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Saturday, January 18, 2025

Will money save you? + 4 more

Baba
Will money save you?

Namaskar,

Baba is Parama Purusa - the Divine Shelter of all in this universe. He cares and looks after us in all respects - always. While some intellectually understand that Baba cares and looks after them, but internally they harbour a competing idea. They may think that as they grow older they will be safe and happy because they have plenty of money. In that case, they are sheltering in money and not in Baba. This is particularly prevalent in materialistic areas where money is viewed as the prime necessity in life. Yet this is a faulty approach, because money is impermanent - it can disappear at any time. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Not only that, there will come a time when one will have to part ways with their money as that wealth will not accompany them to the burial grounds. Then again they will be shelterless as their cherished money will not be with them. So there is no logic or reasoning for taking shelter in material, transient objects like money. Yet that is what is the prevalent theme today. 

So those who think money will save and care for them are not sheltering in Ista. And, remember, such a scenario is not fully a "yes" or "no" approach. This exists along a continuum. If one has 60% faith in Ista and 40% faith in money, then that is the degree to which they are following point #10 of Sixteen Points. At the same time it must be recognised that any true bhakta will harbour 100% faith in Ista; that really is the only way to lead a truly spiritual life. 


Objective adjustment is a necessity


As Ananda Margiis, our approach is wholly rational. On the one hand, we only surrender to that eternal, permanent shelter - Parama Purusa Baba. He is the cause behind everything, and He is the most powerful Being in this cosmos. Bearing this in mind, we also adhere to His order to adjust with the external world. To help and serve others, to pay heed to our duty, we recognise that material wealth is a distinct need. To that end, we attend to our jobs, collect donations, buy houses, undergo medical testing, and involve in all kinds of mundane efforts to adhere to our familial and social responsibilities. Yet we do not fall prey to the notion that those material events can save us. Rather, we surrender at His lotus feet always, and take help on the material plane to maintain life so we may best serve others and do ideological pracara. Hence, ours is  not the camp of Bhagavan Shankaracarya that proclaims the world is an illusion. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Not sheltering in money, and wholly sheltering in Ista, in no way dictates that one must shun all material wealth and advancements. Only it means as sadhakas we use those material gains for the welfare of others and the propagation of the great ideology. This manner is fully in concert with non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista. Here the point is that we surrender to that permanent, unchangeable Divine Entity; that is our subjective approach. And we use material things solely for the maintenance and implementation of dharmic ideals in our social life; that is objective adjustment. 


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 one 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. 

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.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The overall teaching from this story is for every sadhaka to be very strict on the point of Ista.


Learn from great bhakta mythological monkey god


Ananda Marga ideology states, "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?”"

In so many 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 only. That is what is meant by strictness in Ista, i.e. never have any doubt towards the Parama Purusa, Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

“Shriináthe, Jánakiinathe Cábhedah Paramátmani
Tathápi mama Sarvasvah Rámah Kamalalocanah.”

Namaskar, 
In Him, 
Jayaprakash

Here is an English summary of the His Hindi teaching from धर्म और प्रगति, Dharma aor Pragati, NP, DMC 1 January 1963 Patna:

When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No entity can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different things. Then what is the meaning of sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and feel that Parama Purusa alone is my everything. Up to the time when living beings are thinking that they are working with their own strength, then you should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati. (English summary)

True Ananda Margiis will take their sick baby to the hospital. According to their God-given capacity and strength, they will provide all kinds of nursing, medicine, medical care, and whatever is needed. And side by side, they will go on thinking: "O' Lord, with the strength given by You, I am trying, but without Your grace nothing will happen. You are the real Doer. I am fully surrendering unto Your sweet will. Let Your desire be fulfilled."

Bhaktas think one should use all their inherent abilities to solve any crisis and cultivate the idea that, “It is His strength and that He is supplying the energy - and without His energy, I cannot do anything. If He wishes then only will I be rescued - it is fully dependent on Him.” Whatever strength God has given must be utilised remembering that He is the final doer. This is the ideal way of surrender. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Some naive people depend on fate not God 


Here below Ananda Marga philosophy clearly guides that fate is not what human beings should shelter in; rather one must live under the eternal shelter of Parama Purusa. 

