Baba
Baba stories: removal of age-old dogma
Namaskar,
One day when Baba was around 12-years-old, He was sitting in front of His house when one middle-aged man appeared on the road. The man was standing silently on one leg with his palms together.
(Note: This one-legged stance is a particular body posture or mudra used by so-called brahmins to show deep reverence when they pray to their god. However, this person in the road was not a "brahmin", but rather a so-called harijan or untouchable. The man was forced to stand in that position to show his own lowly status and express great respect to the landowners.)
The place where Baba was sitting was slightly higher than the level of the road, as the front yard of the house and entryway were raised up. The man looked at Baba and said, "Where is the respected master of the house?" The man was referring to Baba's esteemed laokik father. The young Baba eagerly called to the man and asked him why he was standing in the road. Baba was sitting on a mat on the ground and graciously invited the man to come up and sit next to Him on a mat that had been placed on the ground.
The man replied, "That higher ground is not my place. I am a harijan so I cannot sit up there - on a mat on higher ground."
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Baba invites the man to sit with Him
Baba politely responded, "I am inviting you. As long as I am here there is no problem. You are welcome to come sit here. Please come."
The man became very scared and said, "I am not going to do that."
Baba gently pleaded, "What is going to happen (wrong) if you come and sit here. It is My request."
The man replied, "If I sit there I will be beaten."
Baba kept insisting and pleading for the man to come up and take a seat. Baba explained that His laokik father would be back in 1 hour, and Baba promised that He would not allow any harm to come to the man.
Baba requested, "You are welcome to wait here with me."
Ultimately, the man refused and left the scene. The young Baba was unhappy seeing how this aged man was completely bound and shackled by caste dogma by unjust brahmins. The so-called caste system had broken and forced him to believe that he would be savagely beaten if he was found sitting on a mat on that high ground. So he was terrified of sitting there.
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Baba tells His mother He will eradicate caste dogma
Here is another story about the dogma of casteism from the early period of Baba’s life. As some might recall, the first PA in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha was PK Chatterjee and he was a so-called brahmin by birth. Those days Baba was still living in his mother's house and when PK Chatterjee would arrive then all the members of the house would come and touch his feet because he was born of a so-called higher caste than Baba's loakik family.
Then, in secret, in that same house, PK Chatterjee would massage Baba's feet, recognising Baba as the Sadguru. Such is the liila of Parama Purusa. Here the point is that casteism touched all aspects of Indian society, even Baba's own laokik family members were entrenched in that dogma. Then that fateful day came when Baba told His mother that casteism was veritably unjust and that He would wipe it out entirely.
She replied, "Oh my son, in the past so many people have made similar declarations, but nobody could change it. In that case what can You really do."
Baba's mother was not aware of Who He is, so that was another part of the liila. As Ananda Margiis we understand well who Baba is, and how He has set the wheels in motion to eliminate casteism and so many harmful isms from this earth.
Neo-humanism to defeat the so-called caste system
Sadguru Baba has come to remedy the situation and create a human society based on universality where all are treated as equal human beings. Ananda Marga ideology aims to eradicate all so-called caste distinctions, as well as all other narrow-minded sentiments that divide universal humanity. As we all know there are so many horrors, injustices, and humiliating aspects of the caste system that have been entrenched in Indian society for thousands of years. Today, by Baba's grace, things have improved a lot. But in that pre-World War II era when Baba was still a boy, most so-called caste distinctions were thriving.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The evils of the caste are nowhere better known than in India." (1)
Siimilar evils exist in the form of racism, communalism, and overall hatred in all parts of the globe. The caste dogma of India is a microcosm of the exploitation that exists around the world. In every country, in other lands, oppression and suppression is based on ethnicity, or race, or gender, or religious sectism, or tribe etc. So this type of disparity and exploitation is not limited to India alone. Rather it is rampant everywhere between whites and black, Shias and sunnis, native peoples and the dominant race, etc. Wherever there are people on this earth there are unhealthy divisions whereby hatred and exploitation abounds. So it is not limited to any particular land mass or people.
