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Showing posts with label Surrender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Surrender. Show all posts

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Baba story: Are you reading AM books? + 3 more

Baba

Baba story: Are you reading AM books?

Namaskar,

Here begins the story recounted by one margii…

By Baba's grace, I was initiated in 1963. A few years later in 1966, DMC was held in Nagpur. At the time, due to His pull of bhakti, I had a very strong desire to have Baba's personal contact. Numerous margiis had told me that Baba knows everything but I wanted to have my own first-hand experience of this. So this is what I planned to do: I decided that when Baba asks me anything, I will not answer until He asks me the question in my mother tongue. That was my plan. And I did not tell anybody about this. By that way I would be confirmed that Baba knows my thoughts and mother tongue.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


What happened in my PC?

As per the system, I waited in line for PC (personal contact). When my turn came, I entered Baba's room and immediately did sastaunga pranam. After a short while, I heard Baba say in a soft voice, "Get up, get up."

I got up and stood before Baba.

Baba asked me, "What is your name?"

I kept quiet because He spoke in English, not my mother tongue. That was my plan so I did not say anything. I just stood there. Although I understood English, I was waiting for Baba to speak to me in my mother tongue. That is why I was not responding. Then Baba asked me other questions - all in English. Still I did not respond. I continued to remain quiet.

Baba started smiling. Then in a very gracious and sweet way He began asking me those same questions in my mother tongue (Bundel Khandi). We talked together for a few minutes. I was so happy.

While in His presence, I was thinking, "Yes, Baba indeed knows everything. He spoke in my mother tongue which is not widely known; and, He understood my desire without my saying anything."  I also realised that those things about myself which only I knew and no one else knew, Baba also knew.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba asks, "Are you reading AM books?"

On that same occasion of PC, Baba pointed out many of my mistakes, i.e. times I failed to adhere to Ananda Marga conduct rules. In follow-up, Baba inquired, "Are you reading Ananda Marga books?"

I replied, "No, Baba."

Then Baba told, It is very important to read our Ananda Marga books and study the discourses in order to practice those points on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise you will not know about those things, in which case how will you follow them in your practical life.

Previously, I was thinking just the opposite. I had heard from many sadhakas that bhakti is everything. So I had formed a very negative opinion about jinana (knowledge) and thought that there was no need to review and study Ananda Marga books. Because of this defective mentality, I had no idea about those conduct rules and teachings; therefore, Baba had to point out my mistakes.

Baba then explained, "It takes a lot of effort to bring these books in printed form. So much time and energy are invested, yet you are not reading them. That is why you do not even know the basic dos and don'ts of life."

At that point, I realised that reading Ananda Marga books is highly important and mentally I took the firm determination to study all of the Ananda Marga literature. Due to my lack of knowledge of Ananda Marga ideals and conduct, I was not aware about right and wrong, virtue and vice, as described in various publications and literature. I was not following those codes properly and thus committed sin and acquired negative samsakaras. For the requital of my sins, Baba punished me for my wrongdoings, and I accepted. Afterwards, I felt completely light and blissful, by His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion


Reading Ananda Marga books is invaluable and necessary for every Ananda Margii. Due to a lack of knowledge of Ananda Marga ideals, some margiis and Wts preach dogma unknowingly.

Namaskar,
At His lotus feet,
Mahadeva

~ In-depth study ~

Relation with Sadguru

Baba then asked me, "Who is your father?"

I replied that …. is my father.

Baba told me, "Mr.… is your worldly father.”

Baba continued, “I am asking about your spiritual Father.”

Hearing this, I remained quiet; I did not know the answer.

Then after some time, Baba smiled and blessed: “I am your Father - not only for this life but up to eternity."

Then Baba graced me and I felt His sweet touch in every cell and pore of my existence. Still today I cannot forget His proximity, guidance, and love. Even now when I think about this it gives me goosebumps. Since that time I became very regular in studying Baba's books so I could best adhere to and propagate the principles of Ananda Marga. I also realised that those things about me which only I knew and no one else knew, Baba also knew. Indeed Baba knows everything and He loves me very much.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba is still present


A few people think that Baba is the subject of history and believe they lost their opportunity to communicate with Him directly or personally. They think that the opportunity to be with Baba has passed. Indeed such persons feel that the privilege is gone and Baba is no longer accessible. They think that they cannot have His proximity and can only talk about His greatness. Thinking thus, they feel sad. Those who think in such a manner are mistaken. They could not realise that Baba is Parama Purusa and He remains with everyone always.

