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Thursday, March 21, 2024

Serving beyond death + 3 more

Baba
Serving beyond death

Namaskar, 

Here is an important topic in question and answer format related with life, death, and serving humanity. 


#1: QUESTION: Can a deceased person perform seva (service)?

ANSWER: From a purely literal or structural perspective a person cannot. But a person, while alive, can do service that helps people far into the future, long after their own death.

For instance, suppose a terrorist removed a key section of train track from a bridge and then committed suicide by eating poison. Then an hour later the train came and fell into the river and three thousand people died. In that case the terrorist cannot escape the sin of those deaths just because he died before the accident happened. He will have to undergo the reaction for having caused all those deaths. This shows how people are held accountable for the repercussions of their actions even after their death. 

Similarly, a person can do some great work in their life that has a recurring positive effect on society for generations and generations. The doer gets the benefit in their own life, and even after their death they can get the result. Because by their action people are served long after the death of that person. And of course it is true that after death a person cannot do any new or fresh action to help others. Just they can acquire virtue based on the recurring positive reactions of their original good deed. 

Here is the English summary of Baba’s Hindi discourse,  प्रवृत्ति और निवृत्ति, Pravrtti aor Nivrtti, SS 17-01 प्रवृत्ति और निवृत्ति, DMC 26 Feb 1984 Mehraulii Delhi:

When one no longer has a body, then one cannot do work. Since the body no longer exists, the mind cannot engage in any action or work. When there is a cranium and a brain, then only the mind will work. When there is no physical body after death, then the human mind cannot work. Only the soul remains and surely it can work. The soul surely can do something because it has power, but in a subtle form. (English summary)

So great people perform acts in their lifetimes that serve humanity far, far into the future. That is why Baba guides us to do something that has recurring nature.

Strictly speaking, one cannot do service after they've died, because they cannot do a new act; but, in a poetic way, surely one can continue serving society by doing something that has a lasting, recurring positive effect.


Direct & indirect virtue 

Baba's following teachings lead us in this way.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Pratyakśa puńya, or direct virtue, is acquired when one performs an action such as feeding the hungry or serving the infirm. Indirect virtue is acquired when one's service has a recurring effect, such as service to the society, planting trees, etc. If banyan trees are planted beside a hot and dusty road they will continue to give shelter to weary travellers for one thousand to two thousand years. Virtue acquired in this way is indirect virtue." (1)


If misdeed had its effect of recurring nature

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The shástra says that the proper atonement for such a mahápátaka is – what? The first thing is that he has got no right to live in society. He must sacrifice his everything for society and serve society from outside. But that is not enough: that is the atonement for an atipátakii. So what should he do? He should invent something new, and that invention should have a recurring nature of effect. Its effect should be of recurring nature. Because his misdeed had its effect of recurring nature, his good deed should also have an effect of recurring nature." (2)


Way to be free from bondage

#2: QUESTION: Since both good and bad actions are binding, what action is not binding?

ANSWER: When the goal is to please Parama Purusa then that action is not binding. 

in Him,
Liila’manohar

Mr. A shot his family members in a rage and then committed suicide, while his family members actually survived. They all became paralyzed and bedridden. So the suffering undergone by those surviving family members will be deposited on an ongoing basis in the account of the culprit who committed suicide.


Recurring good effect on society

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The result of mahápátaka is of recurring nature. If a businessman, for instance, discovers a new method of adulteration, he commits mahápátaka. Mixing papaya seeds with the black pepper is bound to deceive purchasers. The discoverer of this new method shows the world a new path in the sphere of adulteration. The effect of this act is bound to be of recurring nature. The atonement for mahápátaka is like atipátaka, that is, this person also should renounce his or her worldly life and should offer himself or herself in the service of mankind. There is, however, a difference. Since this person's act is more serious, this person will have to invent something that will have a recurring good effect on society. The invention of penicillin would be a case in point. There is no other way out for the mahápátakii." (3)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 1
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Sinners and Their Rectification
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Mysticism and Spirituality


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

I am firmly holding Your flag

"Toma'r raunge raung mishiye, cale jete ca'i sumukhe..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2368)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, by surrendering all the colours of my mind, i.e. all my psychic attachments and attractions, dyeing my mind in Your colour, and offering my every yearning unto You, I want to march forward and move unto Divinity, by Your mercy. Baba, I want to offer all my desires, vrttis, and longings at Your altar. My only wish is to move on the path, dancing according to Your rhythm and melody. Yet somehow I continually lose my way. I want to synchronize my vibration with Yours and follow Your path; but, each moment I fail and make so many miscues along the way.
 
