Spiritual success & gurupujanam + 5 more

Baba

Spiritual success & gurupujanam

Namaskar,

Many become confused and ponder what is meant by spiritual success. This is especially the case with crude people as they generally equate success with getting a good paying job, having financial security, and having worldly possessions etc. But those material things are transitory - they do not last; they are not permanent.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What is success in spiritual life

Spiritual success is completely different. It means getting that which is lasting. Parama Purusa is the eternal Bandhu. To get and realise Him is spiritual success in the true sense. So our view and aim is 100% different from the material approach. As every sadhaka easily understands, spiritual success means reaching the Goal - becoming one with Parama Purusa. That is our perspective in Ananda Marga.

Parama Purusa is bliss-personified; naturally, as one progresses along the path and gets closer to Him, His divine qualities will be reflected in that sadhaka. In which case, one will feel a greater sense of peace, happiness, and bliss. Their spiritual standard will be higher, and their sadhana will be deeper. Most importantly, one reaches closer and closer to Him - always feeling His divine presence.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In that state, all tension and degrading tendencies drift away as one is firmly advancing along the path of bliss - Ananda Marga. Spirituality becomes a practical aspect and driving force in one's day to day life. By sincerely understanding and adhering to gurupujanam and the other factors for success, one will surely become more established in the realm of spirituality and make their life successful -  by His grace. They will become one with the Goal, Parama purusa.

Guru puja and gurupujanam are two different things; they are not the same. Gurupu'janam is an all encompassing approach to life - following all dos and don'ts and mandates. That will bring success in the spiritual realm as one will feel linked with Him. It is one of the factors for attaining success in spiritual life.

Factors for gaining success in spiritual life

Here is a list of all the factors for gaining success in spiritual life wherein gurupujanam stands as only one of the seven factors needed for success in spiritual life. Any single factor by itself is not enough. They all work together in complementary fashion.

Here then are all the seven factors as given by Baba for gaining success in spiritual life:

1. vishva'sa (firm determination to achieve success)
2. shraddha' (deep reverence and surrender to Guru)
3. gurupu'janam (obeying Guru's order)
4. samata'bhava'va (mental balance; no complex any type)
5. indriyanirgraha (control over motor and sensory organs)
6. pramita'ha'ra (nutritious and balanced sattivika food).

Ananda Marga ideology says, "saptamam naeva vidyate – There is no seventh factor." (1)

Those aforementioned six factors are all that is needed to achieve success in the spiritual realm. Sincerity in those six factors will enable one to reach their cherished Goal. And as Baba guides us, no seventh factor is needed when the first six are followed sincerely. For more clarity please continue reading.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

As sadhakas and disciples of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, everything we do should be done to please Him. Gurupujanam means doing as per His desire and following the guidelines from all His Ananda Marga books. We are to read, study, understand, and sincerely follow all His given teachings. That is the practice and spirit of gurupujanam, or pleasing Sadguru Baba.

Achieving success in spiritual life demands being vigilant in gurupu'janam - i.e. obeying Guru's teachings and orders. As bhaktas, we should actively take part in this practice and make it not just our habit but our nature. Doing those things which please Baba is gurupujanam.

Doing the 3 rounds of Guru puja after sadhana is our dharmic approach, but that is completely different from the practice of gurupujanam. Gurupujanam, as explained above, means doing all kinds of physical and psychic services that Guru wants us to do.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Anandeshvar Deva

Essence of life in bhakti

I can never forget how when Baba is happy then His whole face lights up in a beautiful manner. And He says, "Yes, my boy did a very proper job. My girl did very nice work." Those present in various reporting sessions have witnessed Baba express His happiness in this way on countless occasions. No sadhaka can forget this; it is a most blissful remembrance.

We should not think that pleasing Baba is just something theoretical or hypothetical etc - nor is it a thing of the past. Just as in those pre-1990 days in reporting sessions when Baba would express His happiness, still today, in this era also, we can please Him whereby He expresses His happiness.