As Baba is Parama Purusa - His existence is beyond time. Now, even in this very moment, you can have His grace and serve Him. You can do anything that bhaktas have done in the past. So one should not feel and say with a deep sigh that, "Those days are gone and it is now impossible to have His close proximity." Instead, remember that Baba is always with you - now, in the future, always.

Bhaktas realise this divine truth and others do not. If you want to say something to Him then say it mentally - there is no need even for vocal chords. If you say or ask mentally, He listens. His ears are ready to listen. If you want to offer something, His hand is ready to receive. If you want to do pranam - go ahead. He will receive your pranam.

In all the ways, Baba is present with you because Baba is that eternal Divine Entity, Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Regarding all these bhavas and their importance in the life of a bhakta, Baba has beautifully written about and described them in Namami Krsnasundaram.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Brahma, the author of this vast cosmic imagination moves everywhere within the universe, His vast Macropsychic arena, with His mental feet. He catches all the objects of this universe with His all-pervasive mental hands. He is the intellect, the intuition and the witnessing faculty of the innumerable created objects and hence we can say that He has His all-pervasive mental heads. Similarly, as the witness of all the macropsychic entities, He has innumerable mental eyes; and to hear their words, spoken or secret, and every loud or soft sound, He has His all-pervasive ears. He exists surrounding all objects with His own identity. You can keep nothing secret or private from Him - He knows more about you than you know about yourself. Behind all His pervasive faculties of knowing, understanding and hearing lies His Macropsychic stance." (1)

Note: The above is the first-hand account of Shrii Vrajbasi Lal from Bhopal (MP) whereby he recounts his PC with Baba.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.


*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Cause of useless dreams

Ananda Marga ideology states, "When certain impressions perceived by the sense organs, agitate the conscious mind and sensory or material thoughts are thereby vehemently awakened in the conscious mind, the nervous system, the crude receptacle of the Kámamaya Kośa and the mind itself becomes unsteady and restless. This leaves an impression on the cells that is short-lived or long-lasting depending on the degree of its intensity. Sometimes even a significant impression being compelled to give way to a newer one under the impact of some other sense-agitation or restlessness, loses its previously acquired permanence. In the sleep state, if a person's nerve-tissues are agitated due to some physical cause, often either as the result of this or on account of cerebral heat caused by some vehement thinking, the nerve cells also become tired and disturbed. Such agitations give rise in the mental sphere to desires similar to those impressions, accumulated in the nerve-cells. Thus the agitated citta (the sub-conscious mind) accepts as real the stream of thoughts arising from one or more such impressions. The crude organs having stopped functioning, the identical desire arising from the previously acquired desire, do not then seem to be imaginary but appear to be quite real. Such dreams often do not come true, for these are actually pure imaginations or a mere stringing together of different disjointed thoughts, a confused or inconsistent dream. Only those whose nerve tissues have become weak due to some ailments of the brain or head or to some protracted illness, or those whose digestive system is malfunctioning, generally experience such confused dreams, which we may call Sensual Dreams. These dreams, as I have already said, are the true reproduction of previously imagined objects or the disjointed expressions of previous thoughts. Excessive eating also gives rise to such dreams in a person. Those who have purity of thoughts and also restraint over their diet, are generally less susceptible to such dreams. Such dreams never occur during [deep] sleep.” (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5


== Section: More on plagiary ==

Please read and convey this to story thieves

Namaskar,

Some thieves have been (a) stealing Baba stories from this network, (b) posing that it was their original writing (c) and printing in their publications, magazines, or ​ posting it to their Facebook account, or What's App, blog, Google +, Tumbler, or any other media profiles etc. This type of blatant thievery / plagiarism discourages bhaktas from writing new stories. Because those bhaktas think someone is going to steal their work. The fault here lies with only a few select people.

 Yet, even after repeated warnings they continue to indulge in stealing stories whenever the opportunity arises. They refuse to write new stories. Such lowly thieves don't care about yama and niyama, Sixteen Points, or the code of asteya (non-stealing). In DMS and large gatherings etc, such story thieves would steal others belongings and chapels (sandals) as well. You might have encountered this. They wait for large gatherings and procure shoes and chapels for the whole year. By this way they become shoe thieves. And others suffer. This especially happens at Ananda Nagar or any large Ananda Marga gathering, whenever the opportunity arises.

