Baba
Bad nicknames
Namaskar
Choosing a child's name that lacks a spiritual meaning is not part of our Ananda Marga system. Yet, on occasion this has been known to happen. There is a trend to name children after famous athletes, politicians, movie stars etc, but those parents forget that the child may be on this earth for 100 to 135 years and so often that famous athlete or movie star becomes degraded and that name ends up in ignominy. For instance, an actor might get caught up in a drug or prostitution scandal. In India, there was a time when many were even naming their child Osama etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Selecting bizarre mundane words as names for their kids
Another trend these days comes from Hollywood stars. They are giving their children very odd names like "Apple", or "Spice", or "Saturday", or "Peanut Butter" etc. They are selecting bizarre mundane words as names for their kids; and, now the common people have also adopted a similar approach. Then there are those who - with good intentions - give their kids names that have a negative connotation.
For instance when infant mortality is a distinct threat then certain illiterate villagers give their child a name with a negative meaning so the demons will not be attracted to take the child away. This is their dogmatic and superstitious approach. And if the child survives then it must live the entire life with that name. And in the west - with all good intentions - some kids are given names that also refer to a reproductive organ. But one should not live a life in this way.
Mass education is needed about naming children. The names given to children are meaningful on many levels including spiritual. The name has a vibration and meaning in and of itself, and that affects the child. So when names are such an essential element of our life as sadhakas, we should take the opportunity to ensure that all - both inside and outside Ananda Marga - understand the value of giving sentient, spiritual names to their children.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As we all know, Baba has placed tremendous emphasis on the use of Sanskrit / Samskrta names. We are to use them in all circumstances - cent-per-cent of the time.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "At the time of initiation or shortly afterwards, those who do not have a Sanskrit name should be given one by the A'carya." (1)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "The Sanskrit name should be used in all worldly dealings." (2)
Why important to use Sanskrit / Samskrta names
That is why in our Ananda Marga, everyone receives a Sanskrit name when they take initiation etc, and that Sanskrit name should be used pervasively, in all aspects of our life. Unfortunately, quite commonly, outside of India, many use their Sanskrit names only at the time of dharmacakra or only when talking to margiis etc. In their daily or professional life, or even when communicating with their spouse, they fail to use their Sanskrit name.
- The question might arise as to why names in Ananda Marga are given exclusively in Sanskrit. There are many reasons.
- Most of the world's languages are connected with Sanskrit.
- Sanskrit is the mother and grandmother of so many languages of so many regions of the world.
- Sanskrit itself comes from old Sanskrit or Vaedic language.
- From
the vaedic language (old Sanskrit), so many other languages have
emerged including Hebrew, Latin, Germanic languages, Romance languages,
and many more including modern Sanskrit. Sanskrit is linked with many
languages and one can find similarities in word meanings between
Sanskrit and so many languages.
- Those areas where Buddhism is practiced are directly and indirectly related with Sanskrit.
- Sanskrit language is not limited to a particular group or community.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "There is a very close relationship between Vedic and all other classical languages of the world. If Vedic is properly nourished and encouraged it will encourage the unity of the world and a cordial relationship amongst human beings will develop." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The Latin language is very close to Sanskrit." (4)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Saḿskrta is a classical subject as well as an ancient language. It is the mother of all the mother languages of South Asia and Southeast Asia. All North Indian languages and South Indian languages like Oriya, Marathii and Konkoni are of Saḿskrtic origin." (5)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "If Sam'skrta is used human unity will be encouraged and human beings will move closer together. See how sweet the link is between Vedic, Sam'skrta and the other classical languages of the world? So you should encourage the study of Sam'skrta." (6)
How Sanskrit / Samskrta uniquely conveys spiritual ideal
The Sanskrit language is a deeply spiritual language and inherently linked with the life of a bhakta. In Sanskrit, there are so many words and terms for the Divine Entity and spiritual realisation. When one's name itself is meant to inspire spiritual longing, then the Sanskrit language serves as an ideal platform. Other languages do not have such capacity.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The word 'mantra' in Samskrta is very meaningful, and it has no synonymous term in any other language...the word 'mantra' cannot be properly represented by the word 'incantation'. But for want of a proper word in English, we find no alternative but to use the word 'incantation'." (7)
Many words from our spiritual life and teachings have no corollary in other languages. That makes the Sanskrit / Samskrta highly unique.
A name then is not just a word per se. It is an important reminder to both the named and the person addressing that individual that we live in a God-centered universe. This helps spiritualise one's daily life experience and reminds us of our Goal. Not any name will do - names should be given based on this spiritual ideal.