My Supreme Entity, by Your grace, I am firmly holding Your flag of Ananda Marga in my hand. Baba, You have given me the one-pointed longing, stamina, vigour, and duty to follow and spread Your ideology, i.e. Your gospel. You have instilled within me the feeling that even if no one else is coming along, still I will go on marching on according to Your direction. Your blessing of fearlessness remains with me, and my heart is emboldened by Your strength; I am ready to march forward alone. Your love is ever-showering on my entire existence. You are along with me, never leaving my side - constantly giving me courage to march forward. My Lord, You have filled my heart with Your inspiration and bravery. For this reason, obstacles and hindrances are negligible; they never obstruct my forward movement.

Parama Purusa Baba, I was never alone in the past, nor will I be so in the future. You remain with me always. So there is no question of any loneliness or fear. Resplendent in Your benevolent radiance, I will keep doing Your work and singing Your song. I will continue moving on Your path of sadhana, keeping You in my heart. You are eternally sweet and gracious and with me every moment...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2368:

[1] Toma’r raunge raung mishiye: The following guideline from Ananda Marga teachings offers a greater philosophical understanding of the first line of this song.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Dye your mind with His colour. Those who have not done so cannot attain Him, for this very coloration is Prema or Divine Love. The differences in colour are signs of distinction; without these differences there is identity. No external sign of Sádhutá or virtue is necessary. Became sádhu within. Behind the external show of virtuousness of many so-called sádhus exists a pharisaic state of mind. Preserve the true dignity of the word, Sádhu..."

"That is why I say that you must bring about a revolutionary change in the flow of your judgment and thought, and see how, after overcoming your fascination with external colour, your mind becomes tinged with the His glorious colour. In Ananda Marga Sadhana, the method of withdrawing the mind from degrading tendencies, and absorbing oneself in the colour of the Great, is called Pratyáhára Yoga (the yoga of withdrawal) or Varńárghyadána (the offering of colours). All people have a particular attraction for one or another object or activity and as soon as they become attracted to an object, then their minds become coloured with the colour of that object. You can withdraw your mind from the colour of that object and dye yourself in His colour by offering Him the captivating colour of the object that has attracted you: this is the real Pratyáhára Yoga. The word Pratyáhára means “to withdraw” – to withdraw the mind from its object."

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The main object of the Spring Colour Festival (Vasantotsava) is not playing with external colours; it is meant to offer Him the colours of different objects which have dyed the mind. When this practice of offering your own colours – your own attachments, becomes natural and easy, you will then merge in Him. Then you will have no need for any colour, for you will become colourless – you will go beyond the reach of any colour. Your unit-ego will become one with the Cosmic Ego. Whichever way you look you will see only Him in His ever-surging glory. There is no “I” nor “you”. By an everlasting, mutual pact the final curtain will have fallen on all clashes of “I” and “you”. At that stage, if you call Parama Brahma as “I”, you are right in calling Him so; if you call Him as “He”, you are equally right; and if you call Him as “you”, again you are correct. The extent of your attainment of Him will be proportionate to your self surrender." (1)

[2] Coloured mind vs colourless mind: Human beings are attracted to one one thing or another, right or wrong. When one’s mental occupation is something worldly, then the mind is coloured in that way. For example, suppose a person is thinking about the lottery then their mind will be coloured by the colour of the currency note of that country. Or, if you are building a home or thinking of a car, then the mind will be coloured accordingly. 

Parama Purusa is colourless. Offering the colour of one’s mind means offering all one’s personal desires. Suppose a person has mundane desires that are disturbing their mental peace. If they offer those desires to Parama Purusa and if He accepts them then that person will be in bliss because they will be 100% tension-free. When the mind is colourless that is the state of unifying with the Supreme, by His grace. That is what is depicted in the first stanza of this Prabhat Samgiita. 

