Baba
Namaskar,
Baba's following guideline is instrumental for all sadhakas.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
- "Priityanna: If a person wants to feed you out of genuine intimacy, you should take that food happily, even if it is just grains and vegetables. But if someone invites you only to make a show to people, never accept his/her food.”
- “Ápadanna: When life is jeopardized because of the lack of food and water, you need not consider whether the food is prohibited on any grounds or comes from an unworthy person.”
- “Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to be taken." (1)
Suppose you are invited to a feast
Suppose you are invited to a grand feast at someone's house. To celebrate, that host has the finest chefs prepare the tastiest delicacies and dainties for everyone to eat. The host does this not because he wishes to serve the community with love and affection, but rather because he wants to put on an ornate show and bring prestige unto himself. Proof being that if you cannot attend his feast, then he is not the least bit sorry or remorseful, because he will just get another person to replace you - someone else who will pay him honour and respect.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Under such conditions, when the host is not governed by a service mentality, but rather is giving a feast with huge pomp and show to heighten his own prestige and self-satisfaction, then attending the program and eating that food is against Guru’s aforesaid guideline in Caryacarya. Because, that food is donkey's food, or gardabha'nna.
Here below is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
As we all know, in His practical life, on many occasions Baba refused food whenever wealthy people or dignitaries invited Him to dine at their house just to impress others. So we should follow Baba's example and never eat food that is not offered with genuine warmth and kindness. If ever food is given to you with some ulterior motive - such as for prestige and grandeur, not because the host has heart-felt feeling for you - then that food is veritably donkey food.
What is donkey food
One aspect to keep in mind is that gardabha'nna varies from person to person. For instance, if that same host as described above will feel hurt and upset if you do not attend and eat his food, then for you that food is not gardabha'nna; it is not donkey food. Let's examine this further. If that host invites 500 people and he has very intimate relations with 10 of those invited guests, then for those ten people it is ok to eat the food. Because the host has a genuine and earnest desire to serve and feed those 10 people with love and affection.
Yet for those other 490 people, the host's feast is donkey food as for them the host's only desire is to put on a big show. The host does not care if those 490 people come or not. If any of them are sick or unable to attend, that host will not be disappointed or upset or wounded; he will simply replace their spot with someone else. That is how the same feast can be sentient for one person yet gardabha'nna for others. It has to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
This type of scenario applies to all kinds of social functions like marriages, house entrance ceremonies, baby-naming gatherings and other social functions. In all such circumstances, the operative factor is the host's individual feeling towards you. If with genuine heartfelt feeling he wants to serve and feed you, then it is fine to eat that food. But if he just wants to make a social display by feeding you then it is gardabha'nna.
Here is another situation related with individual life: It is also donkey food if a person has cooked food with the intention of eating it all. To eat even a small portion of that food is also gardabha'nna as the person who prepared the food has no desire to share any of it.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Gardabha kiirtan, gardabha bhajan
This type of insincere show known as donkey food is not limited to the realm of food. We have all seen various kiirtan players or bhajan singers who perform solely to display their own musical or lyrical talents. That is known as donkey kiirtan because they are singing to glorify themselves, not to serve and please Parama Purusa.
Kiirtan is all about singing to please Parama Purusa - for His glory, not one's own glory. And the essence of bhajans is to share one's inner heart feeling with the Lord, and not to procure attention for oneself. Yet at retreats or dharmacakra, sometimes it can happen that a person might lead a kiirtan or bhajan in order to win over the admiration of others. If this is done consistently, again and again, such performers run the risk of being converted into microvita at the time of death.
That said, it is not just the musicians who are prone to such downfalls. Sometimes a kiirtan or bhajan participant may dance with such extroverted tendencies or sing with such ego that it is quite evident to all around that that person is doing just in hopes of drawing attention to themselves - so that others will think they are a great bhakta.
Whenever one is driven by ego or show, that derails their ability to go close to Parama Purusa. That is why we call these misguided approaches: Gardabha kiirtan and gardabha bhajan, i.e. donkey kiirtan and donkey bhajan.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Gardabha sa'dhana'
This can occur in the stratum of sadhana as well. Before giving an example, it has to be said that the sincerity and earnestness in spiritual practice is quite high in our Ananda Marga, so this letter by no means aims to cast doubt that abc or xyz persons are doing donkey practices. Most are fine and okay - this is just a general letter for everyone's awareness and knowledge. After all, each and every person knows there own situation best.
