One’s death
Namaskar,
Here is one of Sadguru Baba’s divine teachings from one DMC:
Grhiitvaeva keshes'u mrytyun'a' dharma'caret
Now look here how our Dadas in the Tiljala Publications Department translated and printed the meaning of that shloka.
Tiljala Publications Dept wrote: "During spiritual practice one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one's hair-- that one's death is imminent."
That is how they translated that line.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Real meaning is dharmic conduct
Now see how their translation was connected with the next few lines of the discourse.
Tiljala Publications Dept wrote: "During spiritual practice one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one's hair - that one's death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period." (1)
In the aforementioned shloka (Grhiitvaeva...), Baba uses the term dharma-a'caran'a. And the real meaning of that term is "dharmic conduct." But the translators incorrectly wrote the meaning of the term dharma a'caran'a as spiritual practice. And that has created a big problem.
Please think of it in this way. If one starts thinking about the god of death at the time of their sadhana, then their sadhana will be ruined. So due to the improper translation of just one term, the entire meaning of the shloka was taken in the wrong direction and became misleading.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Life is very short & anytime death
The proper meaning of the term dharma-a'caran'a is dharmic conduct. And the central idea of what Baba has given in His discourse is that while observing and leading a spiritual life - in all our day to day works and conduct, we should think that life is very short and that anytime the god of death can take it away. Thus we should pointedly involve ourselves and complete every endeavor at the earliest. That is the essence and spirit of Baba's teaching.
It is not that one should think about the god of death at the time of sadhana. Because if during meditation anyone starts thinking about something other than their shuddhis or their mantra, then that is completely wrong. During sadhana one should just be involved in chanting their own Ista mantra. Unfortunately though, the translators took the meaning of the shloka in an entirely different direction - as if one should be thinking about the god of death when doing meditation etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion: the proper translation
Following is the proper translation of the shloka.
Grhiitvaeva keshes'u mrytyun'a' dharma'caret
"While observing dharmic conduct one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one's hair-- that one's death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period."
Namaskar,
In Him,
Balakrsna
Note: Baba is the Propounder of Ananda Marga philosophy and in that philosophy He has used terms from various languages, especially Sanskrit. To clarify the meaning of those terms Baba has given His own grammar books and encyclopedias etc. So those who want to learn AM philosophy in an in depth manner have to study Baba's teachings on grammar and language also - as well as delve deep in sadhana and study His related scripture. Otherwise, most of the concepts will remain beyond their grasp.
References
1. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 11, A Devotee's Object of Ideation
== Section 2: Links ==
On Mahaprayan Dogma
