Baba
Why not go into debt
Namaskar,
Finances are a key issue nowadays. Capitalist exploitation has reached such a height that they not only dictate what is sold but also how people shop. Their concept of consumerism has reached deep into the human psyche. This entire letter contains real life scenarios, personal experiences, and one grand Baba story for how to escape the capitalist strategy of pushing everyone into debt.
One margii wants to take a personal loan
A while back, one sincere margii family was short of the needed amount in order to purchase a large and expensive item for the home. Unsure what to do, the margii consulted with one Acarya as to how to proceed. He was sincere and hoping to become tattvika in the near future so the margii did not want to disobey - rather he abided by Baba's guideline to seek the permission of an acarya before taking a loan or going into debt.
And when he asked, then Acaryaji directly turned down the margii's request. Acaryaji explained that it is not good to take loan unnecessarily because this is not Baba's system nor our way in Ananda Marga way of life. In Prout, Baba gives open permission for people to go into debt only on the point of constructive industrial production. In contrast, on superficial business affairs or on personal luxury items, best is to avoid taking a loan.
In response, the margii replied with a second proposal: Ok, I will not borrow money from any bank or outside institution. Instead I will request one of our Ananda Marga jagrtis or Ananda Marga cooperatives that has the needed capital to transfer the money to me. And in due course, I will pay it back. But this too was denied.
In this manner, the discussion went gently back and forth. Ultimately, Acaryaji recounted his own personal experiences of watching Baba and told the ensuing Baba story about taking loans. Hearing these experiences and stories, it became clear how to solve the problem.
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Personal experiences with Baba
Acaryaji began: “ The following is based on Baba's teachings along with so many reporting sessions which I attended from 1975 to 1990. Taking a loan is completely prohibited; it is against the rules. Baba is very strict that if anybody is found guilty of taking a loan, then they were severely scolded.”
He continued, “I do not know of any occasion when Baba appreciated someone going into debt, or taking loan for any work: relief, or building construction or jagrti, or anything. And, if anybody took a loan then they were scared and did not reveal anything about their loan / debt because of fear of scolding by Baba.”
Conclusion
Next, Acaryaji shared some further points.
(A) “Under no conditions is it justified to take a loan. As a case in point, here [appended below] is a story of one worker facing an extraordinary situation those days in Ananda Nagar regarding the lawsuit against the communists about those murder charges. The court case was going on and money was needed to save the situation. There was so much urgency. Even then Baba strongly objected to their taking a loan and Baba scolded Dadaji.”
(B) “Given the circumstances what can be more a dire situation for taking loan than this murder case? Yet you see how Baba disapproved. So I think that there should not be any doubt or confusion about Baba's teaching on this policy of incurring debt or taking loan etc.”
(C) “If Baba would have allowed or appreciated taking loans then it would have created the biggest problem or hazard all around. Many Wts who left would have gotten loans and taken the major portion of that money with them when they left the organisation. Then the new Dada posted to that place would have faced the serious problem of paying back the debt which was incurred by his predecessor Dada who left. So in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha,Baba did not allow any WT to take loan. This is not limited with Wts alone. This rule is for all.”
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Hearing all this the margii got convinced in the core of his heart that he should never unnecessarily incur any loan or debt. And he understood that to make such purchases he should either increase his income or consciously live within his present financial means. In this present era, it is highly important to follow Baba on this matter of incurring loans. Failing that one will have neither financial stability nor mental peace.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Ramakrishna
Here is a short review:
If someone is really in a terrible situation - such as their house burned down or became drastically flooded - and the government is not helping, then what is to be done? If one cannot take a loan then what is the solution. At that point, those who are friends and well-wishers of the victim can offer financial contributions - not loans but gifts. That money is not to be paid back. The victim might be in need of and asking for thousands of dollars etc. But those offering financial support must not give beyond their means. When offering their economic gift to the victim, explain your financial situation to the victim and he will understand and appreciate whatever amount you are able to offer.
~ In depth study ~
Baba story about court case and taking loan - 1
Then he told that this following BABA story will shed more light on this matter. And he read to us the following as recounted by one Dada.
