Baba
Fallen monk: donkey birthday
Namaskar,
This entire letter looks at the phenomenon of various avadhutas / avadhutikas who are celebrating their worldly birthday and glorifying themselves. Such a birthday celebration is called a donkey birthday party. We have to seriously consider the appropriateness of this. Is it consistent with Ananda Marga ideological teachings - or not.
~ One debauched monk snuggling with his young lady friend while celebrating his birthday ~
What is spiritual birth
Baba’s teaching is that during initiation one gets rebirth. Keeping this in mind, it is important to consider and rethink the notion of celebrating one’s physical birth and boosting one’s image.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “With an initiated person the first birth was the physical birth and the second birth was the spiritual birth, during initiation. Such a person is dvija, born twice: First, you are simply born as an animal being. But this second time, as a human being. So unless and until one is initiated one is not, one cannot be, treated as a human being.” (1)
Thus one’s physical birth does not hold much value in the life of a spiritual aspirant. When a person gets initiated onto the path of dharma sadhana, that is their real birth – i.e. getting tantric diiksa and taking shelter at Sadguru Baba’s feet.
Sadhaka life starts where?
Regarding birthdays, it also has to be mentioned that our present life is a part life. It is not a full life. Our life began when our consciousness first emanated from the Cosmic Hub. Since that time we have undergone incarnation after incarnation.
Ananda Vanii states, “After millions of animal lives, a created being attains the human form...” (2)
Next Baba highlights the importance of one’s spiritual initiation as a time of birth.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “In Sanskrit, dvi means “two” and ja means “born”, so dvija means “twice born”…the first birth was the physical birth, and the second birth was the spiritual birth, during initiation.” (3)
One should not think that when the spermatozoa fertilises the egg and ensueing birth is one grand birthday event. Life should be spiritually oriented, not goaded toward the mundane. Every sadhaka in the Marga should reconsider how far they should celebrate their “birthday”. For workers, there is no question of celebrating as they have given up everything of their unit existence for Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. At each and every juncture or stage of an avadhuta’s / avadhutika’s training they are given a new name because each stage itself represents a new birth – a new beginning, all the while leaving behind their old life. In which case, where is the scope for an avadhuta / avadhutika to celebrate their own worldly birthday and sing their own glory.
Indeed, all sadhakas in the Marga should take a moment and consider the points in this letter and see if really they feel it appropriate and beneficial to celebrate their own birthday and glorify their unit self.
~ Look where this monk has both of his hands ~
Donkey birthday and spirit of avadhuta / avadhutika
The spirit of being an avadhuta / avadhutika is to dedicate everything to Marga Gurudev. By getting avadhuta / avadhutika diiksa and by getting their new avadhuta / avadhutika name, they no longer have anything of their own. In that blessed state, everything belongs to Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. And Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is their mother, father, and everything. That is the oath they have taken.
They surrender their all – their entire I-feeling – at His lotus feet. Their name has changed; their address has changed; their identity has changed. They have no past connection with their worldly life, nor their worldly birth. Avadhutas / avadhutikas give everything to Parama Purusa – they have nothing left to call their own.
That is why in the conduct rules of the avadhuta / avadhutika, there is no such thing as the observance of one’s own donkey birthday or any form of celebration or glorification of one’s own unit existence. Rather the avadhuta’s / avadhutika’s goal of life and the be-all end-all of their existence is to glorify Baba’s image. They are to be established solely in Marga’s Guru’s glory.
Wt Conduct Rule states: “Avadhuta / avadhutika shall always keep himself engaged in the service of Gurudeva with sincerity and devotion, in thought, words and deed, in subtle and in crude spheres, in inner and outer expressions of life.” (4)
In that case, there is not an iota of scope to celebrate one’s own unit birthday, and pump up their unit ego. Our wholetimers are to think and focus on Parama Purusa.
Tadekam’ smara’mah…Tadekam’ nidha’nam’
Ananda Marga ideology states, “That Cosmic Entity alone should be created in your mind and no other object…He is the terminating point. He is the Supreme Desideratum.” (5)
How donkey birthday celebration brings degeneration
Celebrating one's own birthday leads to the degeneration of mind. Because by thinking of oneself, highlighting the unit ego, the mind gets smaller and smaller.