Now let's say someone rarely does sa'dhana' in their own home etc, but then when they go to the jagrti or to a retreat, then suddenly they start sitting for long, long sadhana, as if that is their regular way each and every morning and evening. And not only that, but when they finish their sadhana they are keen to see if others are taking notice of how long they sat. And if still they do not feel that they got the attention they deserved, then during meal time they will casually say that, 'It was very good to be able to sit for 3hr sadhana today etc', and then quickly scan the eyes and faces of others to see if they were impressed or not.
From, all these instances, we can easily understand that that person is doing sadhana not to please Parama Purusa - not to serve Him - but rather to bring name, fame, and prestige unto themselves. They want people to think that they are a great sadhaka. That is why their sadhana is just donkey sadhana.
Donkey practices can be very dangerous
Okay, let's say someone you know does do donkey kiirtan, or donkey bhajan, or donkey sadhana on occasion. Then they must be extremely careful, lest they harm and degrade themselves. Because what they are doing is just a superficial show. They are highlighting themselves: So they are focusing on their own unit existence, not Parama Purusa. In that case, the mind becomes smaller and more selfish. Unfortunately, by that way, they degrade themselves and place themselves onto the path of negative pratisaincara towards animal life. That is the very real concern.
For such persons, their kiirtan and sadhana is motivated by duplicity and hypocrisy. They feign bhakti and harbour the desire to glorify their own existence. Their hypocrisy is the sad sign of downfall and degradation. Such persons should take notice.
There remains a glimmer of hope, by Baba's grace. No doubt donkey kiirtan, donkey bhajan, and donkey sadhana cause false vanity etc, yet our Ananda Marga mantras are charged by Sadguru. So while repeating the mantra, even if one was initially motivated by selfish desires, one may develop sincere love for Parama Purusa. And that is the greatest achievement and blessing. But for this to occur, there must be sincerity and an earnest desire to change.
So if they change their ways they can progress on the path, by Baba's grace. Otherwise such hypocritical displays of donkey sadhana will lead them in the wrong direction. Best is to ideate on Parama Purusa and not fall prey to such donkey kiirtan and sadhana, i.e. superficial show of kiirtana and sadhana.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Remember, everyone is entitled to sa'dhana'. For this, nothing neither pedigree, education, knowledge nor any asset, is necessary except only two things – implicit faith and sincerity. Arouse these two things through your will-power and victory is yours, it must come." (3)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Indrajit
~ In-depth study ~
Baba warns us that one must not go into debt in order to arrange any kind of feast or feeding - not for any occasion.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Arranging the feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited." (4)
When food becomes donkey food
Here is more about what Baba has to say about donkey food. The following is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
This type of spiritual practice does not work
Simplicity, sincerity, and honesty are some of the main pillars in the life of any sa'dhaka.
Ananda Vanii says, "The most valuable treasures on the path of human progress are honesty, simplicity and spiritedness. In no stratum of life should you allow the standard of honesty to deteriorate..." (6)
If one approaches their life duties like preparing food and doing sadhana with an earnest desire to serve Parama Purusa and His creation, then there is no question of any donkey food or donkey kiirtan. Then all one's actions will be pure and sentient. Here Baba warns about superficial displays in spiritual life.
Jap tap vedajiṋána vidhi bhakti japadhyán ihá haite mádhurya durlabh
Keval ye rágamárge bhaje Krśńa anuráge táhe Krśńa mádhurya sulabh.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who repeat their ista mantra mechanically, or undergo severe penance, or endlessly study the scriptures, or express a show of devotion, or practise meditation in a ritualistic way, can never feel the charm, the joy, of spiritual realization. That sweet discovery is only possible for those who worship [Parama Purusa] out of deep devotion to Him." (7)
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, pt #37
2. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5
4. Caryacarya - 1, Marriage Ceremony
5. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
6. Ananda Vanii #54
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion – the Only Path
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
This world is the colourful liila of Parama Purusa
Prabhat Samgiita Intro: Prabhat Samgiita is the loving communication between the bhakta and Parama Purusa. In most compositions, the song is sung by the bhakta; less frequently Parama Purusa is addressing the bhakta, either using direct or indirect language. But always the song is the loving sharing between Parama Purusa and the bhakta. Never is there a third entity in the song.
In contrast, traditional Hindu bhajans and writings might employ two characters, i.e. bhakta and Parama Purusa, or three characters. In those instances where there are three characters, then two of the them are bhaktas talking about the third character - i.e. Parama Purusa. For example, one might ask, "Why are you crying? Is it because your Lord has not come?" This is a common scenario in melancholic, traditional Indian bhajans.
But in Prabhat Samgiita, the communication is exclusively between the bhakta and Parama Purusa - there is no third party.
Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.