The tragic outcome is that there are thousands of bhaktas who have stories to tell but there is a dearth of writers. Yet time marches on, and sadly those bhaktas will leave this world and their stories will be gone forever.

Our humble request then is to be creative and write new stories. The sole motivation is to publish the maximum amount of Baba stories. Everyone should work hard and try to contribute original material in this respect. All unpublished stories should be written.

In addition, by following this code then fake stories will not be circulated as everyone will be responsible for demonstrating the authenticity of each story.

Thank you for abiding by this ethic and code that is both today's international standard as well as Baba's given system. Again, it is our formal request not to plagiarise this story or any published writing on this network.

So please do not circulate any letter or story letter on any other network without keeping the full and complete letter including the header, signature, and all related notes and references. In addition, it would be proper to introduce the letter as "Courtesy of Ananda Marga Universal". Then everyone will clearly understand from where you got the letter. This is the accepted standard.

Baba says, "It is not possible to guide others with mere cheap, superficial knowledge, like a half-baked pandit who reads a half-a-dozen books and then spouts a few mouthfuls of grandiloquence, and who has obtained a doctorate by plagiarizing others’ works. " (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature


== Section 3: Links ==

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Story: relying completely on Baba + 3 more

Baba

Story: relying completely on Baba

Note: The following story was recounted by Ac Karunananda Avt to margiis of Suva sector on the occasion of Shravanii Purnima (Aug 2022). Sadly, Ac Karunananda underwent his mahaprayan approximately 3 months later in November 2022. This story stands as a great devotional treasure for all sadhakas and the greater humanity. Those present for the occasion will recall the very loving and spirited way in which Dada told this story. 

The below series of events took place when Dada Karunananda ji was posted to Berlin sector in 1972. Dada ji became a Wt in 1966 and was still quite young when he first left India to go to Germany. Ultimately, Dada ji had a long career working overseas, traveling to over 90 countries during his time as a Wt. The story is recounted in the first-person so the “I” refers to Dada Karunananda ji. 


Namaskar, 

Getting posted overseas

I was first posted abroad in 1972, and that was a big hurdle and a difficult job for a young, Indian boy. I had no formal or organisational contacts in Europe and no guaranteed place to stay. Indeed, the working culture in AMPS is quite unique. Securing the money and plane ticket for an overseas posting are the headache of the individual Wt, not the headquarters. So just getting to one’s posting is a mighty task. Then, once there, the situation is the same. You are on your own to figure it all out. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Anyway, on 27 June 1972, I traveled from Delhi to Berlin via Paris. So I flew directly to Paris and then made an overland journey to Berlin. While in Delhi, I had met one young margii 17-year-old boy who lived in Germany, and he had said that when I arrived in Berlin I should contact him and stay with him. His name was Anshudeva, and he was my sole contact in all of Berlin sector. My train from Paris was three hours late arriving in Berlin; nonetheless, brother Anshudeva was there to pick me up, and he brought me to his home. 

His mother was a single parent raising three children (two boys and one girl) in their small flat, and with great motherly affection she took one look at me and said, “You are so young to be a priest.” So here I was in this new land, and I was not at all sure how to begin. Anshudeva was a 17-year-old boy with little money, and with great sacrifice he generously offered me all that he had: 100 Deutschmarks. We used 50 DM for making copies of our leaflet, and the other 50 DM was for my bus travel back and forth to town. 

Trying to do pracara


The leaflet proclaimed that an Indian yogi was in town to talk about mental peace and yoga, yet at that time I had no mental peace myself, what to speak of being able to help others attain such a state. That was my beleaguered condition. Even then, every day I left the apartment in the early morning in order to generate interest. The host mother would pack up some bread and butter for me, and I would spend the whole day out in town as I did not want to be a burden to my host family. So I was out all day distributing my leaflets. I went everywhere: pubs, discos, shops - all over. And after about a month of doing this, all my leaflets were gone, my money had dried up, and I had absolutely nothing to show for it. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

I was quite sullen, thinking that I would not be successful. In India, people had told me that the culture was different in Europe, and I was feeling very defeated. This field seemed untenable. On the top, the locals were thinking that I came to Berlin just to make money. So it was a double problem: The way of life here was materialistic, and they had some bad experiences in the past with fake sannyasis from India. 