When one does as per His wishes, then their entire mind will be vibrated by His divine grace. One will feel His bliss. His happiness has a very practical and tangible effect. If anyone tries sincerely to please Him, naturally Baba will be gracious. The more we communicate internally with Baba, the more we will understand what makes Him happy, as well as how He expresses His happiness. This is the essence of devotional life: communicating with Him and getting His sweet response.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Reference
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 12, 21 May 1979 evening, Timmern, West Germany

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Here, there, & everywhere

"Ainjan enke dáo ánkhir pare, ákásh vátás suśamáy bhará..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1432)

Note: If you are at the dinner table talking to your close companion who is seated next to you and looking directly at you, already you have their full attention. In that case, you need not address them by saying “O”. If you say “O” they may get irritated. So prefacing an appellation for God with “O’” such as in O’ Lord is not appropriate in our Ananda Marga. Saying “O’ Lord” signifies that that Divine Entity is far away - i.e. in the 7th sky or heaven - and that one must cry out to reach them. And that goes against the spirit of bhakti. The exception to this rule is melancholic songs. 

Purport:

Baba, kindly place such a spiritual ointment, collyrium, in my eyes and grant me vision so I can see You all around, everywhere. Please open my optical nerve of bhakti in the realm of prema, so I can see Your universal expression and gaze upon You to my heart's full satiation and contentment. Now the sky, earth, and breeze  - everything is filled with Your exquisite beauty.

My Supreme Entity, You have filled this entire cosmos with Your sublime spiritual vibration and spread Yourself in all directions: In the blueness of the firmament, in the longitude of the mountain ranges, as well as in the leaves, flowers, fruits creepers, shrubs, trees, far and wide. Parama Purusa, today please let me realize this. Baba, please apply that unique collyrium of bhakti in my pupils so I may see look upon You in every iota of this universe.

My Parama Purusa Baba, You have mingled and interwoven Yourself in various forms ubiquitously: from the nectar of flowers to the distant moon, planets, stars, body of the nebulae, and all those celestial bodies, to the light and darkness, to every nook and cranny, far and wide, near and far, high and low, 'here, there, and everywhere'.

Baba, please bless me with divine sight so I may see Your all-pervading form...

Note: In our Ananda Marga, we know that Parama Purusa is watching us always. He is never far - always He resides in the heart witnessing all we think, do, and say. Hence there is no need to call out to Him using the phrases, “O’ God”, “O’ Lord etc.” One may simply address Him in a natural manner without the “O” preface and He will certainly listen to your call. The exception to this rule is melancholic songs. 

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Respect the disrespected

   Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human beings neglect many things in this world without any plausible reason. They forget that Parama Puruśa resides in every object, even the most neglected one. They fail to look at the world with proper social benevolence. Suppose a pig is writhing in pain. The onlookers casually say, “Well, it's only a pig – let it die,” and thus neglect Parama Puruśa in the form of a pig. Such an error will result in their overall progress being retarded. One should not detest anything as everything is a manifestation of Parama Puruśa. Parama Puruśa cannot hate anyone or anything in this world – how can He, all are His manifestations – so on what grounds can humans hate anyone or anything. If one hates His manifestation it means that one hates Parama Puruśa Himself. Let no human being be so arrogant.”
   “It has been said, “Amáninam mánadeyam” – “respect the disrespected.” Those who are disrespected and rejected by society should also be recognized by us as manifestations of Parama Puruśa. We must respect them with due honour as Parama Puruśa has chosen to manifest them in that particular way. We should always be very courteous to them. Hence the third duty of a devotee is to respect those people whom no one respects. We must approach those who are unloved, ridiculed, and in need of affection, and tell them we care for them. By honouring them and restoring their dignity we will make them happy; their minds will become filled with joy." (1)

Reference
1. Anadna Vacanamrtam - 7, How Should a Devotee Behave?