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Niyati or fate also cannot be the Supreme Reflecting One (carama pratisaḿvedii). I would like to add further that those who are fatalists are also misguided. It is wrong to leave everything to fate without taking any initiative at the time of grave danger. Once a person has created his or her fate through his or her own actions, it is certainly not proper to completely surrender to that self-created fate." (1)

So one should never think that fate, crystals, astrology, palmistry or any other such expression takes precedence over the Divine Entity. Rather, Parama Purusa is the Controller of all. And this following teaching about microvita leads in the same direction. Parama Purusa lords over microvita so none should think that microvita is some independent force outside the realm of Parama Purusa's control.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The majority of people today do not know the technique of using microvita. The Universal Entity, sitting in one place, has been using microvita to accelerate the spiritual growth of individuals in different celestial bodies in different ways. Only that Supreme Entity who is conversant with these techniques and can teach them to individual spiritual aspirants is the Supreme Guru. He keeps all within His contact, and with the help of microvita, elevates all spiritually.”
   “Living beings, through their own individual efforts, can achieve only a little progress in the carbonic world, but in the non-carbonic world only the grace of the Supreme Guru can lead them towards the supreme goal.”
  “Hence, it has been rightly said, Gurukrpá hi kevalam - “The Guru’s grace is everything.” This alone is the supreme truth. This is the be-all and end-all of life." (2)


Blind people rely on multiple gods & goddesses


Here below Baba is clearly depicting how one dogmatic worshiper prays to multiple so-called gods and goddesses. Such an aspirant or bhakta is extremely weak on the point of Ista. 

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." (3)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, The Omni-Reflective Cognitive Consciousness
2. A Few Problems Solved - 8, The Neo-Ethics of Multi-Lateral Salvation
3. 11 April 1979, Kolkata


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Waiting & waiting

"Toma'r tarei kato vyatha' tumi ki ja'no na' balo more..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3636)

Purport:
 
O’ my Parama Purusa, You are the all-loving and omniscient One. Then how is it that You do not know how much longing and pain I have for You in my heart - please tell me. Don’t You realise I have so much prema for You. Days come with the hope that You will be coming with Your sweet smiling face, and I will receive You by offering a garland. In this way my time passes in waiting, but in the end the darkness comes in hopelessness and my eyes float in my tears. The whole night passes in my unfulfilled yearning for You.
 
O’ my Nearmost, what a tragedy I have brought upon myself by loving You. Why I have prema from You I do not know. My whole life has been spent weeping for You. Even then my mind does not want to forget You. You have tied me in the bond of Your sweet attraction.
 
O’ in the distant sky, the shining of the crimson sun tells me that I am not alone. My eternal Sakha’, across the vast ocean is also ever-awake...

Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3636:

[1] Sakha’: Ananda Marga philosophy says, ““Samapráńáh sakhá smrtah”. Where love and devotion are so overwhelming that it appears as if there is only one entity in two bodies, such a pair of persons is known as “sakhá”. The bhakta, the devotee, is the sakhá of Parama Puruśa, because the bhakta can never think of him or herself as a separate entity from Him. Here he altogether forgets that he is separated from God. That is why Parama Puruśa is also a sakhá to His bhaktas and the bhakta is the sakhá of Parama Puruśa...You should also know - you should remember this truth - that the only well-wisher that you have in this universe...the only sakha is Parama Purusa." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Parama Puruśa – the Only Bandhu


== Section: News from 2018 ==

Terror of old snakes​ ​(Rudrananda)​ - 2018 News

"बूढ़े साँपो ​(Rudrananda) ​का आतंक"

"बूढ़े साँपो का आतंक"

2018 मई/जून के रांची के DMS में दादा रुद्रानंद रूपी सांपो के ग्रुप ने 5  बाबा भक्त मार्गियों को डस लिया, लेकिन परम पूज्य बाबा की कृपा से उन 5 बाबा भक्त मार्गियों को  जीवन दान मिल गया। इन 5 बाबा भक्त मार्गियों में 2 मार्गी रांची (जो दोनों सगे भाई  जन्म से ही अच्छे मार्गी परिवार से है), 2 मार्गी भाई (पूर्णिया के एक  मार्गी भाई, जो पोलिस विभाग में कार्यरत है, उनको पत्नी सहित यानी एक ही परिवार के पति एवं उनकी धर्मपत्नी) और एक मार्गी भाई,  टाटानगर के जो अभी भी रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप को 24 घंटे दूध  पिलाते थे,,।

