Baba
Baba guides us that brothers should use the title / family name “deva” and sisters should use the title / family name “devii”. Here is the English summary of that original Bengali discourse, MGD 15 February 1981, Krishna Nagar:
There was a time when any human being who progressed a little bit on the path of spirituality--- i.e. acquired some special qualification after coming in contact with the waves of Parama Purusa---was out of reverence also addressed as “deva” by their fellow humans. In our Ananda Marga too, we say all males should write the term “deva” as their family name, and females should write “devii”, because their goal is to become deva / devii. (English summary)
Here is that original Bangla discourse where Baba guides us that brothers should use the title “deva” and sisters should use the title “devii”.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “এক কালে, এমন ছিল যখন কোনও মানুষ সাধনা বিজ্ঞানে কিছুটা এগিয়ে গিয়ে ছিল, ঈশ্বরীয় তরঙ্গগুলো সংস্পর্শে আসৰার মত আরও কিছু ৰেশী যোগ্যতা অর্জন করেছিল | মানুষ শ্রদ্ধা করে তাদেরও দেব ৰলত | এবং আমরা আনন্দমার্গেও তো ৰলেছি যে সৰাই পদবী হিসাৰে পুরুষরা দেব লিখুন মেয়েরা দেবী লিখুন | কারণ দেব হওয়াটাই তো তার লক্ষ্য | (Morning General Darshana, Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 21, Chapter 8, 15 February 1981, Krishna Nagar)
== Section 2: Main Topic ==
Shravanii Purnima: Baba’s presence
Namaskar,
In the life of each and every disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' (19 Aug 2024) holds great importance. On the one hand, some may simply think that Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' is just one day when Baba started giving initiations. Because in 1939 on Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima', Baba initiated one bandit named Kalicharan Bandopadhyaya. And that was the first initiation into Ananda Marga sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
And on the other hand there is an even deeper meaning: Namely, that very day of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' Baba took the samkalpa to infuse spiritual refulgence and root out all the staticity - both from the mind and atmosphere of this globe. That day He took the vow, and that vow took expression in the initiation of Kalicharan Bandopadhyaya; it was His grace. For Sadguru to accept anyone as a disciple is a great blessing. Because accepting a disciple means taking charge of guiding that individual from the beginning up to the last point, liberation. Sadguru both shows the path of enlightenment and leads the disciple along that path, each and every step.
In the true sense, human beings come on this earth to reach and achieve this goal - Parama Purus'a. And Parama Purusa Himself comes in the form of Ta'raka Brahma. And Taraka Brahma Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji performed His first initiation in 1939. That day began the path of Ananda Marga.
Analogy of primitive folk
Some naively think that Parama Purus'a can only do something by taking the help of His physical body. Such persons do not understand what Parama Purus'a means. It is no different from how today, in this modern era, very primitive people are not able to think how one can communicate, talk, or send a picture from one place to another electronically. In their illiterate state, they think that, “When I cannot pass the message from the jungle outside of my village to my family members who are at home inside the house to prepare some food, then how can I talk to someone who is a few kilometers away, or outside the country, or across the ocean, or even in outer space.” Those simple villagers cannot fathom such a concept.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Similarly, in India when radio broadcasting first started in the 1930s then simple folk were gossiping that tiny people come and sit inside the big tape recorder and sing and speak. And when the time is over and they get tired, then they leave. One time someone's tape recorder fell on the ground and two pairs of AAA batteries came out. By seeing that, other villagers exclaimed, “Look those tiny people left the dholak (musical instrument) and escaped.” So those who have poor understanding about science think in their own way.
Bhaktas know Parama Purusa not limited to physical realm
In the same manner, those who have poor understanding in the field of spirituality think, “Baba has left us.” But bhaktas know that Baba's expressions, power, and capacity are not limited to the physical sphere. He is beyond time, space, and person. He is helping, and will be helping forever. This following blessing of Baba leads in that direction.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Resorting to the vibrating divine power generated by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji through Vara'bhaya and Ja'nusphars'a mudra's, you may carry yourself and the entire universe ahead on the path of all-around bliss. Om Shanti (May all remain in bliss)." (1)
So for Ananda Margiis taking shelter in Baba and surrendering to His will is the only way.
'Tava dravyam' Jagatguro, tuybameva samarpaye.'
My Parama Purusa, 'Everything of mine, along with my mind, is offered at Your altar. Please oblige and accept it.' (2)
Sastaunga Pranam at His lotus feet,
Satyadeva
~ In-depth study ~
Gift of great bhaktas
The great bhakta Surdas wrote thousands of songs about Lord Krsna. And in his life he always felt and realised that Lord Krsna was always remaining along with him and playing. And what Surdas perceived came in the form of songs, which are several thousand in number. A similar thing happened with the great bhakta Mirabai. She also felt that Lord Krsna was living along with her, side by side. Indeed, in history there are countless bhaktas like this - some are known and many are unknown. But the central idea is that bhaktas always feel and realise that Parama Purus'a is ever-present with them.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Prabhat Samgiita, Baba has recognized some of those past great bhaktas. It has accepted their feelings and approved of their bhakti-filled expression. That is why about Surdas in one Prabhat Samgiita says:
"Bha'voke diyecho tumi bha's'a', bha's'a'ke diyecho tumi suraSurada's, sura sam tumi na'shiya'cho tamasa'sur..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1255)
"O’ Surdas, O’ Surdas, you are such a great bhakta - you have given the words to express the feelings of deeper, loving bhakti-filled ideation. You have supplied not only the language but you have given the tune and melody as well. By this endeavor, you have removed the demons of staticity and darkness..."