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Our revolutionary approach
Baba has given neo-humanism and inter-racial / inter-caste marriages to eliminate the problems associated dividing and sub-dividing humanity along narrow-minded sentiments. Baba has step by step torn down the so-called caste system through two distinct methods: His practical programs and by illuminating this world with His spiritual vibration.
On the practical side, here are a few things Baba has done.
1. He gave tantric diiksa (spiritual initiation) to all people, irrespective of their birth etc, and everyone is welcome to become an acarya in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha. No questions are ever asked about a person's background or social status. Rather, one only need have an earnest desire - that is the only qualification.
2. Baba insisted that everyone entering AMPS accept the principles of universalism and cultivate respect for all beings, thereby overcoming all caste distinctions. After studying Ananda Marga philosophy, many were interested in taking Ananda Marga diiksa. And they were told that you are welcome to be initiated and enter Ananda Marga so long as you adhere to our ethics. Ananda Marga is against the so-called castes system so they had to give up their caste symbols like the sacred hair and the sacred threat. Then people were forced to make a decision. Some opted to keep their caste symbols and remain away from Ananda Marga Pracarka Samgha, while others eagerly cut their caste symbols, recognising the universal quality and equal existential value of all human beings.
It is just like those who wish to hunt and kill animals have to give up their habit and follow yama and niyama. Then they will be granted Ananda Marga initiation. Here again the person must make a choice: Continue hunting and killing animals and not enter onto the path of Ananda Marga, or refrain from the senseless shooting of animals and get tantric diiksa and enter Ananda Marga way of life.
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3. Baba instituted inter-caste and inter-race marriages, i.e. revolutionary marriages. This was a huge change because in India even the Muslims adhered to the caste system is part of the bedrock of the society.
Conclusion
By the above programs and more, Baba graced this earth by undoing thousands of years of so-called caste distinctions and injustices. And with His neo-humanism, He has set the stage to wipe out similar injustices all over the globe. Because each and every land has their own issues of hatred and exploitation. The brahmin priests were furious with Baba as they felt He was making attacks on their dogmatic way of life. They felt severely threatened, yet Baba did not yield. Rather, He has spread the ways of manav dharma and one human society to all.
Through His practical programs, He has cleared the pathway to wipe out casteism and all isms and hatred from this earth entirely. Our Ananda Marga philosophy is based on the universal sentiment of one human society where all are treated with equal love and respect. This grand idea is reaching every aspect of human life, by His grace.
Sadguru Baba says, "In our Ananda Marga, the entire human race is considered one family, bound by the common bonds of love. In A'nanda Ma'rga, one introduces oneself as a mere living being, so here it is impossible to establish anything but a caste-less society." (2)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Dhruvajyoti
~ In-depth study ~
Some examples of so-called caste denigration
So-called low caste people would wear a degrading cow-bell around their neck so as to warn others that an "untouchable" was coming down the street. Then general citizens would be sure not to touch that so-called low caste being and not even let their shadow touch them. This happened in those olden days. So-called low caste people were also made to wear a broom attached to their backside so that the dirt or mud road would not be polluted by the feet of those so-called untouchables.
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And here Baba points out other horrors about the so-called caste system:
(A) In this below quote, the so-called low caste people were brutally punished and tortured if they heard vedic chants.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The Antyaja Shu'dras, if they even heard the Vedic chants, or the controlling Vedic mantra aum, or the Savitr Rk mantra, would be committing a great sin and molten lead would be poured into their ears so that their hearing would be destroyed forever." (3)
It goes without saying that it was absolutely forbidden for such so-called lower caste people to go to any temple and worship etc.
