Baba
Story: samadhi in cemetery
Namaskar,
The cemetery has a unique importance in Ananda Marga. Before 1945, Baba initiated 22 people - that means He created 22 disciples. We all know that the first such disciple was Kalicharan Bandopadhyaya. And the second was, Kamalakanta Mahapatra. One special unique point about all of those pre-AMPS Ananda Margii initiations is that they were done in the cemetery - in one or another town or district.
Indeed, many clearly remember how Baba explained all this to those margiis visiting Jamalpur - and especially to those who accompanied Him on His evening fieldwalks in Death Valley. These spiritual tales are imprinted deep within their heart. It was so blissful to listen to all those incidents. Even now, I feel goosebumps and waves of spiritual bliss. How sweet Baba's smile was on those occasions. Usually Baba would recount those stories while walking, or while sitting on the Tiger's Grave. Those were blissful days.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
On this auspicious occasion...
The auspicious occasion recounted here happened in 1940 when Baba attended a marriage ceremony in Betur village, in Bankura district, during the summer season. From a superficial perspective, it looks like He attended the ceremony to follow social courtesy etc, but, in truth, He had a different plan to execute. In His cosmic liila, Baba was making plans to initiate His second disciple, who was restlessly calling Him. That very fortunate disciple was Kamalakanta Mahapatra.
While the marriage ceremony was going on, Baba silently left the campus all alone in that midnight hour, and He quickly walked nearly six miles and reached one cemetery. The reason for all this was that Baba could no longer avoid the longing and cry of the bhakta, Kamalakanta. Then, according to Baba's desire and His cosmic liila, at that time Kamalakanta also reached that place.
With deep love and reverence, Kamalakanta came close to Baba and sang five or six very loving, heart-touching songs. Kamalakanta was crying with the strong desire of receiving spiritual initiation. Kamalakanta was not aware that Parama Purusa had taken advent in response to the longing of bhaktas. Just Kamalakanta was very restless to see his Dearmost.
He was a simple bhakta: How unique it is that he was not aware that Parama Purus'a is sitting next to him in that very lonely night in the cemetery to fulfill Kamalakanta's intense urge. Indeed, Kamalakanta was crying bitterly and wondering, 'When will my Guru come and give me initiation? I am so unfortunate that my whole life has been wasted. I am getting old. I did not see my dearest God.'
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Such a strong longing Kamalakanta had, and in this way Baba graced him with tantrika diiksa. Here is how the scene transpired.
Baba's personal recollection of that scene
I told him I had come from a certain village as part of a groom’s procession. He said, “That’s quite a distance – nearly six miles.”
“Yes, and because of that my feet are dead tired,” I replied.
He said, “Then Babu, please lie down. I’ll massage your feet a little. After all, you'll have to walk more.”
I said, “No, let it be. You’ve come from even farther away, and surely are much more tired.”
He said, “No Babu, I don’t feel any discomfort. I told you the path is my home. Lie down, you’re just a young boy.”
“However tired I may be,” I said, “I don’t think it is appropriate for an older person to massage my feet.”
Then he said, “Then do something else instead. Put your head on my lap and lie down with your legs outstretched.”
I did just that. Then I do not know when I fell asleep… when my friend’s wedding was over… or whether people there were searching for me or not. Supremely serene, in the heart of the cremation ground with my head in a stranger’s lap, I slept. I woke up towards the end of the night. Feeling intense pain in my feet, I sat up to find that Kamalakanta was clutching my feet with both hands. My head was not in his lap, and he had placed three human skulls under my head.
“Kamalakanta!” I called. “Hey Kamalakanta! Are you listening? You’re sleeping, aren’t you? I told you, I don’t want an older person to serve me. Still you didn’t listen to me.” (1)
Nirvikalpa samadhi: "You are Anandamurtii"
So it was that on that very night, within a few minutes after serving Baba's feet, Kamalakanta realised that the Creator of the universe has taken advent and appeared before him in that isolated, lonely cemetery. Kamalakanta felt extreme attraction - he did not want to remain separate. He felt such a strong inner pull, saturated with deep love. So sweet and strong - the attraction was beyond description. It cannot be recounted with pen and paper. All we can say is that once again, in this grand history of humanity, it proves that the strong longing of the bhakta has sufficient force to bring Parama Purus'a close to him. And that is exactly what happened in the case of Kamalakanta in that cemetery on that very night.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Kamalakanta was blessed with nirvikalpa samadhi and became one with Parama Purusa. By the grace of Parama Purusa, Kamalakanta reached his Goal. So it was that in that very cemetery, Baba lovingly showered His grace and took all his samskaras. Kamalakanta need not come back in that very mortal frame.