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Proutistic view of population growth

   Prout philosophy states, “Vested interests do not favour population growth because this will mean sharing mundane property at the cost of their hoarding. Capitalism would like the extinction of the intellectual class as this would give it free scope for exploitation. The intellectual class usually belongs to the middle income group. Capitalists encourage family planning and birth control to check the growth of this middle class, thus these measures are a creation of the capitalist order.”
   “Due to age-old superstitions the common people do not take help of these measures. It is the middle class intellectuals who adopt these practices and become the victims of them. A Proutistic order would vehemently oppose this move. There is immense potential for maintaining the population of the world. By scientific advancement it may be possible for human beings to live on tablets. The real glory of humanity lies in creating conditions for adjustment with natural processes rather than in curbing normal processes by artificial measures.”
   “Artificial sterilisation means making males or females artificially sterile. This has certain adverse effects on the mind and body of human beings. Sterilisation brings glandular changes and changes in the hormone secretion of the glands which ultimately affects mental expression. Due to these changes a man may become like a eunuch.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell Part 15

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Baseline of Prout

Prout philosophy states, “The universe is the thought projection of Brahma, so the ownership of the universe lies with the Supreme Entity...Everything is the common patrimony of all, and the Father of all is Brahma…We must not forget, even for a single moment, that the entire animate world is a vast joint family. Nature has not assigned any portion of this property to any particular individual. Private ownership has been created by selfish opportunists, as the loopholes in this system provide them with ample scope for self-aggrandizement through exploitation.When the entire wealth of the universe is the common patrimony of all living beings, can the system in which some roll in luxury, while others, deprived of a morsel of food, shrivel up and starve to death bit by bit, be said to have the support of dharma?” (1)

Note: So long as one does not feel this above teaching in the inner core of their heart then their understanding of Prout remains nothing but a dream. Only when this teaching is deeply embedded in one’s mind will a person be able to strongly oppose economic injustice and establish the ideals of Prout.

References
1. Problems of the Day, Point #1

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

बाबा! तुमने कृपा कर मेरे ध्यान में आना स्वीकार किया है

प्रभात सङ्गीत 617, मनेर कोने रोेयेछो गोपने, बृहतेर चेये तुमि  बृहत्....

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

भावार्थ

बाबा !  हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बड़े से भी बहुत बड़े हो, फिर भी तुम अपनी अनोखी लीला से मेरे मन के एक कोने में छिपे हुए हो। बाबा ! तुम न केवल  प्रेम से भरे  हो वरन् तुम तो प्रेम के रूप ही हो। अपने दिव्य प्रेम में तुमने पूरे संसार को तृप्त कर रखा है। तुम्हारी लीला की कोई तुलना नहीं है।

हे बाबा !  तुमने हमारी जड़ता और आलस्य को हटा दिया है। हे अखण्ड सत्ता ! हे परमपुरुष ! तुम खण्ड की सीमा में आ गए हो। तुमने कृपा कर मेरे ध्यान में आना स्वीकार किया। तुम मेरे मानसिक कमल के आसन पर विराजे।  हे बाबा ! हे करुणा के सागर ! तुम इन्द्रियों की पहुँच से परे और महान हो।  ।


बाबा ! तुम कुहासा से ढके बहुत ऊँचे सफेद पहाड़ की तरह, मनके भीतर अमृत के सार के रूप में हो । तुम ज्ञान की सबसे ऊँची अवस्था में आनन्द स्वरूप हो । तुम केवल मेरे हो।  मेरे मन में बिलकुल निजी तौर से प्रकट होकर तुमने मेरे ऊपर कृपा की है।  (1) 

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: Important Teaching ==

Way to teach universal ​fraternity

Ananda Marga ideology states, “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. Those in whom this feeling has arisen will be called followers of Bhágavata Dharma. They are doing the sádhaná of Bhágavata Dharma.” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “All beings are made of the same consciousness. So although we may find ourselves at different stages of psychic elevation, a Bráhmańa and a Kśatriya, an Indian and an Englishman, a sweeper and a scavenger, a Zulu and a Maori, and even a tiny ant, are all linked by the bonds of fraternity. If we remember this fact, if we work for the well-being of all, then undeveloped human beings will be able to develop their spiritual potentiality when they come in contact with us. Even cows, dogs, tigers and bears who come in close contact with us will develop psychic wealth and gradually acquire spiritual treasures.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “He is the Supreme Progenitor, and everything in this Universe is His progeny. He is the Supreme Father, and others are His children. Then, when all are the children of the Supreme Father, the relationship between man and man is that of fraternal bond. You have got a universal tie of brotherhood because everything created has got the same father. The source is the same. When the spiritual aspirant knows this fact, he cannot get any kind of inferiority complex or superiority complex in his mind. He is not inferior to anyone, as he is one with his brothers and sister.” (3)