~ Courtesy of “My Days with Baba” ~
"I received a lesson I will never forget. We were in Ranchi in 1969. It was then our camp headquarters. I was general secretary and attending a never -ending sessions trial in Midnapur, West Bengal, on the horrific murder of five of our monks (at Anandanagar, 5 March 1967) and a huge amount of money was being drained out of our treasury to pay the ongoing legal costs. Much would depend on the verdict of the court; we were fighting the case heart and soul. Our funds were almost exhausted, but we were only halfway through the case. I was at my wit's end when an idea occurred to me. One of the mission's departments had deposited about ten thousand rupees in the central treasury. They had planned to buy a car to use for social service. Left with no other way out, I sent a special messenger to Ranchi and fetched that money. We heaved a sigh of relief as we escaped the crisis for the time being.
The case came to a finish at last. The court sentenced eight of the culprits to life imprisonment and others to rigorous imprisonment for different terms. There was no denying it: the verdict vindicated dharma and demoralized those who had masterminded the heart-rending massacre at Anandanagar.
A few days later the workers from that department began to urge me to repay their money. I was on the lookout for resources, but my efforts were taking a long time. Eventually Baba heard of the entire affair.
When He came to know of it, He took exception to it. He came to the office that day and called all the central workers of the different departments. He demanded an explanation from me.
Baba story about court case and taking loan - 2
Baba asked, 'Don't you know the policy of our mission about lending and borrowing?'.
'Yes, Baba,' I said.
'If that is so', Baba continued, 'why didn't you get permission from the president (that is, Baba Himself) before siphoning the money from one department to another?'.
'We were in extreme need at the time. I felt we had no other option than taking this loan. It was an emergency'.
'You ought to have informed the president of that emergency. Moreover, you could have taken the permission of the departmental head before spending the money.'
Baba's displeasure was extreme, and He scolded (see note on feigned anger) me severely for breaking the rules of financial propriety of the organization. My discomfiture was writ large on my face. I admitted my guilt and promised not to do it again in the future.
Decades have passed and much water has passed under the bridge since then, yet even now I can visualize the unrelenting image of that strict administrator - our loving Baba. That scolding is etched into my memory. That lesson has made me stand firmly on my feet and I have never thought again of borrowing money though the mission has scraped through countless difficulties over the years. Want of money was - and is, and always will be - there, but the virtual ban on borrowing has never stalled my work. For that matter I have never had to compromise on principles. His grace has helped me through every time." (Courtesy of “My Days with Baba”)
What to do if one is really in distress
Here is a very short addendum to this topic where one Dada posed the following query to Baba.
Acaryaji, "Sometimes a really good man may fall into trouble and sincerely need help. In that case, what is to be done?"
Baba said, "Instead of lending him money, you should help him according to your capacity. Suppose he is asking for five thousand rupees. Tell him your attitude about lending money and let him know your financial condition. Then help him with an amount that's within your means. It may not be as much as he demands, but he will get consolation that you tried to share his difficulties." (Courtesy of “My Days with Baba”)
Baba's guideline on financial loans
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Not to consult anybody at the time of spending money but to ask for help from all when in debt, is not a good practice. Such a mentality cannot be encouraged. To purchase, by incurring debt...is surely against the principle of aparigraha." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It is often noticed that individuals incur debt because of their violating the principles of Yama and Niyama, especially due to their extravagance – and as a result, they approach the society for relief. In this connection I must point out that just as the society is duty-bound to give relief to individuals by combined efforts, so also it must have control over the conduct of individuals, over their practice of the principles of Yama and Niyama, and also over their expenditure. Not to consult anybody at the time of spending money but to ask for help from all when in debt, is not a good practice. Such a mentality cannot be encouraged.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "To purchase, by incurring debt, serge where tweed will do, or gaberdine where serge will do, is surely against the principle of aparigraha. Similarly, people should take food which is nutritious but not rich. They have to give up the practice of feeding others with money taken on loan. That is why social control over the individual’s conduct and expenditure is indispensably necessary. Hence, all Ananda Margis, when they see other Margis acting against the principles of Yama and Niyama, must make them shun this habit either by sweet or harsh words or by dealing even more strictly. Thus they will have to make the society strong. Henceforth I direct every Ananda Margi to keep strict vigilance on other Ananda Margi to make them practise the principles of Yama and Niyama and also to accept calmly directions of other Margis in this connection."