“Jagat t́á nay mithye máyá, mithye ranger khelá,
liilámayer liilá e bhái, liilár mohan melá…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0071)
Purport:
This world is not the play of maya - it is not a mere illusion. It is not a display of false colours. It is the divine Liila of Parama Purusa in His role as Liilamaya. It is His enchanting universal drama.
The sun rises and the dawn smiles in all directions with a dazzling array of colours. That spectacular array of intoxicating colours merges in my heart, whereby everything overflows in various hues.
In the hope of His auspicious arrival, I watch for Him day and night, with unblinking eyes. This will only end when I become one with Him, by His grace. That time my basket will be filled with flowers of countless colours.
Unique portrait of Rg veda
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Although the Rgveda is mainly concerned with hymns, it also contains various tales and anecdotes. While not all of these stories and tales carry equal spiritual value, they are representative of the cultural heritage of those ancient humans. They paint a portrait of the gradual advancement of human thinking and the structure of society. When considered from this point of view, the language, literature and expression of the Rgveda is of special value to the world." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We can roughly say that civilization first started sprouting after the prehistoric age of the human race, that is, from the days of the first composition of the Rk Veda, about 15,000 years ago. A major change took place during the days of Lord Shiva towards the end of the Rk Vedian period (which lasted 10,000 years). (2)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika-2, Rk to Rkśa (Discourse 11)
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sadvipra, Táraka Brahma, Sadáshiva and Shrii Krśńa
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it. So the question of giving it up for intuitional practice does not arise. It was said earlier that sádhaná is waging war against Prakrti and defeating Her. The force of intuitional practice is certainly greater than the strength of Prakrti, and by means of it one can attain Brahmacarya.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
Memorial service Tiljala food is sinful
Namaskar,
Baba's following guideline is instrumental for all sadhakas.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
- "Priityanna: If a person wants to feed you out of genuine intimacy, you should take that food happily, even if it is just grains and vegetables. But if someone invites you only to make a show to people, never accept his/her food.”
- “Ápadanna: When life is jeopardized because of the lack of food and water, you need not consider whether the food is prohibited on any grounds or comes from an unworthy person.”
- “Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to be taken." (1)
Suppose you are invited to a feast
Suppose you are invited to a grand feast at someone's house. To celebrate, that host has the finest chefs prepare the tastiest delicacies and dainties for everyone to eat. The host does this not because he wishes to serve the community with love and affection, but rather because he wants to put on an ornate show and bring prestige unto himself. Proof being that if you cannot attend his feast, then he is not the least bit sorry or remorseful, because he will just get another person to replace you - someone else who will pay him honour and respect.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Under such conditions, when the host is not governed by a service mentality, but rather is giving a feast with huge pomp and show to heighten his own prestige and self-satisfaction, then attending the program and eating that food is against Guru’s aforesaid guideline in Caryacarya. Because, that food is donkey's food, or gardabha'nna.
Here below is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
If food is not given with that heart-felt feeling and if one's own life is not in danger due to starvation, in that condition then any food offered is donkey food, gardabha'nna. So one must not eat that food. (English summary) (2)Under no circumstances - unless one is going to starve to death - should a sadhaka eat food that is presented as a show of one's wealth and greatness. Because that food is nothing but donkey food, or gardabha'nna.
As we all know, in His practical life, on many occasions Baba refused food whenever wealthy people or dignitaries invited Him to dine at their house just to impress others. So we should follow Baba's example and never eat food that is not offered with genuine warmth and kindness. If ever food is given to you with some ulterior motive - such as for prestige and grandeur, not because the host has heart-felt feeling for you - then that food is veritably donkey food.
What is donkey food
One aspect to keep in mind is that gardabha'nna varies from person to person. For instance, if that same host as described above will feel hurt and upset if you do not attend and eat his food, then for you that food is not gardabha'nna; it is not donkey food. Let's examine this further. If that host invites 500 people and he has very intimate relations with 10 of those invited guests, then for those ten people it is ok to eat the food. Because the host has a genuine and earnest desire to serve and feed those 10 people with love and affection.
Yet for those other 490 people, the host's feast is donkey food as for them the host's only desire is to put on a big show. The host does not care if those 490 people come or not. If any of them are sick or unable to attend, that host will not be disappointed or upset or wounded; he will simply replace their spot with someone else. That is how the same feast can be sentient for one person yet gardabha'nna for others. It has to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
This type of scenario applies to all kinds of social functions like marriages, house entrance ceremonies, baby-naming gatherings and other social functions. In all such circumstances, the operative factor is the host's individual feeling towards you. If with genuine heartfelt feeling he wants to serve and feed you, then it is fine to eat that food. But if he just wants to make a social display by feeding you then it is gardabha'nna.
