Baba
Knowing Baba’s view / guideline
Namaskar,
There are many instances where two parties hold diametrically opposing perspectives on what they feel Baba supports. This is the type of confusion that some are bringing to the table. For this reason it is worth taking a closer look into this topic by referencing Baba's direct guidelines. That is the best way to proceed.
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How to know His perspective
First, here below Baba very clearly and conclusively guides us about the proven and tested ways to understand His divine viewpoint. By applying His below measuring rod, any sadhaka can easily understand Baba's stance on any issue. Here then is Baba's given method.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Generally there are three ways to ascertain the views of great personalities: first, by what they said; secondly, by what they did, even though they may not have said anything; and thirdly, even though they may not have said or done anything, by what they did not say - one way or the other - on a particular issue." (1)
According to Sadguru Baba's above guideline we can easily ascertain His perspective and views in certain key ways:
1. By studying His discourses;
2. By following His practical example, by His action.
Naturally, we should understand Guru's perspective, adhere to His teaching, and follow His example / direction. Then we will be in position to properly resolve any points of contention regarding what Baba supports and what He does not support. By this way one can save oneself from committing sin and falling prey to self-ruination.
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Find solution:
Studying His discourses - Following His actions
Here again then is that first parameter for determining Baba's guideline on any particular issue: By studying His discourses. What Baba has said refers first and foremost to His discourses - i.e. His books. So His recorded and printed teachings of Ananda Marga ideology are the first way by which to understand His perspective. What He says in His books we should certainly do and follow. This is how to adhere to the path of dharma and save oneself from committing sin and falling prey to self-ruination.
The second method of knowing His viewpoint is by seeing His action: What Baba has done in His day to day life - by following His practical example, by His action. Baba's sterling example stands as one perfect way to live a dharmic life. He has graciously come to show one and all how to lead a glorious existence. His actions demonstrate this. Here below Baba guides us that by His various actions like performing sadhana regularly, He is guiding sadhakas how they are to lead their life.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “He [Mahsambuti] needs no sadhana, but just to set an example to others, He performs sadhana with the masses." (2)
Here then - as a basic rule - we should certainly follow Sadguru’s guidelines from His discourses and adhere to His example and do what He has done. By this way one may avert sinful dealings and refrain from degrading oneself.
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Dogma: the existence of groupism
Now let’s apply Baba’s above parameters to the phenomenon of groupism. Essentially, is groupism something that Sadguru Baba supports? Certainly not. In His teachings of neo-humanism Baba vehemently opposes all sorts of groupism.
By the first parameter - "by what [Sadguru] said" - for determining Baba's stance on a particular issue, we can easily conclude that Baba does not support groupism of any kind. Rather Baba gives the clear-cut warning that it is very dangerous. Baba has come to establish dharma on this dusty earth and all His actions perfectly lead in that direction.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "When there is degradation in dharma and adharma rises...He comes as Ta'raka Brahma to reinstate dharma to its original status." (3)
He has come to save the fallen humanity and all His actions and deeds are lovingly done for the cause of human welfare - to establish righteousness. May we all follow in His dharmic footsteps and do as He has done and always adhere to His perspective on what is right, i.e. dharmic. For that, one must understand and implement the three given injunctions for determining Guru's perspective.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Generally there are three ways to ascertain the views of great personalities: first, by what they said; secondly, by what they did, even though they may not have said anything; and thirdly, even though they may not have said or done anything, by what they did not say - one way or the other - on a particular issue." (4)
Unfortunately, some fail to adhere to Baba's aforementioned three parameters for understanding His perspective on this matter of groupism, and other topics. In result, such persons stray from Baba's ideal.
Conclusion
If ever we want to know to understand His position - the dharmic perspective - on any issue then we need not look any further than His divine example and guidelines: (a) His spoken word, (b) by what He has done, but has not spoken about in His teachings, and (c) by His decision not to speak against or take action.
And this is not just true of today, but for time immemorial this is the way by which one can ascertain Baba's view - the dharmic perspective. By this way, we human beings know how to proceed. So Baba's aforesaid three-pronged approach is of eternal value, whereby for generations and generations to come, bhaktas and people of all walks of life can adhere to the great code of dharma.
It is a divine fact and irrefutable truth that when Taraka Brahma takes advent as Mahasambhuti and puts forth one great example for all to follow. This is well understood by each and every Ananda Margii - by every sadhaka. All feel in their heart and mind that Baba is that Divine One - the embodiment of dharma - whose each and every thought, word, and deed guides us perfectly along the path of Supreme Benevolence. By following Him in each and every way, all human beings will reach that blissful and divine stance.
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Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Parama Purusa is a ship, nay a very big ship. Getting on it, devotees will sit and cross the cosmic cycle comfortably." (5)
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Narahari deva
~ In-depth study ~
His non-expression is also a guideline
In addition to referencing His teachings and following His example, the third aspect for understanding Guru's perspective on any given issue is His unspoken word or non-action.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Thirdly, even though [Sadguru] may not have said or done anything, by what [Sadguru] did not say - one way or the other - on a particular issue." (6)
Like the prior two steps, this one is also very clear. By these above-listed three ways we can know what Baba's divine teaching is as well as what His perspective is on any given issue. His each and every dharmic guideline and benevolent injunction is encased in the above three approaches.
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On some key issues, a few get confused. Some think that certain points have been approved of by Baba, while others firmly maintain that such issues have not been approved.