Surrender: I tore up my plane ticket

Finally, one night I was just overwhelmed and began crying for Baba. It was just impossible to work here. I was just thinking again and again about my return ticket, which was scheduled for three months after the day that I arrived here. I was just constantly thinking about that ticket, and how I would be going back to India and not work here. The next day also my mind was drawn again and again to that plane ticket. Ultimately, I took Baba’s name, ideated on Him, and tore up the ticket. So now there was no way to leave. 

The next morning I was wondering what to do. I had no money to get to town so I just wandered here and there and finally over to a park, utterly drowned in feelings of loneliness. I thought, “Karunananda, you have no money, no plane ticket - nothing, except Baba.” When this idea arose, then from deep within I had a distinct feeling that something good would happen today. As I entered the park, an elderly man of around 80 years of age approached me from behind and did namaskar. He spoke in very plain and simple English, “Young yogi, the Lord has ordered me to help you. I have a love letter for you.” And he handed me an envelope with his name and phone number on it. He added, “I wish I could be more helpful. If I were younger I could help you more.” Then he said he was in a hurry, and he left. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

With great curiosity I opened the “love letter” and was astonished to find that there were 30 notes of $100 (US), so $3,000 total (US). Then this great spiritual romance came in my mind. I thought, “Karunananda, why were you so worried? Baba is here.” I reflected upon how surrender means when you have nothing - no money, no ticket etc - and you raise your hands and only depend on Him. That is surrender. 


Baba arranges everything

Next, I wondered how I would get back to the house. The money this man had given me was in US dollars, and I had no clue about how to do any type of money exchange. There was one last day bus back which I thought I would take, but I drifted in my walking and arrived at a disco. A young fellow had just come out from the disco, and he seemed extremely disturbed and was not at all interested in talking to me. Even then I thought I should help and approached him and said, “I am a social worker from India.” I could see he was holding a handful of pills, but he began to open up to me. He said that he had had severe abdominal pain the previous night and thought he would die. And he reasoned that instead of undergoing that same pain tonight, he would rather die by eating a bunch of sleeping pills. We continued to talk, and he began to feel better. Slowly, step by step, I inspired him, by Baba’s grace, and he took initiation. 

It was getting late, and now again I was wondering how I would get back as I still did not have any Deutschmarks to pay for the bus. The young man sensed my concern and asked me what was wrong. When he understood my predicament, he said that he had a car and that he would drive me home. At that point, I was immersed in the devotional feeling that Baba is taking care of absolutely everything. He is taking care of even my tiniest problems. And indeed, I got a very comfortable ride home to my door that evening. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Like living in a dream


The next morning I was called to the phone at 6am. The young man whom I had met last night had called and said he wanted to meet with me urgently. So we met at the park that morning. And he proceeded to narrate how he was an only son, his parents had divorced, his sister was marrying a district judge, and his father was a big building contractor and real estate mogul. The young man explained how his father had given him a multi-story building that had 25 - 30 apartments, and that he gets all the revenue. The young man then told me that from today onwards I would live in a deluxe apartment in his building. So he told me to gather my bags, and we would go there immediately. But even then that was not all. The young man volunteered that, “All my money is yours, and I will be your driver to take you all around.”

Hearing all this, I felt like I was living in a dream. The night before I had no money for even a simple bus ticket, and now I have everything. I was now living in my own beautiful flat that was absolutely enormous. And I had plenty of money including an ongoing revenue stream. It was all so unbelievable. “Baba has arranged everything” - that was the feeling percolating in my heart.  

Ultimately, this young man drove me all over Europe, and we began doing pracara like wildfire. You may not be able to comprehend this, but I was conducting 300 - 400 initiations every day. Verily, thousands were initiated as we were in a complete whirlwind, traveling from country to country. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Reflection

What I wish to share here is that people mistakenly think that they are doing Baba’s work. In reality, Baba has already planned everything, and things are unfolding according to His grand plan. We foolishly think that we are doing something. But when a person thinks, “I am doing”, then nothing will happen. Things only happen when you realise that you are not doing anything. Just His entire cosmic plan is playing as per His wish. We may think we are surrendering, but surrender only truly happens when He graciously creates the circumstances by which we can surrender fully unto Him. Surrender only happens by His grace. 