The editors wrote: “Our first step is to realize that the true goal of humanity, the ultimate goal of evolution, is not the amassing of more and more material wealth but the expansion of consciousness. Through proper education and practical techniques of mental expansion, humanity will come to realize that the hoarding of wealth and all the ills of corruption and scarcity it creates, are nothing but the misdirected longing of the human soul for infinite happiness – a longing which cannot be satisfied by money but only by internal bliss. Thus as human attention and activity is directed more and more toward subtler pursuits such as artistic endeavour and spiritual practice, the selfishness and greed which dominate people’s minds today will be replaced by a new feeling of love and brotherhood. As we expand our minds toward the Infinite and learn to share our mundane treasures, we will realize more and more that we are all indeed one humanity, that we are all the sons and daughters of one Infinite Intelligence Who is guiding us all to perfection. Instead of being based on competition and mutual hostility, society will be operated through mutual cooperation and love.” (4)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
4. The Great Universe, Introduction

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Mental cleanliness in digital era

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/02/force-feeding-mind-3-more.html

Game plan of vaeshyas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/12/shortage-of-viksubdha-shudras-6-more.html

Way to increase bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/11/enemy-of-sadhana.html

Era of degraded stars

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/example-ignorant-public-worships-their.html

Bringing new people onto the path 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/sadhana-queries.html

Tanmátras & Guru pújá + 2 more

Baba

Tanmátras & Guru pújá 

Namaskar,

In the practice of Guru puja, a sadhaka offers a lotus flower. Here is an overview of that process from beginning to end.

After kneeling in the proper posture for Guru puja one should close their eyes, open their palms, and visualise the form of a mental lotus.The colour of the lotus will be the colour of that worldly object which is most dominating or disturbing their mental flow during sadhana. For instance, if one is facing financial difficulties or if one is just greedy for money, and that thought disturbed your sadhana then that sadhaka should visualise a green lotus - or the dominant colour of money in their locale.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Each and every material object has 5 tanmátras, and here Baba explains how these tanmátras are the connecting point between mind and material objects.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The association of mind with external objects is established through tanmátras or inferences. Tanmátras are of five kinds: sound, touch, form, taste and smell. The tanmátras are actually the expressions of material objects. The tanmátras in the form of vibrations come in contact with the mind through the five sensory organs. The mind establishes its link with external objects through the inferences [tanmátras].” (1)

Applying the tanmátras in Guru puja

Here is an example: If one is obsessed with gold one should perform Guru puja offering a mental lotus made of gold . All the tanmátras should be of gold felt in Guru puja when offering a gold mental lotus. This creates a very strong and positive effect. Again, the five tanmátras are: sound, touch, form, taste, and smell. Because the aspirant is greedy for gold then the colour of the lotus will be a deep, dark yellow gold. In the palm one holds a lotus that is made of gold with all the tanmatras that gold has.

Applying the tanmátras is the first aspect for performing Guru Puja. Here again all should do Guru puja according to their personal situation. Not all sadhakas will do it related with gold - the offering is an individual situation. Essentially, if one is attached or repulsed with anything, and that thought disturbed your sadhana, then in Guru puja imagine a lotus made of that object.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For instance:

• If one is attached to a red jacket, and that thought disturbed their sadhana, then the lotus in Guru puja will be made of those qualities: red cloth, along with all those tanmatras.
  
• If one is attached to their pet, i.e. a black dog thought disturbed their sadhana, then the lotus will be made of those qualities: the dog, and take on all those tanmatras.
  
• If one is repulsed by a particular person, and that thought disturbed their sadhana, then the lotus will be made of those qualities: the person, along with the various tanmatras.
  
• If one is attached with their bicycle, and that thought disturbed their sadhana, then the lotus will be made of those qualities: the bicycle, using all the tanmatras accordingly.
  