References
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 18
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, Our Concept of Táraka Brahma
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, The Advent of the Lord
4. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc 18
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, “Máyámetáḿ Taranti Te” - 2 / The Nectar Beyond Máyá
6. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 18
* * *
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 ==
Short life, fixed goal
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Human beings come onto this earth for a very short period, and within this short period they are required to complete everything. So there is a great deal of work to be done, but the time is very short. Thus intelligent people make the best use of every moment of their time - wasting one's time is the height of foolishness. Why? Because no human being will remain on this earth for long, and the very goal of human life is to attain Parama Purusa, the Supreme Stance. Human beings, while moving forward towards that Goal which is fixed before their minds, will have to perform many worldly duties. That is why it is said, 'Keep one hand on the feet of Parama Purus'a, and with the other hand do your mundane duties'." (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Let Chattisgarh Have a Brilliant Future
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Key queries answeredAnanda Marga ideology states, “Parama Puruśa is omnipotent, but...He cannot hate anybody. Whoever comes near Him becomes one with Him. So Parama Puruśa remains a singular entity. Secondly, Parama Puruśa creates everybody in His mind; He cannot hate his own mental creation.” (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “You see, everybody in this universe is within Parama Puruśa. He sees everybody within His mind, and because everybody is within His mind, He cannot hate a mental figure of His.” (2)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba guides us that Parama Purusa cannot hate anything or anyone. The reason is that this entire creation is set within His own mind. All the expressions are His. And no one can hate themselves. That is the logic and reason why Parama Purusa cannot hate anyone in spite of His omnipotence.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Two Hundred Mirrors
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Birthright of All
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Mounting suspicion
Namaskar,
Here is one teaching from Baba that is highly related with present-day humanity. The following is an English summary of Baba’s original Hindi teaching.
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Give each person an aeroplane – very good. "I shall make efforts for each person to have an aeroplane." Happiness in collective life is very good, but in personal life there should be sacrifice. If there is no sacrifice in personal life, there can never be joy and happiness in collective life. If one person possesses one crore (10 million) rupees and others do not have even sattu (*) there can never be universal well-being in that society or country. One should renounce all luxuries in personal life - all should live happily together. All are the children of the Supreme Father, all should live happily. (1) (English summary)
(*) Sattu: Flour made from roasted gram (also called chickpea or garbanzo) or sometimes roasted barley or maize (corn).
Why people have lost trust in one another
In His above guideline, Baba is teaching us that wherever there is (a) a great disparity of wealth, (b) economic exploitation, (c) the huge gap between haves and have-nots, and (d) the gross gulf between those in rolling in luxury while others scrounge to get a morsel of food, there will never be peace and harmony in society. Rather there will be rampant thievery, robberies, and a high crime rate.
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Nowadays, in this era of extreme capitalism, security has increased multifold because people have lost trust in one another. There are cameras and surveillance systems on every corner, the police force has become huge, border agents secure all national boundaries, passports and identification are needed to go from place to place, and verily security has been heightened in all levels of society. There is always a camera watching what you are doing. In short, there is a blatant lack of trust in all directions. Everyone thinks the next person may harm or steal from them.
In the past, perhaps 40 - 60 years ago, such steps were not necessary. Because in those days, the wealth disparity was not so huge. But now when people think money and material wealth are everything, then they will do anything to accrue more wealth. That brings widespread distrust. What to think of the rich not trusting the poor, people do not trust their neighbors, and parents do not trust their children. Because when material wealth itself is finite and limited, then people become suspicious and fearful: They think that if they do not grab the wealth then someone else will. In this materialistic era, all other human values have become lost; they are but a distant memory. Money reigns supreme.
Conclusion
In such a condition where a privileged few hoard most of the wealth, and money is looked upon as everything, there can never be peace, safety, and security in society. Social harmony and happiness only come when importance is given to human cardinal values - and only when the rich renounce their wealth and live alongside the common people. Only when there is a rational distribution of wealth and the principles of Prout are in place will we have a true human society where all live cooperatively as children of the Supreme Father.
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Namaskar,
In Him,
Nu’tan
References
1. Summary of Hindi Discourse: Swastika Jhanda
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Society: Three points to never violate
Prout philosophy states, “For the all-round welfare and development of human beings, society needs to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish. To avoid this and to safeguard the interests of all people, the leaders of society must ensure that cardinal socio-political principles are strictly followed. Otherwise, individual and collective progress can never be achieved.”
“There are three cardinal socio-political principles which should never be violated. First, people should not be retrenched from their occupations unless alternative employment has been arranged for them. Secondly, people should not be forcibly converted from one religion to another. Thirdly, no mother tongue should be suppressed. Occupation, spiritual practice and mother tongue are very important to human beings. If the sentiments associated with them are hurt, human beings will be deeply affected. So, you should never violate these cardinal socio-political principles.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Importance of fine artsAnanda Marga Caryacarya states:
- "Agriculture, arts, commerce and other developmental work should, as far as possible, be carried out on a cooperative basis."
- "Fine arts lead human beings to the trans-sensory realm; hence sádhakas should not discourage fine arts; rather they should support them, directly or indirectly."
- "Artists are great benefactors of society, hence take active steps for their protection. For example, before enacting a drama or its translation, enough money for a day's maintenance must be given to the author."
- "If a drama or other art performance is staged and a charge is made for tickets, after deducting the incidental expenditure, the remaining money should be distributed among the artists, half on the basis of labour and half on the basis of merit." (1)
1. Caryacarya, Society, Points #15-18
== Section 3: Links ==
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