In Him, 
Raghava Deva
(Robert Garner)

Note: In the above story, the “I” refers to Acarya Karunananda Avadhuta. 


~ In-depth study ~

Baba says, “Remember, you have to offer your own identity – not money, rice plantains or other crude objects. The give-and-take of crude things is a business transaction. If you want to attain the bliss of Brahma, you must offer your own self. If you want to have the Great “I”, you must give away your own little “I”. You have to give the full sixteen annas, (the full rupee). Giving fifteen annas and holding back one anna will not do. You must completely surrender. To attain that Infinite One with the help of your mental concentration and strength, you have to surrender yourselves. But, remember self-surrender does not mean suicide. On the contrary, your soul will have its full expression. Your existence will not become contracted, for contraction is inert in principle. Hence in the Sádhaná of self-surrender the ego is expanded, not contracted. In the Mahábhárata, when Duhshásana was pulling the sari of Draopadii, she was tightly holding the cloth to her body with one hand beseeching Lord Krśńa with the other. “Oh! My lord, save me!” But the Lord did not then come forward to save her from shame. When Draopadii found no means of escape, she then released her hold on the cloth and appealed to the Lord most piteously with both hands out-stretched, crying, “O Lord, I surrender my all to you. Do what you think is best”. And the Lord immediately rescued her. That is why I say that you will have to dedicate yourselves to His feet wholly and unreservedly. You will earn godliness in proportion to the extent that you surrender yourselves, and finally, after merging that acquired godliness of yours in His Entity, you will attain eternal bliss.” (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.



*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Waiting for You

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.

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. 

Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana cannot understand this song.

"Kii dos' korechi balo na', keno a'ma'r ghare ele na'..."  (Prabhat Samgiita #3780)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, what blunder have I made. Why are You not coming to my home. I was waiting for You in my various spiritual practices but You did not turn up. Being the all-knowing Entity, You know that I love You so much. I have been waiting for You since long, but You have not come. You know that I want You with my entire heart and mind.  

Baba, looking towards Your path of arrival, I was waiting there holding the flower garland in my hand which I threaded for You. But You did not come so it wilted away. I prepared songs to sing to You by practicing various tunes and melodies. For Your reception, I prepared alpana on the pathway and at the altar. But it was all for naught because You did not arrive. My life passes in happiness and sorrow thinking about You. In my cries and laughter I always ideate on You. But sadly, it is all useless in Your absence. What mistake have I made, that You have forgotten me.

O' Parama Purusa, when I sit in Your dhyana then in my mental temple I see that You are seated there in all Your charm - smiling. You have coloured me with Your own divine colour. In Your song and dance, I become ensconced in You. Because of this, my heart does not want to keep You away. I want Your close proximity; I cannot bear distance anymore.


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Antidote to degradation

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “People who have fascination or temptation for any material object, can gradually remove that mental pollution arising out of selfish [motives] by adopting just the reverse course. Those who are very greedy for money should form the habit of charity, and they can serve humanity through such a practice. Those who are angry or egoistic should cultivate the habit of being polite, and they should serve humanity through that practice. Therefore, only selfless service to humanity and the efforts to look upon the world with a Cosmic outlook alone can lead to establishment in mental shaoca.” (1)

Note: There are various types of pollution in the mind. Those stains could be removed using the opposite tool. When fighting with darkness you have to use a torchlight. You cannot fight darkness with more darkness. To fight against greed, anger, ego etc, one should overcome these by adopting the opposite approach of generosity, kindness, and selflessness. The central idea is that if any vrtti is encouraged it grows. The only way to neutralise it and keep it in check is by encouraging the opposite idea.

Reference
1. A Guide to Human Conduct, Shaoca


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Death explained

Everything in this universe is temporary and subject to change; only Parama Purusa is permanent - lasting. 