One very special part of this entire scene is that in the beginning stage of attaining samadhi, in spiritual ecstasy Kamalakanta was crying and addressing Baba repeatedly: "You are Anandamurtii, Ocean of Bliss. So sweet. I don't want to leave You." Baba graciously accepted his call and granted him salvation.
So, this is the unique tale of the second Ananda Margii. That happened in the cemetery in the year of 1940. By this, it is very clear that the cemetery has a very great importance in the life and progress of each and every spiritual aspirant - sadhaka, i.e. Ananda Margii. It also reminds us that, by His fathomless grace, the focal point of this life is to constantly realise and remember that Baba is the "Embodiment of Bliss'.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Tribhuvan Deva
Audio File: Cemeteries are “very encouraging” for sadhakas
During Baba' historic trip to the Philippines in April 1969, Baba told on one field walk that doing sadhana in the cemetery is very good for beginners. Here is the sound file on the AM Universal blog site, along the left column.
https://archive.org/details/BabaCemeterySadhanaVeryEncouraging
In related discourses Baba says that all tantrikas go to the cemetery. And, of course, we know that, in theory, each and every Ananda Margii is a tantrika. Here following is Baba's great blessing:
Baba says, "You will one day become one with Parama Purus'a; you will finally attain eternal bliss. This is the absolute and supreme Goal of human life." (2)
References
1. From Strange Experiences, chapter 11
2. A Few Problems Solved - 5, One Who Realizes Brahma Becomes Brahma
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.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Blindness of religion
Unfortunately, ignorant, superstitious people cannot see through the fog of avidya maya - and get Parama Purusa. The following is a description about gods & goddesses that are mostly worshipped in Bengal.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In many cases people are devoted to upadevatás out of fear and sometimes they are worshipped in the hopes of obtaining something. Banabibi [The Lady of the Forest] is there to save one from the grasp of the tiger. Besides her, there is Dakśińa Ráya; out of fear of cholera people worship Olái Cańd́ii; out of fear of smallpox they worship Shiitaládevii; out of fear of snakes, Manasá. These are all upadevatás. The women of a household will sometimes worship Lakśmii year-round to bring happiness in the family; Śet́erá as well as Suvacanii is worshipped in the ritual peace ceremony; Śaśt́hii and Niila are worshipped to bring welfare to one’s children; and out of fear of illness Shmashánkálii and Rakśekálii are worshipped. In Sanskrit they are all classified as upadevatás because they are not Parama Puruśa, the object of meditation in the spiritual world. Besides these, there are many other upadevatás such as Mangalacańd́ii, Áshánbibi, Satyapiira, etc. Upadevatás are also called folk [laokik] gods and goddesses. Some of them have dhyána mantras and some do not; some of them also have dhyána mantras in the local or state language and some do not have that either. In many cases the gods and goddesses of the Buddhist and Jain eras came or are coming to be worshipped as upadevatás in the post-Buddhist and post-Jain eras.” (1)
What bhaktas do
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those spiritual aspirants who follow the paths of knowledge, action and devotion, of course, do not bow their heads to upadevatás. They practise the sádhaná of the singular Parama Puruśa.”
“Some people call ghosts upadevatás out of excessive fear, that is, they accept them as minor gods and goddesses lest they be angered by being called ghosts. In Sanskrit, however, the word upadevatá is not used to mean “ghost” – for ghosts the word apadevatá is used. Upa means “near” and apa means “just opposite”. Apadevatá means “one whose nature is just opposite to that of a god”.” (2)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Ui to Uluka (Discourse 9)
2. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Ui to Uluka (Discourse 9)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
After you die
Ananda Marga ideology states, “The Christian and Muslim ideas of heaven and hell and also svarga in Hindu Karmakandii Jaemini Partná, were derived from the fact that the samskáras which determine the requitals of actions exists exits in this loka. In reality no kośa will remain after death. The samskáras remains as the object of the átman. Thus the ideas of heaven and hell of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim mythologies are completely false, because after death there remains no mind at all to experience heaven or hell." (1)
The mind is incapable of doing anything without the brain. And after death there is no brain, so the bodiless mind remains dormant. It cannot do or experience anything: no pain, no pleasure, nothing. The whole notion of one enjoying the fruits of heaven or the tortures of hell after death is bogus.
It is a complete myth that people go to heaven or hell. After death the mind is dormant. And that is what is expressed in the above quote. Here we should understand that pain and pleasure are experienced in this world, not after death. So-called heaven and so-called hell are here in this world.
