Baba
Namaskar,
Each
and every margii knows the importance of practising sadhana on a daily
basis so that we can move along the path of spirituality and reach our
goal i.e, attain Parama Purusa. And even more fortunate are those who
learn sadhana in childhood as the following story explains.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba story about a young sadhaka
Ananda
Marga ideology says, "Once a child named Dhruva started doing sadhana
and singing bhajanas at the early age of five. This scared the eminent
rsis and munis. They thought that this young boy would surpass them in
spiritual excellence. So, as devotees, they all implored Narayana to
save them from being defeated and humiliated. Narayana sent Narada to
resolve the issue. So Narada came to the boy Dhruva and tried to allure
him with toys, sweets, a kingdom, and things of that sort. He inquired
why the boy was so enthusiastic about sadhana and bhajanas at such an
early age, especially when he had a whole lifetime at his disposal for
spiritual pursuits.
Dhruva replied,
Kaomara acaret prajinah dharman
Dhgavataniha Durlabham manusam janma tadapyadhruvamarthadam
"'O
Narada! You are a sage, you know much more than I do. Yet I wish to
mention, in order to clarify things, that we get a human form after
numerous animal lives.' 'Sukrataer manavo bhutva.' This human life is
attained through the medium of lots of clash and cohesion. Of all
creatures' existence, this human existence is the most rare. But even
rarer is the human body that has been perfected through sadhana..."
"Dhruva
further said, 'Narada, who knows what will happen tomorrow? You have
become old and you got the opportunity to do sadhana and sing bhajanas
at this age. But in my life, the sun may or may not rise tomorrow.
Suppose I die tonight? So how can I wait till old age?'"
"Then Narada went away silently."
"'Dharman Bhagavataniha,' Dhruva said. Everyone should try to become established in Bhagavata Dharma in childhood." (1)
Sadhana: centerpiece of life
From
this story, we can realize the importance of learning sadhana in
childhood so that our whole lives can be infused with spirituality. As
Dhruva says, why should we wait until old age to pursue spirituality as
death can come at any time. So those who learn sadhana in childhood are
truly blessed. And verily, whenever one enters onto the path of sadhana,
they should make it the centerpiece of their life. And one should not
delay in getting all the lessons of sadhana and practicing them
diligently.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda
Marga Caryacarya states, “Human life is short. It is wise to get all
the instructions regarding sádhaná as soon as possible.” (2)
Ista mantra & realization
In
our AM sadhana system, each and every ista mantra has two parts, or two
syllables, and is coordinated with one’s breathing. The first syllable
is repeated during the inhalation, and the second is repeated during the
exhalation. And in each and every Ista mantra, the second syllable,
i.e. the exhalation, is related with Godhood or Brahma bhava-- not one's
unit 'I’ feeling. During sadhana, one gains realization primarily on
the exhalation.
Ensconced in the Supreme
It
is well known that people do not die while inhaling, but rather when
exhaling. At the time of death, one performs their final exhalation and
does not inhale again. In that case, no matter when death arrives, when
one's final exhalation occurs, one is imbibed in ideation of the Supreme
as they repeat the 2nd syllable of their Ista mantra. Therefore, at the
time of death every Ananda Margii will certainly be ensconced in
Brahma.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Sadhana,
mantra japa (repetition), and breathing are key elements in the life of
every sadhaka. We should be very particular to know the meaning of our
mantra and repeat it during each and every breath. By sincere and
regular sadhana, that ideation will remain with us through every
respiration, day or night. Then one’s life is truly blessed.
Ananda
Marga ideology says, "Now this japa is adjusted to your breathing,
inhalation and exhalation. So if you practise it properly what will
happen? Even while sleeping, automatically this japa kriyá will go on in
accordance with your respiration – in accordance with your inhalation
and exhalation. So while asleep you can do this thing. This is called
ajapájapa. That is, there is no special endeavour from your side – the
japa goes on automatically. Thus during the night you can also do puńya.
Kuru puńyam ahorátram – “For all the twenty-four hours you can do
puńya.”" (3)
In Him,
Hariish
Note:
In select circumstances, the mantra itself is repeated in reverse
sequence in order to gain the proper ideation, i.e. so that the ideation
of Brahmahood is linked with the 2nd syllable, upon exhalation. These
are some of the technical points related with sadhana. On these matters
any further questions can be asked directly to a qualified acarya.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Importance of breathing
One of the most integral aspects of sadhana is breathing.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "One's life is determined on the basis of a few
pulsations, and these pulsations depend on a specific number of
inhalations and exhalations. The number of such inhalations and
exhalations-- on an average, from twenty-one thousand to twenty-five
thousand per day-- varies from person to person. The process of
breathing has a great influence on the human mind and self, or soul."
(4)
As
Baba guides us, breathing is an intrinsic part of human life-- it is
something we do 21,000 to 25,000 times per day, and this has a
tremendous influence on our quality of mind and ability to dive deeper
in sadhana.
References
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
2. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 2, Sádhaná (Intuitional Practice) Point #8
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Puńya All Twenty-Four Hours
4. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shiva – the Focal Point of Everything (Discourse 3)
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
While ideating on You
"A'mi toma'ri katha' shun'i go a'r toma'ri ga'n ga'i..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3980)
Purport:
Baba, You are my everything. By Your grace, I always listen to and think about Your divine tales; and, while ideating on You, I go on singing Your song - dancing according to Your desire, following Your supreme guidelines day and night. Baba, by Your grace, I keep my vision fixed on You. Regardless of what I am doing with my hands, always my mind thinks incessantly about You. O' Parama Purusa, You are my everything; You are my Goal. Baba, in my life there is no second entity. I surrender everything unto You - at Your lotus feet. You are the be-all and end-all of my life. Baba, except You, no one else is mine.
Baba, in the early dawn during paincajanya when the day starts, then with a peaceful heart I go on calling You intently - with a deep yearning in my mental abode. All the while I remain constantly looking towards You - doing Your dhyana.
Baba, You are mine - only mine. In my life there is no one else who is so close and so intimate. You wipe away all the darkness from my mind. By Your infinite compassion all the sins and all the negative things which hinder my movement towards You get evaporated. Baba, You are the holy shelter of everyone and everything. Without You nothing can exist. You Yourself do not need any base or shelter. You are beyond. Thinking about Your greatness and proximity, tears roll down.Baba, when I think about Your divine krpa, Your sweet attractive appearance, and the showering of Your love, then my whole existence becomes blissful and gets ensconced in You.
Baba, please shower Your causeless compassion and keep me at Your lotus feet - forever and ever...
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