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “By surrendering all the colours of my mind to You, I want to become colourless.” (2)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
2. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Inner Asset


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Grace & samskara

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The reaping of consequences of original actions performed by a human being occurs mainly in the psychic sphere. And if a person attains the blessings of evolved beings and the Cosmic grace in that same psychic sphere, the problem is solved. Pain and misery is bound to come. Depending upon one's inborn sam'ska'ras and the actions performed, tortures and afflictions are bound to be undergone - the expression of one's own samskara [reactive momenta]. Tortures and afflictions will not be as severely painful as before; with the blessing and grace, the psychic afflictions will be removed. Well, when there is pain and the pain is not felt as such, should it then be called pain? In this case, in the psychic sphere, one will remain in a state of bliss. Let the afflictions come. When the affliction and pain are not felt as such, one should not worry about it." (1)

The only way to permanently relieve oneself of any suffering is not to run after worldly allurements but rather get His divine grace. Just a tiny portion of His grace is enough to free the mind of any suffering. Then one will just be in a state of peace - bliss.

    
Sadhaka not feel the suffering

According to Ananda Marga philosophy, nobody can escape the reactions of their past deeds. When the all-benevolent Guru wishes then He showers His grace and the mind becomes elevated. In that state Mr X is not undergoing any suffering; but, others will see Mr X’s plight and think that Mr X is suffering. But because Mr X does not feel any pain then for him there is no suffering of that bad samskara. For bhaktas, they are in bliss by His grace whenever they have to face any bad samskara.

For example, suppose a bhakta and a non-devotee are both facing their own individual samskara and became sick with tuberculosis. Physically both are suffering. But the bhakta is not undergoing any psychic suffering. If one is not in mental agony they may remain in a blissful state. The end result is that although both are suffering from the same disease physically, but only the non-bhakta is suffering psychically. In that case the bhakta’s mind may remain ensconced in bliss.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Physical, Psychic and Spiritual Strata


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Warning: trendy fake yoga

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Suppose, one is a great Yogii but if there is no love for his goal, then those suspended propensities will finally be converted into crude matter. That is, the subtle human existence becomes like iron; it becomes like wood; it becomes like sand. What a deterioration! What a downfall! This particular type of yoga where a yogii does not bear love for the Supreme Entity is called 'Hatha Yoga' in Samskrta. It is dangerous for human elevation." (1)

Note: Nowadays, all around the globe and especially in the west, in the name of teaching yoga certain pseudo-yoga people are becoming entrepreneurs and selling their unholy ways to the public by opening so-called yoga and meditation centres. But in those places, they do not do bhakti yoga; theirs is not a God-centered approach. Rather they teach bogus lessons such as misguided pranayama etc. Sadly, when the goal is not Parama Purusa then that type of fake yoga, meditation, and pranayama ultimately bring terrible degeneration. Neither is the unassuming public aware nor do these culprits realise what dangers they are inviting. It is our duty as far as possible to warn everyone for their welfare.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanartam - 2, Love – the Essential Prerequisite


== Section 3: Links ==
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Key warnings: food + 3 more

Baba
Key warnings: food

Note: This letter has essentially been written for those very strict in adhering to a sentient diet. This letter is also very appropriate for those who want to become more diligent in following a sentient diet. Those who are lazy, lethargic, and constantly compromising by eating rajasik or tamasik foods - and have no interest in improving their eating habits - may or may not read. However, if such persons want to improve their diet they are most welcomed and encouraged to read.

Namaskar,

First let's address some common comments and queries raised by readers about maintaining strictness in eating sentient food.


How can sattvika food in hotel be tamasik

(A) Brother P inquired: "On the matter of “Do not eat (or “take food”?) in a hotel or restaurant. Even sattvic food taken at / in a hotel or restaurant is to be considered tamasic.” Yet a WT stated that “You can take the food outside and eat it or just away from the hotel or restaurant.” Could someone clarify this, please."