(B) Here Baba points out how the so-called caste system deemed shudras to be the lowest of the low.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Even the Supreme Entity, that formless omnipresent Parama Brahma who equally belongs to all, who is the light of all light, the dearest and nearest One, is also denied. It has been said in the above shloka that the vipras [Brahmans, intellectuals] have been born out of the mouth of Brahma' [the Creator]; the valorous ks'atriyas [warriors] have emerged out of His hands; the vaeshyas [capitalists] out of His thighs; and the shudras [labourers] out of His feet." (4)
More examples of so-called caste denigration
(C) In this below paragraph, it is shown how so-called low caste people were not even allowed to get their own water from the well if they were thirsty, for fear that they would pollute the water. They had to wait and hope to be given water by others.
Ananda Marga story book says, "The prince alighted from his horse and, saluting him, asked, “O Brother! Are you in difficulty”? Before the man could answer, the prince understood from his countenance that he was thirsty and, as he had not drawn water even though he has a bucket and rope by his side, he must be a so-called “untouchable”. So that prince himself raised a bucket of water and said to him, “Methinks you are thirsty. Drink this water and then tell me of your needs”. The man drank water to his heart’s content." (5)
(D) Here below Baba further points out the humiliation thrust upon the so-called lower caste people.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Hundreds of dogma were imposed on people: “Do not do this, it is prohibited. If you do it you will go to hell.” The effect of such a statement was to inject a fear complex into people’s minds. According to mythology, the so-called upper castes were born from the mouth of god. It was stated that the so-called low caste people were not entitled to wear shoes on their feet or carry umbrellas over their heads in upper caste neighbourhoods." (6)
Suffice to say here that so-called casteism struck deep into the psyche of the people.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "For centuries so-called low caste people have lived a life of humiliation and insult, and consequently their minds have become inert. Tragically, they accept this condition as the result of their fate." (7)
Baba's august presence means the removal of all so-called caste distinctions, and this has been a tremendous boon for our human society.
Casteism ruins one's mental structure
Baba's below example graphically displays how so-called caste distinctions seep deep into the mind and ruin the human intellect.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Repression directly affects the subconscious mind. Gradually the psychic structure is severely damaged, and finally the mind is totally changed. The result is that people are inflicted with a defeatist psychology and an inferiority complex. Let me give you an example. The headmaster of a Harijan school once asked a student to fetch him some drinking water, but the boy did not move. Instead he asked a non-Harijan friend in a low voice to do as the headmaster requested. But the headmaster intervened and asked the boy why he would not comply with the request. The student replied, “Sir, I am an untouchable by caste. How can you drink water touched by me?” This is an example of how repression can bring about a change in the psychic structure." (8)
Here Baba is showing how even the great Shankaracarya was prone to so-called caste distinctions as he did not want to be touched or polluted by a so-called untouchable.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, "Lord Shankaracharya was an erudite scholar...Once after having a dip in the Ganges at Kashii, he was returning towards the road and he saw an untouchable walking with a number of dogs. For fear of his body being touched he attempted to bypass them. Then the untouchable said: “O Lord! Is this the result of your principle that there is only Brahma and nothing else? You are known by the name Brahmajina'ni. The feeling of differentiation is developed even by treating a pariah as mean." (9)
In this below example, even small kids were indoctrinated into the superiority of the so-called caste system and older people were forced to bow down.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Even a five or six-year-old boy from the so-called upper caste would extend his feet to accept pran'a'm from an eighty-year-old man of a lower caste. Those young boys did not feel the slightest prick of conscience or humanity. This was the ill result of caste distinctions. But today that opportunistic structure of casteism has already been destroyed, it can collapse at any moment." (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Members of a particular race who consider themselves superior to others also very frequently inflict injustices on other sections of society. The expulsion (see note *) of the Jews from Germany by Hitler’s so-called superior Aryan race is a glaring example of racial injustice in society. In this country, also, injustices on Harijans by the so-called superior races have caused a tremendous amount of disruption in society. To obviate this type of social injustice, the first attempt should be to do away with racial distinctions in society. In Ananda Marga the first step that one takes is to forget one’s race or sect – to no longer identify oneself with one’s race, caste or sect – regardless of whether it was superior or inferior.” (A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology) (11)
(*) “Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population.” (Wikipedia)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Although according to perfect logic the culture of all humanity is one and indivisible, the exponents of isms do not understand this. They prefer to assert that the different sets of script and language, behaviour and habit, and local variations in expression, are actually the constituents of human culture.” (12)
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Our Social Treatise
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 5, Shiva Throughout the Ages (Discourse 5)
4. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 5, Yatamána – 2
5. The Golden Lotus of the Blue Sea
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 5, Yatamána – 2
7. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Suppression, Repression and Oppression
8. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Suppression, Repression and Oppression
9. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Form of Sádhaná
10. Shabda Cayanika - 11, Sati and Widowhood – Excerpt C
11. A Few Problems Solved Part 7, Social Psychology
12. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Ism and Human Progress
Plagiary?