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Amrta means “immortal”. Do you know what death is? Death means a change of form. A boy of five years became a young man – now, the body of that boy underwent death. That young man became old – the body of that young man underwent death. That old man died and he again came here in the form of a little boy – the body of that old man underwent death. Death means a change of form." (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, The Causal Matrix




Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Why not thank Supreme Entity + 4 more

Baba
Why not thank Supreme Entity

Namaskar,

In our Ananda Marga, we surrender our everything unto Guru - Parama Puruśa. We offer our minds to Him and sacrifice ourselves for Him so we do not give "thanks" to Parama Puruśa.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "He knows everything that you know, and everything you do not know. Obviously there is no other way than total surrender to Him." (1)

Even during DMC, when so many margiis and acaryas would go on stage to receive a prize from Baba, then no one would ever say, "Thank you, Baba". Instead everyone would lay prostrate to Baba in sastaunga pranam. In Ananda Marga, our standard is high, especially with regards to our relation with Parama Puruśa. We are to give our everything to Him. In contrast, merely saying or giving "thanks" is something comparatively cheap or paltry.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This topic of "thanks" has come up because in various parts around the globe "giving thanks" is looked upon as something very noble. People give their thanks in so many ways: to the Supreme Entity, to their parents, to their friends and families, and to their communities. These are some of the ways that this gets expressed.

Thanks is only for distant people


However, in the tantric lifestyle of Ananda Marga, our approach is entirely different. With persons close to us, we have a relationship based on love and service. Due to feelings of closeness we do not say "thanks". Because we understand that the help and support are given with heartfelt feeling, not for any recognition or in hopes that we would say "thanks".

As bhaktas, we are ready to do each and every thing for our close relations in service to the Supreme. This is internally understood; in that case, there is no need to say "thanks", rather that would only demean the interaction and relation, as if the person helped you only in order to be "thanked". When, in truth, the feeling and intent runs so much deeper than that. By your demeanor, your close relation understands that you have respect and appreciation for their help and support, which goes far beyond the term "thanks".
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In our Marga, we only verbally offer thanks to those who are far or distant from us. Saying "thanks" is part of our social norms, but it is not something we use with those whom we feel a sense of intimacy and closeness. If someone whom we revere or if someone close to us does something for us, we will not say "thanks." Saying so will only brand that person as being distant. We only say "thanks" or "thank you" in more formal, business, or distant relations. It is not used with close people and certainly not with Parama Purusa.

“Thank you” trend may seep all around


Yet, in the west, saying "thank you" is looked upon as quite honourable. This is used even between very close persons. Perhaps because the concept of service is less understood or because the relationship between family members is more distant, as people are more accustomed to living by themselves, not as part of a collective. Whatever may be, saying "thank you" is looked upon as something very gracious in the west whereas in our Ananda Marga society it is not.

We should all understand the ethic in Ananda Marga, and, at the same time, keep in mind that many of the pseudo-culture ways are being adopted by the rest of the world. This is likely to happen with saying “thanks” as well. We should be sure that we do not get affected; rather, with a clear mind and heart we should be rationally grounded in our sentient manner. For all these reasons and more, this is a topic of importance for Ananda Margiis.

Giving & taking thanks is just business relation


Giving thanks and taking thanks is the epitome of a business relation. When you think that you are giving something and you want recognition for it, then in that case you desire for the next person to recognize your deed and give you thanks. And if that does not happen you may be frustrated, upset, or disappointed. This demonstrates how and why it is a business relation. 
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In stark contrast, service is done with an entirely different motive where the person does not want or expect anything in return - not even “thanks”. For instance, suppose you feed the needy, i.e. Narayana seva, without wanting anything in return because you think that, “God Himself has come before me in the form of this needy person. And since God has given me the strength and the duty to serve, I do not want any recognition or thanks in return - not from anyone.” That is the service mentality in the Ananda Marga system of meditation. 

According to the purview of Ananda Marga ideology, nothing belongs to you, rather whatever you have has been given to you by the Supreme Entity for the service of all. So when you are serving others that means you are fulfilling your duty in order to please the Supreme Entity. Naturally then you do not want any recognition from any person or party, otherwise that would make it a business relation. Then it will no longer qualify as service. That's why a true sadhaka thinks, “When I do any service I do not want thanks from anybody.” This is the science behind the business and service mentality. Again, giving and taking thanks is just a business relation. 