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "I am also giving one more advice in regard to aparigraha. If any Margis have to spend on anything in addition to the fixed expenditure (for example, expensive clothing, ornaments, articles of furniture, marriage, building, etc.), they should, before incurring such expenditure, obtain a clear order from their ácárya, unit secretary or district secretary, or any other person of responsible rank. Similarly, permission is to be obtained before taking loan from any businessman or money-lender. Where one’s own ácárya or any person of responsible rank is not easily available, consultation or rather permission is to be obtained from any other ácárya, táttvika or any right-thinking member of the Marga. Every member should follow this instruction strictly." (2)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Arranging the feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited." (3)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "For the celebration of this ceremony the arrangement of a social feast depends entirely on the desire and the financial position of the guardians concerned. Taking a loan or incurring a debt for this purpose is forbidden." (4)
Modus operandi of moneylenders
Here below Baba exposed the modus operandi of moneylenders. This type of scenario can happen to anyone who takes a loan - theirs will be a miserabele fate.
Prout philosophy states, "The exploitation by capitalists and landlords is accompanied by the exploitation by moneylenders. In the rural economy they lend money to the farmers and rural peasants, and are present in nearly every village and hamlet of West Bengal. Where the landlords are not physically present, their loyal agents are very active. The moneylenders have nothing to do with the land – they merely give loans to the poor farmers at high interest. Sometimes poor farmers cannot afford to procure farming implements, hence they are compelled to take loans from the moneylenders. If a moneylender gives one hundred rupees to a farmer, the farmer will have to repay two hundred rupees with interest, but the moneylender does not take back the loan in cash. Instead he realizes the amount in kind in the form of paddy, potatoes, etc., at cheap rates at the time of the harvest. The poor farmer, under the pressure of circumstances, has to accept this unwelcome system. He is a double loser – first, he has to pay more than double the amount of the original loan, and secondly, this amount is paid in kind at the rate of the harvest price of the crop, which is naturally very cheap. This whole process is conducted through agents, who also take their profit. Thus, the peasants and farmers of India are deprived of all their agricultural produce in four to five months of the year to repay the moneylenders, so for the remaining seven to eight months they have to approach the moneylenders again for fresh loans. At first they mortgage their implements, and then they are forced to part with their land. When the amount of the loans with compound interest increases to the point where the interest and the mortgage is equal to the price of their land, the moneylenders confiscate the land of the farmers. Consequently, the farmers get evicted from their land and move from village to village, living on the streets as beggars." (5)
Who can take loans
Here Baba guides us that only businesses can take loans.
Prout philosophy says, "The science of economics teaches that the rolling of money should never be blocked by any sort of non-productive investment. Sometimes people misuse loans to construct an unnecessary building or a new showroom for their business, and thus prevent the possibility of reinvesting the capital and increasing their wealth. Economics teaches that loans taken for business investment should always be utilized for productive purposes, and should never be utilized in any unproductive venture. Foreign loans, for example, should never be invested in constructing large railway stations instead of railway lines." (6)
Feigned Anger: The Propounder of Ananda Marga, Baba - Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is the embodiment of dharma. One of the characteristics of a dharmika is akrodha or non-anger. Baba perfectly embodies this quality. Those close to Baba understood that He never became angry. Only He would feign anger or show as if He was angry in order to teach others the severity of a particular situation. For this reason He would express feigned anger. So never can one truly say that Baba was ever furious or mad etc. Just He would display anger externally in order to lovingly guide His bhaktas.