And when thinking of oneself in a glorified way by allowing an entire gathering of people to hold a party in your honour and sing happy birthday to you by distorting Baba's compositions of Prabhat Samgiita - which is what some of our acaryas are doing - then this goes against all codes of Wt conduct, etiquette, and spiritual life. Verily this runs contrary to being an Ananda Margii and disciple of the Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. Such a scene will certainly lead to one's degeneration.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Vanity harms the mind in three ways...The second [way] is gaorava, self-aggrandizement or boasting – projecting oneself as a great personality...Is this really something great of which human beings can feel proud? And what is the result of this self-glorification? Raorava means the seventh hell." (6)
Glorifying the unit self is path to degeneration
Some Wts are having the entire room sing happy birthday to them - by manipulating Baba's Prabhat Samgiita which is meant for the arrival of Parama Purusa. In that case, those acaryas themselves are the guest of honour, and everyone is there to celebrate them and jack up their prestige. That makes the entire donkey birthday event just about their own petty I-feeling. Those who are fallen like to do this otherwise true sadhakas sing the glory of Parama Purusa.
Ananda Marga sadhana diminishes the petty ego, enlarges one’s I-feeling, and imposes a universal ideal with the help of the ista mantra: “I am Brahma.” By regular practice, then one golden dawn, one will realise that, “Really, I am Brahma.” But celebrating their own birthday moves in the opposite direction by glorifying the unit self - “I am great.” Just thinking about one’s petty I-feeling the mind becomes smaller and smaller. Then one day such a person will be unfit to even have a human body. That state is negative pratisaincara. That is why Ananda Marga philosophy condemns self-glorification. Because that invites their degeneration. Celebrating one’s own birthday is the equivalent of self-glorification and that is why it is prohibited for Wts and true sadhakas. Baba forbids this.
Conclusion
For every aspirant, their first birth is the biological birth; and their second birth is initiation. For a Wt, their third birth is the name given to become a brahamacarii, and their fourth birth is becoming an avadhuta. Materialists think that their body is everything and life starts when coming from the mother’s womb. But, according to Ananda Marga philosophy, this life is a part-life. Before this life, there have been so many births and deaths, and births and deaths, and births and deaths etc. So why should one, especially a sadhaka, look upon the biological birth in this particular life as “the birthday.” Top of all, birthday celebrations are nothing more than self-glorification. Trying to establish oneself - ie. one pratiśt́há - is like the feces of swine. True sadhakas do not like to glorify themselves rather they venerate Parama Purusa. For all these aforesaid reasons only fake people celebrate their biological birthday and pump up their unit ego. Bhaktas never celebrate their birthday.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Jyoti
~ In-depth study ~
Three grade of monks
Some persons may raise the question that when Baba has given the birthday celebration chapter in Caryacarya, then what is wrong if our avadhutas / avadhutikas celebrate their birthday? The answer is quite clear. In Caryacarya, Baba also explains what type of meat a person should eat if they cannot resist eating meat. But that does not mean sincere sadhakas and avadhutas / avadhutikas should also eat meat or that we should appreciate meat eating.
Remember, Caryacayra is our smrti shastra – our social code – which is not eternal. It depends upon time, space, and person. All kinds of people are coming onto the path Ananda Marga. For some, Baba has given such rules for periods of transition onto the path of dharma.
Everyone knows that in Ananda Marga there are three types of sadhakas: pashvacariis (Pashvácára: “Animal Way”, the first level of Tantra practice in which the aspirant struggles against animal instincts), viiracariis (heros), and divyacariis (divine). Pashvacariis are half-margiis; viiracariis are mediocre sadhakas, and those who are very strict and do not compromise on points of dharma are divyacariis. There will always be a mixture of all three grades of sadhakas. Always, new people are coming into human life and they will enter onto the path of pashvacara. After many lives and with the grace of Parama Purusa, they will one day become viiracariis.