As long as that restaurant is properly following all do's and don'ts of the system outlined in this series of letters then that prepared food can be taken out of the shop and it will be sentient. For instance, if a restaurant has a juice bar and it is certain that their knives and blending machines, as well as their pots, bowls, and glasses, etc are only used for fruit, then a Wt may buy a juice from that shop and then leave the restaurant and drink that in a park or car etc and it will be considered sentient.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

At the same time that same juice will not be considered sentient for a WT if one drinks it in that hotel - restaurant etc. Thus Wts should not sit and eat with the general populace. Why not? Because those non-margiis may be gossiping about negative topics; because those persons may have eaten meat or smoked before coming into that hotel / restaurant; because in their loud talk, those other patrons may accidentally drip or shoot saliva on your food; and because the mental state of those customers may not be sentient etc. For all these reasons and more sitting and eating in even a restaurant that serves only sattvika food is not advised. A Wt should really pack up that food and go and eat in a quiet place. And if any margii wishes to follow this tenet as well they may. But for wholetimers, it is mandatory.

While eating one should think of Parama Purusa, and that will not be possible if one is eating in a hotel / restaurant where there is so much other commotion. That will be very disturbing. Wts were strictly following this point in the 1970’s and 1980’s, after 1990 various Wts became relaxed, negligent, on this point.

Finally, obviously, purchasing prepared food from XYZ restaurants that do not follow the do's and don'ts of sentient food preparation should be considered tamasik, even if one takes the food out of that restaurant and eats it elsewhere.


Why the chef’s mind is important

(B) Brother G stated: "May I add please that the nature of the minds of those who prepare food are important; Chefs minds in a restaurant are generally Tamasic or Rajasic."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Yes, this is an excellent point and a very important consideration for every sincere sadhaka. In His guidelines for Wts, Baba has given the following:

Wt conduct rules state: "[One] should not touch food by a mean-minded person..." (1)

By this we can understand that the mindset of the person preparing the food definitely affects the food itself. Sentient food can become tamasik in this manner. If the restaurant staff thinks that you are a headache or if they think ill of you then that will ruin that food - it should be considered as inedible.

Who should use mock meats

(C) Brother G also raised the idea of various new companies that produce mock meat, fake meat, imitation meat etc. These are products made out of soy, vegetable meal or other vegetarian ingredients. As G comments, these products are very good for meat-eaters who are transitioning to an all-vegetarian diet. For those who are already established in sentient eating, then it is best to avoid any and all company products as they are not 100% certain how all such foods are prepared. They may contain onion, or perhaps that food was prepared with a knife that was used for cutting garlic in a different dish etc. There are just too many unknown variables. Thus, sadhakas should avoid such items. But fake or mock meat alternatives are good for the general population; i.e. those looking to transition from meat-eating to a plant-based diet.

Actually the whole concept of fake meat is psychologically bad for good sadhakas. It is just like if someone gives you fake cow dung or fake mud to ingest then you will not find it to be something glorious - even if it is supposed to be like a vegetable. Sentient food adherents and sadhakas find meat and flesh foods to be very grotesque and abhorrent. Naturally, they will not like to eat anything that is a replica of meat. Rather those fake meat products are devised for those hankering for that taste and texture, as they were meat-eaters. But for divyacariis fake meat products are very negative. Those who do not like to eat meat can easily understand, whereas those who long for meat will not understand this point.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Must be vigilant about the use of containers

Baba says, "Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (2)

In this above tenet, Baba is guiding us that even sentient food becomes ta'masika if it comes in contact with a utensil, pot, or container - or any other item - that was used in conjunction with static food.


So we must be careful

Here are three key points that will save you from inadvertently eating non-sentient food:
#1: No eating at another family's house if they fail to keep a strict sattvika kitchen.
#2: No eating at any hotel or restaurant.
#3: No company foods
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here are more points to add to this list...


Vegan company products may not be sentient

#4: Vegan labeled company products are also problematic as they may contain onion, garlic etc.

For the above reasons and more, many prepared foods labeled as being "vegan" may not be sentient. A whole wheat bread may be made using the same pans and machines as a garlic bread. Tomato sauce that claims to not have onions and garlic may be mixed on equipment used for the normal ta'masika tomato paste. Similarly a rice dish may have mushrooms in it.

