Baba
Essence of spiritual life
Namaskar,
Bhagavad dharma should always be followed, and Sixteen Points is the base of bhagavad dharma. Within Sixteen Points, there are three basic categories: physical, psychic, and psycho-spiritual. And the point of Ista is point #10.
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Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, “Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of the Iśt́a (Goal).” (1)
In tragedy when you are helpless then
Some do not know what is meant by strictness in Ista or why it is included in Sixteen points. By the following mundane example it will be clear. Suppose you want to travel by spaceship. Then you have to trust that spaceship. Without trust, you will not board that spaceship. And without getting on board, you will not reach your destination.
In a similar way, on the journey along the spiritual path, the sadhaka is helpless and in the dark. The sadhaka does not know what to do. Faith in Ista is needed because only Ista will help all the time, in all circumstances—during times of trouble and happiness.
Our Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is all-powerful, but those who do not have strictness and faith fail to realise this supreme truth. Yet, strictness and faith is the very beginning first step on the path of spirituality. Various analogies and examples have been given in this letter to clarify the meaning of strictness in Ista.
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Money, wealth, position, and power have hardly any strength—they are just very limited. For instance, suppose you are flying in a plane and the plane becomes inoperable, then what can money or your friendship with the president do. In that case, Ista is needed. Here is another example. Suppose you were sleeping in your bedroom and in the middle of the night a thief comes and puts a gun to your head. Then nothing will help you besides Ista. And in a flash flood with your car barreling down a river uncontrollably, nothing can save you but Ista. In life, so many circumstances render people utterly helpless.
Then there are times when people choose the wrong option and destroy their life. Then Ista is needed in a flash to grab them, avert danger, and save them from serious catastrophe and impending doom. Bhaktas see and realise Ista’s presence before, during, and / or after the incident. They think, “Some bigger power is helping me.” And this is not some theoretical concept only. It exists in the practical sphere. The Supreme Entity Ista is with you wherever you go. Your money, wealth, and power will not be there. But Ista will help you.
Example: 3rd class bhakta who has no Ista
Here below Baba is clearly depicting how one dogmatic worshiper prays to multiple gods and goddesses. Such an aspirant or bhakta is extremely weak on the point of Ista.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "He would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (2)
Story: jumping from a minaret
Baba recounts this following story about firm faith in Ista in His Ananda Vacanamrtam series (Hindi). Once two sadhakas were arguing over whose God was more powerful. Mr. Y claimed Krsna, and Mr. Z claimed Rama. Their debate became more heated, each unwilling to forgo any ground. To settle the dispute they embarked in a challenge. They decided to both jump from a very high point, the top of a minaret, i.e. the peak of a very tall spire.
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So they both climbed to the very top. It was a very long way down to the ground. It was impossible for any person to survive the fall on their own merit. The grace of God was needed. Mr. Y stood at the very top and jumped. Throughout his free fall to the ground his mind was firmly focused on Krsna. And he survived the fall without any injury. Seeing this Mr. Z was deeply impressed and thought, "Krsna must indeed be very powerful."
Mr. Z then jumped. At first he was repeating “Rama, Rama, Rama”. Then midway through the jump, he suffered from doubt and lacked faith in Rama so he began repeating, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna. When he hit the ground he died instantaneously. Baba uses this mythological tale and example to show that if one is fully focused in Ista then victory is certain. Then one will be saved in all circumstances. Whereas if one harbours any doubt in Ista, then they will never reach the goal; they will never get success. For each and every Ananda Margii, one must have non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista, i.e. Parama Purusa Baba. That is point #10 of Sixteen Points.
The overall teaching from this story is for every sadhaka to be very strict on the point of Ista.
Learn from mythological bhakta Hanuman
In multiple discourses, Baba tells the story of the mythological bhakta Hanuman who would only worship Rama—not any other entity. When in problem, Hanuman could have repeated the names of so many other gods like Narayan, Krsna, Shiva, Vishnu etc, but he only repeated the name of Rama—not any other. In the same way, a sadhaka of Ananda Marga should only repeat and call the name of Sadguru Baba and Baba alone. That is what is meant by strictness in Ista, i.e. never waver in one's faith towards the Parama Purusa, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Once upon a time some of the devotees asked Hanuman, “Hanuman, you are a great devotee and learned scholar also, and you know that Náráyańa means Shriinátha, (Shrii means, Lakśmii) Shriinátha means Náráyańa. Shriinátha, i.e. Lakśmiinátha, Náráyańa and Jánakiinátha i.e. Ráma are the same entity; but you never take the name of Náráyańa. Why?”"