It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:
1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).
2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story:
“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”
This will be treated as the standard protocol.
* * *
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: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Your extraordinary brilliance
Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana will not be able to understand this Prabhat Samgiita. This is a song of and for A-grade bhaktas.
"Shudhu tomár priitir áloke tomáke jáno bojhá jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2132)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, one can only understand and realise You by the effulgence of Your ever-flowing love. Mundane knowledge and one’s petty intellect hold no value in attaining You. It is only possible to get You with Your causeless grace. When you cast an empathetic glance on anyone then their human life becomes successful.
No matter how much human beings study and acquire talent, the periphery of their knowledge is always very limited; that is why their understanding and wisdom is meagre. You are the infinite and eternal Entity. Your everything is magnificent and beyond all limits. Your mind is vast and You shine in Your exquisite sparkle and glow.
My Supreme Entity, when human beings have such little ability and aptitude, how come they glorify themselves and boast about their so-called prowess and strength up to the sky. Why do they hide their ignorance, imperfections, and helplessness. With their grandiloquence they try and cover up their weaknesses with their self-propaganda and hypocritical means. For what reason do they give arrogant and self-centered sermons to cover up their own darkness and deficiencies. This I do not understand. My Parama Purusa Baba, please shower Your mercy and awaken all with Your extraordinary brilliance. Let everyone sparkle in the grand illumination of Your karuna' - endless compassion.
Baba, when You shower Your causeless krpa then only can one understand and merge in You. By one's own efforts, nobody can do anything. Baba, Your karuna is everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2132
[1] 'The base of human beings is limited': The idea is that the intellect works according to the brain and the mind. And the mind itself has its own limitation of time, space, and person. It cannot go beyond its periphery.
Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana will not be able to understand this Prabhat Samgiita. This is a song of and for A-grade bhaktas.
"Shudhu tomár priitir áloke tomáke jáno bojhá jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2132)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, one can only understand and realise You by the effulgence of Your ever-flowing love. Mundane knowledge and one’s petty intellect hold no value in attaining You. It is only possible to get You with Your causeless grace. When you cast an empathetic glance on anyone then their human life becomes successful.
No matter how much human beings study and acquire talent, the periphery of their knowledge is always very limited; that is why their understanding and wisdom is meagre. You are the infinite and eternal Entity. Your everything is magnificent and beyond all limits. Your mind is vast and You shine in Your exquisite sparkle and glow.
My Supreme Entity, when human beings have such little ability and aptitude, how come they glorify themselves and boast about their so-called prowess and strength up to the sky. Why do they hide their ignorance, imperfections, and helplessness. With their grandiloquence they try and cover up their weaknesses with their self-propaganda and hypocritical means. For what reason do they give arrogant and self-centered sermons to cover up their own darkness and deficiencies. This I do not understand. My Parama Purusa Baba, please shower Your mercy and awaken all with Your extraordinary brilliance. Let everyone sparkle in the grand illumination of Your karuna' - endless compassion.
