Baba alone. In our personal spiritual life, we should only sing those songs that address Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, i.e. Baba. We may learn the songs about Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna because by that way we can best introduce non-margiis to those compositions. But we should not use those songs in our own spiritual practices and programs.
For success, pointed bhakti a must
This above guideline from Sadguru is extremely important point: If one sings for and ideates on Lord Krsna or Lord Shiva before doing sadhana and dhyana, then they are goading their mind in the wrong direction - not towards Is't'a - and they will not get success. For this reason, Ananda Marga ideology guides us that Is't'a must be one, i.e. singular in nature.
The misnomer of multiple Is't'as or multiple gods and goddesses is prevalent in almost all the dogmatic religions like Hinduism, and some of the Semitic religions. Such followers worship numerous gods and goddesses: Ganesh, Durga, Kali, Sarasvati, Santoshi Ma, Vishnu, Brahma, Mahadeva, Jagadnath, Ram, Sita, Shankar, Mahesh, Smashan Kalii, Vaedyanath, Hanuman, etc. There are hundreds of gods and goddesses, and Hindu worshipers indulge in various rituals to please them all. There are other religious followers who also think in this faulty manner. And now some have dragged this misguided approach into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha. But no Ananda Margii should fall in this way - this will only hinder your progress.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As Ananda Margiis, we must harbour a one-pointed, spiritual approach, i.e. one Is't'a.
Shiva & Krsna songs are not for margiis
During cultural programs we might sing such songs - i.e. songs for Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna - when members of the general public are in attendance, but those songs are not for our own personal sadhana and spiritual practice. We learn those songs only to teach them to the general public etc.
It is just like when we are conducting medical camps. Then those medicines we bring to the camp are not for us, but rather for those patients who are in need. We bring those medicines and conduct the camp in order to serve and help others. Same is the case with those Prabhat Samgiita compositions about Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna. We present those songs in order to help others with their bhakti. They are not for our own use in our personal practices.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For the genuine spiritual aspirants there is only One Entity, and they rush only towards that Supreme One. Their minds move only in one direction, not in a thousand directions." (1)
First cause
When those songs about Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna are meant for non-margiis and devalue our inner longing towards Baba, then the natural question is why some in AMPS get caught up singing those songs. A key reason why some fall in this way is due to language and region. The following examples reflect a few prevailing trends, though certainly do not reflect the overall standard of the entire margii population of that area.
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For instance, in South India, the people are most often followers of Lord Shiva and most of the people know English and Sanskrit, not Hindi and Bangla. So when certain songs about Lord Shiva have been given in Sanskrit, then naturally a few of those margiis from South India gravitate towards the Prabhat Samgiita written in Sanskrit about Lord Shiva. Certainly there are many who are not inclined in this way, but some are. And in their innocence, they do not realise that this is undermining their love for Is't'a and their sadhana.
Second cause
In North India, many of the people speak Hindi and related languages. They do not all know Bangla. So they are often attracted toward those Prabhat Samgiita compositions composed in those languages that they are familiar with, i.e. Hindi, Urdu, Angika etc - especially those songs in their mother tongue. Not all are set in this way, but certainly some margiis. Of those comparatively few songs, some are about Lord Krsna, and some fall in the genre of samaj songs. In their sincerity, a few margiis adopt those songs as their favorites. But this only diminishes and bifurcates their attraction for Is't'a.
Of those born in Bengal, there are some who are often most attracted to the tune, not the meaning of the song. They are most apt to select songs based on the melody, rhythm, and music etc, in which case they do not form an emotional link with Parama Purusa. This happens to some in Bengal, certainly not to all margiis of that area.
Another factor in all of this is that because Shivagiita was given before the start of Parbhat Samgiita, some became habituated with this song and use it for the practice of paincajanya etc. That means in their personal spiritual practices they are singing to Lord Shiva, not Baba.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
If one oblivious margii is singing this song - Jaya shubhavajradhara shubhra kalevara (Prabhat Samgiita #2526) - it means they are paying homage to Lord Shiva, requesting Him to "please come in my meditation and come in my dhyana." But then when you conclude the song and start your actual meditation practice, you are pointing the mind towards Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji in dhyana. So that bifurcated approach is not good; it will not be helpful.
Lastly, there are some who sing songs in Bengali without really understanding the language. In that case it is hard to make an inner connection with Is't'a. All these aforementioned points dampen one's personal link with Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.