Here the point is that just because something is vegan does not mean that it is sentient; philosophically and practically speaking, the vegan diet and the sentient food diet are not the same. Vegan items often contain onions, scallions (onion family), leeks (onion family), garlic, mushrooms, red lentils, white eggplant, mustard greens etc. All the aforementioned items are vegan, but tamasik - not sentient. So if you are invited to a vegan feast, it does not mean you will be able to eat everything. Rather, expect that many or most items will be tamasik as onion and garlic & other tamasik plant-based foods are popularly used in the non-margii community.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Openness about labeling

#5: Today, many pre-prepared vegan foods state, "Made in a facility that also produces items containing eggs." Or such food labels may state, "Produced on machinery also used to produce items containing eggs."

Such companies are trying to be open about what they are doing - probably to inform those who suffer from allergies like peanut, soy, dairy, gluten allergies etc. Why has this happened? Because those suffering from food allergies have been vigilant and active in protesting. That is why companies have begun labeling their food in this way. If sentient food adherents are equally active, companies will respond by clearly indicating on the label if products contain: onion, mushroom, garlic, scallion, chives, leeks, mustard seeds / greens, red lentils, white eggplant etc. So there is hope that one day this will be clearly marked.

At the same time, we should also keep in mind that so many other companies who do not have the conscience to mark their foods with the above statements may be doing a whole lot worse. They may be making veggie sandwiches on the same counter as meat sandwiches, but they never say anything about this.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here the point is that no pre-packaged food - even it if is labeled as being vegan - can be taken on faith as being 100% sentient, as it may contain onion etc. Plus, in many countries, companies are still not mandated by law to label if they are using GMO's, genetically modified organisms. 


How “organic” & “green” may not be sentient

#6: So although the world is becoming more "green", "healthy", and "organic", there remain numerous points that we must be aware about when selecting our food. Because the common society and business owners are not aware about sentient food. For either financial incentives or out of plain ignorance, the food they promote and label as pure vegetarian may not be sentient for Ananda Margiis, as it may contain onion or garlic etc.

The best solution then is to buy unprocessed ingredients like rice, soybeans, vegetables, and all kinds of grains, fruits, and legumes and prepare those things in our own home.

In addition, wherever and whenever possible, it is probably better to buy things that are both local and organic, but that may not always be possible. At the same time, do be careful about GMO, or genetically modified organisms; this is especially relevant for corn and soy products grown in the USA, though not exclusively limited to those items.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

There are countless sincere margiis and wts who want to follow and these rules and know in their heart that they guidelines are essential for their spiritual growth and development. They understand that human life is short and that 100 years goes by very quickly. Those who are 80 will say that it feels like there were only born yesterday and that now they are 80 years of age.

Human life is for sadhana - all else is for adjustment only. When Baba gave this rule then He told that, “In the past when you were animals and ate whatever you got, and now that you have human form in this life you should be strict about what you eat.”

And verily by His grace every sadhaka understands that without proper food sadhana is impossible, especially deep sadhana. Because the food you eat is instrumental in the creation of new cells. and each cell has its own mind. Sentient food leads to the build up of sentient cells, and vice versa. So food is very much linked with quality of mind. So if one compromises on points of food then forget about being able to do proper sadhana. There will not be any spiritual flow of mind.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Sudeva
Scott Malerie

Three types of margiis

There are three types of margiis (a) pashvacariis, (b) viiracariis, and (c) divyacariis. Those who are pashvacariis are called pashus. They are half or pseudo-margiis; they could be new to the path or people initiated a long time ago. But they are pashus as they are remiss in their daily dealing. This letter is for divyacariis - i.e. advanced sadhakas very strict in adhering to a sentient diet, all conduct rules, and Sixteen Points.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


~ In-depth study ~

Why a repulsive smell will be emitted

Here is the section from His discourse 'Some examples of Microvita in Daily Life' that reveals how eating vegetarian food from a non-veg container is ta'masika.