Conclusion
The Ananda Marga way is to adhere to Sadguru Baba’s teachings. So we should be keen to use our Sanskrit name for all our life and worldly dealings, and avoid falling into the contemporary trend of using mundane and degrading nicknames. As Baba guides us, the use of Sanskrit names will help in unifying humanity and those names carry a spiritual ideal as well.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
In Him,
Prabhu Deva
Paul Marshall
References
1. Caryacarya - I, p.6, 1995 Ed
2. Caryacarya - I, p.6, 1995 Ed
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, The Significance of Language
4. Varna Vijiana Disc: 6, More on Suffixes and Prefixes
5. Prout in Nutshell - 17, The Evolution of Indian Languages
6. Prout in Nutshell - 17, The Significance of Language
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Mantra and Incantation
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
With Your own hand
"Tumi a'ndha'r ghare jva'lo a'lo, vyatha'hate ba'so bha'lo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2018)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, You shower Your divine refulgence even in the deep, dark abode, of that non-spiritual human mind and make it resplendent. You grace everyone and love those who are stricken with grief, and remove their misery. Baba, with Your own hands, You wipe away the stains of sin from the body of sinners.
Parama Purusa, in this mortal world, except for You nobody has anyone else. Worldly relations are transitory - today they are, and tomorrow they vanish. Because of this, everyone looks towards You for Your eternal shelter and cosmic grace. Baba, by Your infinite compassion, I remain always in Your shelter. My life is always revolving around You. And You eternally shower Your love.
Parama Purusa, not a single person is ever alone or weak, never - always Your varabhaya mudra is present. Baba, by Your divine blessing the impossible becomes possible. Even the highest mountains bow their heads. In the deep, black cimmerian darkness, the colourful panorama and grandeur of the light can illumine in a flash.
My Supreme Entity, You always shower Your causeless grace on one and all. You are karuna sindhu - the infinite ocean of divine grace...
Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #2018:
[1] Mountains bow down: By the eternal blessing of Baba's varabhaya mudra, nobody can harm that bhakta. Even the most arrogant person will bow their head down to the bhakta and accept their mistakes.
[2] Darkness: In the sinner's depraved mind.
[3] Light: When one leads a life based on bhakti.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
The need for military & police forces
Prout philosophy states, “Everywhere in the manifested or unmanifested universe there is a ceaseless fight going on between Vidyá and Avidyá. For running a government we require strong military and police forces, for in society there is also the fight between Vidyá and Avidyá. Even within one’s self such a fight will continue. Those countries which cry for disarmament are also preparing within for war. Even after the establishment of a universal government we will require military and police forces for maintaining peace.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Special guidelines on breathing
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The process of breathing has a great influence on the human mind and self, or soul. Suppose a person is running: his or her breathing immediately becomes heavy. In that condition he or she cannot think properly; the sensory organs such as the tongue, nose, etc., cannot function properly, and as a result one's perception is impaired. Moreover, the process of breathing, depending upon whether the breath is flowing through the right nostril or the left nostril or both nostrils, influences people in various ways..."
"When doing a heavy job while breathing normally, a person might have serious difficulties – perhaps ones limbs might be broken – but in a state of baddha kumbhaka, or púrńa kumbhaka [with the lungs full], one can easily do the same work. While doing some over-strenuous activity in a state of shúnya kumbhaka [with the lungs empty] one might even die."
"Suppose you are climbing to a high place or lifting a very heavy load. If you do not follow the system of breathing while lifting the load, your hands may become painful or your bones dislocated. If you do the same work in a state of shúnya kumbhaka, you will have great difficulty – you may even collapse. If, on the contrary, you perform any strenuous activity in púrńa kumbhaka, taking a deep breath, you can easily do it. All this comes within the scope of that svaravijiṋána. You might have read in the Rámáyańa that Hanuman, by taking a deep breath, made his body swell and lifted a whole mountain. Although it is a mythological story, it refers to the science of svaravijiṋána." (1)
Reference;
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva – the Focal Point of Everything
Self Aggrandizement is Despicable
Ananda Marga ideology states, "शराब पीना जितना गर्हित कर्म है, अभिमान उतना गर्हित कर्म है | "गौरवं रौरवं ध्रुवम्"---Aggrandizement, अपने को बड़ा बनाने की जो चेष्टा---"मैंने किया, मैंने किया, मैंने यह किया, मैंने वह किया", बहुत आदमी कहता है देखोगे | यह जो गौरवं, यह क्या है ? न, "रौरवं ध्रुवम्" | यह रौरव-नरक के समान नीच है |" (1)
Reference
1. S22-08 DMC 19 February 1965 Bhagalpur
== Section: Errata ==
Errata: Ersatz wts traveled in AC train
Namaskar.
Here below is the corrected paragraph :-
On the one side so-called central Dadas are selling AMPS properties and land, and on the other end those same Dadas are traveling as VIP’s and wasting an extraordinary amount of that stolen money from public funds. While Didis were traveling in crowded lower class compartment train. This was a classic case of misuse of margiis’ funds by male central Wts.in Him,
Brahmadeva
News Bulletin Moderators
- Here is a link to the entire letter: Errata: Ersatz wts traveled in AC train
== Section 4: Links ==
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