And verily, from day to day, as problems are solved and new issues or psychic disturbances arise in sadhana, then one will make their mental lotus of that concerning problem. In general, Guru puja is done at the end of sadhana because at that time one can easily identify what problem or thought was most distracting in sadhana. But if at the start of sadhana one is terribly burdened by something, then one can do Guru puja at that very moment, and then again at the end of their sadhana. One can do more than one session of Guru puja. And finally, if one is trying to do sadhana, but the mind is just racing or stuck in a negative cycle, then one can do Guru puja again and again until the problem has been cleared.


Reciting the chant

When these five inferences of sound, touch, form, taste, smell are present in the mental lotus, then one may start chanting:

    "Akhanda mandala karam..."

But at the same time we should be strictly aware not to prematurely begin the chanting of the Guru Puja shloka until step by step, all the tanmatras are properly incorporated into one's mental lotus. Then and only then should the chanting of the Guru Puja shloka be started. And the culminating line of of each round of the Guru puja shloka is :

    "...Gurureva Parama Brahma, Tasmae Shrii Gurave Namah".

Then one should offer that very mental lotus at the feet of Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji - Who is sitting in front of me. Remember, if the presence of Guru is not felt or if He feels far away then Guru Puja is useless.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What is mental colour

This below guideline which is highly linked with how tanmatras are to be used in that practice of Guru Puja.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Any object which creates bondage in the mind has its own particular colour. In those early days people used silver coins. While thinking of those silver coins, their minds would be coloured silver. Today, people's minds are coloured by the thought of paper currency. When someone thinks of an iron safe, one's mental object becomes the iron safe. When someone goes to the bank to deposit money, the bank's signboard becomes his or her mental object... All such things become a person's mental objects, one by one. The mind always takes something as its object, each object having its specific colour." (2)

So in our Guru Puja practice they should all be offered to Guru.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Surrender all one's mental colour to Parama Purus'a, and thus free oneself from the bondage." (3)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Shiva

References
1. Ananda Marga philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Philosophical Treatise
2. Namami Krsnasundaram: Disc 19
3. Namami Krsnasundaram Disc 19

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Black pact between capitalism & priesthood

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In ancient times powerful rájas and mahárájas used to perform yajiṋas or sacrifices to declare that they were heroes, but this was also a form of exploitation. They erected many temples to hide their ill-deeds, not out of devotional spirit. There was an unholy alliance between physical exploiters and intellectual exploiters. Intellectuals have praised these rájas and mahárájas in all ages. Another form of exploitation is the priesthood. Capitalism will never go against the priesthood nor will priests go against capitalism. In order to create inferiority complexes in the minds of the people, intellectuals have composed many stories and myths. These stories are illogical and concocted to exploit the sentiments of the common mass. One glaring instance is the following verse composed by satanic opportunists.”

Bráhmańásya mukhamásiit váhurájano’bhavat
Madhya tadasya yad vaeshyahpadbhyaḿ shudrojáyata.

“Brahmins came out of the mouth, Kśatriyas were born out of the arms,
Vaeshyas came out of the trunk of the body, and Shúdras were born out of the legs.”

“In the capitalist structure, industry or production is governed by the profit motive, but in the Proutistic structure production will be governed by the motive of consumption.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to Read

Colour festival: inner spirit

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/03/guru-puja-is-colour-festival.html

Meaning of Dadhiici: March 05 observance

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/02/upcoming-observance-2_27.html

Dadhiici Divas: special remembrance of 5th March

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/02/upcoming-event.html

Story: fight for Ista Baba

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/story-on-protest.html

Baba story: safe during calamities

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/07/baba-story-who-is-safe-during-calamities.html

Colour festival: inner spirit + 3 more

Baba

Colour festival: inner spirit

Namaskar,

With spring festival (vasantaotsava) approaching on 04 Mar 2026, all are aware that sadhakas are primarily interested in spring festival for its inherent spiritual meaning. Verily, the practice of Guru puja is deeply linked with the inner spirit of spring / colour festival.