Reference
1. Tattvika Praveshika, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Samaj grounded in universalism - not groupism
Prout philosophy states, "While there may be diverse cultural expressions and socio-economic potentialities in different units, the points of difference should not be allowed to divide humanity. If the common sentiments of human beings are given prominence and the points of unity are made the basis of collective development, diversity will enrich humanity rather than tear it asunder. If each socio-economic unit is inspired by a comprehensive ideology and a universal outlook, human society will move ahead with accelerating speed towards a sublime ideal.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “A sound ideological base is a prerequisite for socio-economic groupifications. Such a foundation is provided by universal humanism, which has the potential to unite all humanity. Universal humanism will not be established on the hard crust of the earth overnight, but will come to fruition gradually, stage by stage. It will include each and every person in the world, as well as animals, plants and inanimate objects. If a single person remains outside the influence of universalism and becomes a victim of exploitation, then the foundation of universal humanism will be undermined. Hence, PROUT has adopted a rational method to solve socio-economic problems which may be characterized as universal in spirit but regional in approach" (2)
Note: Nowadays some are singing the song of samaj as they try to forge ahead with their narrow-minded agendas. They justify their groupism by claiming it as a samaj movement. But margiis understand Baba's teachings and recognise the truth. Our samaj system is based on universal principles not factional allegiances. Thus the groupism carried out by certain leaders and the ideal of our samaj movements are worlds apart, i.e. polar opposites.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p. Socio-Economic Groupifications
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p. Socio-Economic Groupifications
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हर समय मैं अपनी शेखी बघारने में ही मस्त रहता
था। इस प्रकार मेरा जीवन नष्ट हो गया।
प्रभात संगीत 1803 आमार कथा ढेर होयेछे, तोमार कथाइ शुधु बोलो...
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष ! तुम इस संसार में सबसे प्रिय और आकर्षक परम चैतन्य हो। फिर भी अज्ञानता के कारण मैं अब तक, अपने में ही बहुत केन्द्रित था। मैं केवल अपने अहं से ही मोहित था। मेरा पूरा अस्तित्व मेरे चारों ओर ही घूमता रहता था। इस प्रकार अपने तक केन्द्रित रहकर मेरा जीवन बेकार चला गया। हे मेरे प्रभु ! अब कृपा कर अपने नित्य स्वरूप अर्थात मूल रूप के बारे में कुछ तो समझाओ। तुम सब से ऊपर हो। तुम्हारी दया अनन्त है। आज तुमने, मुझमें, तुम्हें अनुभव करने की इच्छा जगा दी है। कृपा कर अपनी ब्रह्म-लोक की कहानियाॅं सुनाइए और मेरा जीवन सफल कर दीजिए । हे करुणासागर ! अपनी आभा के प्रवाह में मुझे नहला दो। मुझ पर अपना परम सत्य बरसा कर, आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान का आशीष दे दो। कृपया अपने आनन्द के रास्ते पर ले चलो। अपार सन्तोष और शान्ति के रास्ते पर ले चलो।
हे बाबा ! मेरे प्रिय परम पुरुष ! पहले मैं अपने ही गीतों में ही व्यस्त रहता था। अपने ही गुणगान और महत्व में डूबा रहता था। हर समय मैं अपनी शेखी बघारने में ही मस्त रहता था। इस प्रकार मेरा जीवन नष्ट हो गया। मैं केवल अपने अहं की तुष्टि में ही लगा रहा। तुम्हारी कृपा से अब मैंने तुम्हारे नाम की नाव तैरा दी है। तुम कृपा कर मेरे जीवन में आ गए हो। तुम्हारी कृपा के बिना यह संभव ही नहीं था। कृपया, अपनी रागनी की पतवार मुझे दे दो ताकि मैं तुम्हारी कृपा से अपने लक्ष्य अर्थात ‘तुम’ तक पहुँच सकॅूं।
हे सुन्दर ! हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! केवल तुम ही नित्य हो। तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं अब जानता हॅूं कि अन्य सब क्षणिक हैं। तुम अकेले ही अलौकिक रूप से प्रकट होते हो। यह समग्र संसार तुम्हारे ही विचारों की तरङ्ग है। जब भी ज्वार आता है तब तुम ही नाव को तैरा देते हो यह तुम्हारा अलौकिक तरीका है। जब कोई इकाई जीव, मनुष्य जन्म पाता है तो तुम उसे साधना सिखा कर अपने दिव्य सरल रास्ते पर चलना सिखा देते हो।
अब तो मैं तुम्हारे चरणकमलों में शरणागत हॅूं, बाबा ! बाबा ! बाबा !
== Section 3: Links ==