References
1. Guide to Human Conduct, p.29
2. Guide to Human Conduct, How to Live in Society
3. Carycarya - 1, Marriage Ceremony
4. Carycarya - 1, Infant's Játakarma: The Naming of and First Feeding of Solid Food to an Infant
5. Proutist Economics, Economic Exploitation of Bengal
6. Proutist Economics, Keep Money Rolling – Excerpt A
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Utter futility of worldly knowledge
Ananda Marga ideology says, "People wish to know everything but the human cranium is small, and the brain even smaller. So how much can one know? Also whatever one learns today one forgets tomorrow. Yes, one who was a Mahámohapádháya, a pandit, would no longer be able to remember the “sabdarupa” of “Nara” if after leaving his or her original occupation he or she became engaged in agricultural work. This is the situation that usually happens. So the main thing is “know all – know one”. What is the use of reading and forgetting so many books? If one reads more books one will forget more things and make more mistakes. So what is the use? No permanent benefit is derived from being a book-worm. I encourage the general education – laokika education – so that people can understand the shallowness of laokika knowledge.” (1)
Note 1: Laokika / worldly knowledge: Anything related with the relative world - i.e. all the facts and figures related with this ever-changing expressed universe whether they be mathematical theories, political treatises. All these things fall within the realm of Laokika / worldly knowledge.
Note 2: In His above divine teaching, Baba guides us that intellectual progress is meaningless in the absence of spirituality. Only self-realisation is the real knowledge. When one does sadhana and studies dharmic scriptures then one realises how intellectual knowledge is completely futile for attaining perfect peace and eternal happiness. Whereas by atma-jinana (self-realisation) one will automatically know the 'ins' and 'outs' of everything. That is why knowing oneself is the real knowledge. Know one, know all.
Note 3: It is not impossible to satiate the heart with worldly knowledge since the human heart can only be satiated with the divine bliss attained through sadhana. But just talking about sadhana the whole day also will not bring eternal peace and happiness; one has to do sadhana. For example memorizing all the facets about sristi cakra (cycle of creation) will not lead to true spiritual realisation. For that one must perform meditation - sadhana.
Final Note: The grand conclusion of Baba's above teaching is that the reason why intellectual knowledge is highly needed is so that one can understand its uselessness and futility.
Reference
(1) Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Self-Realization Is the Real Knowledge
== Section: Important Teaching ==
The beginning & culmination of sadhana
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Whatever a man is to do in his spiritual life he is to do - why? Because he is in love with the Supreme Entity. Love is the first word, love is the starting point, and love is the last point." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Starting Point and the Last Point
Note: Baba's above guideline is very beneficial for sadhana. However, these days some innocent or simple people just do meditation for "mental peace". And even worse, some Wts do sadhana for show - to pose as someone great. Such Wts hardly do sadhana when they are alone; but when they go to margiis' houses then in grand style they sit in meditation for a long time. All done in order to put themselves on display and create one display that they are highly elevated sadhakas. Certain margiis do a similar thing when they attend retreats. Only by evaluating the ongoing conduct can one understand how far they are really doing sadhana or not. It is just like if you are approaching one animal at night. At first you may think that it is a tiger or a lion, but when that animal makes its weird 'Huan, Huan' sound, then you know that it is just a jackal. Same is the case when being around those types who put on a show of sadhana. By their conduct and dealing they just expose themselves etc.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Books: Degrading nature of “bestsellers”
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "There is a flagrant dearth of developed critical literature or critical magazines in every country of the world. Books sell in the market on the strength of publicity skills, or on the strength of how they excite the lower human propensities, or in some cases by their crude ability to provide entertainment for the common masses. That is why we find that books published by the authors themselves, regardless of how good they are, do not sell well in the market. On the other hand, books which excite people’s sexuality, whatever might be their content or language, sell extremely well." (1)
Nowadays the benchmark for determining the greatness of a book is the number of copies sold. But this is the wrong measurement because in this era of materialism the masses run to buy those books that excite the lower propensities. Yet, that is not the mark of great literature. Sadly, today's so-called writers have the requisite intellect and talent to write but in order to earn money and maximize sales they inject degrading, perverted themes into their writing. Because that is what enables their books to become "best-sellers." That is the unfortunate and common trend nowadays. So one should be very careful when selecting books. Those titles which have sold the most copies do not represent literature in the proper sense of the term.
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 2, The Practice of Art and Literature
== Section 3: Links ==
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