Surrender to Guru - not give thanks


We should take Baba's lesson to heart and strictly follow the ethic in Ananda Marga. With regard to Guru we are to offer ourselves, not our thanks.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Remember, you have to offer your own identity – not money, rice plantains or other crude objects. The give-and-take of crude things is a business transaction. If you want to attain the bliss of Brahma, you must offer your own self. If you want to have the Great “I”, you must give away your own little “I”. You have to give the full sixteen annas, (the full rupee). Giving fifteen annas and holding back one anna will not do. You must completely surrender. To attain that Infinite One with the help of your mental concentration and strength, you have to surrender yourselves." (2)

In Ananda Marga, every sadhaka feels a very close and personal connection with Parama Purusa. In sadhana or anytime throughout the day, the inner feeling comes, "O’ Parama Puruśa, I love You so much, I am ready to do anything and everything for You." When every bhakta of the Marga is ready to give everything with Him, then merely saying "thanks" is just a tinsel-like expression. Our link with Parama Purusa is very intimate and personal and full of the desire to serve Him. It is His grace.
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In stark contrast, in many of the dogmatic religions, there is a much more distant feeling with the Supreme Entity and worshipers commonly give thanks to the Supreme Entity when receiving food, pay raises, and other mundane things. So theirs is an entirely different, more external approach, both in the spiritual and social sphere.

Conclusion

Our link with Parama Purusa is based on bhakti, service, and the desire to please Him. We do not give thanks to Him, nor to our close persons. When addressing or communicating with our close persons then by our unspoken behaviour and love we express so much more to them than by saying "thanks", but certainly with people whom we do not know very well, then according to our social norms, saying "thanks" is quite appropriate.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyajiit
(Sam Taylor)


~ Courtesy of History(dot)com ~

“Thanksgiving was celebrated as a religious holiday, giving thanks to God for the previous year's blessings. It took a long time before it was fully adopted as a holiday and celebrated by all states. Finally, Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.” (Courtesy of History (dot) com)

Tasmae Shrii Gurave Namah


Ananda Marga ideology states, "I surrender myself at your altar. Namah means to “surrender”. Namah refers to the process called “Namo mudra'”. It means that all my expressions, all my dexterities, which are expressed through my ten fingers, have been brought to a point. That is, I surrender along with all my capabilities, all my dexterities." (3)

Baba story


One time when Baba was going out for His field walk, many margii families had gathered round to see Baba as He came out from His house. At one point, Baba lovingly gestured toward one of the margii children, and the young child said, "Thanks." The child had obviously learned this from his parents. Baba smiled and gently said, "See, this young child is telling Me 'thanks'."
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Everyone present clearly understood Baba's message: As His disciples and bhaktas, we are not supposed to offer "thanks" to Baba, Parama Puruśa. This was the indirect teaching Baba was giving us that day. That was the first and last time any of us ever heard anyone say "thank you" to Baba.

Ultimately, all our actions are done in service to Him - as we try to fulfill our debt to Guru by giving our all.

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 7, The Highest Category of Devotion
2. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 4, Vibration, Form and Colour
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Guru Pújá


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

My misery & sorrow
 
"Bhúlo ná prabhú, e tava kańáre bhúlo ná..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3161)

Purport:

O’ Prabhu, I beg You not to forget this tiny particle of Yours. I am that small atom and ask You to keep me under Your wings. I have come from You and am always within You. Please do not ignore or toss me away outside, rather shower Your grace and grant me the highest bhakti.

O’ my Parama Purusa, since the early dawn of this creation, from the very beginning of saincara, You have invariably been with me in the flow of Your thought waves. Never have I been apart from You. Unfailingly, You have remained very close to me. In both good and bad times of my life, You are always there to save me. In this sweet, fragrant, spring breeze, Your heart is very near to mine. You love me. My Adored One, please do not go away or push me far. Let me remain with You forever.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, normally every living being, each jiiva, has both positive and negative qualities, with a mix of various merits and demerits - virtue and vice. But my case is different. I have very little virtue and a huge amount of vice. My bad qualities are so numerous that they completely outnumber and overshadow a few good qualities. Parama Purusa, I fell into the dungeon of deep, cimmerian darkness and am crying in my pain and suffering. Now, please do not act unkindly by leaving me in misery and sorrow. Be gracious and keep me under Your shelter and care.  

O’ Baba, please do not ever forget me. I have come from You. I am Yours and You are mine. Kindly keep me under your wings.... 