Baba says, "Those who consume a lot of static food also emit this sort of foul smell...Similarly, an intensely foul smell is emitted from the bodies of tigers because they are carnivorous...A hilsa fish (an Indian herring) is extremely fond of flesh – rotten flesh is its favourite food – hence it produces a kind of repulsive secretion. If a fish bowl or container which held hilsa fish is cleaned with a cloth, and the cloth is used to clean another container, a repulsive smell will be emitted from the second container unless it is properly ventilated. A vegetarian will feel uncomfortable if this container is used for eating, drinking or anything else. Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (3)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static. Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic qualities. For example, the milk of a cow which has just given birth. Or white eggplant, khesárii pulse [horse gram], red puni [Basella rubra Linn.], or mustard leaves, all of which often grew out of rotten matter. In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that “I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper” will not do." (4)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Támasika áhára: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called támasika.  Stale and rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, and all types of intoxicants, are categorized as támasika. Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the rájasika category. The milk of a newly-calved cow, white brinjals, khesárii dál, green vegetables of the type of red puni or mustard are támasika. Masúr dál cooked for one meal will become támasika by the next meal." (5)


How onion came

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “By gradual transformation their mind-stuff reaches a stage where they cannot be called human beings. Who can say that the fire-burnt cane has been transformed into the plantain tree, and the decomposed beef has been transformed into onion through natural changes, and that the rice-water has produced tańd́uleraka leaves? Likewise, no one will be able to recognize you as a human being in your degenerated condition.” (6)


You are not a goat or a camel

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “All-round restraint is indeed necessary. It will not do to simply eat what you get or do what you desire. When you eat you must consider if it is sentient, mutative or static. While eating you must think carefully as to what influence it will have over your body and your mind. You are not a goat or a camel that you will eat whatever you get. You have to think when you act.” (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy states:
“Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products.”
“Mutative food: Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good for the mind, but certainly not harmful for the mind, is mutative.”
“Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static.” (8)


Effulgence emanates from these cells creating an aura

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "As a result of eating sentient food and performing spiritual practices, the cells of the human body become sentient. Naturally, an effulgence emanates from these cells creating an aura around the physical body of the spiritual aspirant. This is the reason why many pictures of mahápuruśas [highly-evolved persons] show them with radiant auras. If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of the cells affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat the correct diet, because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any food item, whether good or bad, must not be taken indiscriminately because it may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants must follow the dictum: Áhárashuddhao sattvashudhih [“A sentient diet produces a sentient body”]." (9)


If one eats less, strength increases

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Śaśt́haiṋca pramitáháro. There is a Bengali saying: uno bháte duno val, bhará pet́e rasátal. If one eats less, then one’s strength increases and one does not fall sick, but if someone overeats, then they fall sick. Here it has been said: pramitáhára. Pramitáhára and parimitáhára are not the same. Parimitáhára means that I have not eaten a lot, nor have I eaten a little. That is called parimitáhár. And pramitáhár means that I have eaten little but I have eaten nourishing food. That is pramitáhára. You have the custom of eating sentient food. If you follow that then you meet the objective of pramitáhára.” (10)


Follow dharma, not the doctor

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (11)


Baba story about food

Once Ba'ba' stayed at Shrii O P Goenka' Da'da's house in Chennai on the occasion of DMC before 1970. As a matter of fact the Goenka family were strict in taking sattvika food; they didn't take onion or garlic and followed a purely vegetarian diet. His mother got an opportunity by His grace to cook food and serve Him.

As soon as Baba sat down for taking food, He asked, "Ma'(mother), is there any onion and garlic in this food?"

She exclaimed,"Ba'ba', onion and garlic in our house - never!"

Ba'ba smiled and replied, "It is my usual habit to inquire before taking food."

This event was recounted personally by Shrii OP Goenka.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Though Ba'ba' is the All Knowing Entity even then He regularly inquired to ensure the food served was sentient food. We have to take note and follow His divine example for being strict on sentient food.

During WT reporting, Baba was regularly pointing out how Dadas were unknowingly ingesting onion and garlic when they were purchasing pre-made meals from the market and in hotels etc. Baba would abuse them harshly for taking tamasik food. 