While holi / spring festival is celebrated by the general public in quite a raucous manner in India, we should focus on how this festival is to be observed according to Ananda Marga teachings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba story

Those days, on this occasion, we used to reach before Baba at the Baba’s Quarters, and He would graciously give a short discourse about spring festival. Then the bhukti pradhan would put forth a request to Sadguru Baba to offer colours unto Him. Baba was always gracious and approved the request. He would remain seated on His grand seat, and one by one the sadhakas in the room would approach Baba and apply a tiny pinch of dry, coloured powder on His feet. A pot was placed beneath His feet to collect the powdered dust that fell towards the ground. Generally, there were 20 - 30, and sometimes close to one thousand people, in Baba’s Quarters hall for the occasion. Though in the later years around 1986 - 1990, there were larger gatherings. When all those present had completed applying the colour to Baba’s feet, then kiirtan and Guru puja were done. Often Baba would give His varabhaya mudra blessing. Finally, the bhukti pradhan would pick up the pot containing the colour that had fallen beneath Guru’s feet, and those sadhakas who wished could come and apply a small amount to their forehead or wrap some in a small piece of paper to take back to their family.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In the end, some would go outside and run around and play with the various others or their own powdered colours that were commonly available in the market. Though sentient sadhakas generally preferred not to participate in this external ritual or social affair.


The science behind colour festival

The main spiritual facet of colour festival is that it is connected with our practice of Guru puja. The chief benefit is internal, and there is no need for any type of external display. Parama Purusa is colourless, meaning He has no bondage. In contrast, every jiiva is bound as their unit mind is coloured by various desires and attractions etc. In Guru puja, the practice is to offer the colours of the mind to Parama Purusa and become colourless.

The only difference between jiiva and Shiva is that of bondage. Jiivas are bound, and Parama Purusa is not. The offering of physical colours is purely symbolic. The main thing is clearing oneself of one’s psychic colours, i.e. attachments of the mind. So running around and playing with colours is exclusively for the social realm. There is absolutely zero spiritual benefit of any external display. So this letter is about colour festival and how as Ananda Margiis we should approach this occasion.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Ananda Marga spring / colour festival

   Ananda Marga samaj shastra says, "Those of the same age will play with colours and flowers among themselves in the morning of the full-moon day. The youngsters will offer the same at the feet of the elders, and the initiate at the feet of his a'ca'rya. (But the elders will not offer colours and flowers to the youngsters.)"
   "Then, in the afternoon, all will perform collective Iishvara Pran'idha'na and Varn'a'rghyada'na (using a'viir [coloured powder] or flowers of colours of their own choice). At the end, all will play among themselves with this a'viir or these flowers without distinction between young and old, initiate and a'ca'rya. Do not offer these colours or flowers at anybody's feet. But if, while people are playing, they do touch anybody's feet, that should not be considered wrong, in A'nandamu'rtijii's opinion. (Men and women should not exchange colours and flowers with each other.) Finally, there will be a collective meal.”
   "The following day, continue merry celebrations at your residence and have a procession with ta'n'd'ava dance in the afternoon. Continue collective merry celebrations in the evening." (1)

Guru Puja means the offering of our mental colours to Guru. Guru Puja is also termed as Varnarghyada'n-- the offering of colours. And how one ideates during Guru Puja is highly important. Using the various tanmatras in our Guru Puja helps greatly in this process.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Shiva

Note 1: The coloured powder applied to Baba’s feet was not permanent and one could easily brush off 99% of it and then a touch of water would remove any residue. So it was a very simple process to remove that coloured power. It was not messy, wet, or oily etc.

Note 2: Because all those in the streets were throwing colour and soiling the clothes of all passerbyers, it was very difficult to move around that day, especially in the morning hours. That is why so few were in attendance at the Baba Quarters, but in Tiljala it was different.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Mythological roots of spring / colour festival

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In Indo-Aryan mythology there is mention of a king named Hiran'yakashipu. His sister, Holika, was a woman of violent nature. She was a cannibal. (You should note that she was a cannibal, not homivorous. A human eating another human is called a cannibal, whereas an animal eating human flesh is called homivorous. Holika was a cannibal, whereas a tiger is homivorous). The people out of anger burnt Holika alive the night before the full moon, and to celebrate this occasion, they arranged a festival of joy which was called Holikadahana (the burning of Holika). That is why even today in northern India particularly in the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, this Holi festival is Celebrated." (2)