Hanuman said:
“Shriináthe, Jánakiinathe Cábhedah Paramátmani
Tathápi mama Sarvasvah Rámah Kamalalocanah.”
"You know fundamentally there is no difference between Náráyáńa and Ráma. Nára means Prakrti, Ayana means Shelter. Náráyańa means Shelter of Prakrti i.e. Cognitive Puruśa and Ráma, (Ram + Ghaun = Ráma) i.e. the most attractive entity of the entire cosmos is Parama Puruśa. “I also know”, said Hanuman, “that there is no fundamental difference between Ráma and Náráyańa, but you know my goal is a singular entity – singular in name, singular in idea, ideology and ideation. Ráma is my everything, I don’t know any Náráyańa.”" (3)
The overall teaching from this story is for every sadhaka to be very strict on the point of Ista.
If there is not intense bhakti for Iśt́a, life is dry
Strictness in Ista—firm faith in the Divine Entity—brings tremendous strength and courage. Those lacking in this regard cannot achieve anything meaningful in life.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, "They will have to become dedicated to their Iśt́a; they will have to establish a relationship of exclusive devotion to Iśt́a. If there is not intense attachment to one’s Iśt́a in one’s heart, then one cannot do anything." (4)
If you want to become powerful
Here Baba guides us that those who are strict in Ista gain more and more courage—such bhaktas are assured victory, always.
Ananda Marga ideology says, “One should remember that courage comes according to power; in other words courage and power come together. A man who is powerless is also a coward. To establish yourself in the ideology you need two things. One is courage. So if you want to become powerful, you need not only ideology but also “Iśt́a.” Even for courage and efforts, you need the help of the Lord." (5)
Conclusion
There is a dogmatic proverb in India—in the kingdom of god there is delay but no injustice. But those who are bhaktas realise that there is no delay. When turning on an electrical switch there is a minute, imperceptible delay before the electricity comes on. But bhaktas know that there is not even that fraction of a delay in the case of the grace of Parama Purusa. Something happens and then instantaneously the trouble is gone or someone will rush up to help you. Instant—not a fraction of a second delay. It is His unfathomable grace.
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So always He is there helping you and you may not feel but if one does sadhana then one will start feeling all those things that are going on around you. And by this way life becomes without any worry. Without that life is riddled with psychic problems and tension. So strictness and faith in Ista is very important.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Mainjusa’
Ananda Marga ideology states, "A person whom I was very close to, a relative of mine, used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (6)
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Sixteen points, point #10
2. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 10, The Supreme Entity Transcends All Colours
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, The Spirit of Yoga
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Parama Puruśa and His Creation
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Ideology, Goal and Devotion
6. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 10, The Supreme Entity Transcends All Colours
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Solution to living in His liila
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "If the actors in that drama think: “I am merely playing a part,” “I am only acting” they will never be disturbed by undue pain or pleasure. Those who play the role of Sah jahan shout, jump or try to escape from prison. But the persons playing the part of Sájáhán know very well that they are only acting in a drama. They know that after having played their role they will go home and eat rice and curry. But on this universal stage, however, those people, those jiivas, who act in the drama, forget that they are mere actors, that their real home is elsewhere, that this universe is only a stage – a platform and that they will go home and eat rice and curry. While taking part in the drama they think that they are actually the characters of the drama – the real Sájáhán. And as a result they either suffer from too much pain or enjoy too much pleasure. Sometimes out of too much joy they lose their equilibrium – their common sense. In Bengali parlance it is said that when people are puffed up with pride they spurn the world. But why does this happen? It happens because the jiivas forget they are playing a role, acting in a drama. In a drama some play a tragic role – others a joyful role. If those who are sádhakas are constantly aware that they are merely playing a role as an actor, they will never be overcome by sorrow or overwhelmed with joy."