Remember: One cannot sing and divert all their energy towards Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna and then expect to get success in Ananda Marga sadhana and dhyana. For successful sadhana and dhyana, one should goad the mind towards Is't'a the entire day. A true bhakta of Ananda Marga is only to sing those Prabhat Samgiita compositions that focus on Baba only.
Key teaching
As Ananda Margiis, Baba is our Guru; He is our Goal (Is't'a), so we should not sing those few Prabhat Samgiita compositions that focus on Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna. Those songs are not appropriate for our own spiritual practice - i.e. not at paincayana nor at any time before sadhana or bhakti programs. These songs like Shivagiiti are for others, i.e. non-margiis such as followers of Lord Shiva etc.
Out of their naivety and simplicity, there are still a few margiis and acaryas who sing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna songs before sadhana. What they fail to realise is that this diverts their mind away from the Goal - away from Baba Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. In that case, those songs weaken their bhakti for Him. Every sadhaka should pointedly understand that those songs are against the yearning of true Ananda Margiis.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The main fault lies with some Wts who are committing a double-blunder. They are doing this faulty practice of singing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna songs before sadhana etc, and they are teaching this faulty approach to others.
Conclusion
In our personal, spiritual life, we should only sing those songs that address Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, i.e. Is't'a. For true Ananda Margiis, there is one Is't'a and that is Baba Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji only.
Ultimately, this is a big topic and there are many points to discuss. But if one understands nothing else from this letter than they should know that singing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna Prabhat Samgiita compositions bifurcates the mind and hinders the spiritual progress of true Ananda Margiis.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Jyoti Deva
~ In-depth study ~
Can the mind become concentrated in this way?
Here following Baba is recalling one incident when one dogmatic worshiper is doing puja, singing the glory of Parama Purusa, and saluting Parama Purusa by calling out so many names. That completely undermines his approach.
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Ananda Marga ideology states, "A person whom I was very close to, a relative of mine, used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (2)
Is't'a is one
As an Ananda Margii, one must have one-pointed bhakti for Baba - He alone is the Is't'a. not Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Is't'a." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If people constantly think of their Is't'a with undivided attention and repeat their Is't'a mantra with conceptual understanding, their future is certainly glorious." (4)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "According to spiritual science the samádhi attained when the entire mind is pin-pointed." (5)
Ultimately, this is a big topic and there are many points to discuss. But if one understands nothing else from this letter than they should know that singing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna Prabhat Samgiita compositions bifurcate the mind and hinders the spiritual progress of true Ananda Margiis.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology states, "They [sadhakas] will have to become dedicated to their Is't'a; they will have to establish a relationship of exclusive bhakti to Is't'a. If there is not intense attachment to one’s Is't'a in one’s heart, then one cannot do anything. Thus during sádhaná you should think that as you are thinking of Parama Puruśa, He is also thinking of you. This is the proper bhakti to one’s Is't'a." (6)
Prabhat Samgiita is the expression of the heart
In His morning general darshan on 02 January 1983, Baba told following about Prabhat Samgiita in Hindi and below is the English summary:
Prabhat Samgiita is the feeling of the heart, and the expression of the heart, and it has been written with the ink of the heart.
Thus Baba has graciously given these songs for bhaktas to communicate with the Lord. It is the loving expression of the heart. (Note: A link to the full account of this darshan is appended below.)
Unfortunately, those Ananda Margiis who sing songs for Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna miss out on the deep inner spiritual value of Baba's divine compositions. A few fall in this category and that is unfortunate.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Sign of bhakti in animals
As all know, Baba has explained that every human being in this cosmos has bhakti; not only that, but even developed animals have bhakti. Undeveloped animals have bhakti too, but it is in latent form. So even developed animals have their animal bhakti and desire to be great. When they see something or someone bigger and stronger than they are, then they stop and look with awe at that entity. That means they accept that entity as greater than themselves. Reverence towards someone great is their bhakti. You can visibly see this in all kinds of tamed animals. That is the main reason why intelligent animals have accepted human beings as their masters and have taken shelter under human care and direction. For them, their master is everything. They have bhakti toward their master - just as intelligent human beings have bhakti for Parama Purusa.
Actually, those animals do not know that there is someone greater than their human master - they do not know there is Parama Purusa. The moment they know about Parama Purusa they will salute Him and develop loyalty and surrender to the Divine Entity.