Real spirit of colour festival or offering of colours

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "'By surrendering all the colours of my mind to You, I want to become colourless.' This surrender to the Supreme Consciousness propels human beings towards Him. So this colour festival is not merely an outward play; it is a psycho-spiritual phenomenon. This very psycho-spiritual phenomenon is operating behind the process of varn'a'rghyada'na (offering of colours):'Oh Lord, make me colourless so that I may move towards You without any hesitation'." (3)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "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." (4)

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Social Functions and Festivals
2. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Spring Festival
3. Neo-humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Inner Asset, '99 Edn, p.29
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour

*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Charm of divinity

"Kato tapasyá pare, tumi esecho, dhará diyecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2836)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, I have been waiting so long for Your auspicious arrival. Finally, after so much penance like practicing sadhana, asanas, pranayama, dhyana, upavasa, japa, service and following Your do’s and don'ts for ages, now You have come to me. Baba, it is so blissful to see You so close, and You allowed me to hold Your feet. Having You in such an intimate way, my heart overflows with bliss. For so many ages You gave me hope of Your impending arrival and made me shed so many tears while waiting for You in longing. After countless days and nights, and such a long time, You have come, fulfilling Your promise. Because of You, heaven has descended down on this dusty earth today. It is Your mercy.

Baba, I could not even dream that You would ever come so near, nor imagine that one day You would allow me to bask in Your supreme refulgence, and that You would colour my mind in Your colour. That which I could not envision has happened: The sweetness and charm of divinity has descended. Mohan, the most captivating One, today You have come and lifted me up onto Your lap. You have become mine and made me Yours. This is Your causeless krpa on me.

Baba, the reality is that You always play Your supernal liila. You never listen to any prayer or any of my requests. Even after hundreds and hundreds of attempts, I could not sway or melt Your heart - nor get You to sit by me. Then in the end, by Your own sweet will You have come, saturated with the pollen of prema. You allowed me to hold Your feet and made me understand that this is Your karuna' - Your infinite compassion.  

Baba, You are grace personified; with Your own countless attributions You bless everyone…

About Prabhat Samgiita #2836: 

This song teaches us that initially the bhakta thinks that Parama Purusa has come in his close proximity due to his own long penance and deep sadhana; but later on the sadhaka realises that Parama Purusa did not come due to the sadhaka’s long penance and sadhana, but rather because of His causeless grace. Sadhakas do not get anything by their own efforts. They receive everything by His loving kindness. In the realm of sadhana His grace is everything. Human beings do sadhana just to please Him; and, without His causeless krpa, nothing is possible.

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

How religions keep their grip on the masses

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Religions sometimes survive for a long time, even though they are full of dogma. This is because they know how to twist their teachings to deny the truth and adapt to different circumstances. Their purpose is to secure the interests of a special, privileged class. Some religions have also survived because they have associated themselves with God-centred ideas, although they are not God-centred. They make some dogmatic propositions about God an important part of their teaching, and on this basis they sentimentalize the minds of the people. These sentiments penetrate deeply into the human psyche."

"The main weapons of dogma-centred philosophies are:
1) The propagation of stories, myths and parables to create superiority complexes;
2) The propagation of stories, myths and parables to create inferiority complexes;
3) The propagation of fear complex and inferiority complex amongst the people, especially the shúdras."

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "All religions use these three types of complexes to inject superiority complexes, inferiority complexes and fear complexes into the minds of the people. They propagate parables, myths and stories to inject complexes into people’s minds. Is it not a fact? All religions are based on dogma – they are not based on logic – and they propagate their dogma through stories, myths and parables. All religions propagate that “My God is the only true God. Other Gods are false gods.” When some religions claim that their god is the only true God, it is an example of a dogma-centred proposition. All world religions are based on such dogma-centred theories."