This point of eating meat in Caryacarya is for pashvaraiis. They compromise on various aspects of 16 points, but they are also margiis. They live amongst us – we all know this and recognize who is who. A person may not openly declare, “I am a pashvcarii; I am a half-margii”, but everyone knows. When such pashvacariis become strong, established margiis, their manner will be different. Then they will not do such things like eating meat and celebrating their birthday.
Just as meat-eating is a hindrance to those on that path of sadhana. Similarly, indulging in self-glorification – such as celebrating a donkey birthday is not conducive to one’s spiritual progress. Rather it is antithetical. Our spiritual philosophy condemns all forms of self-glorification.
No donkey birthday celebration for Wts
It is very well-known that no Wt or avadhuta / avadhutika should be involved in celebrating their own donkey birthday, boosting their little ego.
Many may recall how in the early 1970's when Ac. Nirmohananda Avt celebrated his own donkey birthday in Daltonganj, then Baba reprimanded him. With His great love, Baba wanted to (a) see Nirmohananda become a sterling example and (b) set the record straight regarding proper WT conduct. So Baba sent a strong message by rebuking Nirmohananda in front of everyone. Seeing this, all workers immediately understood that they have not come on this earth to party and celebrate their own unit birthday and honour themselves. That is not what Baba wants.
Since then nobody asked permission from Baba to arrange the birthday celebration of any avadhuta / avadhutika. Nor did any acarya dare do so. In that case, their degeneration is sure. As Baba warns, their destiny is the depths of hell.
Just donkey’s birthday
In Ananda Marga, if anything is done for superficial show or in an insincere manner then that is not at all acceptable. For instance, if someone serves you food only to show how great they are then Baba terms that food as: donkey food.
In Shabda Cayanika it is described how if food is not offered with proper heartfelt feeling then that food is donkey food, gardabha’nna. So one must not eat that food. (7)
Similarly sadhana done with the primary motive of showing one’s greatness instead of pleasing Parama Purusa is donkey sadhana. And if kiirtan is sung with the primary motive as a display of one’s musical talent and instead of to spread the glory of the Lord, then that is donkey kiirtan. Likewise, when any Wt or avadhuta celebrated their own birthday in their honour instead of spreading the glory of Parama Purusa, then their celebration is a donkey birthday.
About the degraded monk
It is so unfortunate the the degraded monk shown at the beginning of this posting is committing a double sin. First he is celebrating his birthday, and secondly he is snuggling, hugging, and squeezing the opposite sex. What more is going on behind the scenes, it is anyone’s guess. Whatever may be, this type of close touching and dealing with the opposite sex flies in the face of all avadhuta conduct rules. That is why we say this person (Chidrupananda / Cidrupananda) is just a degraded monk. He has his own way of dealing as he just sits in Venezuela surrounded by so many female groupies as they honour and cater to him day-in, day-out, always.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Twice Born
2. Ananda Va'nii #33
3. Ananda Vacnamrtam - 30, Twice Born
4. Rule no. 28 of 32 Rules for Avadhutas
5. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 2, Bhavámbodhipotam
6. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
7. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Those who do this type of penance feel love for
"Bándhan jetháy ceye chilum,se bándhan keno ná elo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3752)
Purport:
Why has the Supreme Charmer, that most radiant Parama Purusa, whom I have been seeking, not come. He is the darkness of my nights as well as the effulgence of my days; He is my everything. Alas, He is remaining far.
I wanted a psycho-spiritual bond with Him to gradually grow closer and closer through the sweet ideation of my Ista mantra, different sadhana lessons, and dhyana etc: In all the ways up to transcendentality and samadhi - until ultimately becoming one with Him. I desired that by calling Him constantly through the repetition & striking of my mantra with bhakti and heartfelt feeling, He will bless me His effulgence of consciousness. I wanted His eternal kindness, His extreme proximity and oneness. Alas, He is remaining far.
I wish for that bond of supreme prema. By falling in love with Him, His divinity will descend in my unit existence. Those who do this type of penance feel love for His vast creation also, as the neo-humanistic feeling sprouts in their heart. Then sadhaka feels each and every manifestation of this grand universe is their own.