Here is another situation related with individual life: It is also donkey food if a person has cooked food with the intention of eating it all. To eat even a small portion of that food is also gardabha'nna as the person who prepared the food has no desire to share any of it.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Gardabha kiirtan, gardabha bhajan
This type of insincere show known as donkey food is not limited to the realm of food. We have all seen various kiirtan players or bhajan singers who perform solely to display their own musical or lyrical talents. That is known as donkey kiirtan because they are singing to glorify themselves, not to serve and please Parama Purusa.
Kiirtan is all about singing to please Parama Purusa - for His glory, not one's own glory. And the essence of bhajans is to share one's inner heart feeling with the Lord, and not to procure attention for oneself. Yet at retreats or dharmacakra, sometimes it can happen that a person might lead a kiirtan or bhajan in order to win over the admiration of others. If this is done consistently, again and again, such performers run the risk of being converted into microvita at the time of death.
That said, it is not just the musicians who are prone to such downfalls. Sometimes a kiirtan or bhajan participant may dance with such extroverted tendencies or sing with such ego that it is quite evident to all around that that person is doing just in hopes of drawing attention to themselves - so that others will think they are a great bhakta.
Whenever one is driven by ego or show, that derails their ability to go close to Parama Purusa. That is why we call these misguided approaches: Gardabha kiirtan and gardabha bhajan, i.e. donkey kiirtan and donkey bhajan.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Gardabha sa'dhana'
This can occur in the stratum of sadhana as well. Before giving an example, it has to be said that the sincerity and earnestness in spiritual practice is quite high in our Ananda Marga, so this letter by no means aims to cast doubt that abc or xyz persons are doing donkey practices. Most are fine and okay - this is just a general letter for everyone's awareness and knowledge. After all, each and every person knows there own situation best.
Now let's say someone rarely does sa'dhana' in their own home etc, but then when they go to the jagrti or to a retreat, then suddenly they start sitting for long, long sadhana, as if that is their regular way each and every morning and evening. And not only that, but when they finish their sadhana they are keen to see if others are taking notice of how long they sat. And if still they do not feel that they got the attention they deserved, then during meal time they will casually say that, 'It was very good to be able to sit for 3hr sadhana today etc', and then quickly scan the eyes and faces of others to see if they were impressed or not.
From, all these instances, we can easily understand that that person is doing sadhana not to please Parama Purusa - not to serve Him - but rather to bring name, fame, and prestige unto themselves. They want people to think that they are a great sadhaka. That is why their sadhana is just donkey sadhana.
Donkey practices can be very dangerous
Okay, let's say someone you know does do donkey kiirtan, or donkey bhajan, or donkey sadhana on occasion. Then they must be extremely careful, lest they harm and degrade themselves. Because what they are doing is just a superficial show. They are highlighting themselves: So they are focusing on their own unit existence, not Parama Purusa. In that case, the mind becomes smaller and more selfish. Unfortunately, by that way, they degrade themselves and place themselves onto the path of negative pratisaincara towards animal life. That is the very real concern.
For such persons, their kiirtan and sadhana is motivated by duplicity and hypocrisy. They feign bhakti and harbour the desire to glorify their own existence. Their hypocrisy is the sad sign of downfall and degradation. Such persons should take notice.
There remains a glimmer of hope, by Baba's grace. No doubt donkey kiirtan, donkey bhajan, and donkey sadhana cause false vanity etc, yet our Ananda Marga mantras are charged by Sadguru. So while repeating the mantra, even if one was initially motivated by selfish desires, one may develop sincere love for Parama Purusa. And that is the greatest achievement and blessing. But for this to occur, there must be sincerity and an earnest desire to change.
So if they change their ways they can progress on the path, by Baba's grace. Otherwise such hypocritical displays of donkey sadhana will lead them in the wrong direction. Best is to ideate on Parama Purusa and not fall prey to such donkey kiirtan and sadhana, i.e. superficial show of kiirtana and sadhana.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Remember, everyone is entitled to sa'dhana'. For this, nothing neither pedigree, education, knowledge nor any asset, is necessary except only two things – implicit faith and sincerity. Arouse these two things through your will-power and victory is yours, it must come." (3)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Indrajit
~ In-depth study ~
Baba warns us that one must not go into debt in order to arrange any kind of feast or feeding - not for any occasion.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Arranging the feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited." (4)
When food becomes donkey food
Here is more about what Baba has to say about donkey food. The following is an English summary of Baba’s teaching in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika.
(a) Donkey food (Gardabha'nna) is that food purchased with ill-begotten money or sinfully earned money.