"Take the case of Hindu myths. The authors of Hindu mythologies say that the Brahmans are born from the mouth of Parama Puruśa, the Kśatriyas from the arms, the Vaeshyas from the trunk and the Shúdras from the feet." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18 The Excellence of God-Centred Philosophy

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Noble work & animal welfare

  Ananda Marga philosophy states, [The nature of a good person is]:  “Alas, what suffering an animal has to bear at the hands of cruel humans! But the animal is absolutely innocent. It is not a born enemy of the human being that if a person does not kill it, it will kill the person, just as a tiger or an insect does. I shall continuously make efforts to see that human beings refrain from such cruel acts of violence.” If one sees someone doing noble work, as a result of which the progress of the world is accelerated and the path of human welfare is widened, then one should think: “The noble work of this person will remain written in letters of gold in human history. I shall give my full support to this person in their noble endeavours...I shall help them in every possible way.”
   "If one sees a person engaged in deleterious activity, then one should think: “On account of the pernicious activities of this person, people are going to the dogs, this person is striking at the root of long-cherished austerities, forbearance, benevolence, and so on. I shall never support such misdeeds.”" (1)

In His above teaching, Baba guides us that one must not remain silent and watch the wrongful and harmful treatment of animals. A good person will come forward and oppose acts of violence against those innocent creatures. Nowadays in the state of Maharashtra (India), there is a ban on the slaughtering of cows and the sale of beef. Certain people have rallied around and recently passed legislation to ensure innocent cows are not subjected to the travesty of the slaughterhouse. Instead, their lives are being protected. 

While this is certainly a positive development, the same protection and care has not been extended to other animals such as sheep, chickens, and goats etc which are commercially raised, butchered, and sold at the marketplace in Maharashtra. So those activists are prone to partiality. They protested and fought to protect cows, but not these other innocent creatures. If they were true neo-humanists they would not have differentiated between cows and other animals. They would have protected them all. So while there is one positive point, but, on the other hand, there are many negative ones. After all, saving creatures is certainly a kind of positive development in right direction.

All in all, this is very similar to a scene which occurs in Bengal. Some naive bystanders may think that Bengali idol worshipers have great appreciation for the art and sculptures which those artists and sculptors created. Because those worshipers show tremendous reverence for those sculpted idols. But that is not the case. Those idol worshipers do not care about the aesthetic beauty of those sculptures. The proof is that when their rituals are completed those worshipers throw those sculptures into the water. 

In the same way, we should not naively think that those activists in Maharashtra are pouring their heart out for all animals. Rather they have their own personal, narrow agenda related with cows. All other animals may be skewered and slaughtered. So their protests are grounded in dogma, not neo-humanism. 

In Him,
Buddhi Priya’

Note: These following states of India have also banned the slaughtering of cows: Haryana, New Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. 

Reference:
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 4, Disc: 27

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Shame on those who exploit by linguistic sentiment

Prout philosophy states, “The problem of language is affecting the human society like a chronic disease. Ignorance of the proper meaning of different languages has made the confusion worse. Language is a medium of expression. There are six stages in the process of expression. The seed of expression is called Parashakti and lies in the Muládhára Cakra (or basic plexus). In the Svádhisthána Cakra (or fluidal plexus), a person mentally visualises the expression. The mental vision of one's expression is called Pashyanti Shakti. In the Mańipura Cakra (or solar plexus) this mental vision is transformed into mental sound which is called Madhyamá Shakti. The person now wants to express that feeling. This endeavour to express the feeling is called Dyotamáná Shakti. It works between the navel area and the throat. In the vocal cord it transforms an idea into language. This is called Vaekharii Shakti. After Vaekharii it is transformed into actual spoken language and is termed Shrutigocará. Thus linguistic differences are manifest only in the sixth stage of expression. In the first five stages there is no distinction or variation in the expression. A great deal of inter-community conflict could be checked if linguists and the mischief-mongers who create language disputes knew this fundamental fact. In essence, it is ignorance that brings untold miseries to humanity. It is a great folly on the part of prakrti to create so many languages, but diversity is the law of nature." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Dadhiici Divas: special remembrance of 5th March

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/02/upcoming-event.html

Story: fight for Ista Baba

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/story-on-protest.html

Baba story: safe during calamities

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/07/baba-story-who-is-safe-during-calamities.html