Baba, when You shower Your causeless krpa then only can one understand and merge in You. By one's own efforts, nobody can do anything. Baba, Your karuna is everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2132
[1] 'The base of human beings is limited': The idea is that the intellect works according to the brain and the mind. And the mind itself has its own limitation of time, space, and person. It cannot go beyond its periphery.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Plight of revolutionary thinkers
Sadguru Baba says, “Great, Bha'skara'ca'rya was. People of his age didn't like it. Because you know, people who adhere to dogma, they do not like or they cannot tolerate ultra-modern ideas. They will say, "It is against the scripture; it is against the system"---they will say like this. And they won't tolerate it. It is the system of human society. And after their death, they appreciate their ideas. Galileo, Copernicus, Socrates---they were not honored during their time, in their lifetime. It is the norm.” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us how revolutionary thinkers are never appreciated or honoured in their lifetime; rather, they are mocked, tortured, and exiled. All because their ideas are far beyond the narrow outlook of the common people. However, with the review of history, those thinkers are embraced as great luminaries and the true seers who brought society forward into a brand new era. The same is the case with those dharmikas bringing forth Ananda Marga ideology. Baba’s teachings are entirely new and light years ahead of the common mass. So as Ananda Margiis we do AM pracara to please Him and let His will be fulfilled. In the due course, society will look back and realise how AM dharmikas wiped out the existing dogmas and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, by His grace.
Reference
1. NP, MGD 2 September 1971 Patna
==
Section: Important Teaching ==
Why Indian history dependent upon foreigners
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "India has a rich literature especially in Sanskrit, but there is very little historical literature. Due to philosophical confusion, there was a certain apathy towards history among the people of India. Because of this apathy the inhabitants of India were averse to composing history. It has to be considered by the scholars to what extent, apart from the Rájataraunginii, can the Rájamálá of Tripura and the Assamese Burainji be classified as history. The greater portion of what we consider to be the history of the Indian middle ages had to be collected from the diaries of foreign travellers. In order to write even a single page of history we had to look up Fá-Hiyen, Meghásthinis, Iuḿ, Chuyáḿ, or Ivanavatutá. During the Pathan and Mughal eras there was some history written in the collections of the sovereigns but it is difficult to say just how far they are authoritative. However, we can say that even if not all was lost, something certainly was.” (1)
Reference
1. Varn’a Vijia’na, Psycho-Acoustic and Inferential Acoustic Notes (Discourse 9)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Advice for pregnant women
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "When the foetus in the mother’s womb becomes somewhat developed, its hair starts to grow. The mother may develop nausea. Sometimes she develops a special fascination with certain edibles and inedibles, and some peculiar distastes as well. In ancient Bengal there was a social custom to provide an opportunity to a pregnant woman to eat foods of her choice. This was known as sádhbhakśań.”
“Normally, in the advanced stage of pregnancy, women are not permitted to do physical labour. This is wrong. Women in that condition should be allowed to do a little work. (The same principle applies to pregnant animals.) Otherwise, there remains a risk during labour. Pregnant women and female animals may work half of what they usually do at other times; but under no circumstances should they be allowed to do strenuous work, as it may lead to premature delivery or stillbirth.”
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Foods which are highly acidic, such as acidic citrus fruits, overripe pineapples, overripe jám(1), cottonseed flour and spicy pickles, should be carefully avoided as they may harm the fetus. Bending over in a stooping posture to lift anything heavy is strictly forbidden for pregnant women. Although there is no objection to carrying loads for those who are accustomed to it, they must not stoop over to lift a heavy load onto their heads. It is better if others will help them to lift it up. In this stage of pregnancy a daily bath is a rule, but one must not bathe after sunset. It is better to lie down on a hard bed.” (1)
Reference
1. Awakening of Women, Chapter 40, Footnote #4
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Reach the point whence oṋḿkára has started
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "O human beings, proceed on the path of Oṋḿkara towards subtleness. Do not run after the superficial, pleasant mirage dominated by tamoguńa. Establish yourself in sattvaguńa and then merge yourself into Brahma. Reach the point whence oṋḿkára has started. Awaken your latent dynamism through sádhaná and devotion, arouse your divine wisdom and merge that pure divinity into the endless stream of divine glory. Attain the Supreme state for which you have suffered tremendous privations. Today you have the most favourable opportunity to prove yourself as human being.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 4, Our Spiritual Treatise