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3161:

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The poet Vidyapati also said, “Adi anándika nátha kaháyasi ab tárańa bhárańa tumhárá.” “You are the Lord of the beginning and the Lord of the end also. I am somewhere between the beginning and the end, and so You are also my Lord. Thus it is Your duty to save me, to redeem me, to protect me from danger. You are bound to do that.”” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Paramátmá is the Soul of all souls in the Universe. They receive energy from Paramátmá. The ownership of anything is not yours; it is His. Everything comes from Him and ultimately goes to Him. You cannot create any original object; objects come from Him.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Oh Parama Brahma, I am not outside your universe. I surrender to you, ‘Lead me along the path of righteousness, lead me according to your will.’” (3)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, The Supreme Sun
3. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sadhakas needed

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "While dharma in the true sense of the term is based on logic and the realizations of great sádhakas [spiritual aspirants], religion, or dharmamata, is based entirely on irrational blind faith. So religions are always sheltered within dogma. While the propagation of dharma goes on spontaneously, for the propagation and establishment of dogma-based religions, the financial power of the vaeshyas [capitalists] and the intellectual prowess of the vipras [intellectuals] is inevitably needed. What we observe from the history of humankind is that the religions which have come so far have, without exception, taken shelter under the wings of capitalism. While money has been spent lavishly for the construction of beautiful places of worship, money has never been arranged for food, clothing, housing, education and medical care for the welfare of the poor. While for four full years all the state revenues of Orissa were spent for the construction of the Konark temple, during that period not a penny was spent for human welfare. Needless to say, the history of all countries is replete with such examples." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba points out how in the past the dogmatic religions spent their money on material pursuits such as the construction of the Konark temple, while the common people languished in utter poverty, half-naked and hungry. A similar state of affairs has befallen our AMPS where all emphasis is on material construction rather than a man-making mission.

#1: AMPS needs human beings. 
#2: So many ashrams and MUs are empty - now AM needs human beings not buildings.
#3: Those donating to those buildings and types of construction etc are all fools.
#4: Essentially, they are preparing those sites for non-margiis.
#5: Due to lack of occupancy by AMPS others will take over those buildings; that is what happened with the ashrams of other religions.
#6: In Bihar, Kabir followers had tens of thousands of MUs, and now everything is occupied by Bhumihar.
#7: So remain alert; we need humans. 

Reference
1. Ráŕh: The Cradle of Civilization, Ráŕh – 6


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Whose dogma is this

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, “Human life is like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, therefore it is futile to try and develop the material world. Such philosophies advise “atmanam viddhi” or “know thyself”. All the religions of the East have clearly instructed their followers to try and accept the path of shreya or that which leads to supreme benevolence only, to the utter exclusion of preya or that which leads to the acquisition of mundane objects! It may be that this sort of philosophy is not logically incorrect, but in practice this type of extreme idealism preaches that the world should be ignored. The individual human being may develop conscience, morality, renunciation, etc., and may reach the height of spirituality, but the society as a whole will not thereby progress. The maximum development of the society will be reached when there is balanced development in the physical, mental and spiritual spheres.” (1)

Question: Whose philosophy is Baba referring to in the yellow highlighted section?

Answer: In the above Quiz, in the yellow highlighted section Sadguru Baba is talking about - the Shankaracharya’s teachings of mayavada. The followers of mayavada preach the dogma that this material world is just an illusion - not real.

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt C


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Message of dedication: NH book


The Propounder of neo-humanism states:

“To those who think for all . . .
who offer others seats of honour and respect . . .
who venerate others, instead of waiting to be venerated –
to them I dedicate this book with humble esteem and deepest salutations.” (1)

- Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar

Note: In the above lines, it is obvious we should give first priority to honouring those whom nobody honours.

Reference
1. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Dedication page


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Origin of polo


Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The well-known modern game of polo originated in Manipur's Kobe Valley...Originally, only royal princes used to play the horse-riding game of polo. For that a very hard ball was needed. The kind of bamboo that was used, used to grow in the eastern portion of Rarh, in slightly salty soil. Still today the best bamboo for making polo balls grows in the Uluberia subdivision of Howrah District and in Midnapore District's Tamluk subdivision." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)


== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

How to handle emotional people
Right surrender: take action

Sadhana all lessons needed

Wrong moon calculation could ruin fasting

Story: describing His beauty & charm


SUBJECTS TOPICS