Such Dadas were unaware that what they ate was tamasik but after Baba's scolding came to know that the veg food they ate in the market was prepared in a non-veg pot etc. So Baba pointed out their wrongdoing - this was a regular occurrence. By His grace, now most in AM know not to take food in a hotel or restaurant.

References
1. 32 Rules for Avadhutas, pt #20
2. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Excerpt C
3. Microvita in a Nutshell, 'Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Section C'
4. Ananda Marga Philosophy In A Nutshells, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
5. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Eating
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
8. Ananda Marga Philosophy In A Nutshells, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
9. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
11. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

The final story

"Tomáke cená náhi jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2089)

Purport: 

Parama Purusa, You can't be understood by the mind. You are all-pervading, everywhere, and always with me - even then it is not possible to know You with my unit self. By ideating on You, my I-feeling loses its existence in You. Baba, whenever I think that, “I know You well”, then due to ego my viveka gets completely clouded by the Cimmerian darkness. In result, I become more ignorant. When the mind concentrates on You then it ultimately merges in You, and the unit being becomes one with the Cosmic Mind. 

Parama Purusa, sometimes You are vehemently sounding Your sermons by the beating of the marching drum and the blowing of the trumpets; and, on other occasions You are smiling sweetly and showering Your causeless grace with flower pollen. My Supreme One, such is Your beauty. In the end, in the lonely, isolated moment, I see that everything happens by Your sweet will. What You desire is what happens - that is the final story.  

Parama Purusa, in Your grand kingdom, all belongs to You. I cannot boast that anything is mine; indeed to think that something is my own is the height of foolishness - it is sin. Because everything is created and maintained by You. This whole expressed universe is Your mental projection. Due to this eternal truth, everyone wants Your blessing and asks for Your grace. Each one longs for Your karuna' - divine compassion.  

Baba, it is not possible to realise You without Your krpa...


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हे प्रभु, तुम्हें अपने हृदय से नहीं जाने दे सकता।

प्रभात सङ्गीत  683 जेयो ना ओगो प्रभो, अनेक कथा आछे बाकी....

(जो साधना का छठवां  पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष ! हे प्रभु ! कृपा कर दूर मत जाओ, मेरे पास ही रहो। मुझे अनेक कहानियाँ कहना हैं, बहुत सी बातें सुनाना हैं तुम्हें। मेरे घर आ तो जाओ। कृपाकर इस अवसर को समझो कि मैं घर में बिल्कुल अकेला हॅूं। यहाॅं कोई नहीं है, इसलिए  बाबा ! तुम आ ही जाओ।

बाबा ! सुख या दुख में, अनुकूल या प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों में, मैं हमेशा  तुम्हें ही पुकारता रहा हॅूं। चौबीसों घण्टे मैं तुम्हारा ही नाम पुकारता रहता हॅूं । मैं जो कुछ भी करता रहॅूं, मेरे हाथ भले ही काम में लगे रहें, पर मेरा मन तुम्हारे चरण कमलों का ही चिन्तन  करता रहता है। मैं तुम्हें याद करता हॅूं यह तुम्हारी कृपा ही है। मैं सब कुछ छोड़ सकता हॅूं पर तुम्हें अपने हृदय से नहीं जाने दे सकता। बाबा ! तुम मेरी पूरी स्थिति को जानते हो,पर मुझे कभी भी सान्त्वना नहीं देते। इन दिनों मैं अंधेरे में घिरा हॅूं।  तुम्हारे बिना मैं दुःखी हॅूं।

बाबा ! मैं तुमसे कुछ भी नहीं चाहता। मैं तो केवल यह चाहता हॅूं कि तुम कृपा कर मेरे पास आकर मेरे बाजू में बैठ जाओ। मेरे मन के दरवाजे और खिड़कियाॅं तुम्हारी चाह में, तुम्हारे आने  की बाट देखते सदा ही खुले रहते हैं।

मेरे प्रभो ! मुझे अकेला छोड़ कर न जाओ मेरे हृदय में हमेशा रहो।


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Starting point in spiritual life

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Whatever a man is to do in his spiritual life he is to do - why? Because he is in love with the Supreme Entity. Love is the first word, love is the starting point, and love is the last point." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Starting Point and the Last Point


== Section 4: Links ==






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