इसमें कोई भी शक नही है, आज जो रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप इतना खरनाक हो गया है, उसको, लगभग हम सभी ने, जाने या अनजाने में दूध अवश्य ही पिलाया है।  दूध पिलाने में सिर्फअंतर इतना ही है, किसीने अपने स्वार्थवश जानकर पिलाया है, और किसी ने बिना स्वार्थवश  अनजाने में पिलाया है। पर पिलाया सभी ने ही है।


पर रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप  , दूसरो को चींटिया समझ रहे है। लेकिन  रुद्रानंद रूपी साँप को यह समझ लेना चाहिए कि अब वोह बूढ़े हो गए है।  उनको 10 तरीके की शारीरक एवं मानसिक बीमारियां हो चुकी है। और बूढ़े होने की वजह से उनके शरीर मे घाव भी हो चुके है। और घाव में जब चीटियां प्रवेश हो जाती है।  तो सांप को तड़प तड़प कर मरने के अतिरिक्त, कोई दूसरा रास्ता नही  नही राह जाता।

इन 5 मार्गियों को 2018 मई/जून के DMS में जाने से रोक गया था।  आप  पांचो मार्गियों ने रुद्रानंद रूपी सांप के अनुसार बीन नही बजाय थी।

क्या यह चिंतन का विषय नही है?

क्या अभी भी  हम सब लोग, रुद्रानंद  रूपी सांप के अनुसार बीन बजाकर संस्था के आदर्श के विरुद्ध कार्य करना चाहते है।
                                या
संस्था के आदर्श की रक्षा के लिए सब मार्गी भाई और सन्यासी भाई-बहन यूनाइट हो कर बाबा के आदर्श को बचाने के लिए अपनी आवाज उठाना चाहते है।

यदि ऐसा चाहते है, तो सांप से बचने के लिए आपको सांप पकड़ कर किसी सपेरे के द्वारा उस सांप को किसी बर्तन में बंद करना होगा। जिससे वह सांप इस बुढ़ापे में आराम कर सके, और किसी को भी डस भी न सके।

निर्णय करने का अधिकार व्यक्तिगत है।
Mantracetananda

* Dharmendra Sinha (Tatanagar), Hemant & Jitendra (Ranchi), and two margis from Purnua were not allowed in annual DMS organised by Ranchi this year. It was official announcement by RANCHI  AMPS.


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Digesting & chewing food


Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "In order to digest starches and carbohydrates, the saliva of the mouth must help at the preliminary stage. Chewing food brings an adequate quantity of saliva into the mouth. No sooner does the food mixed with saliva enter the stomach than the liver and the pancreas are enabled to start secreting their bile and digestive fluids. So unless food is chewed well, the liver can never function properly." (1)

Note: In the fast-paced life of this 21st century, people no longer give themselves proper time to attend to their basic life duties, such as eating food. Instead people just rush off from one appointment to another and "grab a bite to eat" along the way. In their hectic pace, instead of chewing their food properly they just take a bite or two and swallow it. Or they nearly inhale their meal, without chewing it at all. As Baba warns us, this way of "eating" is terribly hazardous to the health and invites many diseases.

Reference
1. Yogic Treatments, p.1


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बहुत दयालु हो, तुम मेरे सबसे अधिक पास हो।

प्रभात सङ्गीत 486 काछे नाहीं आशो  कभु ए  कि तोमार भालोबासा

(जो साधना का 6th पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )

भावार्थ

हे  परमपुरुष ! तुम कभी भी मेरे उतने पास में नहीं आते जितना मैं चाहता हूँ। तुम अधिकतर मुझ से दूरी ही बनाए रहते हो मेरे पास नहीं आते हो।  बाबा ! तुम्हारा यह किस प्रकार का प्रेम है? किस प्रकार का लगाव है ? तुम्हारे लिए मेरे मन में बहुत पूज्य भाव रहता है।  मैं तुमको अपने हृदय से बहुत चाहता हूँ फिर भी तुम हमेशा  मेरे ध्यान में नहीं आते हो। तुम मुस्काते हुए  मेरे बहुत पास में क्यों नहीं आते हो। तुम क्षण भर के लिए आकर तुरन्त भाग जाते हो। मेरे हृदय के साथ यह आने जाने वाली  कैसी लीला खेल रहे हो ? बाबा ! तुम  मुझे  सबसे अधिक प्रिय हो । तुम्हारी कृपा से मेरा हर एक विचार और गतियाॅं तुमको केन्द्रित कर ही  होती हैं। तुम मेरे जीवन के केन्द्र विन्दु  हो।  तुूम मेरे जीवन के लक्ष्य हो। मैं तुम्हें बहुत चाहता हूँ।

हे बाबा ! जब भी  मैं फूलों की मधुर सुगन्ध  के सम्पर्क में आता हॅूं तब तुम्हारी कृपा से तुम्हारा दिव्य रूप मेरे मन में उसी समय उभर आता है।  जब वह फूलों की सुगन्ध  हवा में फैलती है, तो मैं हमेशा  तुम्हारी  उपस्थिति का अनुभव करता हॅूं। उन आनन्द भरे क्षणों में , मैं हमेशा  तुम्हारे  बारे में सोचता हॅूं। यह तुम्हारी कृपा ही है। बाबा ! जब मैं प्रसन्न होता हॅूं तब अचानक तुम आकर मेरे मन और हृदय में अपना आभास देते हो।  उस समय तुम मेरे बहुत पास आ जाते हो। तुम मेरे हृदय का उत्साह और शरीर के प्राण हो।  मेरी सब इच्छाऐं  और अपेक्षाऐं तुम्हारे चारों ओर  घूमती हैं ।

बाबा ! हे परमपुरुष ! जब मैं तुम्हें अपने हृदय की गहराई  में नहीं पाता हॅूं तो मैं बेचैनी और निराशा  का अनुभव करता हॅूं। उस असहाय अवस्था में, मैं तुम्हारी चाहत में बहुत ही रोता हॅूं, रोता  ही रहता हूँ। मेरी सब इच्छाऐं  और चाहतें विशेष रूप से  तुम पर ही निर्भर  हैं।

हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बहुत दयालु हो, तुम मेरे सबसे अधिक पास हो।  तुमने कृपा कर मेरे जीवन को  प्यार से भर दिया है। तुमने अपनी करुणा और प्रेम में  मेरा पूरा अस्तित्व डुबो दिया है। बाबा ! तुम मेरे सब कुछ हो।  मेरी तो केवल एक ही इच्छा है, तुम्हारे और अधिक पास में आना । हे बाबा ! मुझ पर दया करें।

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.

== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

All are on the move

Original Ananda Vanii states: “Everything in this universe is moving. The hours, days, human beings, stars, planets, nebula – all are on the move. Movement is a must for all, there is no scope for its cessation. The path of movement is not always smooth or strewn with flowers nor is it always beset with thorns or encumbered with violent clashes. According to the nature of the path, human beings will have to prepare themselves and move courageously. In that movement alone lies the very essence of life.” (Ananda Vanii #74)

Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, every sadhaka will surely get His blessing.



Shackled by fame + Baba story on stardom

Baba
Shackled by fame

Namaskar

If you want to become famous then you have to follow the common, prevailing dogmas and become their leader. Your speed will be just a tiny bit ahead of the general society. Then they will recognise that you are great. But if you are preaching something very lofty, which the common people cannot comprehend, then they will oppose you. You will never get their support or become famous. That is why in the past all so-called religious leaders followed the prevalent rituals, added their own new inventions, and created their dogmatic religion. For instance, both Moses and Christ accepted all the old, outdated, and rotten rituals and dogmas like circumcision and brought those accepted practices into their newly formed religions.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In contrast, Baba outrightly rejected all the existing dogmas. That is why all the stagnant forces and worshipers of the status quo vehemently opposed Him. This was His well thought-out plan. In His revolutionary spirit, Baba had no desire to become famous.