Similarly, every human being also has bhakti and an innate longing to become great. Plus, everyone has the very sincere desire to satisfy that longing. Unfortunately, along the way, some get caught up in undesirable activities.
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For instance, take the case of some Hindus sacrificing goats to the gods. They do this as a sincere expression of their bhakti. Though we know that this is just a dogmatic ritual that will not get them any closer to God. Rather, their harmful ways lead them in the opposite direction. Even then, these worshipers think that their practice of sacrificing goats is good and will allow them to reach God. So they are sincere, but misguided.
Such static rituals and traditional forms of worship are present in all the dogmatic religions. Thus, even though all have bhakti, vivek, and knowledge are needed to express that bhakti in a proper way.
Not sing PS about Lord Krsna & Lord Shiva
In that discourse, Baba's pointed teaching in this story is that a sadhaka's feeling of bhakti must be linked with one Is't'a - for Ananda Margiis that Is't'a is Baba Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. For others it may be Lord Krsna or Lord Shiva. But for Ananda Margiis it is Baba.
Without this idea firmly set in the mind, one cannot reach the Goal. Ananda Margiis should not say, "O Lord Krsna come and grace me" - that will not help, rather hinder. The mind will be bifurcated or trifurcated. Some part of the mind will go to Lord Krsna, and another part to Lord Shiva, and some portion to Baba. That mind is broken, retarded - it will go nowhere. There is one Is't'a - that is our Guru's teaching.
An Ananda Margiis should only sing those compositions of deep bhakti that point the mind towards Baba; whereas those Prabhat Samgiita compositions about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva are for the general public. In spiritual life, a sadhaka of Ananda Marga is to choose from the many hundreds of songs about Baba and sing only those songs, and not sing or use compositions about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva. That does not mean we should discard those songs about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva, rather we are to learn them so we can teach others. But, in one's own personal practice and sadhaka life, a bhakta of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji (Baba) is to only sing songs about Him. That is the key point - and the pointed mandate to follow.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 11, Relativity and the Supreme Entity
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10, The Supreme Entity Transcends All Colours
3. Caryacarya part 2, Sixteen Points, Point #10
4. Namami Krsnasundaram, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Pariprashna (Discourse 24)
5. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 6, Ekendriya – 7
6. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 11, Parama Puruśa and His Creation
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
My only request to You
"Jyoti-ujjvala práńocchala, tumi priya tumi priya..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2229)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, You are the brilliant refulgence - full of vitality and my most dear, as well as the Supreme Controller of this vast universe. You are my Dearmost. By Your own glory You are glorified. You are ever-adorable, my most revered and cherished One, my everything.
Parama Purusa, in so many ways I want to bind You in the bond of affection, but I do not have the strength to catch hold of You. With my limited energy and whatever means I have, I try to catch You - but it is impossible for me. Instead, I remain engrossed in my own self - unit "I", which is preventing me from coming close to You. Please transform my “I-feeling” and make it Yours.
Baba, with my own capacity I will not be able to get You. With the thread of the spider's web of my meager efforts, I will not be able to bind and hold You. Please grace me, and allow Yourself to be held. This is my only request to You. Kindly keep this in mind.
Parama Purusa, in my heart, I have a deep longing to have You. Be merciful and grant me this by Your causeless grace. Baba, come in my shravan, manan, niddidhyasan, and dhyana and make me Yours...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Why such patients are always thirsty
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The debility of the mańipura cakra is the main cause of diabetes. Amongst the pancreatic juices, one secretion helps in the digestion of food, and another separates the sugar content from non-vegetarian and starchy types of food. The sugar is then stored in a particular section of the liver and according to body requirements it is dissolved to generate heat and vital power to run the body mechanism. Chronic indigestion, constipation (here also the stool usually turns into pellets), mental exertion without any physical labour, use of intoxicants, and excessive seminal waste – all weaken the vitality of the liver. When such weakening takes place, the sugar contents of the food, failing to find a storage place in the liver, are assimilated into the blood and gradually accumulate. As a result, the blood gets polluted and loses its immune properties to a great extent. The natural reaction of the body in such a situation is to try to purify the blood by separating out its sugar content and expelling it with the urine. To dissolve the sugar, the human body needs plenty of water, and that is why diabetes patients suffer from a continuous thirst. Sugar emitted with the urine in a large quantity gradually reduces the vital energy of diabetes patients." (1)
References
1. Yogi Treatments, Diabetes
== Section 3: Links ==
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