Those sadhakas blessed by Him and engaged in pointed, arduous meditation surely love all beings. O' Parama Purusa Baba, You are my everything...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
How to practice brahmacarya
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “This world is changing, moving. The word jagat (world) is derived from the root, gam-kvip, which means moving. This universe is the psychic manifestation of Brahma. All thought processes are moving and restive, and that is why this world, the psychic manifestation of Brahma. All thought processes are moving and restive and that is why this world, the psychic manifestation of Saguńa Brahma (the Subjectivated Transcendentality), is moving and restive. A thing that appears beautiful today is not necessarily so tomorrow. A sandesh (sweetmeat) that is delicious today will not be fit for consumption after a few days. Indeed one cannot even vouch for its shape still being intact. Every unit is in a state of change, and that is why the pleasure derived from unit objects cannot last permanently. So what should a Sádhaka (spiritual aspirant) do? He or she must ascribe divinity to every unit object. Everything is the manifestation of God. Whether it is land, home, river, mountain, respect, insult, day or night – everything is He and His manifestation as a unit. Make proper use of all objects thinking that they are His gifts to us. To enjoy or endure anything is to enjoy or endure Him. Avoid the attraction of the unit and make contact with the integral whole. When you are able to live this way, the desire to steal the property of others will completely disappear. In Ananda Marga there is a special process through which one can dedicate everything to God. The ascription of divinity to objects means the pursuit of the Infinite, leaving the finite behind. Are you feeding your son? No, no, you are feeding the son-like manifestation of Brahma. Are you tilling the field? No, no you are serving the finite manifestation of Brahma with your plough. Really speaking, the ascription of divinity to objects precludes their material enjoyment, as the objects then merge in the non-material Supreme Brahma. Thus the mind of one, who has established him or herself in real Vaerágya (the renunciation of all sensual pleasures) can never become attached to finite objects. Even in their midst he or she remains beyond the reach of their attraction and gains eternal peace after death.” (1)
Note: Some people are not aware how to practice second lesson. They merely repeat their mantra without taking any ideation. What they do not realise is that ideation is key for the efficacy of second lesson.
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha-2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
जो चिल्लाते हैं, वे क्यों चिल्लाते हैं ? वे सोचते हैं कि
“जो मनुष्य सोचते हैं कि—”परमात्मा दूर हैं”, तो उनके लिए परमात्मा सुदूर हैं | अर्थात्, वह जितना दूर सोचता है उतना दूर नहीं; उससे भी अधिक दूर हैं | तो, ‘हरि-हरि’ करके जो चिल्लाते हैं, वे क्यों चिल्लाते हैं ? वे सोचते हैं कि हरि उनसे बहुत दूर हैं; इसलिए न, चिल्लाते हैं ? “रामा हो, रामा हो” करके जो चिल्लाते हैं, वे क्यों चिल्लाते हैं ? वे सोचते हैं कि ”राम बहुत दूर हैं |” किन्तु राम का विधान क्या है ? कि जो सोचते हैं कि ”दूर हैं,” उनके लिए राम हैं सुदूर | इतना दूर कि नापना सम्भव नहीं है | अर्थात् यह जो “राम-राम” चिल्लाएँगे, “हरि-हरि” चिल्लाएँगे, वह आवाज़ वहाँ तक नहीं पहुँचेगी—उतना दूर हैं | बात समझे हो ? उनके झाल लेकर चिल्लाने से, वे नहीं सुन सकेंगे; वे बहरे हो जाएँगे |”
[यह बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया, बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्द मार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं]
Reference
1. 1/1/71, ma’navatva aor devatva, S-23
== Section 4: Links ==
Niilakantha Divas - Feb 12 Recent postings Other topics of interest
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Baba
This email contains four sections:
1. Posting: Fallen monk: donkey birthday
1. Posting: Fallen monk: donkey birthday
2. PS #3752: Those who do this type of penance feel love for
3. IT: How to practice brahmacarya
4. Links
4. Links