The sense is that what Surdas did in his individual life is helping one and all. And it will go on doing so up to eternity because Surdas's songs are filled with bhakti-filled expression, lead to the Supreme entity, and give boundless bliss beyond time.
Blessing: 2nd version
Also, with regards to the Baba's blessing posted in my letter. There is something more I would like to offer. Because actually there is more than one English version of Baba's concluding blessing. Here is a second version.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Caryacarya states, "Utilizing the vibrations created for eternal time by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji through ja'nuspharsha and bara'bhaya mudra, take yourself and the entire universe ahead along the path of all-round welfare. Omn Shanti!" (3)
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, 1968
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Prańáma Mantra
3. Caryacarya Part 1, 1995
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Important notice on microvita
#1: As you may know, human beings have no ability to create anything in this universe.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "In this universe of ours, human beings cannot create the original stuff. They have not got the dexterity to create something original. They can create physical mixtures and chemical compounds, but not the original stuff." (1)
#2: So human beings have not an iota of ability to create microvita - neither positive nor negative.
#3: What human beings can do is generate a congenial atmosphere. For instance, if you live in a warm climate and leave out a bucket of water for days on end then naturally bugs and all sorts of organisms will be drawn to that water. But humans cannot say they created those bugs, rather that person made a congenial environment that attracted the bugs etc. And the same is the case for positive microvita. By your kiirtana, sadhana, and puja etc, already existing positive microvita may be drawn to that area, but that is all we can do. We cannot actually create microvita.
#4: Remember, again and again, it comes back to the original premise that humans have no scope to create the original stuff. We can only change or attract already existing things.
#5: Here is the origin of microvita: At the time of death, certain human beings turn into microvita when they are reborn with only three factors (i.e. luminous, aerial, and ethereal, but not solid or liquid). So human beings do not create microvita, but rather some humans become microvita through Brahmacakra (cycle of creation). Below Baba explains in detail how and why this occurs.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a person is practising spiritual sádhaná regularly, properly, and with proper inspiration and sincerity, but some other desires, some other longings, remain coverted in the person's mind. The person is a good person, he or she is sincerely doing sádhaná, but in his mind he thinks, “If Bábá gives me ten lakhs – or five lakhs – or only two lakhs – everything will be managed properly. Oh, no! I won't ask for these things. No, no, no, it is bad, it is bad.” That desire, that longing for money, remains in him, although he or she is a developed soul, not a bad person, not at all a bad person. So what happens? Because of his piety, after death he gives up the physical structure, the solid body, and gives up the aquatic structure, that is, apatattva, also; but the other three factors – tejas [luminous factor], marut [aerial factor], vyoma [ethereal factor] – remain with him, with his detached mind.These beings are called devayonis. They are of seven types – yakśa, rakśa, kinnara, gandharva, vidyádhara, siddha and Prakrtiliina. In the example I gave, the person had a longing for money, but was a developed soul. Unknowingly or unconsciously the desire came into his or her mind, and that desire was the cause of his or her downfall, degradation, depravation. This type of being is called yakśa." (2)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Pranama Mantra
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Ghosts and Evil Spirits
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to become human
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The third essential factor of Bhágavata Dharma is sevá. Only humans are aware of their own identity. Plants, animals and material objects are not aware. A rupee does not know that it is a rupee. A mango tree does not know that it is a mango tree. A jackal does not know that it is a jackal. But humans know that they are human. Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being." (1)
Note: There are many, especially in materialistic societies, who do solely for their own self-gratification and personal entertainment etc. Sometimes it may look like they are doing social service work, but it is not social service in the true sense. Because they are doing that "service" only to enhance their own prestige, garner praise, or because it gives them some sort of selfish pleasure. The proof is when the "service" work is no longer pleasurable or suiting their needs, then they stop doing it. In that case, what they are doing is not service, but a form of selfish indulgence. If in their “service” activities, a person does not have the feeling of Brahma bhava, then what they are doing is not true service, but a form of selfishness. Those who are doing true seva are real human beings, and those who lack this quality are not real human beings.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Samskara theory and cats
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Whether one be a philanthropist or a star athlete, one desires to see what is written about them in the newspaper. This means that in trying to do some good work, what are they really doing? They are falling under the sway of one propensity, the propensity of greed. Now if this act is encouraged by the society, that is, if the newspapers dedicate a lot of attention to such news, or if people in general say, “Sir, whatever you are doing is unparalleled in history. Sir, we are not eulogizing you. We are simply telling the truth” – if they praise such a person in this way and then try to extract some money from them (there are such intelligent people around) – then what does it amount to indirectly? The propensity of greed increases. Which animal is the greediest among the animals with which we are all very familiar? It does not like to give up greed in spite of ill treatment and humiliations. It is the cat. Yes, after moving a few steps ahead, the cat forgets that it was beaten. So, that particular person is reborn as a cat after death, because that body affords an opportunity for the satiation of their greed. When the housewife looks around inattentively, the cat sneaks into the kitchen through the small opening in order to reach the milk or fish in the kitchen. So in order to exhaust the samskáras one needs an appropriate body. Some people obtain a new body immediately after death and others obtain it later. But one has to obtain it somehow."
"One who is doing philanthropic work today, tries to find out tomorrow whether or not their name appeared in the newspaper. They have no desire to read the other news. They read the news that relates to themselves twenty times but do not go through the other news with much enthusiasm. If someone asks they might say that today there was only one important piece of news, nothing else. That is how a person comes under the sway of a propensity and remains subject to the cycle of birth and rebirth." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 10, The Supreme Entity – the Non-Doer
== Section 4: Links ==
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