"Before the creation of this universe, Parama Puruśa was in His Nityánanda stance – He was enjoying Himself. He was overwhelmed with His own ánanda. After the creation of the universe, He had His Nityánanda and also His Liilánanda. To play with lesser jiivas is His Liilánanda. Now the jiṋániis and the karmiis will declare – “Oh, what a terrible game, what a terrible liilánanda our Parama Puruśa is playing with us: He enjoys His liilánanda but we can hardly tolerate it any more. We have to earn a living and buy a house – there are so many problems to face in life. Yet He is playing His game of joy and sorrow with us.”" (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Nityánanda and Liilánanda
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Dietary causes of TB & leucoderma
Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments says, "If any person is long habituated to eating badly-combined foods, such as meat, fish, eggs and similar támasika foods immediately before or after milk, kśiira [a kind of rice pudding] and similar sáttvika foods, then those foods create a favourable condition in the body for tuberculosis.” (1)
Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments says, “Constipating foods should be strictly avoided. Foods which increase the amount of pitta should also be rejected. Fish, meat, eggs, ghee and large quantities of spices usually weaken the liver and bring about constipation, which is one of the causes of leucoderma. In this disease fish and other non-vegetarian foods are very harmful, hence they are to be avoided like poison. No matter how great is the desire for non-vegetarian dishes, patients shall have to control that desire. Leafy vegetables such as heleiṋcá, gimá, ámarula, bráhmii, etc., are most beneficial for leucoderma patients." (2)
References
1. Yogic Treatments, Tuberculosis
2. Yogic Treatments, Leucoderma (White Leprosy)
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
कृपा कर वे सब अशुद्धियाॅं दूर कर दो
प्रभात संगीत 2106 तोमाके चेयेछि आमि जीवनेर प्रतिपले...
भावार्थ-
हे परमपुरुष! मैं तुम्हें अपने जीवन के प्रत्येक क्षण, हर सेकेंड में चाहता हॅूं। कृपा कर मेरे मानसिक शतदल कमल अर्थात् सहस्रार चक्र की मधुपूर्ण पंखुडि़यों में आ जाओ। हे प्रभु! मेरे पास जो भी संुदर और अच्छी चीजें हैं वे मैं तुम्हें देनें को तत्पर हॅूं। हे बाबा! मुझे अपने सर्वाधिक आकर्षक रूप में आकर आशीष देने की कृपा करो ।
हे परमपुरुष! तुमने मेरी योग्यता के अनुसार मेरे लिये जो भी उत्तम समझा वही दिया है यह तुम्हारी कृपा ही है। अब उन सब के बदले कृपा कर मेरे पास सबसे आकर्षक रूपमें आ जाओ।
हे मेरे परमप्रिय! तुम्हारी हर चीज बहुत ही सुंदर है, तुम पूर्ण प्रकाशित सर्वव्याप्त दिव्य सत्ता हो। हे परम पुरुष! तुम वह चंद्रमा हो जिसमें कोई काले धब्बे नहीं हैं। बाबा! तुम परम नियंत्रक हो, मेरे ऊपर अहैतुकी कृपा कर मेरे मन की भय और लज्जा दूर कर दो। कृपा कर वे सब अशुद्धियाॅं दूर कर दो जो मैंने अपने मानसिक पटल पर संचित कर रखी हैं। कृपा कर मुझे भक्ति दो।
बाबा! मुझे तुमसे कोई भी साॅंसारिक वस्तु माॅंगने की इच्छा नहीं है, केवल तुम्हारी भक्ति चाहता हॅूं। यही कारण है कि मैं हर काम करते हुए तुम्हारी खोज जारी रखता हॅूं। हे मेरे प्रभुओं के प्रभु बाबा! मैं अपने जीवन के प्रत्येक क्षण में, अपने प्रत्येक कार्य और विचार में , तुम्हारी उपस्थिति चाहता हॅूं , मुझ पर कृपा करें।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Selfish love
Baba says, "Suppose you rear hens, you feed them rice and of course you love them also. If someone takes one of your hens, you will fall out with him, and even come to blows. But it is that out of selfless love? Love must be untarnished and free from the least bit of selfishness. You feed the hens for your benefit; you are motivated by the thought that one day the hen will lay eggs and you will earn money by selling them. "Nija sukha la'gi ye kare pirite se ja'ni garala kha'ye" -- One who loves others for self-interest, swallows poison." (1)
Note: Everyone knows that this above teaching from Baba is the idea of 2nd lesson. But whether one follows or not one should ask oneself, and try to perfect it.
Reference
1. Tattva Koumudii
== Section 3: Links ==