Seeking fame: donkeys 
"hee-haw" loudly 

In India those so-called sadhus who orchestrate large sacrificial gatherings are very popular because those sadhus follow all local dogmas. To become famous, a person must embrace the ways of the general populace and live their dogma. It is analogous to one seeking fame amongst donkeys, then one must make the sound "hee-haw" louder than the other donkeys. Likewise, to be famous amongst vultures one must eat more dead, decaying bodies than other vultures. In each and every circumstance, to become famous one must indulge in all local dogmas to a high degree. Verily, there are any number of negative outcomes if one seeks name and fame.

But one thing is for certain. Our scriptures say that great persons never get recognition in their life. Rather, in the society they always get opposed. As Ananda Margiis, we should be fully aware of and always remember this golden teaching: The vanguards of society are never praised in their age.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "You should always remember that those who are the vanguard of society are always in a minority, but they are the ones who will ultimately be victorious. Those who opposed, are opposing and will oppose the pioneers will one day say, `Now we're driving along the roads made by our pioneers after they cleared the jungles'. That is, they will certainly give you due recognition in the future. They never give any recognition when something new is started: this is the rule." (1)


Drawbacks of fame


(a) If a person becomes famous they cannot attack local dogmas and customs like racism, casteism, all kinds of narrow sentiments, exploitation, and all types of anti-social elements and their vices etc. To keep their fame, they have to support all local dogmas, otherwise the common people will strike back and oppose them.

(b) Those who are famous are chained to the status quo. There is no other way. They are unable to do any real work and certainly they cannot do anything revolutionary.

(c) A famous person's time is spent preserving their fame; they have no time for anything else. Those who are famous cannot fight against dogma, injustice, exploitation and all kinds of sinful activities, otherwise the sinners will attack and defame them. Famous people have to support sinful forces in order to keep their glory.
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(d) Those humans involved in running full speed after their own name and fame invariably become small-minded as they think about themselves and not Parama Purusa. In contrast, about the mentality of true sadhakas, Ananda Marga philosophy says:

"Nindantu niitinipun'a'h yadi va' stuvantu laks'mii....na dhiira'h."

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Let those well versed in ethics criticize or praise me, if they so like. The goddess of wealth may be gracious enough to stay in my house or she may go wherever she likes. Death may visit me today or decades later - it makes little difference to me. Wise people will never withdraw from the path of rectitude the path which they accept as their ideal." (2)


Conclusion

Baba has graciously put us on this earth to propagate a great and noble ideology. The attainment of prestige or fame is an impediment. We should never harbour name or fame. Then the entire life will be spent in petty pursuits devoid of ideology. We should always follow Baba's divine example and remain out of the public eye, never desiring prestige. Then, by His grace, we will be able to do our real work on this earth.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Vibhuti

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Physical, Psychic and Spiritual Strata
2. Namami Krsnasundaram, Vraja Krśńa and Párthasárathi Krśńa – 2


== Section 2: Story ==

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.


--


Baba story on stardom

Namaskar,

One margii professor Y used to visit Baba in Jamalpur. During one of his early visits, he asked one of the rickshaw wallahs, "Do you know Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji?"

The rickshaw wallah immediately replied, "Yes, of course I know him; he is a monk in saffron garb. Just last month he presided over a great yajina where thousands of pounds of ghee and other edibles were burned. It was a great sacrificial gathering."

Margii Y then understood that the rickshaw wallah had no idea who Baba is. So he just changed the topic of conversation.
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Baba whispers in his ear & tells the answer

But internally margii Y was thinking, "How strange it is that people are coming from all over India to see the Supreme Guru Baba. These margii bhaktas from afar have realised in their sadhana that Baba is Parama Purusa, yet the local people here have no idea who He is. Baba is not even well-known in his hometown. It is so strange." These were the types of thoughts spinning in margii Y’s mind. So when he arrived at the ashram / office, he thought to ask Baba about this situation.

Margii Y was given the opportunity to go on a fieldwalk with Baba. While walking along, Baba gave him scope to raise his question. Margii Y said, "Baba, it is very strange that people come from far and wide for Your darshan with an irresistible desire to see and meet You, yet people here in Your locale do not even know You."