(b) If someone feeds you with deep love, respect, and affection and that feeling is conveyed through their expression, talk and conduct, and by feeding you they feel blissful ("Toma'ke kha'iae a'nandit hobe") and very content, and if you do not eat then they will feel pain, in this situation whatever food you eat in their house-- even if it is just boiled grass-- will be treated as priityanna (proper & sentient food). Any meal or food not prepared under such ideal conditions is donkey food.
(c) So if food is not given with that heart-felt feeling and if one's own life is not in danger due to starvation, in that condition then any food offered is donkey food, Gardabha'nna. So one must not eat that food.Note: In western society that food which is not fit for human consumption is typically labeled as 'dog food'. And a similar idea Baba has conveyed above by the term donkey food - "Gardabha'nna". (5)
This type of spiritual practice does not work
Simplicity, sincerity, and honesty are some of the main pillars in the life of any sa'dhaka.
Ananda Vanii says, "The most valuable treasures on the path of human progress are honesty, simplicity and spiritedness. In no stratum of life should you allow the standard of honesty to deteriorate..." (6)
If one approaches their life duties like preparing food and doing sadhana with an earnest desire to serve Parama Purusa and His creation, then there is no question of any donkey food or donkey kiirtan. Then all one's actions will be pure and sentient. Here Baba warns about superficial displays in spiritual life.
Jap tap vedajiṋána vidhi bhakti japadhyán ihá haite mádhurya durlabh
Keval ye rágamárge bhaje Krśńa anuráge táhe Krśńa mádhurya sulabh.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who repeat their ista mantra mechanically, or undergo severe penance, or endlessly study the scriptures, or express a show of devotion, or practise meditation in a ritualistic way, can never feel the charm, the joy, of spiritual realization. That sweet discovery is only possible for those who worship [Parama Purusa] out of deep devotion to Him." (7)
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, pt #37
2. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5
4. Caryacarya - 1, Marriage Ceremony
5. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
6. Ananda Vanii #54
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion – the Only Path
* * *
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 ==
This world is the colourful liila of Parama Purusa
Prabhat Samgiita Intro: Prabhat Samgiita is the loving communication between the bhakta and Parama Purusa. In most compositions, the song is sung by the bhakta; less frequently Parama Purusa is addressing the bhakta, either using direct or indirect language. But always the song is the loving sharing between Parama Purusa and the bhakta. Never is there a third entity in the song.
In contrast, traditional Hindu bhajans and writings might employ two characters, i.e. bhakta and Parama Purusa, or three characters. In those instances where there are three characters, then two of the them are bhaktas talking about the third character - i.e. Parama Purusa. For example, one might ask, "Why are you crying? Is it because your Lord has not come?" This is a common scenario in melancholic, traditional Indian bhajans.
But in Prabhat Samgiita, the communication is exclusively between the bhakta and Parama Purusa - there is no third party.
Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.
“Jagat t́á nay mithye máyá, mithye ranger khelá,
liilámayer liilá e bhái, liilár mohan melá…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0071)
Purport:
This world is not the play of maya - it is not a mere illusion. It is not a display of false colours. It is the divine Liila of Parama Purusa in His role as Liilamaya. It is His enchanting universal drama.
The sun rises and the dawn smiles in all directions with a dazzling array of colours. That spectacular array of intoxicating colours merges in my heart, whereby everything overflows in various hues.
In the hope of His auspicious arrival, I watch for Him day and night, with unblinking eyes. This will only end when I become one with Him, by His grace. That time my basket will be filled with flowers of countless colours.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Unique portrait of Rg veda
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Although the Rgveda is mainly concerned with hymns, it also contains various tales and anecdotes. While not all of these stories and tales carry equal spiritual value, they are representative of the cultural heritage of those ancient humans. They paint a portrait of the gradual advancement of human thinking and the structure of society. When considered from this point of view, the language, literature and expression of the Rgveda is of special value to the world." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We can roughly say that civilization first started sprouting after the prehistoric age of the human race, that is, from the days of the first composition of the Rk Veda, about 15,000 years ago. A major change took place during the days of Lord Shiva towards the end of the Rk Vedian period (which lasted 10,000 years). (2)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika-2, Rk to Rkśa (Discourse 11)
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Sadvipra, Táraka Brahma, Sadáshiva and Shrii Krśńa
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Brahmacarya and conjugal relations
Brahmacarya and conjugal relations
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it. So the question of giving it up for intuitional practice does not arise. It was said earlier that sádhaná is waging war against Prakrti and defeating Her. The force of intuitional practice is certainly greater than the strength of Prakrti, and by means of it one can attain Brahmacarya.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
== Section 3: Links ==
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