In reply, Baba smiled and whispered in his ear, "Koii ja'n lega' to kaese ka’m chalega', jii?" Meaning: If people knew that Baba is Parama Purusa, how would any work be done?

Hearing Baba's reply, Margii Y understood perfectly. Baba did not wish to be famous because then there would be a huge crowd around Him, and bhaktas would be deprived of having Baba’s closeness.

Margii Y understood that if Baba wanted to be famous He would not have any time because hoards of people would flock to Him. Then bhaktas like margii Y would not get the opportunity to sit with Baba. The key point is that if the common masses were rushing after Baba because of His name and fame, then qualified bhaktas would get pushed to the side. For all these reasons, Baba did not wish to become famous. As Parama Purusa, He can do anything, but He chose not to be famous. He sacrificed His fame in favour of His bhaktas.
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How life gets compromised by fame


Here are some of the problems associated with becoming famous, as well as some of the reasons why Baba did not wish to be famous.

#1: If a person is famous, there will be all kinds of useless people hovering around. This happens with big-time politicians, sports heroes, entertainers, and all kinds of showy people.

#2: In His own unique manner, with His cosmic liila, useless people were kept away and He only brought bhaktas close.

#3: You know children do not want to share their parents with others let alone with the whole world. Those kids do not want to have to compete for their parent's attention or get pushed aside etc. So they do not want their parents to become super famous. Similarly bhaktas want to have intimate relations with Parama Purusa and do not want to share Him with anyone. And Parama Purusa also wishes to be with His bhaktas. For this reason, Baba did not opt to be famous.

#4: If Baba had decided to be famous, then useless people would have crowded the scene and He would not have had time to do the work for which He took advent on this earth.
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Conclusion


When Parama Purusa comes as Mahasambhuti then only a handful of people come to know. He does not beat the drum. He creates such a situation where positive and negative forces both get polarised. About His advent, bhaktas get direct information in their heart so they rush headlong toward him. And others witnessing this feel surprised by what is going on. They cannot understand.

in Him,
Iishvara

In the above story, margii Y is Professor Chandra Prakash Atreya from Meerut. In those early days in Jamalpur, margiis had opportunity to raise all kinds of personal questions and thoughts.


~ In-depth study ~

Negative fame vs. positive fame

Baba being the Parama Purusa also possesses the quality of yasha, i.e. that He is a polarizing personality: Some revere Him while others detest Him. When Parama Purusa comes on this earth it is always like that. 100% of the people will never fully support Him.
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Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Then there is another word, yasha; it means “reputation”. One should remember, here “reputation” has been used both in the extremely positive and in the extremely negative sense. There is positive reputation and there is also negative reputation. Lord Shiva came to this world about 7000 years ago; even now there are many who are His admirers, there are many others who are His opponents. The Iyers in South India will say, “Oh. Lord Shiva was great;” the Iyengars will say, “No, Lord Shiva was not great.” Lord Krśńa came about 3500 years ago; even now you will see there are so many admirers and so many opponents of Krśńa. That is, when Táraka Brahma comes, the entire intellect of the world gets polarized – one north pole, another south pole; one admirer, another opponent." (1)

Here are more of special teachings from Ananda Marga philosophy on name and fame.


Mental condition of one who begs & hankers fame

In this teaching Ananda Marga philosophy graphically describes the state of one who desires prestige.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Pratiśt́há – the desire to make oneself known. A person influenced by [the desire for] pratiśt́há expects respect from everyone, and hankers after name and fame. This mental state can be easily compared with the mental condition of a beggar. The beggar asks money from others, while the person craving for prestige begs others to give him respect. [The person desires something that] is really meaningless and possesses no value, something that has been fitly compared to the excrement of a pig." (2)


Fame is like manure


Here below Guru’s teaching guides us that we have come to this world for a short while - so one should not pass their days desiring prestige, rather one should seek Parama Purusa.
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Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Pratiśt́há shúkariiviśt́ha: human beings come onto this earth only for a short while: after this stipulated period, they will depart. All entities in this world merely come and go, nothing is fixed – everything is moving, and thus this universe is called jagat (root verb gam + kvip = jagat). Jagat means that which has the characteristic of ceaselessly moving on. Another synonym for the word “world” is saḿsára (saḿ – s r+ ghan), “that which constantly changes its place.” When nothing ever ceases to move, then can you remain permanently in this world? Even the effort to establish oneself permanently in this world is unnatural, because this pratiśt́ht́á is as abominable as the stool of a sow. Hence one should give up all these three – abhimána or inflated ego, gaorava or self-aggrandizement, and pratiśt́a or desire for prestige – and worship the Lord." (3)

In this next teaching Ananda Marga philosophy guides us that great people are those who are neither bothered by praise or censure. Those who cultivate fame never fall in this category - they must be 100% concerned about public opinion.

Ananda Marga teachings state, "Those people are great who harbour no biases and who behave rationally both with those who abuse them give them pain and with those who give them happiness. Such people don’t harbour any feelings of enmity towards anybody and take no-one as their enemy. They remain the same in pleasure or pain whether they have a positive reputation or negative reputation. They are unaffected and unassailed in all circumstances of praise or criticism, pain or pleasure. They attach no importance whatsoever to any of these things. They are meaningless for such people." (4)


Real bhaktas don’t bother what bad people comment

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us that those who crave fame will never have time to do any dharmic work on this earth.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Nindantu niitinipuńáh yadi vá stuvantu: “If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Puruśa. I have come from Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty.”" (5)                                
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha Part 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
2. Ananda Vacamrtam Part 23, Safeguards against the Defects of Jiṋána and Karma
3. Ananda Marga Way of  Way Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 5, Devotion and the Realm of Intellectuality
5.. Subhasita Samgraha Part 12, How an Ideal Person Should Live


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Quiz: who is Baba talking about

Intro: Kindly read the below quote from Baba's teachings. At the end of the quote a question has been posed. If your answer to the question is correct then it means you read Baba's books carefully; and, if your  answer is wrong or you do not know the answer, then it signifies that you need to pay more attention when reading Guru's teachings. After all, if sadhakas are not diligent in studying Baba's books then who is going  to read them - non-margiis?

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Fraudulent philosophies have diverted many people from the path of morality and left them devoid of dharma, addicted to carnal pleasures – infernal creatures. By providing such a distorted interpretation of dharma, they have deliberately prevented people from gaining a correct understanding of dharma, and thus they have betrayed humanity in the most inimical manner." (1)

Quiz: Who is Baba referring to in the above teaching?

Most probably, as an Ananda Margii, you know what the answer is. But if not, or if you want confirmation, then read below for the answer….

Lesbian, gay, & bi-sexuals etc plunged in degrading carnal pleasures

Answer: Here Baba is referring to the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and (LGBT) advocates who preach that sexual engagement is be-all, end-all of life. This teaching also refers to any matter-based approach to life where material indulgence and sensual pleasure are embraced as the defining aspect of happiness and joy in life. All such communities distract people from the true aim of life. Plunged in degrading carnal pleasures, they wholly forget and lose sight of their true calling: To goad the mind towards Parama Purusa.

Reference
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 14


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Nonsense ways people expect emancipation


Ananda Marga ideology states, “Some people consider it propitious to have a holy dip in the Ganges on certain auspicious days. Other people think that by standing knee-deep in water in the winter season they will attain virtue. It is sheer nonsense to expect emancipation in this way. These are merely physical actions which do not guarantee emancipation. However, they may bring emancipation in one way – one may contract a virulent typhoid fever or pneumonia and expire! Na muktirtapanáddhomádupavásah shataerapi. There are some people who die after fasting for thirty or forty days. The members of their community think that they have attained salvation thereby, but one cannot attain salvation by fasting in this way.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, Ideation on Brahma


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ideal age to start ideating on Brahma

Sadguru Baba says, "In Ananda Marga the seed of a common ideal is sown from the very beginning of a child's life. At the age of five, when the child has acquired only a preliminary understanding of his or her surroundings, he or she is given the idea of Brahma [the Supreme Entity]. The entire society of Ananda Marga is thus founded on a common ideal or goal – Brahma. This foundation will never be lost like the dangers of war. Such an ideal will not disappear like the common ideal of facing the dangers of war; so the unity in a society founded on the ideal of Brahma will be everlasting." (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology



== Section 3: Links ==

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